Spotify has introduced a new multimedia format that blends video and audio components. The feature is called Spotlight, and it can unite photos, video, or text when listening to podcasts, audiobooks, or news. We located Spotlight in Spotify’s Android app. Continue Reading
Mixcloud has furthered its relationship with W Hotels Worldwide, an arm of Marriott International. The companies are collaborating on special art and music events at six W Hotels around the world. Creative professionals have been invited to share their work for the series, dubbed Future Rising II: Wonderland. Continue Reading
Ad-tech company Instreamatic has won a spot in the Accelerator Pitch Event (Entertainment category) at South by Southwest in March. Instreamatic will present its interactive, conversation audio commercials to a live audience and judging panel on March 10-11 in Austin. Continue Reading
Apple’s Siri voice assistant is getting a closer relationship with podcasts. When asking Siri for news, the platform can provide audio-based news updates from the Podcasts app. In the U.S., Siri defaults to audio updates from NPR, but a second voice command can change the default to The Washington Post, CNN, or Fox News. Continue Reading
SoundCloud has shifted its statistics to be updated in real time. The audio platform is making data around plays, likes, reposts, comments, and downloads available to artists in real time. The new data is available in the Today custom view within the stats page on the web version of the service or in the SoundCloud Pulse app. Continue Reading
Amazon announced that it will launch its Echo smart speaker line in Australia and New Zealand. Pre-orders for the devices begin today, and the first shipments are expected in early February. In addition the company is rolling out Amazon Music Unlimited in those two markets starting February 1. Continue Reading
Private equity firm Diversis Capital has acquired media software company Marketron from previous owner BlackRock Capital. In the deal, Diversis names Michael Collins as Marketron CEO, exiting previous chief executive Jeff Haley. Continue Reading
Media software company Futuri is announcing today that broadcaster Alpha Media will use Futuri’s suite of audience engagements products. They include POST, TopicPulse, and Alexa Skills. Continue Reading
Brief news items and worthy reads from around the web: Podcasts are now 25% at Slate. YouTube tightens access to ad program. Programmatic and podcasts at Spotify. Continue Reading
Stream ripping has been at the forefront of music piracy for a few years now, and it continues to be a concern for the industry. The practice was a focus in the 2017 Notorious Markets List from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. The report has placed a focus on digital piracy in recent years, and stream ripping was the focus in the 2016 edition. It remains a top concern in the 2017 version. Continue Reading
Diversified Canadian media company Rogers announced its commitment to programmatic audio advertising, and has selected AdsWizz to provide technology for ad insertion, ad serving, and yield optimization. Continue Reading
MIDia Research compiled a consumer survey for LyricFind. The analysis covers two distinct topics. First is some statistics about the streaming music markets in the Germany, the UK, and the U.S. Second is how those markets and the users of different services think about lyrics features. Continue Reading