Spotify

Spotify Acquires Podsights and Chartable

~ jen

Spotify announced that they have acquired two podcast technology companies: Podsights and Chartable.

Podsights is a leading podcast advertisement measurement service that help advertisers better measure and scale their podcast advertising. Chartable is a podcast analytics platform that enables publishers to know and grow their podcast audiences through promotional attributions and insight tools.

Here’s what these acquisitions will mean for advertisers and publishers:

Upleveling Measurement for Podcast Advertising

In short, with the acquisition of Podsights, Spotify will be able to help advertisers understand how podcast ads drive actions that matter to their businesses. Over time, Spotify plans to extend these measurement capabilities beyond podcasts to the full scope of the Spotify platform, including audio ads within music, video ads, and display ads.

Helping Publishers Grow Their Businesses with Robust Insights & Promotional Tools

Over the past year, we’ve been strengthening Megaphone’s already robust offering – most recently with the acquisition of Whooshkaa and its broadcast-to-podcast technology – to ensure its the best place for podcast publishers to create, monetize, and measure their podcast business.

And now with the acquisition of Chartable, we will be further enhancing Megaphone’s suite of tools with the integration of Chartable’s audience insights and cutting-edge promotional tools, SmartLinks and SmartPromos. These tools will make it easier for publishers to turn audience insights into action and expand their listenership while ultimately growing their businesses.

The Future of Digital Audio

Spotify believes the opportunity for digital audio and podcast remains significant. With these acquisitions, Spotify says they are taking a big step in unleveling digital audio measurement and insights to help the entire industry scale to new heights.

The Verge reported: This deal is particularly critical for the company as it tries to make its ad platform the best and most powerful in audio. If it wants everyone to purchase ads through its marketplace, then it needs technology to better figure out who’s listening to those ads and what they’re doing after hearing them.

At the same time, marketing analytics are critical for show creators who want to ensure they’re spending their budgets well. This deal helps both creators and advertisers, two groups Spotify needs and wants to court.

Whooshkaa is Joining the Spotify Family

~ jen

Whooshkaa announced that the company has joined the Spotify family. Founder and CEO Rob Loewenthal posted information about it in a blog post on Whooshkaa’s website.

Australian podcasters, we’ve come a long way together. And from today, it all just gets bigger, better, and more exciting.

Global digital audio leader Spotify has talent-spotted Whooshkaa’s world-class technology and made our business and team its first Australian acquisition. With more than 381 million monthly listeners and recently surpassing €1 billion in ad revenue this year, Spotify throws open the window of opportunity for Whooshkaa’s innovative team.

Since 2016, we’re worked hard alongside countless Aussie podcasters to build and re-imaging the future of digital audio. No false modesty here – I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built with Whooshkaa. In five years we’ve grown, learned, pivoted, and innovated. Our current team is nothing short of astounding.

We’ve worked long days, nights, and weekends, with talented individuals, businesses, schools, and media organizations to drive podcasting in Australia, with many high points along the way. Hedley Thomas’s The Teacher’s Pet for example, launched on Whooshkaa in 2018, has been downloaded more than 60 million times worldwide.

We’ve led the way on text-to-speech, speech-to-text, connected home integration, ad technology with dynamic insertion for all, enterprise grade private podcasting tools and more. Sport, comedy, business, crime, conversation, education, music, current affairs – Whooshkaa has welcomed and supported all.

Proud as we are of our laurels, we’re not resting on them. Our business is thriving. And by adding the power and vision of Spotify, we can propel the industry-leading tech and service you know and love to even greater heights.

Thank you to all who played a part in our last five years. The best is yet to come.

Spotify to Acquire Leading Audiobook Platform Findaway

~ jen

In 2019, Spotify announced its ambition to become the world’s leading audio platform with an expansion into podcasting through the acquisitions of Anchor and Gimlet. Since then, Spotify has not only become a leading platform for podcast creators and listeners, but also expanded on the very format of podcasting itself: taking a fixed format and making it a new audio experience. And we are taking another step in furthering this mission to build the future of audio by announcing that Spotify has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Findaway, a global leader in digital audiobook distribution.

“It’s Spotify’s ambition to be the destination for all things audio both for listeners and creators. The acquisition of Findaway will accelerate Spotify’s presence in the audiobook space and will help us more quickly meet that ambition,” said Gustav Söderström, Spotify’s Chief Research & Development Officer. “We’re excited to combine Findaway’s team, best-in-class technology platform, and robust audiobook catalog with Spotify’s expertise to revolutionize the audiobook space as we did with music and podcasts.”

Findaway works across the entire audiobook ecosystem with a platform and offerings that serve authors, publishers, and consumers of this rapidly growing industry, which is expected to grow from $3.3 billion to $15 billion by 2027. In addition to offering the largest catalog of distributed titles, Findaway has actively worked to democratize audiobooks through leading technology tools available for independent authors to create and bring their stories to life. We plan to build on Findaway’s significant innovation in the space, and we’re going to supercharge its growth, bringing everything Spotify knows around personalization and discovery while also innovating on format, delivery, creator tools, and more.

Together, Spotify and Findaway will accelerate Spotify’s entry into the audiobook space and continue to innovate the industry, working to remove current limitations and unlock better economic tools for creators. Findaway’s technology infrastructure will enable Spotify to quickly scale its audiobook catalog and innovate on the experience for consumers, simultaneously providing new avenues for publishers and authors to reach audiences around the globe.

Supercast Opens Direct Access to Spotify for Subscription Podcasters

~ jen

Subscription podcasters now have a centralized way to reach listeners on every major podcast player with the addition of Spotify to Supercast’s integration roster.

Supercast has built its new integration using Spotify Open Access, which enables publishers to offer gated content on Spotify using the publisher’s existing subscription network.

Supercast is the first subscription platform to offer the Spotufy Open Access integration to all its users.

More than 28 million Americans use Spotify as their primary podcast player. Now, with an easy way to access those listeners, subscription podcasters on Supercast can access a larger audience while managing their subscriber base all in one place.

“We’ve heard time and again from our Spotify listeners about wanting to access our paid Get Sleepy feed in their Spotify account,” said Michael Brandon, creator of the Get Sleepy podcast. “The integration of Spotify into Supercast means we can now serve our audience better – and that makes both them and us very happy.”

With the new Supercast – Spotify subscription integration, podcasters can enjoy multiple benefits:

  • A single place to upload paid content that delivers across all podcast players
  • A great experience for their Spotify audience, who can now link their podcast subscription to their Spotify account to listen
  • Easier to covert Spotify listeners to a paid subscription with a fast and easy signup process
  • No additional cost to include Spotify as an opting for subscribers

“It’s so important to serve listeners on whatever podcast player they already use. That’s why Supercast has always been an ardent supporter of the open podcast ecosystem and making things work together,” said Supercast CEO Jason Sew Hoy. “Now, thanks to Supercast’s integration with Spotify, our podcasters can serve 100% of their audience with a seamless subscription experience.”

“We believe creators, from independent podcasters to publishers and platforms, should have control over how they approach their business and have access to audiences everywhere they listen to audio,” said Nir Zicherman, Head of Future Formats for Spotify. “Bringing Spotify Open Access to all Supercast users marks a breakthrough in subscription audio content, and we’re very excited to see creators succeed.”

Amid a boom in subscription podcasting, Supercast has been growing rapidly. The company’s top 10 podcasters now earn more than USD$10 million in annual recurring revenue from the paid subscribers they have on the platform.

Spotify Launched Sound Up LatinX

~ jen

Spotify announced Sound Up LatinX. It calls for LatinX podcasters in the United States to sign up to tell their stories.

Earlier this year, we shared we’d be launching Sound Up LatinX to directly address the disparities present in the podcasting community. Today, we invite aspiring U.S. LatinX podcasters to apply for the program.

Fernando Spuri, Manager of Sound Up, had a lot of say about it. One of the key points was: “We’re looking for creators with powerful ideas that want to tell whatever stories on whatever subjects that resonate with them best. Of course, those subjects are an intrinsic part of almost all LatinX, but how and with what intensity they want to address them is up to them.”

All LatinX U.S. residents age 20 or older – regardless of immigration status – are invited to apply to Sound Up U.S. LatinX now. Sign-ups close October 1, 2021. Please apply as an individual, rather than as a show or a group. Spotify can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Sound Up LatinX is divided into two parts. First up is a virtual training program in 2021, which will take place over the course of eight weeks. The 10 participants who are short-listed by Spotify will attend workshops for a comprehensive introduction to the art of making a podcast. Ultimately, participants will create and submit a podcast trailer and pitch proposal for the opportunity to be selected as a finalist to attend part two: in-person Sound Up sessions in 2022.

Maria Murriel and Isis Madrid, co-founders of Pizza Shark will be facilitating Sound Up U.S. LatinX. Maria has been a Sound Up facilitator for the U.S. program already in 2020 and 2021, after participating as a speaker in 2019. Maria and Isis have both delivered Spotify’s global training in how to deliver the curriculum to new Sound Up facilitators in new markets globally.

Spotify Launches Greenroom to Compete with Clubhouse

~ jen

Spotify announced that they have made Greenroom available for the first time in its new form. In March of 2021, Spotify acquired Betty Labs, the creators of Locker Room. Spotify’s plan was to evolve and expand Locker Room from a Clubhouse-like app for people to talk about sports to what has now become Greenroom.

Today, we’re making Spotify Greenroom available for the first time in its new form, available on iOS and Android in over 135 markets around the world. We’re building Greenroom with the creators and artists in mind who make Spotify great, optimizing for interactivity and deep connections between participants in live rooms. The app, rolling out today, includes:

  • New app branding (aka Greenroom) and a new overall look and feel
  • The ability for any user to host or participate in live rooms
  • A way to join Greenroom using your using your Spotify log-in info
  • A new onboarding experience that puts users’ interests front and center
  • Recording capabilities so you can compliment your on-demand content with live conversations
  • Chat controls to ensure the best possible experience

TechCrunch reported that Spotify could use Greenroom to send out notifications to users if a podcast the user already followed on Spotify went live in a Spotify Greenroom.

According to TechCrunch, Greenroom has has features including Speakers at the top of the screen in rounded profiles, with listeners appearing below as smaller icons. There are mute options and moderation controls. It is also possible to bring listeners on stage during the live audio session. Rooms can host up to 1,000 people.

It is easy to see how podcasters on Spotify could use Greenroom as a way to do a live podcast. Greenroom includes recording capabilities, which podcasters could add to their on-demand podcast.

Warner Music Group and Spotify Strike Innovative Podcast Development Deal

~ jen

Warner Music Group (WMG) and Spotify announced they have entered into a new partnership which will see the two companies develop a series of original podcasts built around WMG’s vast and diverse artists’ and songwriters’ catalogs featuring some of the biggest names in music. Fans will get to experience the stories behind some of the biggest hit songs and get an inside look at the work of their favorite artists and songwriters.

“The most impactful podcasts share with music the key component of storytelling and personal experience. In partnership with Warner Music Group, we look to develop stories leveraging their unique artists and catalog,” said Courtney Holt, VP Global Studios & Business, Spotify. “We look forward to helping them leverage the power of podcasting to forge a deeper connection with fans.”

“We’re excited to take this step forward with Spotify as we strengthen and deepen our existing partnership. Podcasts provide an opportunity to unlock value for artists and songwriters by delivering fresh and unique stories to music to fans across the globe,” said Oana Ruxandra, EVP, Business Development and Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group. “We look forward to working with Spotify to experiment and drive growth in podcasting.”

The news follows Warner Music Group’s recent launch of the BLK In America podcast by Topsify, which sees influential Black artists – like Rico Nasty, Chaka Khan, and Keedron Bryant – discussing what it means to be Black in America. Today, WMG produces various podcasts from across its network including Duran Duran’s WHOOOSH! curated and hosted by Simon Le Bon; the Prince official podcast in collaboration with his estate; Robert Plant’s Digging Deep; the Good Ol Grateful Deadcast hosted by musician Rich Mahan and Relix contributing editor Jesse Jarnow; The Rhino Podcasts, telling stories of legends like Aretha Franklin, Todd Rundgren, and John Densmore of The Doors; Warner Chappell Music’s Final Sessions, a series chronicling the long and fascinating narrative behind the release of Losst and Founnd – the album of final recordings from the late singer/songwriter Harry Nilsson; Grandson’s XXWhy show interviewing other artists and activists; as well as cultural hit show Uproxx’s People’s Party hosted by Talib Kweli.

Spotify is now home to more than two million podcasts including The Michelle Obama Podcast, The Journal, The Joe Rogan Experience, The Bakari Sellers Podcast, Stolen: The Search for Jermain, and the recently launched Renegades: Born in the USA.  It is also the exclusive home of a wide range of Music + Talk shows, the personalized music and podcast mix Daily Drive and innovative programming like The Get Up, which combines music curated for each individual listener with the latest in pop culture, news, entertainment and music from hosts Kat Lazo, Speedy Morman and Xavier “X” Jernigan.

Spotify Improved Podcast Charts

~ jen

Spotify unveiled some big improvements to Spotify’s podcast charts experience, which will benefit podcasters in a number of ways. More chances for all creators to chart – and a new way for listeners to discover new favorites on Spotify.

With more people than ever podcasting all over the world, we want to ensure that podcast charts are growing with you. We also want you to be able to celebrate your success – which is why we’re excited to unveil a revamped podcast – charts experience that’s better in every way: more chances for up-and-coming creators and established creators to make it onto a chart; more ways to view a chart than just heading to the Spotify app; and a higher likelihood of listeners discovering you and your context.

New: Top Episodes

For the first time, Spotify’s charts look beyond overall podcast show numbers on Spotify and dive into individual episodes. Updated daily, the Top Episodes chart will provide a better understanding of what’s really being listened to on Spotify – because a podcast isn’t always the sum of its episodes. Sometimes, for example, a single episode may strike a chord with listeners of become part of the audio-content zeitgeist.

There’s now something to show for episodes that are really popular or trending, even if their podcast as a whole isn’t being consumed at the same volume. It’s also another way for listeners to discover your show, and potentially explore past episodes or follow your show to hear what you come out with next.

New: Charts Website

Starting yesterday, Spotify is freeing charts from the confines of the app and giving them their standalone due, with their own website. (At launch, the charts website will only reflect U.S. charts). Not only will this provide everyone easier access to the daily podcast pulse on Spotify, but it’ll also serve as a larger destination for discoverability.

With a full charts website, creators everywhere will be able to share their success with listeners, family, and friends – or organically get discovered by a listener perusing the site and stumbling upon your show. Anyone will be able to preview a podcast and follow it directly from the charts site.

Improved: Top Podcasts

Spotify improved their Top Podcast chart by devising a new methodology that helps listeners find what they’re really looking for: the intersection of popular and emerging. Now, the amount of podcast followers on Spotify factors into the algorithm and definition of what comprises a ‘top’ podcast, coupled with recent unique Spotify listener numbers. These changes mean the chart is better able to react to new shows, fresh voices, and fast risers, while giving listeners more reason to check in frequently to discover new shows.

More Spotify Listeners Can Now Ask Alexa to Play Podcasts

~ jen

Last year, Spotify announced that U.S. listeners could ask their Amazon Alexa devices to play their favorite podcasts. Now, listeners in 11 new markets – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, India, Austria, and Ireland – can ask Alexa to do the same.

Podcasts delight, entertain, inform, and inspire people across the world, and there’s always more to stream, for both Free and Premium listeners. Now with Alexa, you can get listening to any of the millions more on Spotify—just by using your voice.

Ready to get started? Setup is easy, and only takes a few moments:

  • Go to the Amazon Alexa App.
  • Open the menu, head to Settings, then Music & Podcasts.
  • If Spotify is not connected, tap “Link New Service” and select Spotify”.
  • Link your Spotify account to your Alexa account.
  • If you’re in Brazil, Mexico, Germany, or the UK, tap “Default Services,” and then select
  • Spotify as the default podcast service.
  • Say “Alexa, play [your podcast of choice] podcast on Spotify” and get listening!

Spotify has created a short video to walk people through the process of connecting Spotify to Alexa. Not sure what podcast to start with? New podcasts from every market and in many languages are increasingly available on Spotify. For each of the 11 new markets that can play podcasts on Alexa, Spotify has a podcast suggestion.

Spotify and Archewell Audio Announced Multi-Year Partnership

~ jen

Archewell Audio, the newly-formed audio-first production company, created by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex, and Megan, The Duchess of Sussex, has announced a multi-year partnership with Spotify to produce podcasts and shows that tell uplifting and entertaining stories – and inspire even more.

Under this exclusive partnership, Archewell Audio will leverage Spotify’s global reach – with 144 million Premium subscribers and 320 million monthly active users – to spotlight powerful and diverse voices and perspectives.

“What we love about podcasting is that it reminds all of us to take a moment and to really listen, to connect to one another without distraction,” The Duke and Dutchess of Sussex said in a joint statement. “With the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to do so, because when we hear each other, and hear each other’s stories, we are reminded of how interconnected we all are.”

Ahead of the new year, Archewell Audio and Spotify’s Gimlet studio will release their first offering: a holiday special hosted by The Duke and Duchess that will features stories of hope and compassion from inspirational guests in celebration of the new year. In 2021, The Duke and Duchess will produce and host podcasts that build community through shared experiences and values.

The first complete series from Archewell Audio and Spotify is expected next year and will be available to stream for free on Spotify. Follow the show page here.