iHeartRadio announced a new deal focused on its app for children’s audio. iHeartRadio Family is the exclusive music partner for Kidomi, an interactive and educational app from Fingerprint. Continue Reading
Spotify has hired Tom Connaughton as its head of artist and label marketing for the UK. Connaughton previously worked at Vevo, most recently as the video company’s senior vice president of creative content and programming. Continue Reading
The latest Nielsen Podcast Insights report examines how podcast advertising impacts listener purchases and spending habits. First, it highlighted strong growth in the “avid podcast fan” audience, defined as households with the highest scores for their expressed interest in various podcast genres. Continue Reading
Podtrac has published its February 2018 ranking for podcast publishers. At the top of the chart, nothing has changed from the previous month. In the lower half of the ranking, order of the publishers has been rearranged and one new company made its debut. Continue Reading
Podcasting and audio company Acast has expanded its partnership with AdsWizz, with plans to use its AudioServe technology to power audio ad campaign management and optimization. Acast has been using AdsWizz’s AudioMax service to enable programmatic buying for its advertisers since last July. Continue Reading
Podcast startup CastBox is hopping on the original production bandwagon. The company announced the launch of a new show called Off Track with Hinch and Rossi. The podcast is a collaboration between CastBox and Podglomerate, with support from Indycar. Continue Reading
Facebook has taken its licensing deals across the Atlantic. These latest agreements add to Facebook’s stable of both the European-centric deals, such as with online rights hub ICE, and its work with outlets from the major labels, including Warner Music Group and Sony/ATV. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has hired Antonious Porch as its new general counsel. In this role, Porch will lead the legal affairs and public policy strategy for the audio company. He joins SoundCloud from Shazam, where he held the same post, and he also worked at Viacom for more than a decade. Continue Reading
The BBC will reportedly be getting a new role of podcast commissioner. Bob Shennan, the BBC Director of Radio and Music, announced at the Radiodays Europe conference that the broadcaster is “about to announce” the new role, which will focus on cultivating content beyond the station brands. The effort is aimed at reaching new and young audiences. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s Future of Radio is a column by the Australia-based radio futurologist. THIS WEEK: Another blow for AM radio, and a blog post on the honesty of modern radio, plus much more. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcast trends from Infinite Dial. EU to rule on Apple/Shazam next month. Anchors aweigh for social podcast videos. Continue Reading
SoundExchange announced that it has paid out a cumulative $5 billion in royalty distributions since the company’s founding. The December 2017 payouts tipped the company past the milestone. Continue Reading