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  • 🎙️ Streaming Giant Spotify Pares Down its Workforce to Drive Profits, while Vox Media laid off 4% more workers.

🎙️ Streaming Giant Spotify Pares Down its Workforce to Drive Profits, while Vox Media laid off 4% more workers.

Become a Smarter Podcast Producer in 5 minutes >> Hear about the latest Podcast News before anyone else.

December 05, 2023

Hi there, Podfriend

When Spotify announced 17% job cuts as part of its largest cost-cutting and profit-boosting measures this year,and Vox media 4%, it was sad news.

The iOS podcast app Castro will be shut down in the upcoming months, according to a recent announcement made by a former employee of Castro who is now a partner of Tiny Capital, the investment firm that purchased Castro in November 2018. Nevertheless, the Castro Podcasts Team blog disproved that statement, saying, "We want to make it clear that any communication or publication regarding the app's future is not official and does not represent Castro’s views."

These are a few of the updates we have for you today.

Happy Podcasting

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📢 Spotify Announces 17% Job Cuts in Bold Attempt to Boost Profitability. Spotify Technology SA is cutting 17% of its workforce in its biggest cuts this year to cut costs and boost profits.

📢 Cumulus Media and Signal Hill Insights' latest Podcast Download report calls this YouTube's podcast ambitions' “banner year”. It finds that weekly podcast listeners who only watch podcasts have increased from 8% to 14% since April 2022. YouTube is used by 28% of weekly podcast listeners, more than Apple Podcasts and Spotify combined.

📢Vox Media laid off 4% more workers. The Vox Media Podcast Network operator will suffer cuts across several departments.

📢 Mohit Mamoria, a former Castro employee and current partner of Tiny Capital, the investment firm that bought Castro in November 2018, announced that iOS podcast app Castro will be shut down in the coming months. According to Castro Podcasts Team's blog, "We want to make it clear that any communication or publication regarding the app's future is not official and does not represent Castro’s views."

📢 Even though Libsyn's CPM rate has decreased year over year, it has increased by 2.5% since October.Holiday spending fuels a spike in interest from advertisers

📢 ARN Media Compelled to Sell SCA Shares After Violating Acquisition Regulations. The Takeovers Panel requires ARN to vest 6.83% of its SCA shares in ASIC for sale.

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  •  Erica Farber, the CEO of Radio Advertising Bureau for a period of twelve years, has declared her intention to leave the company. With effect from April 1, 2024, Farber will be succeeded as President and Chief Executive Officer by Mike Hulvey, CEO of Neuhoff Media.

  • Former Audible and Gimlet executive joins NPR as head of podcast strategy. Colin Campbell will start new role this December.

  • 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.

Podbean announced the debut of the WorldStarHipHop Podcast, “Immediately Kinfolk” on the platform. Created and hosted by Grammy nominated writer-producer, rapper and actor Kia Shine and co-hosted by music producer, DeRone Payne, Immediately Kinfolk showcases artists, athletes, comedians, producers, businesses and creatives from all over the world. Known for its entertaining and uplifting banter, Immediately Kinfolk features interviews, live performances, music reviews and provides listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at the most current topics, trends and talent in the music industry.

Kia Shine is a globally recognized actor starring in several movies like; “They Cloned Tyrone,” with Jamie Foxx which held the #1 spot on Netflix for several weeks this past Summer and received 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Sony Pictures theatrical release of “Superfly” starring opposite of Donald Glover, and the award winning television series, “Atlanta'' on FX. Shine is also a rapper, songwriter and producer working most recently with Interscope artist, Glorilla, on “Get That Money,” featured on her gold debut album. In addition to his multifaceted successful entertainment career, Shine is also involved in various business endeavors including the impactful volunteer work he does for autism advocacy.

“Immediately Kinfolk” drops weekly on Tuesdays.

Commenting on the announcement, Kia Shine said, “I’m excited about this activation and strategic partnership with Worldstar & Podbean on the “Immediately Kinfolk” Podcast. You can’t spell immediately without media and I look forward to making a significant positive impact in this media space.”

“Immediately Kinfolk” can be found on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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

  • PMX is looking for The Head of OOH & Audio will be responsible for the development and management of Publicis Groupe’s converged OOH & Audio products.

  • Bloomberg is looking for a Full-time and contractor Podcast Producer. Bloomberg is expanding its audio offerings and seeking an experienced podcast producer for a daily economy, world, and enterprise business news podcast.

  • Tiktok is hiring a revenue strategy and operations manager. Livestream Team is committed to creating real-time interactive scenes. As a new form of content, livestream creates value for all parties in the ecosystem.

  • Vice Media is looking for a Freelance Podcast Producer Series. As a producer you will be responsible for owning all aspects of pre-production, production and post-production of narrative audio documentary.

  • Sinclair, Inc. is looking for an Associate Producer, Podcasts to assist in developing and producing a slate of audio series. 

  • Nova Entertainment is hiring a Audio Engineer. NOVA Entertainment is Australia’s fastest-growing audio entertainment business

Please mention Podworks.io or Podwires in your application.

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

  • Peacock Hits 30 Million Paid Subscribers: Comcast Foresees Bright Future Ahead. Comcast expects Peacock to grow beyond 30 million paying subscribers. Comcast president Mike Cavanagh announced the new subscribers and $10 ARPU at the UBS Global Media and Communications conference Monday morning.

  • For its rival Spotify Wrapped, YouTube Music debuts new features like music moods and personalised album art for "Recap."

  • In the wake of a year that damaged its reputation, Reddit rebrands itself ahead of a speculated 2024 initial public offering.

  • Izea, an influencer marketing technology company, bought Sydney-based Hoozu. Hoozu, a public company in Orlando, has Huume, a creator talent management division.

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

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