Friday Newsflow
What happened in the podcast world this week.
I want to start our Friday Newsflow by acknowledging that it’s been a difficult week. On Wednesday, I woke up devastated. I turned to my husband and cried. I took off from my day job and went to a bookstore because I just couldn’t “people”. But on Thursday, I woke up with the knowledge that we’ve been here before. Black and brown people are resilient. We’ve pushed forward in a country that hasn’t made pathways for us and will continue to do so. If this week’s election taught us anything, it’s that the work of Atabey & Co. is even more important now. Amplifying the voices of women - of Black women, of brown women, of indigenous women, of LGBTQ+ women, of marginalized women - is critical to how we handle the next four years. We will continue to push our voices forward and tell stories that deserve and, more importantly, need to be heard.
Industry Insights and Reports
Chris Peterson from DWNLOAD Media has released The State of the Podcast Industry Q3 2024, calling it the "best quarter yet."
Acast reported a 12% year-on-year sales increase in its Q3/24 financial results, reaching $45.6 million. North America led the growth with a 29% rise, while Europe saw modest growth of 3%. Despite a quarterly loss of $0.6 million, Acast remains on track to achieve positive EBITDA for the year. CEO Ross Adams indicated challenges in the UK market.
According to One Stone Creative’s report The State of Business Podcasting 2024, only 5% of the top 100 business podcasts release content in seasons. Other insights include a preference for host portraits on cover art, with teal being the most popular color. The report also covers show formats and monetization strategies and is available for free.
Platform Updates and Collaborations
YouTube has implemented AI-generated replies to help creators respond to comments automatically, even if they can't engage directly.
Spotify will partner with Emirates Airlines to promote Trevor Noah’s podcast on the in-flight system’s front page, along with a curated mix of podcasts and music playlists.
Spotify for Podcasters maintains its position as the #1 podcast hosting platform by share of new episodes. Spreaker solidifies its hold on the #2 spot, while Buzzsprout remains at #3. Acast climbed to #8 with a record 2.5% market share.
Advertising and Monetization Challenges
At the asi International Radio & Audio Conference in Venice, SoundStack’s Rockie Thomas highlighted that podcast ads are often excluded from media plans because they are "too difficult to buy." She emphasized that while podcasting offers diverse ad options and brand suitability tools have attracted new advertisers, clearer data and alignment with radio ad terminology are needed.
In August, the FTC introduced new rules against fake reviews and deceptive endorsements, taking action against a website promoting fake testimonials. As of October 13, new regulations enforce fines of up to $43,000 for deceptive endorsements, such as pretending to be a genuine user of a product.
Catch up on our shows
The ladies of Are You Free for Coffee are diving into Tyler Perry's binge-worthy Netflix series, "Beauty in Black". They explore its powerful themes, standout moments, and the stark reality of human trafficking.
When a woman vanishes on Valentine's Day weekend, her family pushes for answers, sparking a years-long quest for justice. What happened to Pamela Butler? Find out on Bite-Sized Crime!
In a replay episode of Grad School Femtoring, Yvette shares six ways to overcome dissertation writing anxiety, including common obstacles like procrastination, lack of motivation, time management issues, research struggles, handling feedback, and dealing with imposter syndrome, and practical advice, personal anecdotes, and motivational tips to help graduate students in particular to navigate their dissertation writing process better.
On the Season 6 finale of The Artist Pivot Podcast, Ayana sits down with none other than actorprenuer Lori Tishfield, who now resides in Toronto, to discuss how important it is to maintain a sense of self beyond your professional identity and sitting in a place of balance between internal validation and the need for external affirmation from the industry.
On Growth Mindset Gal, Allie interviews the inspirational Geeta Sidhu-Robb on reclaiming feminine power. Geeta is a 5-time Entrepreneur and Businesswoman of the Year award winner.
Last but not least, on Writing Black Joy, Safiya, and guest Nailah Blades Wylie talk about being joyful in nature. Nailah is a Life & Leadership Coach who helps leaders tap into their power and build lives that are whole, good, and full of possibility.
Network and Learn at these Upcoming Events
Featured Event: Maximizing Your Podcast's Impact in the Holiday Season - November 21st at 12pm EST:
This workshop will equip you with the tools and strategies to create compelling holiday content that resonates with listeners.{This event is an exclusive event for WOC Podcasters members. To join WOC Podcasters, sign up here.}
PodINDY.com-24 - November 9th In Indianapolis, Indiana (and virtually) at 9am EST: Podcast Hall of Famer Dave Jackson goes deep on his book “Profit from Your Podcast: Amplified by AI” as the headliner at PodIndy.com. This is a one day live and virtual teaching proven strategies to turn listeners into a livelihood amplified by AI.
Developing Your Brand's Internal Super Fans - November 15th at 5pm ET: Discover how a leading financial services brand podcast transformed casual listeners into dedicated super fans, driving significant growth and brand favorability. This presentation will unveil innovative internal socialization strategies that leverage the power of internal audience engagement and advocacy to build a loyal listener base. [Free]
Amplify Your Voice, Elevate Your Business - December 5th at 12pm ET: This weekly class is perfect for those who want to take their message to the masses, build their brand, and establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry. [Free]
Brand Podcast Summit 2025 - January 14 - 15th: A free, two-day virtual event designed to help brands revolutionize their marketing through successful brand podcast strategies. It is designed for marketers, founders, and business leaders who want to break away from the more traditional marketing approaches. For those who want to use podcasting to become thought leaders in their industry, gain leads and raise brand awareness [Free]
Doors are open to join the WOC Podcasters community!
WOC Podcasters is an inclusive podcasting community for Women of Color podcasters, audio creators, and professionals to connect, learn, and share resources. From esteemed podcasting leaders to aspiring podcasters looking to get started, this community will help you find the resources to prosper along your creative journey. Join with a 7-day free trial here.
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