RAIN Notes: Monday, March 25
— Resourceful (PRX)
— Leading With Trailers (Amaze Media Labs)
— Awarded (Fast Company)
Testing and measurement: keys to podcast ad efficacy (Veritonic research)
In a guide released today — the Veritonic Podcast Advertising Efficacy Guide — audio intelligence company Veritonic asserts that testing and measurement are primary tools in creating effective podcast ads. While testing and measurement are the broad takeaways, the work digs deeper Continue Reading
Audacy erases the Cadence13 brand, creates Audacy Podcasts.
A day after we reported that AdvertiseCast lost its name in a branding reorganization by parent company Libsyn, and was renamed Libsyn Ads, we learn that audio giant Audacy is doing something similar. In this case, Audacy will discontinue the Cadence13 brand and reposition it. Pineapple Street Media, another podcast subsidiary, is affected too. Continue Reading
10.2% growth of global music industry; initial coverage of IFPI annual report
The IFPI (International Federations of The Phonographic Industry) has released its Global Music Report for 2024, an important annual appraisal of the global music industry. The central result is this: 10.2% revenue growth in 2023. Click through for part one in our coverage. Continue Reading
Audacy launches AI + transcripts to “hyper-target” podcast listeners
Audio giant Audacy is announcing a dynamic AI and machine learning initiative which promises to deliver precise targeting of ads to listeners. Leveraging the details of podcast transcripts, the new system enables very precise identification of listener types, and the best times to reach them. Continue Reading
AdvertiseCast rebrands as Libsyn Ads, folding more plainly into parent company
Venerable podcast company Libsyn (formally Liberated Syndication Inc.) has rebranded its subsidiary AdvertiseCast, renaming the platform Libsyn Ads. The adjustment puts a clearer spotlight on Libsyn as a comprehensive multi-platform podcast service. Click for details and quotes. Continue Reading
RAIN Notes: Wednesday, March 20
— Perfect Alignment (The Podglomerate)
— Enthrallment (Tenderfoot TV)
— Heat (Radiotopia)
February podcast ad spend dips; 12 of top 15 are repeaters
Magellan AI’s accounting of podcast advertiser spending for February shows a small decrease from January (with fewer days); and most leaders are month-over-month repeaters. Click for details including RAIN’s month-over-month graph. Continue Reading
Spotify launches “Podcast Streams,” a listener targeting program for podcasters at all levels
Spotify is splashing a new product in the company’s self-serve advertising manager. Called Podcast Streams, it is open to podcasters and podcast companies of all levels. Click for details. Continue Reading
Edison Podcast Metrics releases top new podcasts of 2023
As statistical roundups for 2023 continue rolling in, we receive The Top New Podcasts Of 2023, an infographic from Edison Research. Edison’s ranking method differentiates from most others, by deriving results from live surveys, not from download measurements. The key advantage of that method is inclusivity — any podcast in the world is eligible for mention. Click for details. Continue Reading
Mark Mulligan: Global recorded music revenues grew by 9.8% in 2023
by Mark Mulligan
The picture of music revenue is changing, with emerging revenue categories taking spotlight from older-school key metrics. This important guest column by MIDiA Research Managing Director Mark Mulligan includes a very informative infographic. Mark discusses a strategic shift in the industry. “Anticipating the streaming slowdown, labels and artists alike have been looking for diversification and new growth drivers, with superfans emerging as the central target.” Growth of physical revenues and “other”-category earnings are evidence of “superfan focus.” An essential read to understand how major labels view consumer preferences which shape major-label businesses. (And the infographic is must-see.) Continue Reading
New digital audio ad firm Audire launches in 3 regions, offers 150M reach with “cost per full listen”
A new company called Audire (a combination of “audio” and “dire” — to speak, in French) has launched in Europe, Latin America, and the U.S. It is a new venture for RAIN sponsor and RAIN Summit speaker Carlos Cordoba. The network spans 150-million users across its addressable regions, including 50-million in the U.S. Click for detail. Continue Reading