by Jeff Umbro
RAIN News welcomes Jeff Umbro in his first weekly appearance as guest columnist. In this edition, he offers in-depth analysis of siriusXM’s pending acquisition of Stitcher, and covers other podcasting news as well. Jeff is CEO of the Podglomerate podcast network. Click through for more details about Jeff, and of course to read the column. Continue Reading
Podcast content network Wondery has appointed DAX as its exclusive advertising partner in Canada, we are learning today. DAX will offer Canadian advertisers spot ads and host-read sponsorship messages. Wondery continues to be enterprisingly international. Although translation is probably not necessary for the Canadian market, wondery has been a pioneer in translating hit shows for non-English speaking audiences in other parts of the world. Continue Reading
Voxnest released a mid-year interim report, part of its State of the Podcast Universe, which is an annual release at year-end. The report is divided into four main observational sections corresponding to podcast business trends: Business, Advertising, Listening, Content. We’ve raided the report for a few key points; click through for a link to the actual download. Continue Reading
In a press release from Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Triton Digital is announcing a new partnership in its globe-spanning relationships. ADTIMA, the Vietnamese company which owns and operates the ZingMP3 online music platform, has selected Triton to monetize its ZingMP3 platform. Continue Reading
SiriusXM is hitting the nets this morning with a smart acquisition. The satellite radio and digital audio holding company is buying podcast host Simplecast. That’s the short story. The bigger picture is a full-on podcast distribution and monetization system for podcast creators at all levels. Continue Reading
WideOrbit is announcing a partnership with programmatic platform Rubicon Project, exposing WideOrbit’s network of audio publishers to Rubicon’s ad buyers. WideOrbit’s client list includes audio services, platforms, networks, radio broadcasters, and audio content publishers. Continue Reading
AdsWizz is announcing today that Anne Frisbie, an executive whose career roots go back to 1990s entrepreneurism, is joining the executive team as SVP of Global Supply. Frisbie comes to AdsWizz from nearly a dozen years with InMobi where she was SVP, Global Brand & Programmatic. Continue Reading
The JACK brand, one of the few remaining independent commercial radio groups in the UK, is announcing a deal with Targetspot which will allow advertisers to access JACK’s digital audio inventory programmatically for the first time. Continue Reading
Les Hollander, veteran digital audio executive and frequent RAIN Summit speaker, has joined Globel-owned DAX as Chief Growth Officer. Hollander left Spotify in December after six and a half years as Global Head of Audio & Video Monetization. His career has included executive stints at Clear Channel, CBS, Pandora, and Gannett. At DAX, he will report to CEO Matt Cutair in New York and Guy Jones (Commercial Operations Director of DAX Worldwide) in London. Continue Reading
Sonos introduced a new content hub for ad-supported lean-back listening last month, and now we’ve learned more about what’s happening behind the scenes. Sonos tapped Targetspot for an exclusive global sales partnership for Sonos Radio. Continue Reading
Vibenomics, a specialist in audio advertising and experiences, has raised Series A funding to further its operations. The company raised $6 million in a round led by BIP Capital, bringing its total funding to $13.5 million. Continue Reading
iHeartMedia released a lengthy and bullet-point-heavy financial update meant to reassure investors during coronavirus uncertainty. Podcasting is positioned as the leading digital business, with listening growth continuing during apotentially prolonged coronavirus emergency. Other digital assets are highlighted. Continue Reading