Month: December 2024

Lemonada Media Adds Hit Podcast “Talk Easy” With Sam Fragoso

~ jen

Lemonada Media, the award winning podcast network that makes life suck less, announced a new partnership with Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, — the acclaimed interview podcast feature intimate and in-depth conversations with people from all walks of life — to oversee ad sales and distribution for the series. 

The weekly series is hosted by Sam Fragoso, and features long form conversations with filmmakers, actors, writers, politicians, and more. “Talk Easy” will begin releasing episodes under the Lemonada banner on January 5th.

“As we look ahead to 2025, I’m thrilled to be joining forces with Lemonada,” said Sam Fragoso. “Jessica and Stephanie are exceptional leaders, and I’ve long admired their commitment to telling and enriching essential stories — as we try every Sunday on the program. I couldn’t imagine a better home for us as we approach our ninth year.”

Since its inception in 2016, “Talk Easy” has become one of the most celebrated and listened to podcasts of the decade, offering listeners unprecedented access to some of the most compelling voices across arts, culture, and politics. Fragoso’s interviews have been celebrated for their thoughtful approach, featuring conversations with luminaries including Gloria Steinem, Cate Blanchette, Noam Chomsky, Francis Ford Copola, Jesse Eisenberg, Questlove, Joaquin Phoenix, and more.

“Sam Fragoso’s thoughtful interviews are a jewel in the podcasting world. We are so honored to have him and the Talk Easy team as part of the Lemonada creator community,” said Jessica Cordova Kramer, CEO of Lemonada Media. “Talk Easy’ embodies the kind of deep, meaningful conversations that transform how we understand each other.”

Since launching in 2019, Lemonada has quickly established itself as a leading independent podcast network, reaching millions of listeners per month. The network has created and launched chart-topping original series such as “Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis Dreyfus,” which spent 29 days straight at #1 overall on the Apple Podcast charts. “Fail Better with David Duchovny,” which launched to #1 in Society and Culture on Apple Podcast chars, Gracie award-winners “Last Day,” “Believe Her,” “Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe” and more.

Talk Easy is Executive Produced by Karoine Ribak and Janicza Bravo (Zola, The Listeners). This deal was brokered by Josh Lindgren at CAA.

Announcing The Texas Creator Awards

~ jen

The inaugural Texas Creator Awards is set to take place on March 2, 2025, in Waco, Texas, and will be live-streamed online for audiences everywhere.

This event will honor the hard work, innovation and creativity of media creators across Texas. Nominations are now open, allowing fans and audiences to recognize their favorite creators in categories such as YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, short stories and more.

Nomination are open until January 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. CST. After the nomination period closes, the nominees will be announced on February 3, 2025, when voting officially begins. Fans will then have the opportunity to cast their votes to determine the winners who will be celebrated at the live event. Tickets for the ceremony will also go on sale February 3, 2025, giving fans the chance to join the festivities in person.

The Texas Creator Awards feature a lineup of Texas-based performers, presenters and special guests. Attendees can expect live music, thrilling performances and a few surprises throughout the evening. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live, ensuring the fans everywhere can be part of this exciting celebration.

Don’t miss the chance to nominate and vote for creators. Visit the Texas Creator Awards website today to get started and stay updated on event details. Let’s celebrate the creators who make Texas a hub of innovation, creativity and storytelling!

About the Texas Creator Awards

The Texas Creator Awards is an event celebrating the work and dedication of media creators across the state of Texas. From digital influencers to storytellers, the awards highlight the diverse talent that defines Texas’ creative landscape.

The 2024 Global Podcast Trend Report From Podimo

~ jen

From laughter-inducing punchlines to chilling true crime revelations, 2024 was a year of unforgettable spoken audio moments. Podimo, which operates in seven markets, saw a 45% increase year-over-year for local-language podcast and audiobook listening.

As 2024 comes to a close, we reflect on the stories, genres, and habits that resonated most with our listeners in our Podimo 2024 global trend report below — and predict what the future may hold for 2025.

“2024 saw spoken audio entertainment reach new heights of influence globally,” says Podimo Chief Content Officer Sachin Doshi, “as we look to 2025, we see a stronger willingness to pay for quality local language content, in multiple markets we’re already generating more revenue for podcasters than the entire local advertising business.”

Our goal is to make that reality everywhere. Creators will continue to have differing goals, and our mission is to support them where they’re at, whether it’s helping them earn more, or developing their audience reach. Finally, the future of audio is audio, but many audio formats lend themselves to to a richer experience through visual engagement at the listener’s discretion.

We produce more of our shows in video than ever before, but we want to dive further into what visual engagement could mean for formats like True Crime or single host shows, where filming the recording session might not add value for the listener, but there are other ways to enhance the listening experience.”

The 2024 Global Trend Report

What genres saw the most growth in 2024?

Comedy reigned supreme emerging as a top-performing genre across multiple markets, showcasing massive growth in regions like Finland (194%) and Norway (81%).

Educational content, including science and history piqued listeners interests, growing by 92% in the Netherlands and 60% in Norway.

Meanwhile, society & culture resonated deeply, with Finland leading with a 118% increase, followed by Denmark (37%) and Spain (43%).

True crime retained its grip on listeners, with standout growth in Spain (408%) and sustained interest in Denmark (17.68%) and Germany (7.26%).

Lifestyle-oriented genres saw exponential growth, with lifestyle podcasts in Finland increasing by 125% and the Netherlands recording a 128% rise.

Across all markets, gender-specific trends revealed diverging listening habits in 2024:

Women favored society & culture, with growth rates as high as 98.42 in Finland, while true crime saw the highest engagement among Spanish women (417%)

Men displayed a strong interest in history, particularly in Norway (400%) and the Netherlands (121%), alongside a burgeoning interest in education (103% in the Netherlands.)

Sport Social Podcast Network Secures Exciting New Brand Partnership

~ jen

Sport Social Podcast Network, Europe’s largest sport-dedicated podcast network, has further solidified its brand partnerships by welcoming Netflix onboard for an exciting new advertising campaign.

Partnering with Dentsu London media agency, Netflix will tap into the engaged audience of The Nat Coombs Show, one of the most popular National Football League (NFL) podcasts, to promote its exclusive NFL Christmas Day games.

Hosted by Nat Coombs, a trusted voice in NFL coverage on TV and radio in the UK for over 15 years, The Nat Coombs Show provides Netflix with access to a passionate and engaged fanbase. The campaign, running throughout December, includes host-read and announcer-read ads, as well as activity across Sport Social Podcast Network’s NFL and football verticals.

On Christmas Day, Netflix will feature two NFL games streamed exclusively on the platform: the Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Stealers, followed by the Baltimore Ravens playing the Houston Texans. December is a critical month for NFL fans, with teams battling for playoff spots and games intensifying in the race for postseason positions.

Paul Swaine, Brand Partnership Director at Sport Social Podcast Network, said: “It’s such an exciting time for us right now at Sport Social Podcast Network, as we continue to grow the network, and having world famous brands like Netflix wanting to partner with us.”

Working with The Nat Coombs Show across December and the NFL vertical brings a solid campaign with host read ads, announcer reads and social media support. Once again giving the brand a layered integrated partnership that supports and compliments their overall advertising campaign.”

Nat Coombs, host of the Nat Coombs Show, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to partner with Netflix across our various channels, helping to amplify this exciting new connection with the NFL. The NFL UK fanbase is growing and growing and settling down to watch the action on Christmas Day will only enhance that!”

DeepCast Secures Additional Investment From Automattic And Idealab

~ jen

DeepCast, inc., creator of the innovative AI-powered podcast discovery platform DeepCast and podcast creator DeepCast Pro, announced it has secured additional investment from Automattic, creators of WordPress.com and owners of popular podcast app Pocket Casts, alongside participation from existing investors Okapi VC and Idealab, as well as current and former executives from Amazon, Snap, Netflix, Webflow, Replit, Audible, and IMDb.

The investment will accelerate DeepCast’s mission to revolutionize how people discover, engage with, market, and monetize podcast content. The company will use the funds to expand its DeepCast Pro creator tools and enhance the discovery capabilities of its consumer platform.

“This investment represents a strong validation of our vision to unlock the full potential of podcasting through AI-powered tools and interfaces,” said Lucas Dickey, CEO and founder of DeepCast. “Automattic’s commitment to empowering independent creators aligns with our mission to help podcasters reach wider audiences while making their content more accessible and engaging.”

The funding will support significant expansion of DeepCast Pro’s creator toolkit, with emphasis on: 

Cross-channel marketing automation and distribution

Enhanced podcast search optimization capabilities

Multi-modal content generation optimized for different platforms

Expanded publishing and syndication options

“At Automattic, we’re dedicated to democratizing publishing and supporting independent creators,” said Sander Rose, Corporate Development at Automattic. “We’re excited to support DeepCast as it builds out a platform that helps podcast creators reach wider audiences while also giving listeners new ways to discover and engage with the content they love.”

The investment will also support expansion of DeepCast’s podcast catalog coverage and enhanced discovery features for listeners, furthering the company’s goal of making the world’s audio content more searchable, connected, and easily digestible across languages and formats.

About DeepCast

Launched in 2024, DeepCast’s AI-powered platform is poised to revolutionize the podcast ecosystem. DeepCast (https://deepcast.fm) was created to help podcasters save time, spread the word, connect with audiences, and capture new revenue. 

DeepCast Pro (https://deepcast.pro), the podcast creator platform extension of DeepCast, builds upon the same core AI infrastructure, and data used to drive discovery and deeper engagement for listeners of podcasts. If DeepCast is about supercharging podcasters, DeepCast Pro is for supercharging and championing podcasters with the motto: “You make the shows, let us help you with what comes after.”

Acast Welcomes Martijn Gerrits As Sales Director For the Netherlands

~ jen

Acast, the world’s largest podcast company, has announced the appointment of Martijn Gerrits as sales director for the Netherlands. Gerris is Acast’s first hire in the region, bringing a wealth of experience in the media and advertising industry to the team.

Gerrits has a proven track record in driving growth and building successful partnerships. His previous roles at leading companies such as Spotify, Azerion, Mediahuis NL and Dentsu have equipped him with the expertise to navigate the dynamic landscape of the podcast industry.

As sales director, Martijn will be responsible for leading Acast’s sales efforts in the Netherlands, expanding its marketplace’s reach and connecting local advertisers with engaged podcast audiences. He will focus on building strong relationships with agencies, brands, and creators to drive revenue growth and establish Acast locally as the go-to destination for podcast advertising.

“In joining the Acast team I can’t wait to help drive the growth of the podcasting industry in the Netherlands,” said Gerrits. “Acast’s commitment to empowering creator and delivering exceptional, effective advertising experiences align perfectly with my own love for audio. I look forward to working with our team and partners to unlock the full potential of podcast advertising in the Dutch market.”

Megan Davies, Acast’s Managing Director for International, added: “Martijn’s deep understanding of the Dutch market and his experience in the podcast industry make him an invaluable asset to our team. As we will continue to expand our presence in the Netherlands, Martijn’s leadership will be instrumental in driving our growth and delivering exceptional value to our advertisers and creators.”

The podcast advertising market in the Netherlands is predicted to experience substantial growth in the coming years. According to projections, the market’s revenue is expected to reach $39.86m by 2027.

Acast officially launched in the Netherlands in November 2022, partnering with Meer Van Dit, a major Dutch podcast studio with popular shows such as “Weer een Dag” as well as creator brands including Tonny Media, Bien, New Tree Media, and Able Studio.

Station Launches First-Of-Its-Kind Platform To Connect With Audiences

~ jen

On the heels of 2024’s historic election season that placed podcasts at the forefront of the national conversation, Station is proud to announce the launch of its platform designed to revolutionize how podcasts and their audiences interact. Positioned as the “Discord for Podcasts,” Station empowers creators and fans alike to build vibrant, engaged communities — no paywalls required.

Today, the podcast-listener dynamic mirror the one-way communication of a TV anchor speaking to a passive audience, limiting the potential for meaningful connection. While platforms like Patreon and Substack offer some level of interaction, their pay-to-play model often alienates connections to their wider fan base.

Station reimagines this relationship with a fully open, interactive platform where fans can engage with episodes, ask hosts questions, unlock exclusive content, and access promotional offers mentioned on their favorite shows.

“At Station, we’re building the future of media experiences,” said Cam Pritchard, Founder and CEO of Station. “Our mission is to connect content creators with their audiences in more dynamic ways and help fans feel closer to the shows and communities they love.”

For podcast creators, Station is a game-changer. With AI powered tools, shows can launch fully customized community pages in seconds, with no upfront costs. These pages act as hubs for engagement, enabling creators to build newsletter lists, host events, run contests, and offer supplemental content. And that’s just the beginning. Station is developing a robust suite of monetization tools to help podcasts grow sustainably and profitably, to be announced in Q2 2025.

“The days of podcasts simply speaking into the void are over,” added Pritchard. “Station speeds up the feedback loop, enabling creators to grow their businesses and craft better listener experiences.”

Already, Station is making wave in the podcasting world. The platform is partnering with chart-topping shows like New Heights with Travis and Jason Kelce, helping them build highly engaged communities three times the size of the duo’s existing Reddit group.

With its innovative approach, Station is poised to redefine podcasting for the modern era. Fans can now choose three favorite “Stations” and join dynamic conversations, bridging the gap between listening and participation. For creators, it’s a free, powerful way to transform audiences into thriving communities.

Station is live now and ready to bring fans and podcasts closer together than ever before. To gain early access to to your favorite stations and join the journey, visit the website.

About Station

Station is a revolutionary platform designed to connect podcasts with their audiences. By fostering engagement and community, Station empowers creators to grow their brands and monetize more effectively while giving fans unprecedented access to the shows they love.

Adelicious Delivers One Billion Ad Impressions Since Launch In Another Year Of Strong Growth

~ jen

Adelicious, the UK’s leading independent podcast hosting and monetization network, has more than doubled its average campaign spend and the number of brands advertising on the network since 2023, delivering its one-billionth ad impression this year. The network’s shows now attract a monthly listenership four times higher than the average on major global platforms, solidifying Adelicious’ position as a market leader.

These impressive figures have been driven by significant additions to the invite-only network in 2024. Among these is the full roster of podcasts from DMG, the most recognized and engaged news brand in the UK. Their shot now hosted by Adelicious include the true crime series The Trial, Soccer A-Z, which reunites former Soccer AM hosts Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain and Bryony Gordon’s Life of Bryony.

Adelicious also welcomed a range of top-tier talent from Avalon, including Russel Howard’s Five Wonderful Things and Frank Skinner’s Off the Radio following his departure from Absolute Radio, as well as his Poetry Podcast. Meanwhile, popular breakthrough acts including Shabaz Ali’s You’re Rich, I’m Poor also joined the network this year.

These additions highlight Adelicious’s commitment to supporting both established names and emerging voices in the comedy world, further exemplified in the company’s continue headline sponsorship of The Cheerful Earful Festival and sponsorship of the Independent Podcast Awards.

Other notable 2024 signings included new launch Fashion Neurosis with Bella Freud, where renowned fashion designer Bella Freud invites guests to ‘lie on the couch’ to explore the connection between fashion and identity. The video-first podcast features fascinating conversations with figures like Kate Moss, Eric Cantona, and Courtney Cox, delving into how personal style reflects broader themes of self-expression and culture.

2024 has been a transformative year for Adelicious, achieving exceptional revenue growth and more than doubling its brand portfolio. High-profile clients, including Amex, Airbnb, Bupa, EE, Fever Tree, Marks & Spencer, Virgin Atlantic, Peloton, Slack, TNT, and many more, now rely on the Adelicious network to amplify their brand voices.

This summer, Adelicious also coordinated a six-month landmark partnership with Colgate and The Diary of a CEO, alongside the brand’s media agency, Wavemaker UK, a collaboration that is notable for being the brand’s first ever podcasting campaign.

Leadership milestones have also been a highlight of 2024. Andrew Goldsmith was promoted to CEO from his role as Managing Director and has used his role to champion the increasing problem of ageism in advertising, advocating for representation in the voices and stories we see and hear, as well as creating opportunities for people of all ages within the industry itself. This commitment reflects a positive vision for a more diverse and inclusive future in advertising.

Alongside Andrew’s promotion, Gemma O’Brian was promoted to Head of Sales, and Lora Elliott to Head of Campaigns, further strengthening Adelicious’s senior leadership team.

Andrew Goldsmith, CEO, Adelicious said: “2024 has been another landmark year for Adelicious. Delivering over one billion impressions and achieving a monthly listenership four times higher than the average on major global platforms are achievements we’re incredibly proud of. Our mission has always been to create success for our podcasters while delivering exceptional value to advertisers. This year’s achievements reflect that commitment, and we’re excited to build on this momentum as we look ahead to an even bigger 2025.”

Lemonada Media Partners With Gretchen Rubin Media For Podcast Distribution Deal

~ jen

Lemonada Media, the award-winning podcast network that makes life suck less, announced a new partnership with Gretchen Rubin Media — the media company led by #1 New York Times Bestselling author Gretchen Rubin — to oversee ad sales and distribution for the company’s audio portfolio.

The partnership will include award-winning mental health podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin, which offers practical, thought-provoking insights into happiness and good habits. Additional Gretchen Ruben Media shows joining the network in 2025 include Happier in Hollywood, hosted by Liz Craft and Sarah Fain, and Side Hussle School, hosted by Chris Guillebeau.

“I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than by partnering with Gretchen Rubin Media to continue our mission of creating and amplifying audio content that makes life suck less,” said Jessica Cordova Kramer, Lemonada’s Co-Founder and CEO. “Gretchen Rubin ha been a pioneer in bringing action and accessible happiness to the masses, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with the Gretchen Rubin Media team to support their mission of helping people live better, more intentional lives.”

In 2015, Gretchen Rubin launched her weekly series, “Happier with Gretchen Rubin” alongside her sister, Hollywood show runner Elizabeth Craft. Building on the success of her #1 New York Times bestselling books “The Happiness Project” and “Better Than Before,” the podcast brings listeners research-based strategies and practical hacks for building a happier life.”

Since launching in 2019, Lemonada has quickly established itself as a leading independent podcast network, reaching millions of listeners per month. The network has created and launched chart-topping original series such as “Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus,” which spent 29 days straight at #1 overall on the Apple Podcast charts; “Fail Better with David Duchovny,” which launched to #1 in Society & Culture on the Apple Podcast charts, Gracie award-winners “Last Day,” “Believe Her,” Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe,” and more.

Lemonada is represented by CAA.

Liberated Syndication Notifies Shareholders Of Tender Offer Closing Timeline For Common Stock

~ jen

Liberated Syndication, Inc. (“Libsyn” or the “Company”), the leading podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, issued a reminder that it’s previously announced Tender Offer to purchase shares of its common stock is set to close as scheduled and will not be extended. The Tender Offer was launched to purchase shares for an aggregate price of $10 million at a price per share ranging from $1.10 to $1.60, in $0.10 increments.

The Tender Offer, which commenced on November 13, 2024, is set to expire at 11:59 P.M., Eastern Time, on December 13, 2024. Interested stockholders are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity before the deadline. Shares tendered may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration of the Tender Offer. Stockholders who do not wish to participate do not need to take any action.

Pursuant to the Tender Offer, stockholders of the Company may tender all, or a portion of their shares at a price specified by the tendering stockholder (“tender price”) of not less than $1.10 and not more than $1.60 per share, in $0.10 increments. 

Pursuant to the Tender Offer, the Company will first purchase all tendered and not withdrawn shares at the lowest price within the range of prices specified above and will then purchase all tendered and not withdrawn shares at the next highest price within the range of prices specified above (in $0.10 increments) and will continue this process until the company has purchased ip to $10 million in the aggregate of its common stock.

Stockholders will receive their tender price proceeds in cash, subject to applicable withholding (if any) and without interest, for shares tendered at prices equal to or less than the purchasing price, subject to the conditions of the Tender Offer.

The terms and conditions of the Tender Offer are detailed in an Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal and annex to that letter have been mailed to the Company’s Stockholders. These documents are available on the Company’s website at www.libsyn.com.  

The Tender Offer will be subject to the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. To be valid, tenders of shares must be made prior to the expiration date of the Tender Offer period and otherwise in accordance with the instructions for tendering shares set forth in the Offer to Purchase and related Letter of Transmittal.

The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has authorized the Tender Offer. However, none of the Company, the Company’s Board of Directors, the depository or the information agent for the Tender Offer makes any recommendation to stockholders as to whether to tender or refrain from tendering their shares or as to the price or prices at which stockholders may choose to tender their shares. The Company has not authorized any person to make such recommendation.

Stockholders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their shares, and, if so, how many shares to tender and the price or prices at which their shares should be tendered. In doing so, stockholders should read carefully the information contained in, or incorporated by reference in, the Offer to Purchase and in the Letter of Transmittal (as they may be amended or supplemented). Stockholders are urged to discuss their decisions with their own tax advisors, financial advisors and/or brokers.