SPIN Magazine is coming to the Great White North. For more than four decades, the music media brand has shaped American culture, but today, SPIN announces its expansion into Canada with a dedicated editorial presence focused on local artists, culture, and live music experiences.
Veteran Canadian media executive and NXNE founder Michael Hollett has been named editor-in-chief of SPIN Canada and will help shape the brand’s presence within the continent’s music scene.
More from Spin:
”I’m excited to become part of the SPIN Magazine legacy of kick ass music journalism and use that platform to celebrate and raise the profile of emerging Canadian talent at home and internationally through the power of SPIN,” says Hollett. ”I’ve spent decades in journalism championing Canadian artists and musicians and finding fresh new voices to tell these stories in SPIN will be incredibly satisfying. We’re going to have fun and celebrate great talent along the way.”
SPIN Canada will launch June 10-14 with the debut of the SPIN Canada Stage at NXNE during FIFA World Cup programming week, offering opportunities to spotlight emerging and established artists in one of Canada’s most important music discovery environments.
While SPIN’s U.S. edition is already available in Canada, SPIN Canada will create a localized editorial platform dedicated to Canadian artists, audiences, and cultural coverage, while connecting local talent to SPIN’s broader global coverage.
“SPIN Magazine has always had a distinct voice and cultural relevance that people want to be part of,” says SPIN CEO Jimmy Hutcheson. “From our recent 40th anniversary celebration during Art Basel last year in Miami, featuring a lineup that included Chance the Rapper and Clipse, to collaborations with brands like Urban Outfitters and Aviator Nation, the demand for SPIN continues to grow in new and unexpected ways. We’re seeing that same energy internationally. Canada is a natural next step, and we’re excited to build something meaningful with a team that understands both the market and the opportunity.”
SPIN Canada will deliver original reporting, artist features, and cultural pieces tailored specifically for Canadian readers, while also serving as a foundation for future live events in the region.
The launch builds on SPIN’s continued growth across its media and entertainment portfolio, including its recent acquisition of Live For Live Music, which expanded the company’s presence in live events and community-driven programming.
“SPIN launching in Canada is an exciting moment for the country’s music and cultural landscape, and we couldn’t think of a better place to introduce the brand than at NXNE,” says Mo Ghoneim, president of Billboard U.K. and Billboard Canada/AMG. “SPIN has such a strong legacy in music journalism and culture, and we see this as an exciting opportunity to help spotlight emerging artists, especially through a festival platform that brings together more than 350 artists and music fans from around the world.”
To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here.
