Friday Newsflow
What happened in the podcast world this week.
We’re trying something new this week. Catch the video for industry news and updates.
Awards and Industry Recognition
Atabey & Co. has been selected as a finalist in the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion category at the 4th Annual Anthem Awards for its work with Women of Color Podcasters. This nomination is deeply personal to our mission of amplifying the voices of Black and brown women in podcasting and beyond. We believe that the stories and perspectives of women of color deserve to be celebrated and uplifted. In addition to this prestigious nomination, we are also in the running for the Anthem Community Voice Award, which is voted on by the public. By casting your vote, you can help us showcase the power of our community and continue amplifying the voices of women of color in podcasting. How to Vote: Visit celebrate.anthemawards.com and cast your vote by October 31st! Every vote counts, so please share with friends and family to increase our impact.
The Canadian Podcast Awards, established in 2018, are now open for entry with 31 categories available.
A new podcast award show, the Political Podcast Awards, has launched in the UK. Entries are open, and the event will take place on January 29th. Interestingly, it is sponsored by Google, which recently shut down its podcast app earlier this year.
In Australia, iHeart and Magellan AI have launched a new industry award recognizing the ad agency that has spent the most money on podcast advertising.
Podcast Listener Behavior and Audience Insights
In his latest analysis, Tom Webster from Sounds Profitable dives into the differences between audiences who primarily listen to audio podcasts and those who primarily consume video podcasts. According to The Podcast Landscape 2024, based on a survey of 5,000 Americans, 47% of respondents consume only 0-24% of podcasts via video, while 14% watch video podcasts 75-100% of the time. He labels these groups “audio prime” and “video prime,” noting that audio-first listeners have generally been in the space longer, with 93% discovering podcasts more than six months ago. As video podcasting grows, YouTube has become an important platform for new listeners.
Pinna, in partnership with Story Pirates, conducted a survey among over 700 podcast fans of kids and family shows, including Rebel Girls and GoKidGo. The survey revealed that 52% of families discover podcasts through other podcasts, 45% through platform homepages, and 42% from recommendations by friends and family. This shows the growing demand for screen-free entertainment options for children.
Platform and Business Developments
As part of its continued push into video podcasting, Spotify is offering seven-figure sums to attract YouTube podcasters to distribute their content on its platform. The company is also building new video podcast studios closer to Hollywood, in addition to its existing “Pod City,” which houses more than a dozen studios. This comes after Spotify’s attempts to sublease space at its 4 World Trade Center hub and following multiple rounds of layoffs.
Due to a downturn in the podcast ad market, This American Life has launched a premium subscription version called This American Life Partners. Ira Glass shared in an email that their ad revenue is expected to be one-third lower than in previous years, necessitating this move. Other suggested names for the subscription were This American Lifeboat and This American Life Support.
Podcast hosting company Libsyn has hired Brendan Monaghan, co-founder and former CEO of Megaphone, as its new CEO. Megaphone was acquired by Spotify in 2020, and Monaghan left the company in 2022.
Listener and Advertiser Trends
Both U.S. presidential candidates are reportedly interested in appearing on The Joe Rogan Experience. Edison Research has shared demographic data about Rogan's audience, including insights into their political preferences. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris recently appeared on The Breakfast Club, a top 50 podcast hosted by Charlamagne Tha God.
According to a new report from Veritonic, podcast listeners feel more connected to brands that have a distinctive sound identity. More than half of respondents stated that a brand's sound is more memorable than its visual logo.
WOC Podcasters Community
The WOC Sisterhood Connect program, exclusively for Black and brown women seeking to be guests on podcasts hosted by Black and brown women, launched its beta phase. The first 25 guests have been invited to sign up and be matched with hosts within the WOC Podcasters Community. The program provides a platform for diverse voices to share their stories and expertise, with spots still available for those interested in joining the beta phase.
Catch up on our shows
On Afrocentric. Morgan and Mayberry TV Podcaster Chris Mayberry the contentious question: "Is Hip Hop Dead?" The duo explores the genre's evolution, from its humble beginnings to its current global dominance, while examining the factors that have led some to question its vitality.
The ladies of Are You Free for Coffee are delving into the ongoing scandals surrounding Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs, unpacking the allegations and their impact on his legacy..
It's a very special bonus episode on Bite-Sized Crime! Joy recently got to hang out with the amazing Kelley and Emily from Wining About Herstory. When they invited her to share a story with them, she knew she had to pick something special. Join them as they discuss a harrowing tale of grit and determination!
In this episode of Grad School Femtoring, Yvette shares practical advice for nontraditional students applying to grad school. Key topics include the importance of involving family in decision-making, leveraging work and life experiences, and selecting programs with robust support systems that align with your lifestyle and priorities.
On Ogasmica, Virginia speaks with Heidi Rojas, a successful hit songwriter and proud first-generation Latina based in Los Angeles. Heidi has co-written major chart-topping songs, including Little Mix's "Wings" and Cheryl Cole's "Crazy Stupid Love." The conversation dives into the sacredness of songwriting, where Heidi explains how songs can become a powerful form of expression and connection.
In this deeply personal and illuminating episode of Sleeping with Sonja, host Sonja sits down with the multifaceted Amy Loughren to explore the transformative power of writing, meditation, and spirituality. Together, they delve into their individual journeys with authenticity, personal growth, and the profound impact of shared stories.
Over on The Artist Pivot Podcast, Ayana is diving deep into the art of creative resilience and the power of community with two incredible guests: Creativity Coaches and Co-Hosts of The Spark File podcast Susan Blackwell and Laura Camien. These originating artists share their transformative journeys, from interpreting others' creative visions to defining their own.
On Growth Mindset Gal, Allie interviews the fantastic Kelly Robsinson. Kelly is a senior real estate broker and founder of The Kelly Robinson Team. She has been selling residential real estate in New York City since 2005 and will expand to Miami in 2023. The WSJ consistently ranks her team in the top 1.5% of real estate agents and teams nationwide. Kelly's unique approach is supported by an extensive background that spans multiple industry sectors including resales, new development projects, investor, and buyer representation.
On While She’s Away, Dianni is spilling all the tea on how much money you actually need to travel the world. She’s breaking down all the different travel budgets, from backpacker life to a little more bougie. And she’s sharing her own experiences (plus real numbers) from her adventures through Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America.
Last but not least, on Wining About Herstory, Joy from Bite Sized Crime is BACK to listen to the ladies tell her a ghastly tale of war, stolen innocence, and spooky toilets. After falling victim to a WWII air raid, a young girl, Hanako, was cursed to haunt the girl's toilet, unleashing bizarre punishments on those who disturb her.
Network and Learn at these Upcoming Events
Featured Event: How to Leverage Podcasting for Authors & Writers - October 22nd at 6pm ET:
Calling all authors and writers! Join WOC Podcasters Community member Heidy De La Cruz, an award-nominated podcaster and certified podcast coach, for a specialized webinar designed just for you. Discover how podcasting can be a game-changing tool to amplify your voice, connect with new audiences, and promote your work. In this session, Heidy will show you how to strategically find podcasts that align with your niche, craft pitches that highlight your unique story, and master the art of engaging interviews. Whether you’re looking to increase book sales, build your personal brand, or simply share your message with a wider audience, this workshop will provide you with the insights and actionable tips you need to make podcasting a powerful part of your marketing strategy. {This event is an exclusive event for WOC Podcasters members. To join WOC Podcasters, sign up here.}
6th Annual Afros and Audio Festival - October 18th-20th, Baltimore, MD: This podcast conference celebrates diversity, creativity, and the indie spirit of podcasting. Tickets are available here.
The Total Package: The Hidden (But Very Real) Impact of Podcast Artwork & Packaging on Growth - October 23rd at 12pm EST: Jeremy Enns joins Lower Street, where he’ll share what just a small difference your podcast cover art and title can make. Following his experiment with the Growth Mindset Psychology podcast, he saw 45% listener growth in just one month, from a few manageable tweaks. [Free]
Latinas In Podcasting Virtual Summit - October 24-25th: Learn how to design a show, grow an audience, and make a podcast you’ll love. Get practical insights from top podcasters in short, power-packed sessions designed to help you learn and launch fast + I"‘m a speaker for the event! [Free]
100 Episodes of One Minute Podcast Tips - Special Live Stream and Ask Me Anything - October 26th at 1pm EST: To celebrate 100 episodes of One Minute Podcast Tips, Danny Brown is hosting a special live stream where you can ask any questions you have about podcasting. [Free]
Colorado Springs Podcasters Meetup - October 26th at 1:30pm MST: Join us in Colorado Springs and connect with other podcasters and creators to help grow and monetize your show on the Podfest PodTour! [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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