Thought Leaders

Interviews with, and contributions from, the most perceptive voices in the online audio industry.

Streaming’s Share of Ear in U.S., U.K. Are Similar

Posted on by Jennifer Lane

Recent info from Edison Research’s Share of Ear study puts listening to Internet radio/Music in the US, among persons 12+ at 11.6% of overall listening to all legitimate sources of audio. Right around the same time we were discussing this study at RAIN Summit Indy, similar information was being presented at the Nextrad.io conference hosted by RAIN friends James Cridland and Matt Deegan. RAIN will be examining the online audio marketplace in the UK and across Europe in November at RAIN Summit Europe which will take place in London on November 4th. Continue Reading →

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Mark Mulligan: The Three Things Streaming Needs To Fix Next

Posted on by Brad Hill

by Mark Mulligan

This guest column identifies a “middling majority” of music creators whose businesses are not thriving in the streaming music services. Mark Mulligan proposes a formula for better monetizing a band’s relationship with listeners and fans — and offers a worksheet of the model for artists to work with. Continue Reading →

RAIN founder Kurt Hanson honored with inaugural “Radio’s Most Innovative” award

Posted on by Brad Hill

RAIN News founding editor Kurt Hanson today received the inaugural “Radio’s Most Innovative” award from Jacobs Media, which plans to celebrate many honorees on a series of “Innovation Fridays.” The award bestowal features an interview with Kurt, including his highly researched analysis and asssessment of different pizza types. Continue Reading →

Google’s Android Auto: “Look What I Can Do!”

Posted on by Roger Lanctot

Roger Lanctot is Associate Director of Strategy Analytics, and a thought leader in the connected-car space. He is an influential voice in the field of automotive infotainment systems, and safety, in cars of the present and future. In this article, Roger Lanctot questions whether Google’s Android Auto initiative is ready for primetime. Do Google and Apple suffer from attention deficit disorder? Continue Reading →

Radio’s Brave New World

Posted on by James Cridland

by James Cridland

James Cridland, U.K.-based radio futurologist, delivered an opening-day speech at Radio Days Johannesburg. He examined the threats radio faces in the digital era, including shifting demographics, reduced time spent, and competition in the car. He also notes radio’s built-in advantages, but ends with a warning against complacency. Continue Reading →

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Award-winning Internet-only Portland Radio Project concentrates on local voices and values

Posted on by Brad Hill

One recipient of the recently-bestowed Edward R. Murrow Awards is Portland Radio Project, an Internet radio stream and website hub that received two Murrow commendations. RAIN spoke with two members of PRP’s founding team about the mission and operation of an Internet-only radio project focused on local community. Continue Reading →

James Cridland: Nokia and Sony push their own music services at Mobile World Congress

Posted on by James Cridland

A field report from Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, by guest columnist James Cridland. Will smartphone handset companies decide that they can profitably create their own music services? Nokia and Sony are promoting their home-grown music services in the Barcelona trade show. Continue Reading →

THOUGHT LEADERS: A conversation with podcaster Rob Greenlee

Posted on by Brad Hill

Rob Greenlee has been working with podcasts since 1999, is currently content manager for podcasts for Windows Phone, the latest role in a long series of positions with Microsoft. He is co-host of The New Media Show, a video podcast about the business of podcasting. We spoke with Rob Greenlee about The New Media Show, and the business of podcasting generally. Continue Reading →

A conversation with Doc Searls on the future of radio

Posted on by Brad Hill

Doc Searls is an author and a fellow of the Center for Information Technology & Society (CITS) at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He has a lifelong love of radio, and recently wrote a prescription for the future of broadcasting: How to Rescue Radio. We spoke with Doc Searls about radio, programming, and the future. Continue Reading →