American Public Media (APM) announces this morning a sales and content development agreement with Cadence13, an Audacy company, wherein Cadence13 will exclusively represent ad sales for APM podcasts, and the two organizations will collaboratively develop new shows. Continue Reading
In a UK-based consumer survey report based partly on podcasts and partly on digital audio generally, results indicate that marketing in both realms is beneficial to advertisers, and in many respects is superior to TV advertising. The research was conducted by MAGNA and funded by Spotify. Click through for details and the download link. Continue Reading
TikTok Radio is a headline new channel coming to SiriusXM, expanding the reach of the shortform video platform’s influence on the music industry. SiriusXM calls the new channel “groundbreaking,” and promises other collaborations across the Sirius/Pandora audio offerings. Other extensions of TikTok music already appear on Sirius-owned Pandora. Continue Reading
Sounder, a podcast hosting platform with data intelligence and monetization features, reveals this morning that it has acquired Podnods, an AI-based recommendation platform for listeners with audience growth support for podcasters. The deal marries two companies which each brings advanced technology to the legacy industry functions of hosting, recommending, and monetizing. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia is announcing a multiyear agreement with Bloomberg Media which will see Bloomberg’s nearly 30 podcasts hosted on iHeart, and the two companies co-produce a dozen new ones. Continue Reading
Media Creek, the holding company of Live365 and EmpireStreaming, has acquired audio advertising consultancy AudioCatapult. Terms are not disclosed. AudioCatapult founder Mike Reznick notified us of this transaction, and will step into the Chief Operations Officer role at Media Creek. Continue Reading
Audio giant Audible is sending around notice of a development and production deal with audio storytelling company Treefort Media, to produce original scripted audio series. Described as a “first-look development and production deal,” three shows are starting production now, each one featuring known film actors. To our eyes, they appear primed for video/TV crossover. Continue Reading
In November we reported a partnership of iHeartRadio and Pushkin Industries, the audio production company founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018. Now we learn of the first jointly produced show: Be Antiracist with Ibram X. Kendi, which will drop on June 9. Continue Reading
Emulating Spotify and The New York Times, and furthering an ongoing era of podcast consolidation, SiriusXM has acquired 99% Invisible Inc., the owner of the venerable 99% Invisible podcast and its spinoffs. The podcast was launched by host Roman Mars in 2010, which could be considered the Middle Ages of podcasting — an era between the rosy founding days of a new media category and the modern resurgence which started with NPR’s Serial in 2014. Click for details. Continue Reading
Spotify is potentially extending its global reach in podcast distribution in a collaboration with Facebook, which has about eight times as many users. We tested sharing Spotify podcasts on the Facebook news feed. It sort of worked. Continue Reading
Vox Media announced Sunday evening that it has acquired Cafe Studios, co-founded in 2017 by Preet Bharara. Cafe Studios explores how law and policy intersect with politics, news, business, history, and technology. The acquisition will be placed in Vox Media Podcast Network, a division of Vox Media Studios, a unit of Vox Media. Continue Reading
Casted, which calls itself an first Amplified Marketing Platform for B2B marketers, has raised seven million dollars in a Series A round led by Revolution Ventures. Other investors include High Alpha Capital, Elevate Ventures, and Tappan Hill Ventures. The company quadrupled revenue in 2020, and one key investor predicts a multi-billion dollar sector. Continue Reading