Month: April 2022

Acast Releases Australian 2022 Sounds Smart Report

~ jen

Acast, the world’s leading independent podcast company, has released the 2022 edition of its annual Sounds Smart Report. The report is Australia’s largest body of podcast-specific research, undertaken with the aim of uncovering why people are listening to podcasts, how and when they’re listening, and the impact podcast advertising is having for brands.

Acast commissioned Nielson to survey 2,000 Australians aged 18+ who listen to podcasts at least once a month. The research focused on three key areas: consumption, engagement, and receptivity.

The findings reveal:

39% of podcast listeners have increased their listening in the last six months and 30% plan to increase their consumption in the next six months.

Podcasting is one of the most immersive environments and a medium that genuinely captures attention. 60% said they are immersed/focused when listening to podcasts. Other audio channels, music streaming and commercial radio, sit at 33% and 22% respectively.

30% of respondents considered buying or made purchases of a brand or product after hearing ads on podcasts compared to an equal 23% for both commercial radio and music streaming.

Henrik Isaksson, Managing Director, Acast Australia and New Zealand said: “In 2021 Acast released the largest body of podcast specific research, with the aim of giving podcasting a voice in Australian media. Since then, podcasts have become even more popular amongst listeners and advertisers alike.”

“Utilizing Nielsen Media analytics for the 2022 Acast Sounds Smart Report has allowed us to gain deeper insight into the Australian audio landscape as it stands today and has further cemented podcasting’s position as a key media channel – one with its own unique attributes versus other audio channels. Podcasting is not just another media channel, it’s one in which advertisers can reach some of the most engaged and immersed audiences around.”

Wisdom Launches On Android and Releases New Features for iOS

~ jen

Wisdom, the world’s largest social audio-powered mentorship platform has announced its launch on Google Play to reach more people in its mission to help connect knowledge-seekers to mentors around the world.

Android users can now listen to Wisdom talks, both live and recorded, and engage intimately through the live chat function with experts across dozens of topics – from life coaching, fitness, and dating to startups, mental health, to name a few. This is a much-anticipated launch with thousands of Android users having already signed up as a Top Mentor ready to be active to share their wisdom at go-live.

Since launching on iOS in October 2021, Wisdom is proving to be popular among podcasters and gaining significant traction. To date, Wisdom listeners have absorbed 5.4 million minutes’ worth of knowledge. Engagement levels are high as Wisdom users spend on average 5 times more than minutes per day on the app, compared to Tinder and Bumble. Wisdom was also recently featured as App of the Day in the Apple App Store, with Apple saying “Logging into Wisdom is like showing up at a party powered by conversations between thought leaders and big thinkers.”

Wisdom will also be introducing several new features for iOS fans including:

Claim Your Podcast – which enables creators to add a podcast link or Linktree to their profile so the podcast promotional artwork features prominently to help drive more listeners to their podcast. The Wisdom app is popular with podcasters and Wisdom has a host of existing podcaster-friendly features, including high-quality audio recordings and creators can download their Wisdom talks to repurpose on their podcasts.

Suggested Follows – a swipeable series of cards that show periodically to recommend high quality Top Mentors for users to follow. Suggestions are based on a number of factors including the listening metrics for the mentor’s talks. Suggested follows will make it easier for creators on Wisdom to get more followers and for listeners to match with compatible mentors.

Audience Reactions – where listeners can tap a “Reaction button” to select to select an appropriate emoji to react to live talks. This allows listeners who are perhaps too shy to talk, to participate in Wisdom talks. Listeners who react are prominently featured in the listener’s queue. Audience Reactions enable creators to gauge feedback and serve as a positive signal to Wisdom’s recommendation algorithms.

Dayo Akinrinade, founder and CEO of Wisdom comments: “We have built a strong Wisdom community on iOS and our team is extremely excited to grow this community on Android with many more social audio features to come. Now existing Wisdom mentors on iOS can benefit from reaching a bigger audience and the new Android creators can help shape the future of Wisdom App.”

Other updates include User Interface improvements and a new App icon which was voted on by the Wisdom community.

Sony Music Entertainment’s Global Division Makes Announcements

~ jen

Sony Music Entertainment’s (SME) Global Podcast Division announced the appointment of Serita Wesley to the newly created role of U.S. Entertainment Podcasts. Wesley will be based in New York and report to Tom Koenig, Vice President, U.S. Podcasts.

In her new role, Wesley will spearhead the Division’s entertainment podcast strategy and oversee the development of new shows across a range of genres, including comedy, pop culture, self-care, chat and more. As SME focuses on building a robust slate of always on and returning series, Wesley will also help build and manage the growing entertainment team that includes several new producers, starting this spring.

Wesley has more than 15 years of experience in the entertainment, marketing and podcasting industries. She was previously an Executive Producer at Fresh Produce Media and Senior Producer at Westbrook Inc., working across shows such as Red Table Talk Podcast, Positively Gam, and more. She is also the co-creator and sole writer for the forthcoming scripted series Un-Lesh for Love, which debuts on Audible in 2022 by way of Charlamange Tha God and Kevin Hart’s audio production company, SBH Productions. Wesley also co-founded, produced, and hosted the iHeartRadio Award-nominated podcast On She Goes – a travel and lifestyle podcast for women of color.

In addition, Sony Music Entertainment’s Global Podcast Division announced it has formed a podcast partnership with leading film critic Mark Kermode and iconic host and movie fanatic Simon Mayo. The seasoned broadcasters will present Kermode and Mayo’s Take a new twice weekly podcast series focusing on theatrical, streaming, and physical film releases, as well as high-level global television in the UK and US beginning Thursday 5th May.

Sharing their expertise worldwide, Kermode and Mayo’s Take will feature the finest reviews and previews, big guest interviews and a cornucopia of audience correspondence in every episode. Listeners can expect discussions about current and classic releases, recommendations and warnings, as well as special episodes that respond to big news and events across the industry.

For the first time, the duo will also bring their much-loved dynamic to the world of TV with Kermode extending his estimable powers of critique to high-level serialized fiction, giving audiences the best reviews from binge-worthy streaming series to terrestrial TV. The world’s flagship film and television podcast, Kermode and Mayo’s Take will be an essential guide to listeners for everything they need to know on the big and small screens.

Kermode and Mayo’s loyal listeners can also go deeper into the world of film and television by subscribing to Take 2 on Apple Podcasts. Exploring a wider variety of material and listener correspondence, Take 2 will feature an hour of recommendations for undersign movie and televised gems and the pair’s discussion of big recent movie and TV releases in a spoilertastic fashion.

Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace Unveils March 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates

~ jen

On April 1, Liberated Syndication (“Libsyn”), the leading ‘Podcasting As A Service’ platform, announced March 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates, including highest CPM categories. Additionally, Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast, the industry’s premier advertising marketplace, is continuing to roll out enhanced advertising tools for podcast creators to grow their audiences and for advertisers to reach highly engaged listeners.

“Podcast advertising is on an accelerated growth trajectory and we’re paving the way in powering advertising for a growing number of podcast creators that are looking to monetize their shows,” said Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer at Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast. “As more marketers invest in podcast advertising, we’re bringing new insights and advertising tools that demonstrate the effectiveness of the channel for reaching diverse listeners consuming a broad range of content.”

Podcasts represent one of the fastest growing channels within advertising. According to Statista, podcast advertising spending is expected to increase steadily in the near future, with 2021 figures estimated at $1.33 billion U.S. dollars. And by 2025, spending is expected to surpass $2.7 billion dollars. Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast is tapping into that growth potential by empowering brands to effectively target and reach a burgeoning and coveted podcast audience. With its growing network of over 210 exclusive podcasts and its network of more than 2,500 shows, the AdvertiseCast marketplace offers advertisers the unique opportunity to access highly sought-after podcast advertising inventory.

Recently, AdvertiseCast expanded both its offerings and inventory to increase access and simplify the media buying experience for advertisers. Just last month, Libsyn announced the acquisition of Podcast Ad Reps LLC (PAR), adding more than 120 exclusive shows – like New Rockstars Inside Marvel, The Official Yellowstone Podcast, and Almost 30 – to AdvertiseCast. Furthermore, to enable monetization for more creators – both small and large shows – to monetize their podcasts, AdvertiseCast has reduced the minimum access requirement from 5,000 listeners to just 200 listeners per episode.

The AdvertiseCast March 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates

For March 2022, the average CPM rate was $23.43 for a 60-second ad spot.

The three highest CPM categories in March based on delivered advertising were:

  • Technology: $32
  • Kids & Family: $28
  • Business: $27

Parcast Union Reaches Tentative Deal on First Contract with Spotify

~ jen

On April 6, 2021, Parcast tweeted: “After months of regular meetings, late-night emails, private calls, & full unit efforts, we’re proud to announce we have a deal. We couldn’t have done it without the consistent support of our colleagues. It’s been a worthwhile journey, and we thank all who helped us fight. #1u”

A follow up tweet said: “Our deal is subject to ratification. Details coming soon!”

The Hollywood Reporter provided more details:

Seemingly averting a threatened strike, a union at Parcast has reached a tentative agreement with Spotify and Parcast management on a first contract covering the podcast studio’s content writers, fact-checkers, producers, researchers and other workers.

The Parcast Union – which is affiliated with the Writers Guild of America, East – announced the deal on Wednesday night, their final day of bargaining with the music streaming giant and the Spotify-owned podcast studios and are not yet disclosing terms of the tentative agreement.

The deal will now be scrutinized by the Parcast bargaining unit and will subsequently be voted on by the WGA East Council and the bargaining unit. The deal terms are expected to be similar to those in contracts for WGA East-affiliated podcast unions The Ringer and Gimlet, companies that are also owned by Spotify.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The tentative deal arrives about a year and a half after Parcast workers first announced they were unionizing in September 2020, with the hopes of making changes to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, workers’ workloads, role transparency and compensation and intellectual property policies. About a month later, Parcast voluntarily recognized the union and, according to the union, bargaining on a contract subsequently took place over 15 months.

The Parcast union is not the only one represented by WGA East. It also bargains for workers at Spotify-owned The Ringer and Gimlet Media. Those two unions ratified their first contracts in 2021. In February, a WGA East-affiliated union at iHeartPodcast Network won voluntary recognition from management.

Blubrry Introduces New Account Sharing for Podcasters

~ jen

Blubrry Podcasting introduces account sharing. One of their most requested features is now available: allowing for additional users and permissions for each show. The ability to share publishing or stats access with other team members, co-hosts, and sponsors is now live. This new feature is handy to podcasters, and now anyone with a Blubrry account and podcast can ad additional users to their show.

In the past, Blubrry recommended using a shared email account for the Blubrry login, but they are happy to have remedied that situation with a more sophisticated solution.

Podcasters can share their podcast with anyone they’d like with a simple email invitation. For example, if you have a podcast editor that you want to allow to upload the finalized episodes, you can add Publishing permissions and exclude the statistics. On the other hand, if you have a sponsor who wants to be able to view the statistics regularly, but keep them away from the episode files, set them to Statistics only. There are easy-to-manage scenarios in which Blubrry’s three permissions settings can benefit you and your team.

Each user must create a Blubrry account but doesn’t need to sign up for any services. Once accepted, the shared podcast will be added to their account with permissions set by the podcast account owner.

You can find the account sharing in the sidebar when logged into the dashboard. Head to ‘Show’ and then ‘Sharing’ to manage your users and permissions. You can manage users and their permissions from the same menu.

Permissions include:

Publishing and Statistics: Full access. Users can publish your episode files and access the statistics, including exporting data.

Publishing: They can publish your episodes but not access the statistics section of the Blubrry dashboard.

Statistics: They can only access the statistics section of the Blubrry dashboard.

Invitations are sent via email and expire after 10 days; a new invite must be sent if expiration occurs. If the invitee does not yet have a Blubrry account, they’ll be prompted to create one (using the same email address as the invite). They can then follow the prompts to accept or decline the invitation.

If a user has declined, modifying the permissions will not send a new invitation. It’s best to remove them and send a new invitation. There is no need to send a new invite if you change permissions.

Professional hosting customers who have no limit on the number of users they can share per show or the overall network. All other account owners are capped at five additional uses per show.

Again, this is free and available to all Blubrry users. Even if your using Blubrry statistics, you can now share them with whomever you want.

SiriusXM Launches New Freakonomics Radio Network Streaming Channel

~ jen

SiriusXM announced the launch of a new Freakonomics Radio Network streaming channel. For this channel, the first to be dedicated to a podcast, the team behind Freakonomics Radio, one of the most enduring and popular podcasts in the world, will curate and present episodes from its deep archive, along with selections from other popular shows on the Freakonomics Radio Network, including No Stupid Questions, People I (Mostly) Admire, Freakonomics, M.D., and new programs to be launched later this year.

The Freakonomics Radio Network streaming channel is available to subscribers now on the SXM App.

For over a decade, Freakonomics Radio has delivered storytelling and reporting that is both rigorous and entertaining. Hosted by Stephen J. Dubner, the show takes a curious-minded, data-driven approach to exploring real-world behavior and uncovering “the hidden side of everything.” Entering its twelfth year as one of the biggest podcasts on the planet, Freakonomics Radio is now growing faster than it ever has before, setting a listenership record in 2021.

SiriusXM’s Freakonomics Radio Network channel is the only place where listeners can tune in 24/7 to hear not only the latest episodes of Freakonomics Radio, but also a selection of provocative classics from the show’s 500-episode archive like, “Abortion and Crime, Revisited”, “The Economics of Sleep”, and “The Stupidest Thing You Can Do With Your Money.”

“The SiriusXM audience is amazingly large and diverse,” said Stephen Dubner, “and we can’t wait to get our stuff in their ears.”

“It’s exciting to be able to take a show as groundbreaking and successful as Freakonomics Radio and give listeners, new and old, an entirely unique way to experience it,” said Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer. “We can’t think of a better partner to launch this first-of-its-kind streaming channel with than Stephen and his team.”

In addition to its flagship show, the Freakonomics Radio Network produces some of the most listened-to podcasts – for a combined reach of over 160 million listeners last year. They include No Stupid Questions, where Dubner and co-host psychologist Angela Duckworth explore the weird and wonderful ways in which humans behave; People I (Mostly) Admire, in which the unorthodox economist Stephen Levitt speaks with other high achievers to ask questions that only he would think to ask; and Freakonomics, M.D., hosted by Bapu Jena, an economist and physician who explores the intersection of economics and healthcare.

The Freakonomics Radio Network channel is just the latest example of SiriusXM’s commitment to providing multiple platforms for audio creators. Recently, the hosts of the award-winning horror comedy podcast Last Podcast on the Left launched Open Lines, a live weekly call-in show on SiriusXM’s Faction Talk (channel 103) after bringing their podcast back to wide distribution through Stitcher; and the popular advice expert, host, and digital creator Tinx launched the It’s Me, Tinx Live radio show on SiriusXM Stars (channel 109) following her chart-topping Stitcher podcast, It’s Me, Tinx.

Streaming access is included with all of SiriusXM’s trials and most popular plans. Subscribers can listen with the SXW app and with Amazon Alexa, the Google Assistant or however they stream at home. Go to www.siriusxm.com/ways-to-listen to learn more.

PodcastOne Partners with Adori Labs For Their Pioneering YouTube Tech

~ jen

Adori Labs, a leading interactive audio platform and PodcastOne, a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne announced that they have entered into an agreement that allows the podcast network and its roster of top performing hosts to integrate unique visual elements into the podcast they produce and distribute via YouTube becoming the first podcast network to utilize Adori’s pioneering interface technology.

Adori’s unique YouTube integration technology allows podcast hosts to seamlessly import episodes from RSS feeds, enhance them with visual elements, and upload enriched assets directly to YouTube, Adori’s patented technology embeds contextual visuals, multi-format ads, AR experiences, buy buttons, polls, and other “call to action” features in the audio stream.

This creates a more enhanced and richer listening experience. In creating visually enhanced podcasts, Adori’s YouTube product provides additional monetization avenues for PodcastOne’s slate of original programming, increased discoverability, and SEO presence.

Adori co-founder and CEO, Nathan Iyer said, “We are excited to partner with PodcastOne, the leading advertiser-supported on demand digital audio network in the industry. Adori’s technology can help to significantly increase their revenue and audience through YouTube, the fastest growing podcast listening platform in the world.”

With over 500 episodes of The Steve Austin Show available via PodcastOne, the streamer’s reinvention of classic episodes utilizing Adori technology has introduced the much-followed wrestling podcast to legions of new fans. Melissa Gorga On Display, a fan favorite of BravoPhilies introduced new weekly episodes with exclusive content from Gorga to augment the show. Barely Famous, a newly launched podcast from Teen Mom to Mogul Kail Lowry, continues to see rapid growth in download numbers and expects to launch Adori enhanced YouTube content in the coming weeks.

“At PodcastOne we continually search for avenues that allow our hosts to be more engaged with listeners, to offer unique experiences for our audiences and to create interactive environments that boost download numbers and attract new fans. Captivated audiences secure long-term success both for our hosts and for our advertisers,” said Jim Ballas, Chief Technology Officer for PodcastOne.

PodcastOne is the first podcast network to utilize Adori’s YouTube interface, joining Adori’s global customers including leading content creators, publishers, and networks.

PRX Announces New Round of the Google Podcasts Creators Program

~ jen

Public media organization PRX – one of the world’s leading podcast publishers – announced a new round of the Google Podcasts creator program, a podcast accelerator and training program for audio producers around the world.

PRX launched the Google Podcasts creator program in 2018 with a mission to help build a global, empowered audio community. The program has welcomed creators from Brazil, India, Kenya, Spain, Lebanon, Canada, Cuba, the United States, and elsewhere. This round – the program’s third – is open to mid-career podcasters seeking to level up their productions.

Led by the podcast training team at PRX, the program’s intensive curriculum will focus on areas including content an creative development, business development, audience growth, and long-term sustainability, and new strategic pathways such as video.

Applicants opened on March 29 here.

Each creator team in the program will receive:

20 weeks of intensive training. Throughout the training program, teams will also be guided through the production of assets such as pitch decks, production, marketing, and monetization plans, and audio. At the endow the program, creators will participate in a public-facing final showcase of work;

Up to $20,000 in funding for production costs as well as travel reimbursement;

One-on-one mentorship; and,

Access to a network of industry experts and a robust community of peers.

The deadline for submissions is Sunday, April 24. Creative teams or individuals based in any location in the U.S. or internationally with proficiency in English and who are producers of existing podcasts are eligible. Creators across all genres are welcome and podcast content may be published in any language.

Six teams will be selected to participate in the Google Podcasts creator program. Participants will be notified by early June 2022 and the 20-week training program will kick off in late June 2022.

Those interested in applying for the program are also encouraged to attend one of two informational webinars, where PRX will be answering applicants’ questions about the 2022 accelerator, the application process, and eligibility. Register now to attend on April 8th or April 15th.

“We see our work as a catalyst for change in the global growing audio community, and we’re committed to empowering producers around the world,” said Kerri Hoffman, CEO of PRX. “We’re thrilled for a new chapter of the Google Podcasts creator program as the training curriculum continues to have a deep impact with podcast teams. Thank you to our partners at Google.”

Google Podcasts creator program alumni include City of Women (Bangalore, India), AfroQueer (Nairobi, Kenya), Las Raras (Santiago, Chile) De Es No Se Habla (Madrid, Spain), Literacy Kings (Houston, Texas), On Spec (Istanbul, Turkey), Letters to Boys (Lagos, Nigeria), and Self Evident (New York, New York).

Podcasters Unlimited Presents PODWORK The Podcast Network Conference

~ jen

PODWORK is in its second year as one of the industry events that highlight, encourage and promote the growth of podcast networks. This year we will focus on all the brands, expertise, and industry support to take your network to the next level.

“We are as excited to bring back our virtual conference this year with the prime focus on establishing PODWORK as the Podcast Network Conference,” said Denese Duran, Podcasters Unlimited, Founder & CEO.

The conference will be on Saturday May 21 from 12pm-8pm EST.

PODWORK’s afternoon events are for podcasters and podcast networks. Podcasters will learn how podcast networks establish relationships with brands, expand their networks and how to become leaders in their communities. You’ll also learn about podcast networks, their collaborators and brand partners. Podcast networks will gather useful insight from their colleagues in the space and leaders of other companies they can partner with.

PODWORK’s late afternoon events are for podcasters, podcast enthusiasts, podcast network as well as current podcast network owners. Come learn from a variety of podcast network leaders about hosting sites, advertising and intellectual property. Also, learn tips and tricks on how to enhance your current podcast network by applying a variety of skills. Lastly, podcasters will have podcast networks showcase their new content.

Tickets can be purchased at www.podworkconference.com. Early Bird tickets are $62.50 until April 21st and $125 thereafter until 24 hours before the conference.

PODCASTERS UNLIMITED: Podcasters Unlimited is a network of original shows and focuses on consultation, curriculum and collaboration. We offer services to self-run podcasts, small to medium sized businesses, as well as big brands and corporations. For more information on this network please visit our website www.podcastersunlimited.net.