Spotify is reporting that its podtech subsidiary Megaphone has acquired a new client in the Goalhanger podcast network. Goalhanger published non-fiction shows with a focus on history. The network’s website displays eight titles. Goalhanger self-identifies as “the UK’s largest independent podcast company.” Continue Reading
In 2019 Google introduced direct podcast playback within Google search results that year. We thought it was a terrific innovation that could significantly grow the “ever listened to a podcast” population in research surveys. In Q1 of this year Google disappointingly (in our opinion) removed that feature from Google Search. We test how Google represents podcasts in mobile and desktop. Click for screenshots. Continue Reading
Calling it “groundbreaking technology,” AI audio advertising platform Instreamatic is promoting its Contextual Audio Ads product. Today’s PR promotes two key features. Using AI, a near-infinite number of customization can be made for accurate targeting. Also, AI-cloned celebrity voices are available. Click for details and Instreamatic’s video demonstration. Continue Reading
Global podcast company Acast will give away $10,000 worth of podcast advertising across its 100,000-show reach, to a single American small-business company. The program coincides with Small Business Month. Anyone can make nominations. Click for details and links. Continue Reading
Acast has released its Q1 2023 earnings report. Click for detailed coverage of finances, key metrics, new Q1 initiatives, and comments from the CEO. Continue Reading
Spotify announces today that its proprietary ad network, the Spotify Audience Network (often abbreviated as SPAN), is expanding to France, Spain, and Italy. SPAN is dedicated to serving ad buyers of all sizes with a self-serve system. Continue Reading
Spotify announces today that its proprietary ad network, the Spotify Audience Network (often abbreviated as SPAN), is expanding to France, Spain, and Italy. SPAN is dedicated to serving ad buyers of all sizes with a self-serve system. Continue Reading
After Spotify’s Q1 earnings report this week, we review the company’s responses to investor questions about podcasting and future new audio categories. Continue Reading
Spotify notified us of a new venture and technology accomplishment — called “broadcast-to-podcast,” it enables radio broadcasters a specialized tool that makes it simple to turn their existing audio content into on-demand podcast content. This repurposing is accomplished with two of Spotify’s acquisitions: Australia-based Whooshkaa and U.S.-based Megaphone. Click for lots of detail. Continue Reading
In an announcement timed to coincide with last week’s Podcast Movement Evolutions conference, NPR has joined the Spotify Audience Network (SPAN), adding one of the world’s most listened-to catalogs to the streaming giant’s podcast monetization platform. It is the first time NPR has gone beyond its direct-sold advertising to work with a partner. Spotify will monetize unsold inventory, NPR told RAIN, and retain NPR’s trademark sponsorship sound. Click for more detail. Continue Reading
Podcast Movement Evolutions, the business-oriented variation of the creator-focused Podcast Movement conferences, was held at the Westgate Conference Center in Las Vegas this week. A somewhat more intimate experience than Podcast Movement, Evolutions offered several knowledge tracks featuring keynotes, interviews, and panel discussions along with numerous networking opportunities during three and a half days. There were announcements, too. Continue Reading
When Mixcloud founder and CEO Nico Perez asked Twitter for reactions to Spotify’s new AI DJ feature he received a short thread of contrasting replies. A well known tech pub calls it “deeply unnecessary.” Meanwhile, Spotify is occupied explaining why nobody can find it. With all this, we are looking forward to it. Continue Reading