Spotify partnered with Starbucks in May 2015.
The deal linked Starbucks’ in-store music culture with Spotify’s streaming platform. U.S.-based Starbucks employees received Spotify Premium subscriptions, and employees could help influence the music played in Starbucks stores through playlists created with Spotify.
Starbucks also received a curated presence on Spotify’s mobile app, allowing listeners to discover playlists associated with the coffee chain. The arrangement treated music as part of the Starbucks customer experience while giving Spotify a high-visibility brand partnership and access to a large employee and customer audience.
Apple Music is a tempting alternative because Starbucks had an earlier music relationship with Apple. Beginning in 2006, Starbucks promoted music through the iTunes Store and later worked with Apple on in-store song discovery and downloads. That Apple arrangement predates the 2015 Spotify partnership, making the date an important clue.