RAIN Notes: Wednesday, April 5
Jottings of Note
— Joining (iHeartMedia)
— Serving the Underserved (Libsyn)
— No Longer Live (Spotify)
News
TuneIn announces addition of 120,000 audiobooks
Two-tier streaming service TuneIn has reportedly added 120,000 audiobooks to its streaming library. The collection is available to Premium membership, which is priced at $10/month. The newly assembled library makes a competitive posture with Audible, the Amazon-owned leader in audiobook publishing. Continue Reading
Annalise Nielsen: The Ultimate Guide to Your Brand’s Video Podcast Strategy
by Annalise Nielsen
RAIN’s newest guest columnist, Annalise Nielsen (Senior Manager of Business Development, Pacific Content), presents a thorough exploration of creating a sensible video strategy for podcasts, including flow charts and video examples. It’s not a one-size-fits-all decision, for sure, and this piece helps any podcast publisher consider a brand’s goals to determine an optimal video plan. Continue Reading
Leading online radio service AccuRadio to debut AI-driven channels designed for every human activity; April 1 launch
AccuRadio is leveraging its newly created AccuGPT AI tool to create a dazzling array of micro-topical, hyper-targeted music channels. Pre-populated channels include, “Waiting in Line at the DMV” and “I Can’t Find My Glasses,” assisted by AI-enabled video monitoring of AccuRadio users. “It’s more than on-demand, it’s a music experience that AccuGPT creates instantly upon observation,” said CEO and Founder Kurt Hanson. The AccuGPT plan will be put in place April 1, and a large tranch of 47,000 new AI-programmed music channels will debut on Monday, April 3rd. Continue Reading
Case study produces ASMR audio ads for Sport Clips, with Veritonic research
In a fascinating and experimental case study, haircutting shop Sport Clips leverage audio effectiveness research by Veritonic and audio design agency Play Audio Agency, to create ASMR audio spots. SMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is an audio experience which stimulates tingling sensations in some people which travel down from the top of the head into the back. Audio elements often used in ASMR videos include whispering, tapping, and rustling. Click for an audio sample, and good luck continuing to work after listening. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Friday, March 31
Audiochuck starts new podcast network; Jason Hoch to lead new company
Audiochuck, the podcast company formed by Crime Junkie entrepreneur and podcast personality Ashley Flowers, is forming a new business unit to develop new shows. That subsidiary is called WAVLAND, and will be led by long-time podcast executive Jason Hoch. Hoch was with HowStuffWorks for five years, first as Chief Content Officer, then as Head of New Initiatives. He was President, Podcasts at Imperative Entertainment, ending that stint last month. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Thursday, March 30
Jottings of Note
— Taking the Lead (Audacy)
— Poor Dad (Audio Up)
— History of Korean Podcasting (Podnews)
RAIN Notes: Wednesday, March 29
Jottings of Note
— Two For One (Audacy)
— New Chair (Libsyn)
— Using Words (Riverside)
Interchangeable Ad Slots: Acast’s method of increasing inventory
Global podcast company Acast sent an interesting notice about a tech innovation called Interchangeable Ad Slots. The system takes advantage of Acast’s basic system setting which reserves each ad slot for one of two ad types: host reads, or pre-recorded brand commercials. The new technology can discern which type is reserved for a slot, and override that setting by selling and delivering the other type. Continue Reading
Triton Digital Canada Podcast Ranker shows four newcomers to top 100
In Triton Digital’s newly released Canada Podcast Ranker for February, we see a mostly stable list from the previous month, with just four newcomers. The list ranks by downloads. Four new entrants made the list. Click through for more details, including biggest gainer (you might suspect what it is) and biggest ranking drop. (wait, wait for it). Continue Reading
Podcast offers reach, youth, and differentiation: Sounds Profitable / Signal Hill
A new podcast audience study from Sounds Profitable and a cluster of sponsors was presented by co-CEO Tom Webster yesterday. Called The Medium Moves the Message, the central learnings are that podcasting’s young audience is growing, is differentiated in their listening habits, and that advertising on podcasts delivers “net new consumers.” Click through for details, slides, and key takeaways. Continue Reading