Pandora introduces new visual ads for mobile

Pandora has introduced a new native mobile ad experience that aims to improve impact and effectiveness for marketers. The new format relies on rich media and works to coincide with the natural behavior of the audio company’s mobile audience. Express and the Lexus Dealer Association are the first brands to beta test the new format. Continue Reading

Scripps buys Stitcher from Deezer, augments growing podcast empire

Media conglomerate E.W. Scripps has acquired podcast listening app Stitcher from global music service Deezer, which acquired Stitcher in October, 2014. The acquisition places Stitcher within Midroll Media, a podcast distribution and sales company, which Scripps purchased in July of last year. We spoke to Midroll exec Lex Friedman about what this means for Midroll Media. Continue Reading

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Tim Westergren: Pandora is replacing AM/FM radio

In a keynote interview at MIDEM over the weekend, Pandora CEO Tim Westergren talked about Pandora’s plan to build an on-demand service to complement its market-leading streaming radio platform, and the company’s support of the music industry. Along the way, Westergren reiterated his company’s explicit mission to replace broadcast radio, and why that’s a good thing for listeners and musicians. Continue Reading

Midem updates: A business keynote, TuneCore’s CEO, and an indie label report

Here’s a collection of some noteworthy developments emerging from Cannes, where the music industry has descended for the Midem conference. The opening keynote for the event gathered several industry leaders to talk about the future of the music business. TuneCore CEO Scott Ackerman also gave a talk and the Worldwide Independent Network released a report. Continue Reading

Podcast listening and advertising power grows [comScore/Wondery study]

A new report added to the volume of data around podcast listening and advertising. Audio on-demand network Wondery commissioned a study from comScore that found one in three podcast listeners expect to increase their podcast consumption in the next six months. Respondents also reported feeling more connected, intelligent, and energized after listening to a podcast. Continue Reading