IAB Podcast Upfront: Day 1 notes, pics, Will Ferrell’s laugh line, much more

The IAB Podcast Upfront 2020 expanded during this COVID-limited year to three days, from its traditional one-day theater show. So, thinking about it, not so much COVID-limited and COVID-enhanced. The trade-off? Sacrificing in-person networking for an expanded slate, many more personalities, and a quicker-moving experience. Will Ferrell had the best laugh of the day. Continue Reading

Franchesca Ramsey named host of IAB Podcast Upfront 2020, with co-hosts

The Interactive Advertising  Bureau (IAB) has revealed the host of this year’s Podcast Upfront. This year’s event is virtual, and will be hosted by actress and comedian Franchesca Ramsey. The event transpires over three days next week: September 9-11. Three co-hosts will join Ramsey in managing a sprawling presentation of podcast advertising opportunities. Click through for much more detail. Continue Reading

IAB announces virtual Podcast Upfront, expands format and presenter list

In a dramatic adjustment to COVID-era realities, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has planned a different sort of Podcast Upfront than in past years. First, it will be online-only. Second, it will transpire over three days rather than one day. Third, there will be more than 20 presenters, instead of 8-10 as in the past. Click through for dates, list of presenters, and other details. Continue Reading

IAB Podcast Revenue Report: Revenue nears $1B; host reads still dominate

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released its annual Podcast Advertising Revenue Study for 2019. It contains last year’s metrics and projections for full-year 2020. COVID-19 is built into the forecast research. $1B annual revenue is in sight, though projections have slowed down that track. Host-read ads still dominate. So do direct-to-consumer ads. Click through for much more. Continue Reading

IAB Projects strong podcast spend in H2; also forecasts radio

In this time of flux, defined by COVID uncertainty, upheaval in the streets, and an upcoming US presidential election, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has released a study in which ad buyers were surveyed about their expected allocations in the second half of 2020. Podcasting fares well, and terrestrial radio fares better than other traditional categories. Continue Reading

IAB report: Digital audio is still on the rise, driven by mobile’s 69% share

The IAB has released its half-year report, which found that Internet advertising revenue in the U.S. reached $57.9 billion in the first six months of 2019. The total is up 16.9% from the $49.5 billion generated in the first half of 2018. The half-year results showed continued favoring of mobile platforms, with digital audio revenue on mobile rising 40.9% on-year. Continue Reading

Podtrac achieves IAB V2 podcast measurement certification, with unique specialty solutions

Podtrac has attained certification from the IAB Tech Lab for its podcast measurements, as compliant with the IAB’s V2.0 guidelines and de facto industry standard. The news stands out because of Podtrac’s role in the industry as a prominent ranker of podcast audience metrics for publishers and podcast shows. Today’s announcement also contains two unique certifications of tricky measurement scenarios that Podtrac solved. Continue Reading

Libsyn joins ranks of IAB 2.0-certified podcast companies

Libsyn, which self-identifies as the first-ever, and largest podcast hosting company, is announcing today that it has been granted IAB certification for its podcast analytics. Libsyn has been applying the IAB guidelines since 2017; the certification signals to advertisers that Libsyn’s audience measurements do officially apply the guidelines correctly. Continue Reading