DON FORMAL ATTIRE BEFORE READING

Giving out awards to artists is never a bad idea—maybe they’ll show up to your televised awards gala and jack up your ratings. But you gotta give it up to the folks at Spotify, who are giving out their inaugural Spotify for Artists Marketing Awards without having a televised gala!

These awards are of particular interest to biz folk, though, as they recognize success in advancing artists’ careers with help from Spotify for Artist tools. Which tools, you ask? Well, Countdown Pages, Clips, Marquee & Showcase, playlist pitching and Music Videos, to name but a few. Consult this handy link for details.

But enough of our yakkin’—let’s open some envelopes and reveal the winners (and, in some cases, what the hell each award means). Once again, we remind the recipients to keep their speeches concise. The orchestra will play you off. Don't test us.

Standout Integrated Marketing Strategy goes to Interscope star Gracie Abrams’ The Secret of Us.

Standout New Release Storytelling, awarded to This is How Tomorrow Moves by Dirty Hit’s Beabadoobee, recognizes the new release “that demonstrated standout usage of Clips.”

Standout Promoted Release, conferred upon by Charm by Virgin’s Clairo, notes “strategic usage of Marquee & Showcase.”

The Standout Pre-Release Strategy trophy (is it a trophy? No clue) belongs to Pink Aura by 5020 RCRDS/Sony Mexico’s Kenia OS, which “demonstrated standout usage of Countdown Pages.”

And now, at last, the wait is over—we can finally tell you who won for Standout Playlist Pitching Success. It’s “Tired Boy” by Arista's Sunday (1994).

Gracie Abrams, Beabadoobee, Clairo, Kenia OS, Sunday (1994)

"We’re always working to create the best tools to help artists grow their audience and find their next fans, and we build those tools in direct response to feedback from artists," reads a quote from Spotify Head of Global Music Go-to-Market Madeleine Bennett. "We’re so excited to recognize teams who did an amazing job with our tools and platform this year. Spotify is the best home for new music, and you can count on us to continue to evolve and expand our support of artists at every step."

Product Marketing Lead Phoebe Deards, after duly congratulating the winners, noted, "These awards spotlight the teams behind this year’s most impactful campaigns, and demonstrate just how powerful Spotify for Artists tools can be. Our tools are designed to support artists at every stage, from building a fanbase to reaching new listeners, and we’re proud to celebrate the music marketers who helped take their artists’ careers to new heights."

Meanwhile, the award for best use of the bar at the Spotify for Artists Marketing Awards afterparty goes to an intern who’s looking very much like management material.