Sulinna Ong Departs Spotify, Joins U2’s Management Team with Irving and Jeffrey Azoff

Sulinna Ong exits Spotify to join U2 management team alongside Irving and Jeffrey Azoff

May 26, 2026 By Murray Stassen

U2 have appointed Sulinna Ong as a Management Partner, a newly created role that sees her join Irving and Jeffrey Azoff in leading the band’s management.

Ong will work across the full breadth of the band’s career, with a focus on “creative and innovation”, reporting directly to the four band members, according to a statement issued on Tuesday (May 26).

She joins after more than seven years at Spotify , where she most recently served as Global Head of Editorial & Curation, Music.

“What’s struck us about Sulinna is the flair, finesse, and clarity she brings to both the art and the audience,” said Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr in a joint statement.

“She understands what we’ve built and where we want to take it.

“We’re delighted to have her as a Management Partner alongside Irving and Jeffrey.”

> “She understands what we’ve built and where we want to take it.” Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr

Irving Azoff added: “The band made the right call. Sulinna is one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgement, taste, and an instinct for where culture is now and where it’s going.

“Jeffrey and I are proud to have her alongside us.”

> “The band made the right call. Sulinna is one of the best executives in music, with a career built on judgement, taste, and an instinct for where culture is now and where it’s going.” Irving Azoff

Ong said: “My years at Spotify have been a significant part of my career and I leave the team there with enormous respect for what we have built.

“U2 are one of the most important bands in the world, artistically and culturally, and have used their platform with purpose across every chapter of their career.”

Added Ong:  “The opportunity to work alongside them, and alongside Irving and Jeffrey, who have shaped what modern artist management is, was one I couldn’t pass up.

“We have ambitious plans for what’s next, and I’m ready to get to work.”

> “We have ambitious plans for what’s next, and I’m ready to get to work.” Sulinna Ong

Ong was profiled in the Wall Street Journal in 2025 under the headline “The Woman with the Most Valuable Ears in Music.”

She has appeared on Billboard ‘s Power Players list for three consecutive years ( 2024 , 2025 , 2026 ), according to the announcement, and has been a Billboard Women in Music Executive Honoree four years running ( 2023 , 2024 , 2025 , 2026 ).

She has also been named one of Vogue ‘s 25 Most Influential Women.

Ong was promoted to Global Head of Editorial at Spotify in October 2021 , having initially joined the company in April 2019 as Head of Artist & Label Services.

Before Spotify , she built her career across record labels, artist management, live music and tech – including roles at Sony Music , Live Nation and Deezer , where she was Global Vice President of Artist Marketing.

U2 signed with Irving and Jeffrey Azoff ‘s Full Stop Management in 2022 , after nearly a decade with manager Guy Oseary .

The Azoffs steered the band through its residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas, which opened the venue in September 2023 and was widely regarded as having set a new benchmark for live performance.

The band has entered a period of renewed activity in 2026 , surprise-releasing the Days of Ash EP in February and the Easter Lily EP in April, with a full studio album, their first since 2017 ‘s Songs of Experience,  expected later this year.

Drummer Larry Mullen Jr. , who sat out the Sphere residency due to injury and surgery, returned to performing with the band in May 2025 and has been recording with U2 on the forthcoming album.

Full Stop Management ‘s broader roster includes Harry Styles , the Eagles and Cardi B , among others. Music Business Worldwide

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_Originally reported by [Music Business Worldwide](https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/sulinna-ong-exits-spotify-to-join-u2-management-alongside-irving-and-jeffrey-azoff/)._