Podcast platform Acast is launching an interesting new ad campaign for its services, and is keying it to “First Words” — the literal first words uttered on some of the biggest shows in its network of 35,000 podcasts. Also featured — video interviews with well known podcasters, challenging them to recall their first words. 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
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— iHeartSafety (iHeartRadio)
— Peer Power (Sports Podcast Awards)
— Takin’ the Lead (Somethin’ Else)
AdLarge is announcing today an audio ad sales partnership with G Networks, a content, marketing, and sales company. In the arrangement, AdLarge will oversee the management, sales, and fulfillment of the network audio ad sales inventory for both companies. G Networks will continue to offer its programming and services through their existing affiliations team to radio stations across the U.S. Continue Reading
A patent lawsuit pertained to Sonos controls of speaker groups, and Google lost all five counts of infringement that Sonos bought against the company’s Nest speaker technology — smart speakers which embody the Google Assistant artificial intelligence. Rather than pay royalties to Sonos, Google is downgrading a certain cluster of features in its smart speakers. Users aren’t thrilled. Click for details. Continue Reading
Audioboom released its 2021 annual finance report this morning, containing ready-made headlines for promoting the company’s recent success. Click through for lots of numbers and 2022 forecasts. Continue Reading
Before this year, no music recording has ever resided in the public domain under U.S. federal copyright law. As of January 1 the situation has changed: Any recording made before 1923 is in the public domain now, and can be freely used. Not much practical application for podcasters, admittedly. But 400,000 records released to free use is a blockbuster milestone in music copyright, and a fascinating trove. Click through for collections that anyone can explore. Continue Reading
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— Dream Destination (E.B. Moss)
— Robot Reveries (Shawn Cole)
— Sourcing Antiquity (PRX)
Jottings of Note, smart speaker edition
— All About Production (Benztown)
— A New Role (Acast)
— Sounds of CES (Popsci)
James Cridland returns with the latest installment of his weekly column. In this edition, how Spotify is eating into AM/FM listening — data is from Morgan Stanley. Also: The BBC in the pandemic. AM radio declining in Europe. Collectors of radio station beers. And much more. Continue Reading
Spotify is hoping a new podcast advertiser product — call-to-action cards — will bring interactivity to podcast sponsorship, allow listeners to easily pursue advertised offers, and double the benefit of podcast advertising to companies which offer products directly to consumers. The cards exited a testing period into formal launch today. Continue Reading
The Jordan Harbinger Show joined Podtrac’s monthly Top 20 Podcasts ranker for December. The other 19 shows all appeared in the previous month. RAIN’s 6-month comparison illustrates the nearly-unchanging stability of this list. Continue Reading