RAIN Notes: Thursday, February 1
Author: Brad Hill
UMG lashes out at Tik Tok; threatens to pull catalog; levels accusations of bullying
In a flaming accusatory open letter, label giant Universal Music Group verbally eviscerates TikTok for failing to meet UMG’s royalty terms. The statement is posted on the final day of an existing royalty contract between the two giants. Continue Reading
What’s the internet worth? Consumers say $38,000 a year. And they like ads. (IAB)
Yesterday we provided initial coverage of the IAB’s newly released study, “The Free and Open Ad-Supported Internet: Consumers, Content, and Assessing the Data Value Exchange.” We take a second tour through the richly informative 30-page PDF today, with an emphasis on metrics and the IAB’s narrative running through the presentation. Click for deep coverage and graphs. Continue Reading
A year of podcast metrics: Triton Digital annual report
The report’s mission is to “cover trends in podcast listening and the devices and platforms that listeners use.” The sources of its information include a 12,000-subject survey conducted with Signal Hill Insights. Podcast reach continues to grow, but that is only an introductory set of metrics in this deep, granular work, which is a combination of surveys conducted with Signal Hill Insights, and Triton’s ongoing Podcast Metrics ranking. Click for high points and graphs, and the download link. Continue Reading
Most consumers prefer ads to paying for ad-free (IAB)
The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a summary of its consumer research into the attitudes of media consumers toward advertising. A key finding: Nearly 80% of consumers would prefer to get more ads in turn for having to pay nothing for websites/apps. Click for more. Continue Reading
Frequency partners with YEA Networks, providing workflow automation for audio
Audio production and syndication company YEA Networks has signed Frequency, a workflow automation and ad management resource for audio, as its podcast workflow automation partner. The goal is to accelerate deal flow, close sales, and service a growing number of opportunities.
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RAIN Notes: Monday, January 29
— Saddening (Broccoli Productions)
— TranslAItions (Digiday)
— Stepping Up (Morgan Smith / The Podglomerate
December splurge: Top podcast ad spend increases (Magellan)
In addition to Magellan AI’s monthly ranking of top podcast advertisers, the company publishes a list called “Top movers & shakers” — it’s a top-15 list featuring advertisers which Magellan has deemed to achieve “the most significant increase” in spending. A few of these companies stand out. Continue Reading
Amazon is top podcast spender in December, dethroning BetterHelp (Magellan)
It’s not a competition. But we observe that in December Amazon invested more in podcast advertising than perennial budget champ BetterHelp. This from Magellan AI’s December 2023 reckoning of top-spending podcast advertisers. Click for details and graphs. Continue Reading
Apple announces auto-generated podcast transcripts; praise and objections abound
Apple has declared that its next version of iOS, the iPhone operating system, will be equipped with automatically generated podcast transcripts. That feature will be helpful for users who sometimes prefer reading, or reading along with the audio. But does Apple have the right to do so? Who owns the transcript of an audio production which has been distributed by the audio owner? Continue Reading
SiriusXM company AdsWizz intros “Mood Targeting” for streaming music advertisers
Adtech company AdsWizz has introduced a new targeting technology for marketers who advertise in streaming music environments. Called Mood Targeting, “The new product seeks to match the mood or content of an ad, to the mood of the listener’s song or playlist.” Targeting music mood was a Pandora breakthrough years ago, and Pandora originally acquired AdsWizz (both are subsidiaries of SiriusXM). Click for details. Continue Reading
Katherine Maher, deeply experienced executive, will be NPR’s new CEO
NPR has revealed its newly appointed CEO: Katherine Maher, announced on the network’s news and commentary program All Things Considered. Maher will inherit the seat now occupied by John Lansing, who took the top job in September, 2019, when he replaced outgoing chief executive Jarl Mohn. Lansing recently announced his resignation. Katherine Maher owns a deep resume. Continue Reading