🎙️Changes to iOS Affect Overall Podcast Numbers, But iHeart Stays the Top Publisher.

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📢 With iOS Changes Reducing Overall Podcast Numbers, iHeart Continues to Be the Top Publisher.

📢 Three Items from Signal Hill Insights' 2023 Audio Research That Could Change the Game. Video podcasts are an additional option for podcast listeners, not a replacement for audio podcasts.

📢 The End's Look Back on 2023 Completed Audio Fiction was first released by Evo Terra.

📢   Steve Goldstein of Amplifi Media recaps "The Ups and Downs of Audio in 2023," covering the year's biggest podcasting and audio stories.

One thing is certain, regardless of your experience level with podcasting or level of inexperience: the podcasting industry is always changing. The podcasting industry is constantly changing, and as 2024 approaches, podcasters need to not only recognize these trends but also take an active part in them.

These were the predictions made by The Podbean Team:

• Data reigns supreme. The most successful podcasts, both now and in the foreseeable future, rely on data-driven insights. Leveraging information gathered from listeners and users is not merely advantageous; it's pivotal in steering content creation and fine-tuning your delivery. Prioritizing user experience remains paramount, making data an indispensable compass for content direction and presentation.

• Niche content continues to assert its dominance. The scale of subject matter no longer restricts content; rather, the focus lies on crafting engaging content that seamlessly combines education with entertainment; or that popular coined term, “edutainment.” Whether it’s an in-depth exploration of astrophysics or the charm of miniature dollhouse crafting, the key lies in delivering captivating educational narratives.

• Live streaming has cemented its place in the podcasting sphere and is poised for further expansion in 2024. Integrating live streams into your podcasting arsenal offers an unprecedented opportunity to connect with your audience in real time, fostering a deeper level of engagement and interaction.

• Programmatic Advertising for the win. Anticipate a surge in opportunities arising from programmatic ads. With the industry maturing and content quality scaling new heights, delving into programmatic ads presents podcasters with avenues to tap into additional revenue streams. Simultaneously, the emergence of innovative tools geared toward safeguarding brand integrity and content authenticity within this advertising space is on the horizon.

  The podcasting market's competitive landscape is driving the development of an array of new tools and technologies. Expect a proliferation of resources catering to audio production, podcast distribution, and programmatic advertising. Tech companies are recognizing the profitability within this space, and their ongoing innovations are poised to benefit podcasters, offering increased efficiency and effectiveness in content creation and monetization strategies. As these tools continue to evolve, podcasters stand to gain significantly from the ingenuity and advancements brought forth by these tech giants.

  2024 holds a promise of continued evolution and innovation within the podcasting domain. Embracing data-driven insights, exploring niche content avenues, integrating live streaming experiences, capitalizing on programmatic ad opportunities, and leveraging the expanding toolkit of tech resources will be instrumental in thriving within this ever-evolving landscape.

• Americans Spend Over Four Hours Daily with Audio based on the recent Edison Research. At Share of Ear's 2014 launch, Americans 13+ spent 4:17 a day listening to all audio sources.

• Liberated Syndication Inc. (“Libsyn”), the leading podcasting platform for creators and advertisers, announced its December 2023 Podcast Advertising Rates, including the highest and most accessible CPM categories, today.

• Livewire reports 1.7mn new podcast episodes in December, down 11.1% from November. Spotify for Podcasters hosted a record 30.4%.

• At least 3,258,920 podcasts and 185,150,467 episodes exist, according to Listen Notes. Compared to IMDB's 8.3 million titles, Spotify's 70 million tracks, and Audible's 470,000 audiobooks.

• Edison Research's latest findings show binge-listening as a digital audio trend. As of Q3 2023, 77% of U.S. weekly podcast listeners aged 13 and older have listened to multiple episodes in one sitting.

• The brand announced that RadioTimes.com will launch a new podcast series with celebrity guests to analyse pop culture to find the best examples across categories.

• A new 3-part Pacific Content year-ender features podcast industry pros discussing "What Worked in 2023". See them by topic: Audience Development, Brands, Podcast Production.

• How will audio news outlets handle AI opportunities and challenges? WBUR's Ben Brock Johnson provides insight. Some news brands define "their identity by not opting into AI."

• "What’s In and What’s Out for Podcast Marketing and Publishing in 2024." Their annual podcaster scorecard is updated by Lauren Passell of Tink Media and Arielle Nissenblatt.

• The company's 2023 report shows Audioboom paid podcast creators over $50m. It downloaded 1.5bn times.

• The Radio Academy have today announced that entry nominations for The ARIAS 2024 will open from Thursday 4th January via the website HERE.

• Audio streaming services “need a different approach” to pricing. Barclays media analyst Kannan Venkateshwar suggests a content tier-based model for streamers instead of a “tonnage” approach, where services flood their apps with content.

• Audacy announced that it will sell and distribute exclusive guided meditation podcast advertising to the Women's Meditation Network.

• Ashley Flowers, host of the "Crime Junkie" podcast, stops by Studio 1A to discuss the best new podcasts to listen to in 2024, covering everything from humour to motivation.

Presenting New Voices AMPLIFIY! For independent creators who already have a podcast and are looking to expand their audience, there is an 8-week marketing accelerator available.

Selected participants will receive accelerated learning, mentorship from top industry professionals, and a $1,000 stipend. Participants will be a part of a cohort of independent podcasters with the chance to create long-lasting relationships, in addition to workshops and exercises on monetization, audience engagement, and promotional campaigns. You will have a tonne of knowledge and techniques at the end of the programme that you can use right away with your podcast!

The application period is now open!

• Managing Director for Spotify Nordics, Jenny Hermanson, has departed from the company. She said “It has been an extraordinary privilege to lead and contribute to the growth of Spotify in one of its key markets. Being part of a start-up journey to where we are today has been nothing short of an adventure.”

• Westwood One will be led by Cumulus Media EVP of Corporate Strategy & Development Collin Jones starting January 1, 2024. He succeeds Suzanne Grimes, who left after eight years.

• AdLarge announced today Tom Brady has joined the company’s sales force. In this new role, Brady will work directly with EVP of Audio Sales, Robin Sloan.

• Rachel Williamson was elevated by Audacy to the position of President of Local Sales Strategy and Innovation, from Regional President. Williamson will answer to Chief Revenue Officer Brian Benedik in the newly created role.

• At the end of March, Spotify's chief revenue officer, Paul Vogel, will be leaving the company. Following a third round of layoffs that affected Spotify earlier this week, the announcement was made.

• After five years, Denise Viltola, who oversaw social media, PR, and influencer marketing at Bayer, announced her departure. She is still deciding what to do next.

• Jeff Howard will succeed James Warburton as Seven West Media's managing director and CEO, according to Seven West Media Chairman Kerry Stokes AC.

• Rachel Fountain has been appointed as Content Director, Audio (News, Sport, and Lifestyle) for NewsCast, News Corp Australia's on-demand audio division.

• Warner Bros Discovery's Millennial and Gen Z-targeted content company Rooster Teeth's podcast network, The Roost, will have new leadership in the new year. From now on, Roost Podcast Network VP AJ Feliciano will manage all podcast sales and partnerships.

• Vinyl Group, listed on ASX, will fully acquire Australian youth publisher The Brag Media, including its premium mastheads and events.

Welcome to the Play On Podcasts from Next Chapter Podcasts. This is where theater meets podcasts, combining the modern-day audio phenomenon with the power of live performance.

Play On Podcasts is an epic audio adventure reimagining timeless tales, featuring original music compositions and the voices of extraordinarily gifted artists. Past seasons included Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Love Labor's Lost.

Next Chapter Podcasts presents the NAATCO / Two River Theater production of Romeo and Juliet. Translated by Hansol Jung and directed by Dustin Wills, this series takes listeners straight into the studio where actors create their own special effects and bring Brian Quijada's original songs and music to life with incomparable flare and passion!

Curate a list

• Breaking Down What Makes a Podcast Successful. Buzzsprout Conversations is a new-ish podcast where we dive into the real-life stories of podcasters and what makes them successful!

• New AI Tool Creates Podcast Launch Kits in Minutes. Showplanner AI generates a free podcast launch kit to help independent podcasters launch a new idea in minutes.

• 5 new tools to automate podcast production, powered by AI. For the last 3 months, Resound, the AI podcast editor, has been quietly building, iterating and announcing a big step forward to achieving our mission of automating audio production.

• How to Make Your Podcast Recommended by ChatGPT. ChatGPT became the fastest-growing app ever, with 100 million active users in two months. During its initial launch, 13 million people used ChatGPT every day. That number may be much higher today.

🚀 Want to advertise in Podwires ? Book here

Here are our current featured roles. Check the job board for more jobs and some freelance gigs.

• Walnut Media USA needs a driven and experienced Performance Podcast manager to join our dynamic team.

• Allio is seeking a Podcast Co-Host to be a third voice on new series launching in Q1 2024 alongside Allio’s CEO and Chief Investment Officer (CIO).

• Acast's Los Angeles Sales & Brand Partnerships team is seeking a driven, energetic, and passionate Account Coordinator to join the podcast industry's rapid growth.

• An experienced Podcast Sound Engineer (Multimedia Production Coordinator) is needed at Johns Hopkins Disability Health Research Centre.

Please mention Podworks.io or Podwires in your application.

To get more podcast jobs , subscribe to Podworks IO Click here

• Our first events for 2024 are now also open for registration with the year kicking off with our Sydney Audio Summit and Melbourne Audio Summit 

• Design a Great Podcast with Strategy In Mind. This class will take you through a design process that blends vision, planning, and strategy.

• The Hot Pod Summit is returning to Brooklyn on February 28th, 2024, as part of On Air Fest for a day of in-depth talks, intimate conversations, and industry networking.

• The Institute for Independent Journalists 2024 Freelance Journalism Conference on February 29 and March 1, 2024

• Podcast Academy: What is “growth” for my podcast? Setting realistic goals with Arielle Nissenblatt. (Register Here)

• Rand Fishkin Joins Us at the Brand Podcast Virtual Summit in January 2024!

• The Podcast Advertising Summit promotes podcasting as a media and advertising channel and highlights its great work. In London on January 25, this is your chance to unlock podcasts' marketing and advertising potential.

• Peloton wants to show that its workout equipment can do more. YouTube TV joined Netflix, Max, Disney+, and NBA League Pass in the media company's Entertainment Hub.

• The most daring and engaged digital users are Gen Zers.

• Wall Street traders should think more. After partnering with TikTok to post workout videos, Peloton shares rose 14% on Thursday.

• OpenAI plans to go live with its chatbot store next week, roughly two months after the originally planned launch date.

• Former Bachelor Nick Viall founded Envy Media, a pop culture and relationship-themed lifestyle media company. Disrespectfully, a new Vanderpump Rules podcast by Katie Maloney and Dayna Kathan, and The Viall Files will be the company's main podcasts.

• The independent journalist who writes about venture capital and startups in his Substack newsletter Newcomer said his business made $1 million last year and is profitable. Newcomer hired its first reporter, Madeline Renbarger, a former Business Insider venture capital and startup reporter.

• Over the next two years, Gartner expects consumers to use social media less. More than half of consumers (53%) surveyed by the tech consulting firm this summer felt social media has declined compared to last year or five years ago. Gartner release.

Welcome to the Podcaster Toolbox, a crowd-sourced resource for independent, DIY, and/or beginning home-based podcasters.

The Kangaroofern Media Lab team will review the resources submitted here and add them as soon as possible to the Podcaster Toolbox.

• 🏜️ Transistor.fm - is a powerful and simple podcasting platform. The ability to host multiple podcasts on one account makes it ideal for podcasters with multiple shows.

• 🎙️ Acast - is a podcast hosting service that enables you to publish, share, and earn money from your podcasts.

• 🎧 Epidemic Sound - is a company that provides content producers with access to a sizable library of royalty-free music.

• 🚗 Niceboard - modern job board software, helps communities and organisations create and manage job boards.

• 📼 Tubebuddy - is a complete tool for YouTube channel management and growth.

• 📹 VidIQ - is a website for learning that focuses on offering video tutorials and analytics to aid users in expanding their YouTube channels.

The complete Toolbox can be seen at https://www.podworks.io/p/toolbox

Send press releases, jobs, events and podcast ads in the street to [email protected]. Editorially, we may rewrite headlines and descriptions.

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