Brad Hill - RAIN News

Canadians, Americans, (and YouTube users) have differing reactions to the Rogan-Spotify controversy

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Brad Hill

Leaping into the moment, Canadian research firm Signal Hill Insights has produced a survey study of consumer reaction to the controversy swirling around Spotify’s distribution ownership of The Joe Rogan Experience. Rogan’s wide-ranging interview show is possibly the most successful podcast in the world. Signal Hill dashed into the field for survey work on February 2 and 3. One fulcrum of opinion lies on the American-Canadian border. Click for findings. Continue Reading →

“Don’t do it for the money” — Tom Webster at RAIN Podcast Business Lunch (transcript)

Posted on February 6, 2022 by Brad Hill

Missed the webinar? Would rather read anyway? Here is the transcript of the inaugural RAIN Podcast Business Lunch, featuring Tom Webster. Continue Reading →

“You’re Wrong About” wins iHeartRadio Podcast of the Year

Posted on February 5, 2022 by Brad Hill

In the beautifully produced (virtual only) iHeartRadio Podcast Awards, You’re Wrong About won the Podcast of the Year prize. It is produced by journalist Sarah Marshall, who partners with guests to reconsider a person or event that’s been miscast in the public imagination. Click for competing nominees with their publishers and number of episodes. Also a link to catch-up watch. Continue Reading →

RAIN Notes: Friday, February 4

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Brad Hill

Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition

— Looking Back (Magellan AI)

— Heroic Listeners (Edison research & Ad Results Media)

— Getting Along Great (PRX and Futuro Media)

Continue Reading →

Spotify crosses 400-million monthly users as revenue grows

Posted on February 4, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 Q4 earnings: “Our first question today…”

Posted on February 3, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 →

RAIN Notes: Wednesday, February 2

Posted on February 2, 2022 by Brad Hill

Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition

— Elevation (Triton Digital)

— New Home (Acast)

— Four-parter (Colorado Public Radio)

— Guidance (Apple Podcasts)

Continue Reading →

Veritonic releases software for analyzing the efficacy of audio

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 →

RAIN Notes: Monday, January 31

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Brad Hill

Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition

— Becoming (Mark Mulligan; Spotify)

— Drama Detail (Variety & more Spotify)

— Roosting Again (Rooster Teeth & RTX Austin)

— Awards Celebs (iHeartRadio)

Continue Reading →

SiriusXM intros AudioID via AdsWizz subsidiary; promises “a new era of identity”

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 →

Spotify speaks and Rogan apologizes in damage control before Q4 earnings

Posted on January 31, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 →

Brene Brown stops her Spotify-exclusive podcasts in apparent protest of Joe Rogan

Posted on January 29, 2022 by Brad Hill

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 →