While the Joe Rogan controversy appeared to push SPOT stock sharply downward this week, the company’s reported Q4 2021 financials (released earlier this week) draw a less troubled picture with lots of green ink. Click through for a simple breakdown of quarterly and annual comparisons in user growth and revenue growth. Continue Reading
Spotify released quarterly earnings last night. In the investor call, the Q&A session began as many observers probably guessed it would: “Our first question today is going to come from Rich Greenfield on Joe Rogan.” CEO Daniel Ek treated it as a non-emergency, with careful answers. Meanwhile, podcasting contributed to higher gross margins. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Elevation (Triton Digital)
— New Home (Acast)
— Four-parter (Colorado Public Radio)
— Guidance (Apple Podcasts)
Audio research and analytics platform Veritonic is announcing the release of an API (Application Programming Interface) for accessing the company’s “audio scoring.” In this context “scoring” refers to a proprietary system of grading audio attributes and effectiveness. Those attributes include recall, engagement, and intent. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Becoming (Mark Mulligan; Spotify)
— Drama Detail (Variety & more Spotify)
— Roosting Again (Rooster Teeth & RTX Austin)
— Awards Celebs (iHeartRadio)
SiriusXM unleashed a press release today — dense and carefully worded — introducing a new SXM Media technology called AudioID on the AdsWizz audio ad tech platform owned by Sirius. The public announcement (read it HERE) promises a new kind of data and personal ID relationship between listeners and marketers, without exactly describing what the changes will be. We dive in. Continue Reading
Spotigate? Roganomics? Today we learn that Spotify and its headline podcaster Joe Rogan are maneuvering to get in front of apparent accelerating damage resulting from a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience which created public outcry over statements about Covid vaccines. Spotify CEO Daniel Ek clarified and disclosed; Rogan apologized and promised. Click for more. Continue Reading
The latest turn in the Neil Young vs. Joe Rogan drama on Spotify shifted from a musician to a star podcaster on Saturday afternoon when Dr. Brene Brown announced on Twitter that she would cease production on her two Spotify-exclusive podcasts, Unlocking Us and Dare to Lead. Continue Reading
In a well publicized flare-up, Neil Young hates Joe Rogan and blames Spotify. Young delivered an ultimatum: Ditch Rogan or lose me. Young is gone. It was quick, too, with no reported diplomatic attempts. Click for the continuing narrative.
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Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Innovating Together Again (SCA)
— Living History (Radiotopia & PRX)
— Sad Passing (Mark Lam)
Podcast.co, a UK-based hosting and production house, has expanded its work for brands, and separated the business with a distinct name and website destination: Cue. The new division specializes in interview shows, and factual narrative podcasts.
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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