by Steve Goldstein
In this guest column, Steve Goldstein debunks the headlines declaring 2-million existing podcasts. Should single-episode “one-and-done” efforts count? The Amplifi Podcast Pyramid really clarifies how we should interpret the global podcast catalog — and is a thing of beauty.
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As we reported in detail last week, Entercom rebranded all its corporate entities as Audacy. This morning featured a splashy celebration of the changed stock ticker symbol, as the opening bell of the NYSE was brand-decorated with the orange Audacy logo. Click through for a screenshot and link to video. Continue Reading
Audioboom has partnered with London-based MAPP Media to provide dynamic ad insertion commercials across Audioboom’s 8,000 podcasts. Audioboom serves 25-million unique monthly listeners who download 85-million episodes. The company is bringing MAPP into an existing premium sales enterprise which places bespoke host-read sponsor messages into podcasts. Click through for details. Continue Reading
Digital audio advertising revenue grew 13% in 2020 compared to 2019, according to the IAB’s newly issued Internet Advertising Revenue Report, conducted by PwC. Click through for a breakdown of desktop vs. mobile. Continue Reading
Jottings of note:
— Power Pressing (Blubrry)
— Refreshed (SpokenLayer)
— Selective Culling (Spotify/Rogan)
Casted, which calls itself an first Amplified Marketing Platform for B2B marketers, has raised seven million dollars in a Series A round led by Revolution Ventures. Other investors include High Alpha Capital, Elevate Ventures, and Tappan Hill Ventures. The company quadrupled revenue in 2020, and one key investor predicts a multi-billion dollar sector. Continue Reading
Newark-based Audible has brought in a Head of Audible Studios from Los Angeles, and it is Zola Mashariki. She comes from stints at Fox Searchlight Pictures, BET, and Good Films, where at each company she held executive content roles. She is a lawyer/executive who has acquired numerous books for crossover production projects. Continue Reading
New podcasts of note.
Politics of Food (DCP Entertainment & Westwood One)
Tulsa’s Buried Truth (ABC Audio)
Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin (iHeartRadio)
Colin Rushing, Chief Legal Officer of SoundExchange and RAIN Summit speaker, is honored in Billboard’s release of its Top Music Lawyers 2021. It is the only award in its category (Performing Rights) that relates directly and exclusively to streaming audio. Continue Reading
As we reported in November, venerable streaming platform TuneIn received investment from Innovation Endeavors. The dollar amount was undisclosed, but the timing conicided with a CEO change, as Richard Sterm went over over from Audible to take the helm. Today we notice the company has unfruled a raft of 20 job listings across different levels, and is self-referring as “a growth-stage company.” Continue Reading
Audio search and delivery platform Audioburst is announcing the launch of Platform for Apps, which provides audio that app builders can easily bolt into the mobile experiences. The company scrapes a colossal library of short clips (“bursts”) which can be sorted by topic and aggregated into playlists. It hopes to grow a clientele of app builders seeking entertainment and user retention. Continue Reading
Jottings of note:
— A winner (Evergreen Podcasts)
— Watch for openings (Stitcher)
— Legal hire (Townsquare Media)
— Insider interviews (TechCrunch)
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