by Jeff Umbro
In this week’s column, Podglomerate CEO Jeff Umbro covers key podcast news items from the past week. Megafy? That’s mega-Spotify. Also, a review of three radio quarterly earnings reports. Continue Reading
A few interesting notes related to podcasting from Cumulus Media in the company’s Q3 earnings report. Cumulus owns Westwood One and the Westwood One Podcast Network, although neither entity was mentioned by name in the earnings call remarks by CEO Mary Berner and CFO Frank Lopez-Balboa. Podcasting provided a bulward during trouble performance of streaming and local digital marketing. Continue Reading
In the Q1 earnings report from Cumulus Media, digital and podcasting took starring roles even as Covid-19 damaged quarterly results for the company as a whole. The Westwood One Podcast Network is part of Cumulus. CEO Mary Berner defines the business as “audio-first media company.” Digital is driving growth. Podcasts are soaring. Continue Reading
In Monday’s Q4 earnings call hosted by Cumulus Media, CEO Mary Berner noted that the company podcasting effort, organized in the Westwood One Podcast Network, earned topline revenue of $12-million in 2018. Click through for the chief executive’s remarks. Continue Reading
Cumulus Media has inked a deal with DAX, Global’s digital audio advertising branch. Under this multi-year arrangement, DAX will be the exclusive third-party sales representative for network radio streaming and national programmatic advertising alongside Cumulus’ in-house sales teams. Continue Reading
Podcasting played a starring role in the Q2 earnings call from Cumulus Media, as CEO Mary Berner predicted $10-million in 2018 revenue for the Westwood One Podcast Network. “Podcast listenership growth continues to outpace expectations,” she said. Continue Reading
Show Shouts highlights noteworthy new and upcoming podcasts from across the vast and still-growing audio medium. Today’s releases are a home improvement show from Cumulus, a new podcast network centered on bluegrass, and a science fiction story from Night Vale Presents. Continue Reading
TuneIn has inked a renewed, expanded deal with Cumulus Media. Under the terms of the latest multi-year agreement, TuneIn’s 75 million monthly listeners will have access to the full suite of Cumulus content beginning today. Continue Reading
Cumulus Media announced that it has launched Amazon Alexa voice skills for 300 local radio stations, which it says marks the largest collection of custom Alexa skills in the United States. This push includes popular Westwood One brands and Christmas radio. It partnered with XAPPmedia for the project. Continue Reading
Cumulus Media-owned Westwood One has partnered with iHeartMedia-owned Katz Expressway, a programmatic advertising exchange powered by tech company Jelli. The immediate result is that radio stations in major Cumulus market have some commercial inventory in Expressway, available for automated buying. Continue Reading
Not exactly a Christmas Eve shutdown, but Rdio will go silent on December 22. The company sent an email this evening to subscribers. “Goodbye … for now,” the notice cryptically started. Continue Reading
On the Move tracks hires, promotions, and other notable personnel changes within the online audio industry. Today’s moves include a new CEO at Cumulus Media and a new COO for 7digital. We also cover a promotion within the digital ranks at Universal and a new hire for Spotify’s Australia/New Zealand team. Continue Reading