Month: May 2022

Statement from The Radio Academy

~ jen

This is a statement provided to Podnews, in response to this statement from a group of audio professionals.

The Radio Academy believes that transgender people should feel safe and included in the radio industry, at our events, and in society more broadly. We take diversity and representation very seriously in all areas of our work – from our board of Trustees, to our event speakers, to the make-up of our judging panels in the ARIAS and other schemes.

Nolan Investigates: Stonewall is a BBC Radio Ulster production, released in October 2021.

Most ARIAS entries come from regulated broadcasters, and our judging process focuses on the craft of audio production exhibited in a compilation of highlights.

At this years ARIAS, Stephen Nolan’s work has been nominated in four categories. Those four judging panels comprise of a total of 38 judges, which we can confirm included LGBTQ+ people. All panels reached their conclusions independently, based on the strength of the entry submitted.

We’ve recently had conversations with a group of audio professionals concerned about the nominations, and we hear the issues they’ve raised. We thank the group for engaging with us in the way that they have, and look forward to further conversations with them to ensure the Radio Academy remains an inclusive place for everyone in the industry.

Statement on ARIAS 2022 ‘Nolan Investigates – Stonewall’ nominations

~ jen

This is a statement provided to PodNews.(May 3, 2022)

We are a group of audio professionals who condemn the nomination of the podcast series ‘Nolan Investigates: Stonewall’ in two categories for the Radio Academy ARIAS 2022: The Creative Innovation award and The Impact award.

‘Nolan Investigates: Stonewall’ perpetuates a narrative that creating a safe world for trans people is a divisive issue. The series contributes at length to a harmful moral panic surrounding trans people in the UK today.

Celebrating this podcast as a nominee in the ARIAS 2022 runs contrary to the values of the Radio Academy as a charitable organization with responsibilities to all people who are protected under the Equality Act 2010, and to the criteria listed in both the award categories.

On 21st April 2022 we addressed a letter, signed by 166 audio professionals from across the industry, to the Radio Academy, to privately raise our concerns and question the nominations. We received a response 28th of April, which did not adequately answer any of our questions. We subsequently met with representatives of the Radio Academy, and whole we are glad to be in dialogue with the organization, that meeting did not result in any concrete action to rectify the pressing issue of what we consider to be an openly transphobic podcast being celebrated as a nominee at the ARIAS 2022.

The Radio Academy’s position is that they cannot rescind the nominations for the podcast, despite hearing our deep concerns about the harmful nature of the series.

We believe it is impossible for the Radio Academy to be an organization which credibly stands for the safety and inclusion of trans people – within our industry and society at large – while standing by the choice to uplift and celebrate ‘Nolan Investigates: Stonewall’ at the ARIAS ceremony this evening.

We ask that the Radio Academy and ARIAS reconsider their position and rectify the harm these nominations have caused, by removing the podcast from the ARIAS 2022, and by publicly acknowledging the very real impact that reporting of this nature has on trans lives.

We remain committed to working with the Radio Academy to improve the nomination criteria and judging process for future awards, and do more beyond the awards to support the representation and protection of those marginalized and minority identities in our industry.

However, we must publicly address our colleagues and peers in the audio industry, to raise awareness of the damage being done to trans people, and our audio community in general, by this podcast being celebrated at the ARIAS awards ceremony this evening.

We invite colleagues in the audio industry to share this statement, and to join us in asking the Radio Academy to take action in line with their stated commitment “to making broadcasting a more tolerant and diverse place for LGBT+ workers.”

Trans rights are human rights. The lives of trans people are not up for debate.

AIR New Voices 2022 Seeks Diverse Roster of Creators

~ jen

Each year, AIR identifies and cultivates a diverse roster of early-career talent to arm them with the skills to better understand their role as mission-driven storytellers and emerge with a clearer picture of how they catalyze change within the industry.

In addition to a $1,000 stipend, New Voices receive mentorship, professional development support and structured networking sessions with leaders in the industry. More importantly, New Voices join an incredible network of program alumni who represent all levels and careers in the audio industry. It is your key to career mentorship, collaboration and inspiration.

Since 2009, New Voices has provides space, opportunity and community to underrepresented independents in audio. Defined by AIR’s commitment to a vibrant range of diverse voices and experiences, the New Voices program nurtures pathways for independents to be heard, amplified, and understood.

In prior years, selected individuals convened at industry conferences like PRPD and Third Coast. In 2020, the program moved online to best support New Voices throughout the U.S. due to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Applications for our Fall 2022 program are now open. Apply today! The deadline to apply is May 25, 2022, at 8:59PM PT / 11:49PM ET.

Who is eligible to apply?

All producers and program makers who self-identify as part of an underrepresented group(s) are eligible to apply. The focus of the program is radio/audio, but AIR welcomes applicants from the full range of disciplines and practices. All ages are welcome, but any applicant younger than 18 will need an adult sponsor to sign off on his or her application and handle funds.

What do you mean by “underrepresented voices”?

AIR to work with people who represent groups that are not typically represented in the public media system. This could be based on candidate’s race, gender, and class background and/or vision. The committee who reads the New Voices applications is mindful to select candidates with different abilities and who come from underrepresented communities and geographic locations. Their goal is to find candidates who will bring an inclusive and dynamic mix to the Fellows cohort, New Voices alumni network, and to the industry in general.

Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast Marketplace Unveils April 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates

~ jen

Liberated Syndication Inc., (“Libsyn”), the leading ‘Podcasting As A Service’ platform, announces April 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates, including highest CPM categories.

“Video is an emerging podcasting trend. And we’re seeing creators experiment with multimedia formats by streaming their shows on YouTube and other social media platforms. This not only represents a new revenue opportunity for podcasters, but it’s a secondary channel for advertisers to target and reach an expansive podcast audience,” said Dave Hanley, Chief Revenue Officer at Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast.

The AdvertiseCast April 2022 Podcast Advertising Rates

The following rates, which are denoted as cost per thousand or CPM, are published monthly by Libsyn’s AdvertiseCast, the industry’ premier podcast advertising marketplace that connects advertisers with podcasters. The Company shares the figures to empower the two communities to readily monitor market pricing and provide greater insight into podcasting advertising as a monetization vehicle. The data is derived from actual sales data across AdvertiseCast’s growing network of more than 2,500-plus shows, including over 210 exclusive podcasts, which offers advertisers the unique opportunity to access highly sought-after podcast advertising inventory.

For April 2022, the average CPM rate was $23.01 for a 60-second ad spot.

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

Business: $28
Kids and Family: $28
Health and Fitness: $27

Podcasting continues its metric rise in popularity with 73% of Americans ages 12 and up – an estimated 209 million people – reporting that they’ve listened to a podcast in the last month. That’s a 68% uptick from 2021, driven by listeners age 35+, who increased their monthly online audio listening by 13% year over year.

Moreover, audience composition is also becoming increasingly diverse, striking more of a balance in terms off gender (53% male, 46% female, 1% non-binary) and ethnicity with increases in Black (16%), Hispanic (16%), and Asian (3%) monthly listenership. As a result, the growing popularity of podcasts has increased growing popularity of podcasts has increased its attractiveness as an advertising medium.

Historical monthly CPM rates can be found on AdvertiseCast’s website at www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-rates.

Asian American Podcasters Association Showcases 31 AAPI Podcasts

~ jen

The industry’s leading AAPI non-profit podcasting association is delighted to present 31 podcasts showcasing the work of AAPIs AND produce its second annual podcast festival during May’s Asian American Pacific Islander Month, organizers said.

The Asian American Podcasters Association has complied a list of 31 podcasts – some which are recipients of the AAP’s prestigious GOLDEN CRANE Podcast Awards – to showcase during May’s AAPI Heritage Month, co-founder Andy Wang said. There are 31 shows so folks can listen to one for each of the days in May. It is one of the few UPDATED lists of AAPI podcasts in existence. And, people can explore AAP’s podcast directly of more than 780 AAPI shows on ListenNotes.com

“We have worked for the past two awards seasons to put this list of shows together for all to recognize and check out,” Wang said. “Most are indie podcasts, and some are for-casts. They show a wide range of topics and storytelling, which illustrates the spectrum of AAPI voices.”

“We keep a running list of winners of AAP’s GOLDEN CRANE Podcast Awards on our website to highlight their work and encourage more people to listen to AAPI-run shows,” co-founder Lee Uehara said. “It’s great that podchaser.com has recently listed our Awards program on their “17 Podcast Awards to Keep an Eye on This Year” https://www.podchaser.com/articles/resources/podcast-awards-this-year list this season.”

Additionally, 2022 marks AAP’s production of the world’s 2nd Annual Asian Podcast Festival, where AAPI show runners record LIVE episodes of their shows in front of an audience. For more information on the 31 AAPI podcasts for AAPI Heritage Month, please visit https://www.AAPodcasters.org/aapiheritagemonth or email info@aapodcasters.org.

31 AAPI podcasts for May’s AAPI Heritage Month 2022

Affirmation Pod – with Josie Ong

Asian America: The Ken Fong Podcast -%

Authethnic – hosts Jen Lee and Yonsoo Kang – %

Color of Success – host Dr. Stephanie J. Wong – %

Earth Eclipsed – audio drama – %

Dear Workplace – Monica H. Kang – %

En(gender)ed -Teresa Yuan – %

Feeling Asian – Youngmi Mayer and Brian Park

Feet in 2 Worlds: A Better Life? – Feet in 2 Worlds – %

Future Hindsight – Mila Atmos – %

Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People – %

#Impact – Regina Larko

Immigrantly: Conversations on Race, Culture & The Immigrant Experience – Saadia Khan -%

King of the World – Rifelion Media – %

LAN parties: A Video Gaming and Esports Podcast – Lukas Eggen – %

Legends from the Pacific – Kamuela Kaneshiro

Let’s Have This Conversation – Dorinda Wong, Jane Chin – %

Letter to My Ex – Letter to My Ex – %

Little Mind Chats – Sienna Vikram – %

Militantly Mixed – Sharmane Fury – %

Model Minority: Uniquely American – Nidhi Shastra – %

Retire There with Gil & Gene – Gill & Gene – %

Self-Evident: Asian America’s Stories – Self Evident Media LLC – %

Scrolls & Leaves: World History Podcast – Scrolls & Leaves Podcast

% Indicates Golden Crane Podcast Award Winner for A Certain Category or Host Achievement