Further expanding into podcasting, Spotify said Thursday that it has created a new executive role overseeing podcasts that will be led by a former Paramount+ executive.

       Julie McNamara, a former executive vice president and head of programming at Paramount+, will become Spotify’s new head of U.S. studios and video operations.

       McNamara, a former CBS TV Studios executive who helped establish ViacomCBS’ streaming service with such series as “Star Trek Discovery” and “Yellowstone,” will be based in Los Angeles.

       In her new role, McNamara will be instrumental in the creative vision for Spotify’s podcast companies The Ringer, Gimlet and Parcast, and work on key partnerships.

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       McNamara will report to Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content and advertising business officer. Courtney Holt will remain the company’s vice president of global podcast business.

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       Dawn Ostroff’s plan to turn Spotify into the ultimate podcast hub

       Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s chief content officer, says she plans on making hundreds of original podcast series next year as part of a strategy to expand the streaming platform’s podcast offerings. The company aims to have 20% of the listening on its service be non-music.

       Podcasts have become an increasingly important part of the music streaming giant’s business, as it seeks to expand its audience and advertising revenue.

       Over the last few years, Spotify has acquired several podcast production businesses and made high-profile deals with popular podcasters such as Joe Rogan.

       Spotify has 365 million monthly active users. The number of podcasts on its platform grew to 2.9 million podcasts at the end of the second quarter, up from 2.6 million in the prior quarter, Spotify said.