Sophie Paterson makes the move from Spotify to Sony Music

After confirming her exit from Spotify last month, Sophie Paterson has revealed her next move.

Paterson was with the tech titan for eight years as its head of PR and communications, and this week joined Sony Music as senior director of audience development & digital communications.

As far as job titles go, the data-driven audience development gig is a relatively new function within the record business, but one that's proving very valuable for labels.

TMN understands that Paterson will be based in Sony's offices on Hargrave Street, Sydney.

Spotify had already begun the search for a PR replacement, with applications now closed. In the interim, agency Hill + Knowlton are taking care of media relations.

Paterson was instrumental in championing locally-driven social impact initiatives at Spotify, including the First Nations audio creator communities and gender equity programs.

Prior to joining Spotify, she worked on campaigns for Schweppes, Parklife, Vodafone, Coopers, Take 40 and the Yellow Pages, as an account manager at Frank PR.

She becomes the second senior Aussie executive to leave Daniel Ek’s empire this month after it was revealed that local managing director Karen Lawson had also left the business.

Spotify’s head of automation and data, Dan Robins, and head of sales, Cassie Gilbert, have also left the Australian office during the previous 12 months.

A spokesperson for Spotify declined to comment on any departures.