Marco Bertozzi departs Publicis Groupe to join Spotify as VP, Europe

Bertozzi joins the streaming platform from Publicis' performance marketing arm Performics where he was global chief revenue officer since April. Prior to Publicis Groupe streamlining its media offerings, Bertozzi was named as global chief executive officer of performance marketing at Starcom MediaVest Group.

He has previously held posts at ZenithOptimedia and TMP Worldwide, as well as ad tech firm VivaKi which he joined in 2010 to head up in Europe, before being promoted to president of global clients in 2015.

Publicis has opted not to replace Bertozzi, with his duties being assumed by Michael Kahn, the global chief executive for Performics, who will now run the agency's new business growth, market profile and global client management.

"We are very excited to be welcoming Bertozzi into the Spotify family in the new year," said Brian Benedik, Spotify’s global head of ad sales, adding: "He has a great wealth of expertise and insights gained over many years in the agency world, and we’re looking forward to him bringing his fresh perspective to the European business."

The announcement comes as Spotify is increasingly trying to woo advertisers that are looking to include streaming data on their media plans. The business has also been making a programmatic play this year, making no secret of the fact that it wants to be the dominant seller of programmatic audio and outlining its intent to make all its media available this way within the next five years.

Marco Bertozzi said he believed the new role was an "incredibly exciting opportunity" to join a company that is working at the intersection of data, tech and incredible content."

"Spotify is a leader in its space and I am looking forward to joining in the New Year," he finished.