Swarms of podcasters populated the Rosen Shingle Creek resort hotel in Orlando, FL this week for two full days of learnings, plus some spillover before and after. As RAIN has attended year after year, we observe the mood becoming more serious and determined as the podcast industry’s challenges become as widely apparent as its opportunities. Continue Reading
Podtrac has attained certification from the IAB Tech Lab for its podcast measurements, as compliant with the IAB’s V2.0 guidelines and de facto industry standard. The news stands out because of Podtrac’s role in the industry as a prominent ranker of podcast audience metrics for publishers and podcast shows. Today’s announcement also contains two unique certifications of tricky measurement scenarios that Podtrac solved. Continue Reading
ART19, the hosting, distribution, ad-serving, and audience measurement podcast company, is announcing today that its targeted podcast marketplace includes over 200 ongoing shows. This announcement is a follow-on from the company’s well publicized recruitment of Lex Friedman and Korri Kolesa from Sticher/Midroll in April. Continue Reading
Libsyn, which self-identifies as the first-ever, and largest podcast hosting company, is announcing today that it has been granted IAB certification for its podcast analytics. Libsyn has been applying the IAB guidelines since 2017; the certification signals to advertisers that Libsyn’s audience measurements do officially apply the guidelines correctly. Continue Reading
Focus 360, and audio marketing solutions company, is increasing its podcasting focus with an investment in Lipstick & Vinyl, the podcast network that focuses on delivering underrepresented voices, especially women. Focus 360 will provide advertising representation as part of the new arrangement. Continue Reading
Townsquare Media’s Q2 earnings call was hosted this morning by CEO Bill Wilson and EVP/CFO Stuart Rosenstein. In it, the radio group reinforced its primary identity as a “premier local and digital marketing solutions company.” As in the Q1 report, Townsquare’s digital initiatives led the company’s business. Continue Reading
In an interesting piece of consumer research, Coleman Insights has determined that The Joe Rogan Experience enjoys the highest podcast brand recognition — by far. The study was fielded in May, when a thousand 18-64-year-old monthly podcast listeners were asked to name the podcasts with which they were familiar. Continue Reading
RAIN, the leading knowledge and networking organization for online audio and the digital evolution of radio, is pleased to announce that Bill Wilson, CEO of Townsquare Media, will keynote RAIN Summit Dallas on September 24. Bill Wilson has been a digital frontrunner in music, internet media, and radio for over 25 years. Continue Reading
As if often the case, much of the interesting content during Spotify’s Q2 earnings call this week transpired during the investor Q&A. There, CEO Daniel Ek and Head of Investor Relations Paul Vogel spoke of the company’s global ambitions, how podcasting is shaking out for Spotify, and a mention of audiobooks. Click through for quotes. Continue Reading
In yesterday’s Q2 earnings call, Sirius XM executives mentioned Pandora 48 times, always with pride, optimism, and ambition — and a bit of detail. When it comes to podcasting, both Pandora and its parent company are committed to growing their footprints in the space, with tactical differences. Continue Reading
In what appears to be a strategy which combines retention, attracting new shows, and expanding its network ad inventory, podcast host Spreaker has launched Spreaker Prime, a no-cost high-end service for podcasters who have attained a minimum audience level. Continue Reading
We got word this morning that Spotify’s popular in-house playlist Viva Latino! playlist now has more than 10-million followers (10,099,861 as of this writing). A rating of 10-million users is a milestone achievement, and Viva’s success is an indicator of the extent to which music playlists compete with CDs, radio stations, and even successful TV programs. Continue Reading