Month: January 2022

Triton Digital Releases the New Podcast Ranker for December 2021

~ jen

Triton Digital, the global technology and services leader to the digital audio and podcast industry, announced today the release of the latest New Zealand Podcast Ranker. The Podcast Ranker provides insights into the Top 100 Podcasts as well as the Top Networks in New Zealand from 1 December through 31 December, 2021, as measured by Triton’s Podcast Metrics measurement service.

The Top 100 Podcast Ranker and Top Network Ranker are ranked by monthly listeners, in accordance with the latest IAB Podcast Technical Measurement Guidelines.

This month, Triton Digital introduces the New Zealand Podcast Ranker website – an enhanced and robust experience for New Zealand advertisers and agencies seeking podcast consumption insights. With just a few clicks, the new Podcast Ranker website provides metrics on New Zealand’s top 100 podcasts and top publishers.

The new rankers website will continue to evolve in the new year with deeper insights, metrics and other regions around the world.

For this reporting period, the top three podcasts include Fletch, Vaughan & Megan on ZM (NZME/iHeartRadio), Castile True Crime (Audioboom), and The Mike Hosking Breakfast (NZME/iHeartRadio).

New podcasts debuting on the ranker this month include Lost Hills (NZME/iHeartRadio), UK True Crime Podcast (Audioboom), The Howie Games (LiSTNR (SCA)) and more.

Total downloads of all shows by all participating publishers in the month of December is 5.8M.

Participating networks in New Zealand Ranker include Audioboom, Headgum, Kast Media (LiSTNR (SCA)), MediaWorks Radio Limited, NZME/iHeartRadio, Stitcher Media and Sports Entertainment Network (SEN).

Triton Digital’s Podcast Metrics measurement service is certified by the IAB Tech Lab as complying with Version 2 of the IAB Podcast Measurement Technical Guidelines and is currently under audio to complete certification for version 2.1. It provides accurate and insightful data around how, when, and where podcast content is being consumed across multiple hosting platforms, with the ability to view metrics by date range, location, device, podcast name, episode, title, and more.

Acast Adds Specialized Growth Division to its Creator Network Team

~ jen

Acast, the world’s leading independent podcast company, has carved out a separate division within its expansive Creator Network Team, dedicated to helping podcasts scale and grow. Comprising both current Acast employees and new hires specifically recruited for the role – currently based in the UK, US and Sweden – this new division will develop and help implement audience growth strategies for Acast’s Creator Network podcasts.

Members of the new growth division will report into their local Creator Network Directors and be supported by a wider insights team – including Mike Wood, Acast’s Director of Audience Development Insights – there are also plans in place to appoint people to growth roles across more of Acast’s markets globally.

This new data-driven department will also work closely with Acast’s own product team, growing podcaster’s audiences through the latest advancements in podcast technology – alongside more traditional marketing and best-practice show growth strategies.

While the current set-up already assists a wide range of podcaster needs, including show growth, the new growth division’s sole focus will be on expanding podcasts’ listenership – offering Acast’s podcasters a dedicated resource for growing and scaling their show.

Veronika Taylor, Senior Vice President of Acast’s Creator Network said: “We want to work with the best podcasts and we want to help them grow with data-driven strategies to reach their full potential. The insights we uncover – and the subsequent application of those – will benefit the many thousands of podcasts that are part of our network globally, supporting their discovery, growth, and subsequent successes.”

Audacy Announces Two Additions to Performance Sales Function

~ jen

Audacy welcomes Shirin Peykar as Senior Vice President of Performance Sales, effective January 19. In this role, Peykar will lead Audacy’s performance sales team and sell across its portfolio of products, leaning heavily into the company’s robust podcast library. Peykar will also strategize to drive the business forward and expand Audacy’s relationships with performance-driven marketers. She will report to Ken Lagana, Executive Vice President of Digital Sales.

Audacy also welcomes Dan Wolman as Vice President of Performance Sales, reporting to Peykar. Also beginning January 19, Wolman will work with performance clients and agencies to sell across Audacy’s portfolio of digital audio brands, with a focus on its podcasting business.

“Shirin’s rich experience leading multi-faceted ad sales operations for premier media and entertainment companies makes her a valuable addition to our performance sales business,” said Lagana. “We’re equally as excited about the addition of Dan to the team, which will collectively strive to drive revenue, market share and profit performance for our portfolio of assets.”

“I’ve been watching Audacy’s progression in the podcast space over the past couple of years and their commitment to building a world class podcast portfolio has really impressed me,” said Peykar. “When you couple that dedication to the podcast space and audio in general, I couldn’t be more excited about bringing this portfolio to our performance clients and agencies!”

Peykar is a seasoned advertising sales executive with nearly 20 years of experience at 33 major television networks. She joins Auduacy after spending the last two years as Senior Vice President of Direct Response Ad Sales for Stitcher. Prior to that, she served as Vice President of Direct Response for Midroll Media, a Stitcher company. Additional roles include Vice President of Ad Sales for NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises, Vice President of Direct Response Ad Sales fro Univision Communications, Director of Direct Response Ad Sales for Nickelodeon, Account Executive – Director of Direct Response Ad Sales – Music Cluster, and Account Executive – Direct Response for Viacom. She launched her career as a sales coordinator for USA Networks in 2000.

“Audacy is the industry leader in audio while remaining innovative, representing chart-topping content, generating loyal listeners, and serving as home to influential talent,” said Wolman. “This is a performance sellers dream! I am excited to leverage my linear, OTT and audio experience with this role and celebrate many wins with Audacy and our client partners.”

Wolman also joins Audacy from Stitcher, where he spent the last two years as Vice President of Performance Sales for the company and SXM Media. Prior to that role, he served in various sales executive roles for Hulu, Univision Communications and Turner Broadcasting, helping to build and grow their performance sales teams.

B2B Content Marketers Spend 82% of their Time Creating Content

~ jen

Casted, the first amplified marketing platform and only audio and video podcast solution designed of enterprise marketers, announced the findings from its new industry report, revealing changing trends in B2B content marketing. The full report, The State of the Content Marketer Report, provides insight into the biggest pain points for modern content marketers, identifying their tactics, tools and current strategies, and uncovering opportunities for growth and innovations.

“Content marketers have one of the hardest jobs. Their role is constantly evolving, forcing them to keep up with impossible demands and expectation for engaging audiences with the right message – especially as the digital landscape continues to be the driving source of information, said Lindsay Tjepkema, CEO and Co-Founder of Casted.

“As a content marketer, creating content is just half of the job. Ensuring the content is used to its full potential is the other, and that part is where just over half of content marketers fall short. Content marketers are short on time to do their job and lack the proper resources to execute an amplified marketing strategy. By amplifying marketing efforts and repurposing rich, creative content, marketers can make the most of their time, effort, and money – all while bringing the focus back to their audiences’s needs.”

Nearly a third of B2B buyer’s time is spent searching and researching content they find online to inform and support their buying decisions. Marketers are investing in content to meet these needs, and Casted’s data shows insights from more than 100 B2B content marketers, noting content marketing efforts, performance, tools and more.

Key insights from the report include:

B2B content marketers report spending an average of 33 hours creating content weekly. Content creation takes the most time yet is only one of a content marketer’s responsibilities.

Video and podcast content is underrepresented in strategies. Only 32% of content marketers are utilizing podcasts as an effective channel and less than half of marketers are repurposing existing assets – for example, videos or webinar clips – and leveraging them elsewhere, such as email and/or social media.

Content marketers are using between four and five platforms on average to execute their marketing strategies.

In terms of channel breakdown, virtually all content marketers create social media messages, emails/newsletters, and blog posts. More than half (61%) also develop videos and webinars, while fewer create whitepapers (47%), and only a handful produce audiograms or audio clips (4%).

Sachin Doshi Joins Podimo as Chief Content Officer

~ jen

Podimo, the fast-growing subscription service for audio entertainment and podcasts, announced that Sachin Doshi has joined the company as Chief Content Officer. Following the announcement of their Series B Round investment in November 2021, Podimo now strengthens their executive management team with the former VP of Content at Spotify and Director of Public Product at Twitter.

Doshi will lead Podimo’s Global Content team to unlock new audio experiences and help Podimo scale to new users, in new and existing markets, while ensuring both listeners and creators are always rewarded for their engagement.

“I’m excited to be joining the team at Podimo,” says Doshi. “Podimo has thrived with a strategic focus on content in local markets and native languages. With that focus in place, I look forward to working across the organization, to marry content and product and unlock the full potential of a premium audio experience.”

“Sachin’s history in media on both sides of the marketplace is inspiring, and perfectly suited to help Podimo continue to evolve our user experience and economic model for creators and rights holders,” says Podimo CEO Morten Strunge.” We’re thrilled to bring his vision and expertise to the Podimo family.”

In his time at Universal Music Group and Spotify, Doshi helped establish a new revenue model for the recorded music industry. Doshi brings his wealth of experience as VP of Content at Spotify and Director of Product at Twitter to expand Podimo’s creator-fueled economy, while further enhancing a seamless, high-quality user experience.

In 2015, he co-founded the subscription service Scroll, which charged its members a monthly fee in exchange for an ad-free reading experience on participating news sites, and shared that fee back with the sites each user read. Scroll was acquired by Twitter in May 2021.

Julip Introduces Innovation in Podcast Marketing with Dynamic Baked-In

~ jen

With “Dynamic Baked-In”, Julep introduces an innovation in podcast marketing that combines the advantages of Host Read Native Ads and Dynamic Ad Insertion (DAI) and – what’s special – without any AdServer connection.

Until now, it has been common for advertising integrations and podcast stories to form a single entity. However, advertising messages are usually limited in time, for example, when they relate to specific campaign periods or product launches. Podcasts, on the other hand, which focus on the pleasure of entertainment, are timeless and still find their audience months after the launch. So far, this reach has remained largely unused for the advertising industry.

With “Dynamic Baked-In”, Julep is the first podcast host to offer a feature that goes a big step further than combining host read ads and dynamic ad insertion. The new bridge technology gives podcasters and advertisers the opportunity to use the advantages of DAI without using an ad server – and the associated costs – such s binding time slots for advertising playouts.

In concrete terms, this is how it works: Podcasters set markers in their episodes and upload separate audio files, for example Host Read Native ads, to these marker positions. These are then cut into the podcast episode at the desired point. The podcaster retains complete control over the integrated advertising message, for example how long the new extra audio file should be integrated into the podcast.

Christian Rymarenko, COO Julip: “With ‘Dynamic Baked-In” we are the first podhoster in the German-speaking podcast market to offer podcasters an easy-to-use solution for the well-known problem that host read ads are part of the recording of an episode forever. The highlight here: The unploaded audio pieces are automatically removed after the desired period of time and can be replaced by DAI markers.”

Steffen Hopf, CEO Julip: “With this new feature we are creating a bridge between the classic Baked-In on the one hand and DAI on the other – an absolute novelty! The advantage for the advertising industry is obvious: more reach and the brand messages are played out are up-to-date at the same time. In short: With our new feature, we believe in a real game changer.”

PodInbox Launches Monetization Feature

~ jen

PodInbox released their monetization feature, letting podcasters receive fan donations right on their PodInbox show page.

While there exists a handful of creator economy tools for general creators, PodInbox hopes to be the one tool podcasters choose to both engage and monetize their fans. As podcasters ask their fans to leave audio messages on their PodInbox page, they can now also ask them to leave a donation.

Why It’s Different

“As a new entrant into the creator economy space, we looked at the current options, like Patreon and Buy Me A Coffee… and we saw an opportunity for another fresh perspective…” says PodInbox founder Pat Cheung.

“For those existing options, they’re either appealing to an e-commerce subscription model ,or just a standard flat gift model. There’s no reason for a fan to visit those creator pages, unless they’re ready to make a purchase or donation.

With PodInbox, we always out fan engagement first… then we give fans the opportunity to give their support. It’s a subtle, but important difference. We also gamify our experience just enough, so it’s be compelling and fun for both the podcaster and their fans.

We love this new feature cause we know how validating it is for podcasters to monetize…and we want to help in that journey.”

What’s Ahead

Today, you can already sign up for a PodInbox account, setup your page, and start receiving audio messages and fan donations. Over the next couple months, we’ll be rolling out more monetizations enhancements, including:
Message Tipping

  • Reward Levels
  • Recurring Donations
  • PodInbox’s mission is to help podcasters engage and monetize their fans.

Story Mill Media Launched by Steven Hein

~ jen

Steven Hein has launched Story Mill Media, a podcast company dedicated to working with media brands to extend their content into the audio space.

In his most recent position as Senior Vice President, Digital Content, at NBC Entertainment, Hein led NBC’s podcast strategy, producing a slate of ten original audio series based on NBC’s entertainment brands including: The Good Place: The Podcast (2021 Webby winner and on “Best Of” lists for EW, Vulture, NPR and The New York Times), and Songland Podcast (winner of 2020 iHeart Best Branded Podcast). Other podcasts Hein oversaw during his tenure at NBC include Brooklyn 99: The Podcast and Law & Order: The Squad Room.

In addition, Hein’s work in digital content on The Voice and The Good Place earned NBC three Emmy nominations in the Short Form and Interactive categories. Prior to NBC, Hein was Senior Vice President, Programming and Production, for Legendary Entertainment’s digital networks where he was a part of their Nerdist Podcast Network. He also served as Vice President of Fox Digital Studio at 20th Century Fox.

In addition to commissioned work for clients, Story Mill Media just completed a pre-seed round of financing which will support the newly formed company in publishing its own self-financed podcasts. Justin Borrowdale from Weintraub Tobin represented Story Mill Media through this initial fund raise.

Hein stated: “I’m excited to continue collaborating with studios, publishers, and storyteller to extend media and entertainment into the audio space. There is still so much opportunity to provide them with financing partnerships. Additionally, podcast marketing and discovery continues to be a challenge for most players. At NBC we really developed effective audience growth strategies that involve social, digital, and editorial content to surround and activate podcasts. I think we can bring this experience to the marketing place and really add value.”

Futuro Media Announces Maria Garcia as New Executive Editor for Futuro Studios

~ jen

Independent, nonprofit news media organization Futuro Media announced Maria Garcia as the new Executive Editor of Futuro Studios, the organization’s creative division focusing on original podcasts and programming.

“Maria Garcia joining Futuro is an absolute dream come true,” said Maria Hinojosa, President and Founder of Futuro Media. “She is precisely the kind of journalist and visionary we want on our team so that we can give her deep roots and even bigger wings.”

“In Anything for Selina, Maria Garcia proved she’s one of the most original and talented voices in the medium,” said Marlon Bishop, VP of Podcasts at Futuro Studios. “Bringing in Maria is a major moment for our studio that will push us even farther into creating the groundbreaking podcasts of the future.”

Garcia brings over 15 years of journalism experience, most recently serving as WBUR’s Managing Editor, and is the creator and host of Anything for Selena, the critically acclaimed podcast by Futuro Studios and WBUR that examines the life and legacy of Selena Quintanilla. As Executive Editor for Futuro Studios, Garcia will be responsible for conceptualizing and overseeing new podcast and television projects. Working closely with Marlon Bishop, VP of Podcasts at Futuro Studios, she will focus on helping to steer the editorial and creative vision for the department.

“Futuro is rigorous in its journalism, collaborative in it spirit, and creative in its storytelling. I know that we are going to create beautiful, impactful, form-breaking work together. I’m grateful to be joining a studio that I believe is challenging the podcasting world,” Garcia said.

Garcia’s addition to Futuro Studios builds on the impressive growth and momentum it continues to have this year, following national recognition in The Atlantic’s “50 Best Podcasts of 2021.”

Four of the division’s podcasts were featured on the list, including Garcia’s Anything for Selena, as well as Suave, La Brega, and LOUD: The History of Reggaeton. Anything For Selena has been recognized by several outlets – including Apple Podcasts, Vulture and CNN – as one of the best podcasts in 2021. Other Futuro podcasts made it to the 2021 best-of-lists of outlets like The New Yorker, the New York Times, Vulture, Esquire, Vogue, along with an IDA Documentary Award nomination for Suave an a Third Coast Award Director’s Choice nomination for La Brega.

Prior to joining Futuro Studios, Garcia served as WBUR’s managing editor, where she oversaw strategy for the station’s investigative, arts/culture, environmental, and education teams. Garcia has also been an arts director and reporter, covering overlooked corners of creativity. Early in her career, she covers politics and policy along the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, Texas, for over a decade before earning her master’s in arts and culture reporting from the Columbia Journalism School.

Futuro Studio is led by Peabody Award-winning journalist Marlon Bishop on the editorial end. Julio Ricardo Varela heads up the division’s business development team. So far, Futuro Studios projects include Suave, La Brega, Anything for Selina, LOUD: The History of Reggaeton, Norco 80, Con Todo: Brown Love, The Battle for 187, Radical Imagination, and the Translash Podcast with Imara Jones. Futuro Studios is currently developing an exciting 2022 slate of shows.

Slate and Forever Dog Ink Multiyear Strategic Agreement

~ jen

Slate announced that it will exclusively represent Forever Dog, a popular podcast network that creates critically-acclaimed comedy and culture shows that champion diversity, individuality, and empowerment.

The multiyear strategic agreement between two of the largest, topically diverse networks in the industry will include all-go-to-market activity and the potential for future collaboration on new programming.

“We are thrilled to be working working with Forever Dog, a network that perfectly aligns with Slate’s voice and values,” said Charlie Krammerer, Slate’s President and CRO. “Like Slate’s, Forever Dog’s audience is smart, passionate and cares deeply about news and culture. And the network offers a robust inventory of engaging, hilarious and gutsy shows that we’re excited to take to market.”

“The Slate partnership is a dream come true,” said Joseph Ciiio, Forever Dog’s CEO and Co-Founder. “Not only are our companies aligned from a values perspective, but we are both passionate about creating top-notch shows that stand out in a saturated marketplace. Paring Slate’s indispensable journalism with Forever Dog’s fearless comedy, our audiences and our client partners are going to have vibrant, stand-out programming to enjoy for years to come.”

Forever Dog already works with Slate’s podcast membership platform Supporting Cast, which offers a way for both independent shows and top tier networks to build reliable, recurring revenue. As part of the expanded relationship, Forever Dog will be launching new exclusive content tied to Race Chaser and other shows powered by Supporting Cast.