RAIN Notes: December 12 Special Edition (Nieman 2025 Predictions)
Streaming demoted in SiriusXM business plan
SiriusXM has released an updated strategic plan. We hear about “marketplace headwinds,” and learn that streaming is demoted as a business priority. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: December 11
— Slipping Into The Role (Slipstream / Jonathan Lane)
— Spotify Rapped (Spotify)
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Relevant, short, funny: Podcast listeners tell advertisers how to improve (Veritonic)
Audio analytics powerhouse Veritonic has released a concise survey report which presumes to tell marketers how to improve their podcast advertising. It’s not a scold; it’s a guide based on insights culled from hundreds of U.S. podcast listeners in November. “Not all podcast ads are created equal.”
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The new future of social platforms and music: MIDiA Research 2025 predictions
MIDiA Research, known for its extraordinarily detailed, insightful, and finely articulated research, has released its 2025 predictions. Presented in a webinar last week, we now offer a rundown of the accompanying slide deck provided to RAIN by MIDiA. Continue Reading
Acast acquires Wonder Media Network
Podcast giant Acast has acquired Wonder Media Network (WMN), a strategy, production, distribution, and design firm. The merger will create a new division within Acast called Acast Creative Studios. Wonder’s portfolio of original podcasts comes along with the deal. Continue Reading
November podcast production continues 2024 dip (Listen Notes)
New podcast production slipped downward in November, continuing a trend of desultory trending. To be clear: Although no firm direction is established, the output level of new podcasts is drawing a fairly stable line, as production seems to be settling after a January peak and gradual lessening during the year. Click for graphs. Continue Reading
A pitch for AI personalization in audio advertising (Instreamatic)
AI-based audio advertising company Instreamatic performed audience research which compared a generic ad campaign with a personalized ad campaign. The personalized ads were generated by AI. Both campaigns lifted key brand metrics, but the personalized AI ads did so more vigorously. Click for details. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: December 6
— Iterating The Future (Rockie Thomas)
— A Single Symbiotic Place (Libsyn)
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Veritonic goes to video
Audio research and analytics platform Veritonic is well known for its knowledge and solutions in audio, notably in podcasting. Today we learn more of the company’s capabilities in analyzing and optimizing video podcasts. Veritonic says its platform offers advanced audio analytics that can be applied to video podcasts, such as tone, emotional resonance, and content effectiveness. Click to know more. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: December 5
— Like A Gift (Spotify Wrapped)
— Staying Current (Magellan AI)
— Level Of Interest (A Google Search Comparison)
— Another Hill Climbed (Brian Lakamp) Continue Reading
Steve Goldstein: The Ups and Downs of Audio in 2024
In his latest guest column, Amplifi Media chief Steve Goldstein dishes a year-end review of podcasting in 2024. From the election to YouTube’s ravenous appetite. From Spotify’s envy to radio companies on edge. From public radio’s erosion to Sirius XM’s pivot. From subscriptions to audiobooks. This is a year-end must-read. Settle in. Continue Reading