Podcast host Captivate intros insertion tech and audio optimization for small podcasters

Posted on by Brad Hill

Captivate, the podcast hosting and tech company which self-describes as “the world’s only growth-oriented podcast host” is introducing tools designed to help small podcasts make money and make better audio. The new collection of tools is called AMIE, an acronym for Audio Mastering & Integration Engine. Today’s announcement is for a private beta release, with a timeline for public availability “over the next few months.” Continue Reading →

iHeartMedia acquires Voxnest; focus on advertising technology

Posted on by Brad Hill

The consolidation trend which has defined and accelerated enterprise podcasting for the past four years has a new story to tell today. iHeartMedia has reached agreement to fully acquire Voxnest, parent company of the Spreaker hosting and technology platform. Technology is the main impetus for this alignment, from iHeart’s perspective. Voxnest self-describes as “an audio technology company, specializing in podcasting solutions.” Click through for details, perspective, and quotes. Continue Reading →

Amaze Media Labs launches to create podcasts and events for brands

Posted on by Brad Hill

Three executives have teamed up to launch an agency which will create branded podcasts and branded events, sometimes in combination. Called Amaze Media Labs, the company’s purpose is to connect brands to their audiences “in authentic and meaningful ways.” There will be a specialty on virtual events at first, with the company looking forward to a resumption of in-person gatherings. The founding team comes from big business, not from podcast production or publishing. Continue Reading →

NPR subscribes to Nielsen’s Podcast Buying Power service

Posted on by Brad Hill

Nielsen is justifiably bragging today that is has signed NPR, one of the world’s most powerful podcast publishers, to Nielsen Podcast Buying Power, an insight service which matches genres to consumer purchase behavior patterns. The service is founded on the big Nielsen Scarborough database of consumer survey information. Continue Reading →

Triton Digital enters deal with Sounder, bringing dynamic ad insertion to Sounder’s podcast platform

Posted on by Brad Hill

Podcast management and monetization platform Sounder is announcing today an alliance  with Triton Digital to bring dynamically inserted ads to Sounder-hosted podcasts. The integration reportedly makes it easy for podcasters to bring revenue to their entire catalogs via audience-targeted ads. Continue Reading →

Quake Media launches news-oriented subscription podcast service

Posted on by Brad Hill

Though some observers would wish that subscription-based exclusive podcast services would cease and vanish, neither is happening. The latest? Quake Media which announces its launch, funded by Wndrco and “a few other” undisclosed individuals. The roll-out content is verticalized as a news & politics destination, with six podcasts hosted by recognized news anchors. Five bucks a month to listen. Click through for details. Continue Reading →

More is better, plus key knowledge points from Podsights Conversion Benchmarks report

Posted on by Brad Hill

Podcast attribution company Podsights has released a Conversion Benchmarks report (download HERE) that shines lights onto key factors in a successful podcast advertising campaign. In addition, a hefty appendix section illuminates parts of the anatomy of the podcast ad business. Click through for tons of detail, graphics, and a download link. Continue Reading →

Podcast is a lean-in, attention-holding medium for advertisers (Canadian Podcast Listener)

Posted on by Brad Hill

In a “sneak peek” at the 2020 edition of the Canadian Podcast Listener research report, listening to podcasts is revealed to be an intensely attentive activity compared to social media, listening to music, and watching short videos. Listening to podcasts takes roughly the same level of concentration as checking news and watching shows. Although podcast advertising success metrics are not part of this preview, the report does obliquely mention value to marketers in a key takeaway, and it seems self-evident that an attentive, concentrated audience is favorable to advertising generally. Continue Reading →

“Hello friends, we have a situation.” Covid reaches Rogan staff.

Posted on by Brad Hill

In an Instagram video, Joe Rogan — the world’s most successful podcaster, by consensus and most measurement — announced that a member of his production staff has tested positive for Covid. Production of The Joe Rogan Experience is halted indefinitely. Rogan speculates “deep into next week” before the show resumes. Continue Reading →