RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 22
Jottings of Note
— Psychic Prowess? (Jason Brownlee)
— Toutes les Felicitations (AdsWizz)
— New Leash on Life (Gary Reisman)
News
NBC Olympics piles into podcasting, creating Apple Podcasts channel
As the beleaguered Tokyo Olympics get underway this week, with the opening ceremony scheduled for Friday, NBC Olympics is promoting its range of Olympics podcasts. The network’s emphasis is on its Apple Podcasts channel, where the shows are grouped. Click for details. Continue Reading
BetterHelp top podcast advertiser in June; three newcomers in top 15 (Magellan AI)
Online therapy service BetterHelp topped Magellan AI’s monthly list of top advertisers of June. BetterHelp was the biggest spender the previous two months as well, and we compare April, May, and June lists with a graphic illustrating unique appearances. ALSO: a fantastic animated visualization of the top podcast spenders over 12 months — must see. Continue Reading
Gastropod partners with Vox Media’s Eater for sales, marketing, distribution, and future development
In a landmark piece of bizdev for popular podcast Gastropod, the show is tying up with Eater, a Vox Media property. The Eater/Vox promotion and sales machinery will handle Gastropod‘s marketing, ad sales, and distribution. The announcement also promises “editorial collaborations and extensions.” It is not an acquisition; Gastropod remains independently owned. Continue Reading
Audioboom Q2 earnings: Record revenue and “strong impact on the industry”
Global podcast company Audioboom released its Q2 earnings this morning (London Stock Exchange), documenting record high revenue and a bit of profit (using adjusted EBITDA) — the first reported profit for the company. Click through for financials and comments from CEO Stuart Last. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Monday, July 19
Jottings of Note
— New Horizons (James O. Boggs)
— Mapping Radio’s Place (NuVoodoo)
— Bereavement (Mat George)
UK Parliamentary committee calls for new regulation of music streaming rates for musicians: “A complete reset”
A 97-paragraph UK Parliamentary committee has issued a dense report which analyzes the British music streaming industry, educating lawmakers about how it works and recommending a “complete reset.” Two main thrusts: Criticism of labels, and recommendation of collective licensing as in the U.S. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, July 15
Jottings of Note
— Money for Nothing (U.S. Copyright Office)
— Platform of Champions (Acast)
— Hopeful Return (Sonos & PRX)
Trade group AudioUK petitions government for podcasting production tax relief
The leading audio production trade group in the UK is petitioning the government to give tax relief to podcast production houses, following precedents in the movie, animation, children’s TV, videogames, theater, museum exhibition, and orchestra businesses. The idea is to reduce corporate taxes applied to podcast and audiobook production that meets certain criteria. Continue Reading
In mid-year 2021, alread more new podcasts than in all of 2019
In 2019, 335,000 new podcasts were created, according to Listen Notes. As of today, 513,000 podcasts have started in 2021, far surpassing 2019’s benchmark year which saw more new podcasts than any previous year. Where are they? What languages? How many episodes? Where are they hosted? Click through. Continue Reading
Podcast listeners trust ads and most take follow-up actions: Spotify report
In a thick and newly released report called Culture Next 2021, Spotify delivers research results that focus on the Millennial and GenZ demos, and how their media consumption trends can appeal to advertisers. Podcasting represents one section, which seeks to promote the effectiveness of podcast advertising for marketers. Continue Reading
Audioboom promotes Mancusi, Tong to C-level roles
Audioboom is announcing the promotion of Thomas Mancusi and Erica Tong. Mancusi becomes Chief Revenue Officer, and Tong becomes Chief Operating Officer. Continue Reading