Friday Newsflow: A Recap of 2024

And looking ahead to 2025

We’ve officially made it to the last 11 days of 2024 and what will be our last Friday Newsflow of the year (ya girl is taking a break to enjoy the season). As 2024 comes to a close, I thought we’d do like most other newsletters and recap where 2024 took us and look forward to 2025. This year brought milestones, challenges, and growth that set the stage for what is sure to be an eventful 2025.

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What the industry experienced in 2024

Financial Challenges and Industry Resilience
The podcasting world faced financial pressure this year, with ad revenues slowing and consolidation across platforms. Creators and companies alike pivoted to focus on sustainable growth, long-term audience development, and exploring new monetization models.

Video Podcasting Takes Center Stage
To my chagrin, video podcasts surged in popularity, with platforms like YouTube and Spotify leading the charge. This trend is reshaping how audiences engage with content, emphasizing the need for podcasters to adapt their strategies for visual formats. But don’t get it twisted; while video is having its moment, there’s definitely still a lane for audio-forward podcasts.

AI’s Role in Podcasting
AI-generated podcasts made waves in 2024, helping creators streamline production but raising questions about authenticity and creative integrity. As AI continues to evolve, its role in the industry remains exciting and contentious. While there’s no doubt that AI is helping streamline processes, the pushback remains strong.

The Rise of Blockbusters vs. the Indie Show
A handful of blockbuster podcasts solidified their dominance, with major brands funneling resources into big-name shows. This trend continues to widen the gap between independent creators and corporate-backed projects, sparking conversations about accessibility and equity in the industry.

Cultural Influence
Podcasts continued to influence cultural and political discourse, playing key roles in major events, such as the 2024 presidential election. The medium is finally being recognized as a place where thoughtful and thought-provoking conversations are taking place.

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Atabey & Co.'s Personal 2024 Recap

2024 was the first official year for my business partner Brittany and me. We didn’t officially meet until October of 2023, but we knew we were meant to be. Through our partnership, we accomplished some pretty amazing things - like rebranding Boundless Audio to Atabey & Co., launching a new website, acquiring the WOC Podcasters community, and winning three network awards. We also:

Launched New Voices
This year, we introduced Sleeping with Sonja, our first entirely in-house network show.

Launched WOC Sisterhood Connect
The launch of WOC Sisterhood Connect added a new dimension to our community. It connects podcast hosts with aligned guests and facilitates meaningful collaborations.

Held Community-Driven Workshops
From audience growth strategies to podcasting for authors, our workshops empowered our members with actionable insights and industry expertise. These events became key touchpoints for learning and growth within our community.

Celebrated Member Success
We celebrated incredible achievements from our members, like Heidy De La Cruz’s Women in Podcasting Award for her show The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, Signal Award wins for Bite-Sized Crime, Gradschool Femotring, and The Artist Pivot podcast, and our own Silver Anthem Award win for Community Engagement -Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Moments like these exemplify the talent and passion within our community.

Staying Resilient Amid Challenges
Though financial hurdles required tough decisions, including restructuring our team, we remained focused on our mission to amplify underrepresented voices and build an inclusive space for creators.

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Looking Ahead to 2025

As we step into 2025, our focus will be on community and education, with exciting new offerings to support podcasters at every stage of their journey:

We’re launching accessible services for beginner podcasters, including the Podcast Ready Roadmap, designed to guide creators through the launch process. Our community workshops with industry experts will continue to grow, and we plan to create a “university” of educational content for podcasters both inside and outside our community to help them sharpen their skills.

Building on this year's success, we’re working hard to recruit more Black and Brown women to WOC Sisterhood Connect and foster even more collaborations and connections within the community. We are also planning new initiatives with WOC Podcasters to boost engagement, spark conversations, and ensure members feel supported every step of the way.

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To everyone who has supported Atabey & Co. this year—thank you for being part of this incredible journey. Whether you’ve attended a workshop, participated in WOC Sisterhood Connect, are a member of WOC Podcasters, or subscribed to The Podcaster’s Digest, you’ve made 2024 unforgettable.

Here’s to an impactful and inspiring 2025, filled with new opportunities, bold ideas, and continued growth for podcasters everywhere.

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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. TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL! Use the code BLACKFRIDAY for $72 off an annual membership or your first month/quarter free!

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