Steve Goldstein: Should Podcasters Worry About Google’s AI NotebookLM?
In his latest guest column, Amplifi Media chief Steve Goldstein tries out Google’s new NotebookLM AI tool, and shares the AI-generated audio. He calls it impressive, jaw-dropping, exciting, weird, and unsettling. We agree. Steve also pulls back from the amazement of it, reassuringly to human podcasters. In the past, we have called out some of Steve’s columns as “must read.” This one is on a higher level of must read … and listen. Continue Reading
Audioboom’s multi-record Q3
In its Q3 Trading Update, Audioboom, the word “record” appears four times in the “Financial and operating insights” section. Click for the financial breakthroughs, and link to the official release. Continue Reading
Brendan Monaghan, ex Spotify, takes over at Libsyn
Brendan Monaghan, one of the most prominent and influential executives and BoD members in the software and services industries, has been named Chief Executive Officer of venerable podcast company Libsyn. At the same time, Monaghan joins Libsyn’s Board of Directors. Click for background. Continue Reading
Half of podcast listeners connect with sonic branding more than visual (Veritonic)
In a consumer survey fielded last month by audio analytics and research company Veritonic, hundreds of monthly (or more) podcast listeners were asked about how they relate to audio branding. Click for the big graphic. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: October 11
— Turning Tables (Seeking Alpha / Spotify)
— Taming A Wild Card (True Native Media)
— Like A Wild Horse (IAB)
RAIN Notes: October 10
iHeart tops U.S. and global podcast publishers, six of which appear in both Podtrac charts
In a RAIN scrutiny of two newly released Podtrac rankers, we see the clear dominance of iHeart Audience Network in the delivery of podcasts. In the list of 21 leading U.S. podcast publishers (sorted by unique monthly audience), we find six networks that also appear in the top Global Delivery ranker. We blend the data; click for the chart. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: October 8
“Messages were meant to be heard” — SiriusXM pitches incremental reach of audio
In a teacherly presentation that jams together more text and imagery than we ever thought could fit onto 19 pages, SiriusXM advocates for the compelling nature of audio messaging. Click through for RAIN’s detailed coverage, graphics, and sourcelink. Continue Reading
James Cridland’s International Radio Trends – Radio advertising: your winners and duds
by James Cridland
In his latest column, James unearths an old print ad for two Australian radio stations, and puzzles over a few conundrums. “There’s a lot to unpack from this press ad over thirty years later.” ALSO: A study from Audacy, an amazing face\t about Star Wars, the BBC applying for funds, James’ visit to the Pacific island of Niue, and more. Continue Reading
Steve Goldstein: Steve Pratt — How to Earn & Keep Attention
Recently we covered the release of Steve Pratt’s newly published book, Earn it: Unconventional Strategies for Brave Marketers. Here, guest columnist Steve Goldstein interviews Pratt about verified listening as a key statistic, “Tik Tok brain,” surpassing mediocrity, the difference between attention and retention, the multi-platform challenge, the pressure to create at volume, and focusing on underserved audiences.Lots of gems in this one. Continue Reading