Longtime Spotify executive Sulinna Ong has departed the streaming service to take up a newly created role with U2's management team.
Ong will join as a management partner with a focus on "creative and innovation", working alongside Full Stop Management's Irving and Jeffrey Azoff.
She will report directly to the Irish band, who joined Full Stop in 2022 after nearly a decade with Madonna and Red Hot Chili Peppers manager Guy Oseary.
“What’s struck us about Sulinna is the flair, finesse, and clarity she brings to both the art and the audience,” said a statement from U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. “She understands what we’ve built and where we want to take it. We’re delighted to have her as a management partner alongside Irving and Jeffrey.”
Ong, who was crowned Music Champion at the 2021 Music Week Women In Music Awards, joined Spotify from Deezer in 2019, initially as head of artist and label services before becoming the platform's head of music, UK and Ireland.
My years at Spotify have been a significant part of my career and I leave the team there with enormous respect for what we have built
Sulinna Ong
In 2022, she relocated from London to LA to take up a new post as Spotify's global head of editorial.
“My years at Spotify have been a significant part of my career and I leave the team there with enormous respect for what we have built," she said. "U2 are one of the most important bands in the world, artistically and culturally, and have used their platform with purpose across every chapter of their career.
"The opportunity to work alongside them, and alongside Irving and Jeffrey, who have shaped what modern artist management is, was one I couldn’t pass up. We have ambitious plans for what’s next, and I’m ready to get to work.”
Ong also brings extensive experience of working on marketing strategies in the music industry, as well as directly managing artists including Kasabian and Fun Lovin’ Criminals.
Sulinna is one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgement, taste and an instinct for where culture is now and where it’s going
Irving Azoff
In addition, she had spells of working in tech on marketing software, AI and robotics products. Her past employers include Sony Electronics, SonyBMG, Live Nation and WholeWorldBand.
“The band made the right call," added Irving Azoff. "Sulinna is one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgement, taste and an instinct for where culture is now and where it’s going.”
