Editorial Playlist Campaign

Editorial playlists represent curated selections managed by streaming platform staff. Placement on these playlists exposes tracks to large, engaged audiences actively seeking new music. Campaigns targeting editorial placement require understanding curation processes, crafting compelling submissions, and demonstrating comprehensive promotional support.

Understanding Editorial Curation

Streaming platforms employ music programming teams who curate editorial playlists based on various factors including track quality, artist trajectory, promotional timing, genre fit, and listener trends. These curators review submissions, monitor industry developments, and make placement decisions balancing artistic merit with playlist audience expectations.

Editorial curators receive enormous submission volumes, making differentiation crucial. Tracks must stand out through quality, presentation, and promotional context.

Spotify Editorial Submission

Spotify’s editorial pitching occurs through Spotify for Artists dashboards. Artists submit unreleased tracks by selecting songs in the dashboard, completing pitch forms, and providing supplementary information including genre, mood, promotional plans, and track descriptions.

Submissions should occur at least seven days before release, though earlier submission provides additional consideration time. Pitches submitted after release cannot receive editorial consideration for new music playlists.

Apple Music Editorial Approach

Apple Music editorial consideration operates differently from Spotify. Direct submission tools are limited. Distributor relationships, publicist connections, and direct Apple Music contacts facilitate editorial consideration.

Artists seeking Apple Music editorial placement often work through distribution partners who maintain Apple Music relationships or engage publicists with platform connections.

Crafting Effective Pitches

Editorial pitches must quickly communicate track essence and placement justification. Descriptions should explain what makes tracks distinctive without excessive hyperbole. Specific details about inspiration, creation process, or thematic content help curators understand artistic intent.

Target listener descriptions help curators evaluate playlist fit. Explaining which audiences would appreciate tracks guides placement decisions across playlist categories.

Genre and Mood Tagging

Accurate genre and mood tags significantly impact editorial consideration. Tags help curators locate tracks within their programming areas. Incorrect tagging may route submissions to inappropriate curators or suggest poor artist judgment.

Strategic tagging considers desired playlist destinations. Understanding playlist category structures helps artists position tracks for specific editorial targets.

Promotional Support Documentation

Editorial curators evaluate promotional context alongside track quality. Demonstrating advertising budgets, press coverage plans, social media strategies, and tour support suggests tracks will receive exposure beyond playlist placement.

Curators prefer placing tracks that will succeed, as playlist performance metrics affect their programming evaluation. Supported releases reduce curator risk.

Display Advertising as Promotional Evidence

Display advertising campaigns demonstrate promotional investment to editorial curators. Mentioning advertising plans through platforms like LG Media shows commitment to release support.

Post-placement, advertising sustains playlist-driven momentum, potentially extending placement duration through continued engagement metrics.

Timing Editorial Campaigns

Editorial campaign timing requires advance planning. Pitches submitted two to four weeks before release provide adequate consideration time. Coordinating distribution, asset creation, and promotional planning ensures readiness for pitch windows.

Release date selection should consider playlist refresh schedules and competitive release calendars. Major label releases can dominate editorial attention during busy periods.

Playlist Category Research

Understanding playlist categories and programming patterns improves targeting. Different playlists serve different functions: genre-specific collections, mood-based selections, activity playlists, and new music discovery features each have distinct programming criteria.

Researching target playlists through regular listening reveals programming patterns, typical track characteristics, and rotation frequencies.

Building Editorial Relationships

Long-term editorial relationships develop through consistent quality submissions, professional communication, and gratitude for previous placements. Following curators on social platforms and engaging respectfully can build recognition over time.

Editorial relationships typically develop gradually rather than through single submissions. Patience and professionalism compound into improved consideration over successive releases.

Regional and International Editorial

Editorial playlists exist across global and regional levels. International editorial considers global audiences while regional programming serves specific markets. Artists may find easier entry through regional editorial before achieving global placement.

Targeting markets with existing listener presence or strategic growth plans improves regional editorial relevance.

Measuring Editorial Success

Track editorial placements, playlist positions, and duration of inclusion. Calculate streams attributed to editorial sources using platform analytics. Compare editorial performance across releases to identify patterns.

Strong editorial performance on one release can influence consideration for subsequent releases, making consistent quality and promotion crucial.

Editorial Beyond Spotify

Editorial programs exist across streaming platforms. Amazon Music, Deezer, Tidal, and other services maintain editorial teams with their own submission processes and programming criteria.

Comprehensive editorial campaigns address multiple platforms rather than focusing exclusively on Spotify despite its market dominance.

Conclusion

Editorial playlist campaigns require compelling pitches, accurate metadata, and demonstrated promotional support. Display advertising on music websites contributes to promotional evidence that influences editorial decisions. Understanding curation processes, timing submissions appropriately, and building long-term relationships improves editorial success across streaming platforms.