If smart speakers need a content hit to reach a next level (RAIN’s hypothesis, and we’re not alone), the Westworld experience on Alexa is pointing in that direction. The elaborate “skill” has won AdAge’s Creativity Award 2019 for Best Use of Voice Tech. The campaign was built by ad agency 360i. Continue Reading
2 Dope Queens, a podcast under WNYC hosted by Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams, announced the end of its run. The popular comedy and storytelling show is closing with a special episode featuring former first lady Michelle Obama as the guest. Continue Reading
Vox Media is exploring new options for creative advertising in podcasts. Three of the media company’s shows will have ad breaks where Kara Swisher, co-founder of Recode and host of the Recode/Decode podcast, interviews a character from the HBO comedy Silicon Valley. The interview with actor Chris Diamantopoulos (in character as tech investor Russ Hanneman) covers the current cryptocurrency plotline of the show. Continue Reading
HBO has launched a limited-run podcast to accompany one of its new shows. The podcast is titled Where Do You Exist? and the first episode is currently available on Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. It was designed as a complement to new drama series Here And Now. Continue Reading
Pod Save America is making the leap to television. The political podcast, started by four former aides to President Barack Obama, will create four hour-long television specials for HBO centered on the 2018 midterm elections. Continue Reading
Bill Simmons is launching a new podcast network under HBO’s umbrella. The Bill Simmons Podcast Network has unveiled a new property dubbed Channel 33. Simmons began airing his own eponymous show in late September, a re-launch of his popular ESPN program. Continue Reading