Digital audio advertising platform TargetSpot announced an alliance with LiveRamp, a tech company that helps advertisers connect with targeted audience segments. The deal becomes part of a complex data ecosystem which lifts streaming audio above linear audio in its ability to target precise audience groups and satisfy advertiser demand for data-rich audio campaigns. Continue Reading
Australian company Omny announced that is has developed podcast consumption analytics as part of Omny Studio, its publishing and hosting platform for on-demand audio. The intent of new analytics is to raise the game from traditional download metrics to a more granular view of how the programs are listened to. The company would like to develop an industry-wide standard. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia President Rich Bressler called digital “a nice add-on to broadcast radio,” particularly in the social outreach of its main brand and its hundreds of stations. And he had more to say about programmatic advertising keeping the company in parity with natively digital media. Continue Reading
SNL Kagan generously sent RAIN News a copy of its annual Economics of Internet Music and Radio report. The 41-page document provides a detailed overview of major players, growth projection in revenue terms for webcasting traditional radio and pureplay internet radio (and how the two trendlines compare), and an outlook for in-car listening. Continue Reading
sponsored by PodcastOne
The news that Pandora acquired its second streaming podcast deal underscores the sometimes uncomfortable division in how podcasts are consumed — download or stream? Technically, the difference is artificial. But it becomes more important as a usability issue, and in audience measurement. Several mostly-music services are prioritizing podcast streaming, and stretching the definition of podcast consumption. Continue Reading
The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) ruling of new webcast royalty rates to labels was published in the Federal Register yesterday, per process schedule. Now begins a one-month appeal window, during which participants may file litigation which contests the ruling. Who is permitted to appeal, and who is not? Click for details. Continue Reading
RAIN News has learned that Radionomy has pulled its stations from TuneIn’s U.S. listening audience, over the cost of music licensing under the new Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) royalty rates. Radionomy told RAIN News that the company asked TuneIn to geo-block the U.S. from Radionomy streams. It is the latest disruption in the webcast industry coming from CRB rates implemented on January 1. Continue Reading
RAIN is pleased to announce that The Streaming Audio Advertising Summit, June 2 in New York, is now open for registration. The event, which will focus on exploring the advantages of the marketing opportunities of online audio, will take place from 9:00AM to 1:00PM at the beautiful Metropolitan Pavilion. Click for details. Continue Reading
“Before I turn to the corporate update and the latest quarterly results, I want to offer some perspective on this company that I founded with two friends over 16 years ago.”
That is how Tim Westergren, Founder and second-time CEO of Pandora, began yesterday’s earnings call for Q1 2016. In a remarkable stretch of speech-making from him and COO Sara Clemens, Pandora set the stage for its Q1 financial reporting by aligning with musicians and detailing how its products and business strategies differentiate from competitors.
Click through for details and perspective. Continue Reading
Pandora has released a new TV commercial in its line of “The Next Song Matters” series, called The Song. The new spot takes the theme of Pandora’s first ad in this series (The Next Song) — the joyous impact of the perfect song at the perfect time — and compresses it into the deep feeling of music generally. In both, there is an underlying message of perfect music provided by non-interactive listening. Continue Reading
Ezra Kucharz, President of CBS Local Digital Media, is leaving his CBS position, and will take on a consulting role as Special Advisor to the CEO of CBS. Kucharz made an informal announcement of his move in a LinkedIn note, and also circulated a memo to his team. Continue Reading
The smartphone is one of the most influential consumer electronics categories of the last 20 years. It certainly influences how Americans listen to radio and internet-delivered audio. At RAIN Summit West, Edison Research President Larry Rosin brought new metrics about smartphone listening from Edison’s ongoing Share of Ear and Infinite Dial consumer surveys. A shift is underway, too dramatic to disregard. Continue Reading