What is Podcorn
Podcorn is a podcast sponsorship marketplace that connects brands with podcasters to facilitate native, host-read advertising. Founded in 2019 by the creators of FameBit (the Google-acquired influencer marketing platform), it was built to bring influencer-style brand collaborations to podcasting. Brands create campaigns, set budgets, and receive proposals from interested podcasters; when both parties agree, a secure virtual workroom is created and funds are held in escrow until the content is approved. The platform supports a wide range of ad formats beyond standard pre/mid/post-roll, including topical discussions, guest interviews, product reviews, roundtable panels, and contests — giving both sides flexibility in how branded content is integrated.
Podcorn was acquired by Audacy in 2021 for approximately $22.5 million, and in April 2025 was rebranded as Audacy Creator Lab, expanding to include free podcast hosting and dynamically inserted pre-recorded ads alongside its existing host-read marketplace. The platform now features a marketplace of over 20,000 shows and 40,000 creators. Podcasters set their own rates, retain full control over which brands they work with, and receive payouts via Stripe or PayPal. There are no exclusivity requirements or long-term commitments for either side.
Key Features
- Self-service sponsorship marketplace for podcasters and brands
- Multiple native ad formats: pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll, host-read segments, product reviews, guest interviews, topical discussions, and contests/giveaways
- Secure virtual workrooms for brand-podcaster collaboration
- Escrow-based payment protection — brands pay upfront, funds released on content approval
- Analytics prefix integration to track podcast performance across hosting platforms
- Podcaster-controlled pricing with no minimum download requirements
- Stripe and PayPal payout options
Why we like it
- No minimum audience size — podcasters at any stage can access brand sponsorship opportunities
- 10% commission is among the lowest in the podcast sponsorship marketplace category
- Supports authentic native formats (interviews, reviews, topical discussions) beyond standard ad reads
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free to sign up and browse opportunities — no upfront cost for podcasters
- Low barrier to entry: no minimum audience size required, making it accessible to smaller and newer podcasts
- Diverse range of native ad formats beyond standard pre/mid-roll, enabling more authentic integrations
- Relatively low 10% commission compared to alternatives like AdvertiseCast (30%) or Gumball (20%)
Cons
- Low proposal acceptance rate — reviewers note a success rate of around 10% or lower when pitching brands
- Not well-suited for scaling podcasts, as many advertisers offer flat-fee deals that don't grow with your audience
- Requires a consistent publishing schedule; irregular release cadences make campaign commitments difficult to manage
Who is using Podcorn
Independent podcasters of all sizes — especially newer or smaller shows — who want to monetise through native brand sponsorships without audience minimums or upfront fees, and brands seeking self-service, budget-controlled access to niche podcast audiences.
- Independent podcasters of any size looking to monetise through brand sponsorships without a large audience
- Brands and small businesses seeking targeted, niche podcast audiences for native advertising campaigns
- New podcasters wanting to test sponsorship monetisation with no upfront cost
- Podcasters looking for diverse ad formats beyond standard programmatic pre-roll ads
- Brands wanting a self-service, budget-controlled alternative to full-service podcast ad networks
Podcorn Pricing
Free
Free to sign up for both podcasters and brands; Podcorn charges a 10% fee on completed sponsorships only. No subscription tiers or upfront costs.
Pricing details may change. Check the official website for the latest information.
What makes Podcorn unique
Unlike traditional podcast ad networks (e.g. Midroll, Acast) that require large audiences and take 20–30% commissions, Podcorn operates as an open, self-service marketplace with no minimum download threshold and only a 10% fee on completed deals. Podcasters set their own prices and retain full creative control, while brands can run campaigns at any budget. Its focus on native, host-read formats — including interviews, topical discussions, and product reviews — differentiates it from programmatic platforms that rely on dynamic ad insertion. Now operating as Audacy Creator Lab, it also adds free podcast hosting and dynamically inserted pre-recorded ads to its offering.
Podcorn Alternatives
Gumball, AdvertiseCast, Acast Marketplace, Midroll, Podbean Ad Marketplace
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