Pluto TV Hires Prominent Spotify Executive Ken Parks

Since its launch in 2013, Pluto TV has used a series of strategic partnerships to create a compelling library for its users. Now, with its latest hire, the streaming video company has made one of its biggest moves yet. Ken Parks, Spotify’s former Chief Content Officer, will join Pluto TV as its Executive Chairman.

Parks will do more than just lead Pluto TV’s board; he’ll also run Pluto TV’s content, monetization, and distribution efforts, according to a press release. His presence will help accelerate the growth of Pluto TV’s signature product: A “lean back,” TV-style video player available both on the web and across mobile devices.

While he is only now joining the company full time, Parks has been a Pluto TV advisor for several months. He participated in a $13 million funding round Pluto TV landed last November, and he joined its advisory board at that time. Since then, he has been impressed by what he has seen. “I believe Pluto TV has an enormous opportunity to define the future of television and online video,” he said in the release. “As an advisor since 2014, I’ve had a front row seat to the rapid growth the company has achieved so far and I’m thrilled to join the team full-time. The timing is perfect for Pluto TV to reach massive global scale and become one of the premier consumer video platforms in the world.”

Parks, who joined Spotify in 2007, was the music streaming service’s first employee in the US. Most recently, he served as the company’s Chief Content Officer. His departure comes at a time when Spotify is actively pursuing video content to complement its musical offerings. While Parks will move to Pluto TV, he will remain an advisor to Spotify CEO Daniel Ek.

Pluto TV is headquartered in Los Angeles, but Parks will work out of a new office in New York.