Two French podcast publishers, Bababam and Choses a Savoir, have chosen Spotify subsidiary Megaphone for creation, monetization, and metrics analysis. As part of joining Megaphone, these two publishers will be early testers of the Spotify Audience Network in France. The announcement includes metrics from Chartable, acquired by Spotify to bundle into Megaphone. Continue Reading
This morning venerable podcast hosting platform Libsyn announced its acquisition of Podcast Ad RepsLLC, known as PAR. PAR will be bundled into AdvertiseCast, a previous Libsyn acquisition. Rick Selah and Anthony Savelli, PAR’s founders, and Co-CEOs, will join AdvertiseCast’s leadership team. Continue Reading
In an ambitious and consequential grab, Spotify has acquired two pillars of podcast advertising attribution, Chartable and Podsights. The additions fortify Spotify’s inceasingly formidable podcast tech stack, at the center of which is the Megaphone hosting and ad-tech platform. Continue Reading
Apple top-10 charter and NPR hit How I Built This with Guy Roz has been licensed by Amazon Music subsidiary Wondery for semi-exclusive distribution. Wondery and Amazon get the show exclusively for a week, and also enjoy exclusive ad-repping. NPR continues to underwrite. Click for details. Continue Reading
Podcast database company Podchaser is announcing a new integration with Audacy, the 2nd largest U.S. commercial radio group and owner of podcast production brands Cadence13 and Pineapple Street Studios. The partnership is geared to providing additional value to Audacy clients and ad agencies. Continue Reading
PRX has evidently been busy making deals, and today released three of them. The public media organization is partnering with Magnificent Noise, WaitWhat, and Skeptoid Media to distribute selected podcasts, and provide sponsorship and promotional support. Click for details. Continue Reading
UK-based radio group and worldwide media company Global has acquired podcast hosting/tech outfit Captivate. Global is the developer and holding company of DAX, the company’s international digital audio advertising exchange. Captivate will become part of Global Player, and will take advantage of DAX’s immense reach for monetization opportunities. Continue Reading
Spotify has acquired Australian podtech company Whooshkaa. The company says it will integrate Whooshkaa’s platform technology into Spotify subsidiary Megaphone. One important piece of that technology is an easy way for radio broadcasters to turn their content into on-demand podcasting. Continue Reading
Vox Media has bought Criminal Productions, whose best-known show is Criminal, which has appeared on several “Best Of” lists. Vox plans to double the unit’s staff, expand Criminal to a weekly show, and develop new ones. All this takes place within Vox’s podcast division, Vox Media Podcast Network. Vox also takes over ad sales. Continue Reading
Bad Robot, the film/TV firm founded and run by J.J. Abrams, whose franchises include Star Trek and Cloverfield movies, has jumped into audio with the creation of a podcast unit. Abrams pulled Christina Choi away from Audible to head the venture. The whole thing is tied up with Spotify. Continue Reading
On the same day that Edison Research and NPR released The Spoken Word Audio Report for 2021 (RAIN coverage HERE), Spotify announced its acquisition of Findaway, the audiobook facilitator and distributor. Finances of the deal are undisclosed, and might not represent the potential long-term impact of the acquisition to Spotify and to spoken word listening. Continue Reading
Libsyn makes another deal. PODGO, founded last year, brings together podcasts of any reach with advertisers who want highly targeted, host-read sponsorship messages. Click for more info and a rundown of Libsyn’s acquisition streak. Continue Reading