Exploring Future Opportunities & Reducing Risk
Company: LiSTNR
Project: LiSTNR LABs
Role: Product & Design Strategy and Direction
As LiSTNR scaled, so did the problem spaces we uncovered. To proactively identify opportunities and mitigate risks, we established a dedicated LABs team to explore future product possibilities through research-driven experimentation.
From hypothesis to viable product direction
We tackled key hypotheses, including what motivates users to pay for audio content, how existing streaming models impact engagement, how users perceive LiSTNR’s value, and what drives community connection to enhance advocacy and interaction. Through rigorous validation, many initiatives revealed minimal opportunities, saving the company significant future investment. The viable concepts were tested as in-product experiments to measure impact and refine strategy.
From Music to Sports
As LiSTNR expanded, we shifted our focus from just music to exploring new verticals, including sports. This transition required us to understand a new user base, their motivations, and the different dynamics at play in the sports media landscape. By applying the same research-driven experimentation approach, we tested hypotheses around user engagement with sports content, fan loyalty, and monetization opportunities. This shift allowed us to explore uncharted territory while ensuring that our strategy was grounded in real user insights.
