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

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

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