Audio/podcasting entrepreneur Jake Shapiro leaves RadioPublic for Apple

As announced on his LinkedIn feed, RadioPublic and Podfund Founder/CEO, and RAIN Summit keynote speaker Jake Shapiro has joined Apple as Head of Creator Partnerships, Apple Podcasts. Shapiro notes that his former companies will continue with new leadership, as of now undisclosed. Shapiro’s appointment seems to indicate Apple’s growing interest in becoming an original content network. Continue Reading

Stream listening dipped in July (Triton Digital Webcast Metrics)

U.S. stream listening slipped about 3% month-over-month in July, according to the Triton Digital Webcast Metrics Top 20 Ranker. The two leaders, Pandora and iHeartRadio, each slipped a bit from the month before. Click through for other details and RAIN’s unique long-term Webcast Metrics tracker. Continue Reading

Streaming now 85% of U.S. recorded music revenue: RIAA

Streaming has grown from 80% to 85% of all recorded music revenue in the U.S., according to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) in its mid-year 2020 report. In dollars, the 85% of revenue for the six month period totals $4.8-billion. Other revenue categories have been withering on the vine for years, and now are nearing flatline. Physical sales were just 7% or revenue, and digital downloads were 6%. Click through for other details and a link to the downloadable report. Continue Reading

Triton partners with Tru Optik to add political leanings to digital audio audience targeting

Triton digital is sending out an interesting announcement this morning: The company has linked up with Tru Optik Political Data Cloud to offer digital audio advertisers audience targeting by political inclination. These segments include Leaning Democrat, Leaning Independent, Leaning Republican, Swing Voters, and Undecided. It’s easy to imagine that the availability of these targeted segments could bring more political ads into digital audio during this election season.  Continue Reading

SiriusXM executive changes as Jim Meyer steps down — new CEO and CFO incoming

On December 31 SiriusXM CEO Jim Meyer will leave the company. Replacing him will be Jennifer C. Witz, currently Director of Sales. Simultaneously, Sirius CFO David J. Frear will step away, his role to be filled by Sean Sullivan, currently CFO of AMC Networks. Meyer has been CEO for eight years, overseeing the acquisitions of Pandora, Stitcher, and Simplecast. Continue Reading