RAIN Notes: Thursday, April 8
Jottings of note:
— Power Pressing (Blubrry)
— Refreshed (SpokenLayer)
— Selective Culling (Spotify/Rogan)
News
Audible appoints book adaptation expert as Head of Audible Studios: Zola Mashariki
Newark-based Audible has brought in a Head of Audible Studios from Los Angeles, and it is Zola Mashariki. She comes from stints at Fox Searchlight Pictures, BET, and Good Films, where at each company she held executive content roles. She is a lawyer/executive who has acquired numerous books for crossover production projects. Continue Reading
Colin Rushing, SoundExchange, honored as Billboard Top Lawyer
Colin Rushing, Chief Legal Officer of SoundExchange and RAIN Summit speaker, is honored in Billboard’s release of its Top Music Lawyers 2021. It is the only award in its category (Performing Rights) that relates directly and exclusively to streaming audio. Continue Reading
TuneIn continues to deploy November investment; markets 20 key job listings
As we reported in November, venerable streaming platform TuneIn received investment from Innovation Endeavors. The dollar amount was undisclosed, but the timing conicided with a CEO change, as Richard Sterm went over over from Audible to take the helm. Today we notice the company has unfruled a raft of 20 job listings across different levels, and is self-referring as “a growth-stage company.” Continue Reading
Audioburst launches “Platform for Apps,” enabling topical audio streaming to app builders
Audio search and delivery platform Audioburst is announcing the launch of Platform for Apps, which provides audio that app builders can easily bolt into the mobile experiences. The company scrapes a colossal library of short clips (“bursts”) which can be sorted by topic and aggregated into playlists. It hopes to grow a clientele of app builders seeking entertainment and user retention. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Monday, April 5
Jottings of note:
— A winner (Evergreen Podcasts)
— Watch for openings (Stitcher)
— Legal hire (Townsquare Media)
— Insider interviews (TechCrunch)
Continue Reading
Evergreen Podcasts partners with IndustryPods, a network of recorded B2B conferences
Evergreen Podcasts is announcing a partnership with IndustryPods, a young network specializing in making podcasts from virtual conference recordings. Through the arrangement, Industry Pods can distribute to a wider audience and cross-promote relevant interest. Continue Reading
Triton Digital adds Indonesian radio/podcast client Masima Radio
Masima Radio, the largest radio network in Indonesia with 18 stations, has selected Triton Digital for the delivery, monetization, and measurement of its streaming audio and podcast content. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Friday, April 2
Jottings of note:
— Sounds like calisthenics (Univison)
— Segmenting the radio audience (Edison & NPR)
— Directing traffic (Spotify)
— The winner will be… (The Ambies)
Continue Reading
In new infrastructure bill, U.S. government seeks to limit number of podcasts
In what could be described as governmental overreach, the U.S. administration has included a “podcast restraint” section in its proposed $2 trillion infrastructure bill that was unveiled yesterday. “Enough is enough,” declared Deborah Rode, newly confirmed Secretary of Listening. “Everybody in this country has a box mattress by now.” Continue Reading
In startling reversal, AccuRadio moves to radio, citing high music royalty costs
AccuRadio, one of the two leading brands of pureplay online radio in the U.S., has stunned the online audio business community by announcing that it is switching to broadcast radio distribution. The change will occur on April 5. In an aggrieved press release the company cites high royalty costs, and says it can find greater profitability in AM radio “playing up to 22 minutes of commercials per hour.” Continue Reading
IAB reveals Podcast Upfront presenters for first springtime event
In December the Interactive Advertising Bureau announced a new annual schedule for its Podcast Upfront event, formerly in the fall. Going forward it would be a springtime event, planned for May 11-13 in 2021. Today the trade organization revealed its presenters. Continue Reading