Sounds Profitable - podcast cover

Sounds Profitable

Bryan Barlettaart19.com
The pace of change the podcast industry is undergoing is staggering. The implications for podcasters, hosting providers, podcast listening app developers, and advertisers and agencies are enormous. And so is the growth potential. Presented as a companion to the weekly newsletter of the same name, our podcast provides you with direct access to our narrated articles, interviews with industry experts, bleeding-edge research, and can't miss industry news recaps. That Sounds Profitable, right? Assumptions and conventional wisdom will be challenged. Easy answers with no proof of efficacy will be exposed. Because the thinking that got podcast advertising close to a billion dollars annually will need to be drastically overhauled to bring in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars podcast advertising deserves.
Last refreshed:
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Ad Fraud Yet to Significantly Impact Podcasts & 3 Other Stories

This week on The Download:Ad Fraud Yet to Significantly Impact Podcasts Marketers and creators react to potential TikTok ban YouTubeTV increases price due to content costs Sounds Profitable releases The Medium Moves the MessageQuick hits: The Biggest Challenge for Podcasters Today is… by Eric Nuzum in his newsletter Audio Insurgent. This issue Nuzum has a conversation with ChatGPT, asking the bot to list the biggest issues podcasters face currently. Interestingly enough, it might have parroted t...

Mar 23, 202310 minEp. 75

How Google Can Earn the Trust of the Podcast Industry

Google has a potentially huge opportunity to grow the podcast industry — both for publishers and for listeners (and even for advertisers) — by way of YouTube Music. The past few weeks have brought more and more attention to this possibility by way of Kai Chuk’s announcement at Hot Pod Summit at On Air Fest and a recent press release shared on Podnews. In this episode, Bryan Barletta and Arielle Nissenblatt discuss the opportunity at hand, what we would like to see, what we will likely see (reali...

Mar 22, 202329 minEp. 74

The Measurement Excuse

This week Bryan addresses the myth that podcasting has a unique measurement problem, and how the industry as a whole can move forward to address it. Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Tom Webster Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by ART19 Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Mar 21, 20238 minEp. 73

Podcasters weigh in on ChatGPT, and 2 Other Stories

The Download is brought to you by Magellan AI. Track the trends in spend, ad load, podcasts on YouTube, and more with Magellan AI's advertising benchmark report for Q4, available now. The stories covered this week are: 6 AI tools podcasters are using for new ideas, editing, and more — and why they're skeptical of ChatGPT Why regulators’ scrutiny of Big Tech is rekindling buyers’ interest in ad tech News publishers lament the role of verification firms in the programmatic market Quick Hits: The J...

Mar 16, 202310 minEp. 72

Does the Medium Move the Message?

Does the medium move the message? Spoiler alert - yes. This week Tom Webster previews the next research project from Sounds Profitable. Written by Tom Webster Edited by Bryan Barletta Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron

Mar 14, 20238 minEp. 71

Spotify On Stream Announces New Features & 3 Other Stories

Gavin: This is The Download from Sounds Profitable, the most important news from this week and why it matters to people in the business of podcasting. I’m Gavin Gaddis, in for Manuela Bedoya. Shreya: And I’m Shreya Sharma.Gavin: The Download is brought to you by Magellan AI. Track the trends in spend, ad load, podcasts on YouTube, and more with Magellan AI's advertising benchmark report for Q4, available now. You can find a link in the description or visit Magellan dot AI.Shreya: This week: Spot...

Mar 09, 202310 minEp. 70

Feed Drop: Danone's Conscious Marketer, Linda Bethea

This week we bring you a feed drop from Insider Interviews, in which E.B. Moss interviews Linda Bethea. The original show notes follow: Linda Bethea, Head of Marketing for Danone North America - a top 15 Food and Beverage brand and the country's largest B corp - gives Insider Interviews host, E.B. Moss, the insider's scoop on marketing 20 different beloved CPG brands, and staying true to a corporate mission of sustainability. Hear how she developed her leadership skills during stints with PepsiC...

Mar 08, 202335 minEp. 69

Data Decoded

In preparation for Podcast Movement Evolutions and South by Southwest, Bryan Barletta sits down with Tom Webster to discuss research, presentations, and his new weekly video series Data Decoded.Credits: Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Gavin Gaddis Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by ART19 Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Mar 07, 202310 minEp. 68

Podcasts Are Coming to YouTube Music & 3 Other Stories

Manuela: This is The Download from Sounds Profitable, the most important news from this week and why it matters to people in the business of podcasting. I’m Manuela Bedoya. Shreya: And I’m Shreya Sharma.Manuela: The Download is brought to you by Magellan AI. Track the trends in spend, ad load, podcasts on YouTube, and more with Magellan AI's advertising benchmark report for Q4, available now. You can find a link in the description or visit Magellan dot AI.Shreya: This week: Podcasts are coming t...

Mar 02, 202312 minEp. 67

How Can Spotify Make Streaming Ad Insertion Stick?

Writing for Sounds Profitable recently, Bryan Barletta posited the idea that Spotify has a big opportunity to use their streaming ad insertion technology to grow the industry. In this episode, Arielle Nissenblatt speaks with Bryan and Tom Webster about this opportunity, what it means for the larger industry, and how this all fits into the current zeitgeist around the future of audio (i.e. there have been some doom-and-gloom-focused articles popping up). Listen to learn about: The origins of stre...

Mar 01, 202331 minEp. 66

What We Talk About When We Talk About Podcasts

Every podcaster thinks they know what their audience likes. This week Tom Webster shares strategies to actually get that audience talking and directly telling you what they like. Credits: Written by Tom Webster Edited by Bryan Barletta Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by ART19 Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Feb 28, 202316 minEp. 65

Podcasting's Frequency Problems Are Not Unique & 3 other stories

Manuela: This is The Download from Sounds Profitable, the most important news from this week and why it matters to people in the business of podcasting. I’m Manuela Bedoya. Shreya: And I’m Shreya Sharma.This week: The App Tracking Transparency Recession, Streamers struggle with frequency capping, Bumper calculates listen time, and IPG Equity Upfront Spotlights Lack of Diverse Adspend.Manuela: The Download is brought to you by Magellan AI. Track the trends in spend, ad load, podcasts on YouTube, ...

Feb 23, 202313 minEp. 64

What Will Pre-Bid Look Like in Podcasting?

On this episode of the Sounds Profitable Podcast, Bryan Barletta sits down with Audiohook's Jordan Bentley to discuss pre-bid. What is it, what does it mean in the world of display advertising, and how can it be brought to podcasting? Listen to learn about: Pre-bid/header bid for Display. Pre-bid is coming for audio. What 'headers' will look like for audio. Links: Bryan Barletta Arielle Nissenblatt Jordan Bentley Audiohook...

Feb 22, 202353 minEp. 63

How Google Can Earn Our Trust

There has been a cooling of Google and YouTube's enthusiasm for podcasting as of late. Bryan Barletta details what they can do to to heat things back up. Frequency Webinar Signup Link. Credits: Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Tom Webster Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Feb 21, 20239 minEp. 62

An FTC-Friendly Future for Podcast Ads & 2 Other Stories

Manuela: This is The Download from Sounds Profitable, the most important news from this week and why it matters to people in the business of podcasting. I’m Manuela Bedoya. Shreya: And I’m Shreya Sharma.This week: The ‘slippery slope’ of podcast endorsements, Netflix’s ad-supported tier has teething troubles, why ad buyers are hesitant to embrace DSPs, and a look at modern contextual advertising. Let’s get started.Navigating the ‘slippery slope’ of personal endorsements in podcast adsManuela: Ov...

Feb 16, 202312 minEp. 368

The Podcast Experience at On Air Fest is Coming

On Air Fest is a yearly event that celebrates sound by way of the podcast and audio industries. It’s in its 7th year, and this year, there’s an added bonus to the three-day-long event: the Podcast Experience. Bryan Barletta speaks with On Air Fest founders Jemma Brown and Scott Newman about the festival, this year’s inaugural “experience,” their hopes for the future of events in the audio space, and more. Listen to learn about: How On Air Fest has evolved How the podcast and audio space can grow...

Feb 15, 202337 minEp. 60

Podcasting's Curse of Knowledge

This week, on a very special Law and Order-flavored article, Tom Webster recounts his experience serving on a jury and what the defense’s tactics taught him about podcasting. Don’t look at the chicken.Credits: Written by Tom Webster Edited by Bryan Barletta Assembled with Spooler.fm Hosted by Art19 Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Feb 14, 202312 minEp. 59

SXM + Mindshare Publish Black Podcast Listener Report & 3 other stories

Manuela: This is The Download from Sounds Profitable, the most important news from this week and why it matters to people in the business of podcasting. I’m Manuela Bedoya. Shreya: And I’m Shreya Sharma.This week: Podcasting a ‘bright spot’ at SXM Media, Amplifi Media CEO counters ‘jarring headlines,’ new Black Podcast Listener Report from SXM and Mindshare, and the state of Google in podcasting. Let’s get started. Podcasting remains ‘a bright spot’ at SXM MediaManuela: ‘Tis the season of quarte...

Feb 09, 202310 minEp. 58

Sounds Profitable’s 2023 Roadmap

It’s 2023! Sounds Profitable has a whole new look, some new team members, and we’re looking ahead towards a year packed with value for the audio and podcasting industries.Links: Bryan Barletta Arielle Nissenblatt Manuela Bedoya The Download Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles SquadCast Credits: Hosted by Bryan Barletta and Arielle Nissenblat t Sounds Profitable Theme written by Tim Cameron Edited by Reece Carman and Ron Tendick Assembled by Spooler Media Hosted on Omny Studios Additional help f...

Feb 08, 202332 minEp. 57

Can Spotify Make Streaming Ad Insertion Stick?

This week Bryan Barletta discusses Spotify's streaming ad insertion, what it means for their future, and how it could better the podcast industry overall. Credits: Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Tom Webster Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with ART19 Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com ....

Feb 07, 20239 minEp. 56

Podcast Ad Buyers Yet to See Slowdown & 3 other stories

This week: Podcast Ad Spend Isn’t Slowing Down, IAB CEO Airs Beef with Apple, Several podcast companies are hiring, Brands Seek Alternatives Amidst Digital Clutter, and an updated edition of The Podscape is live. Open Podcasting PositionsManuela:In light of recent layoffs in the podcasting space, we would like to take a moment at the top of the show to highlight some companies that currently have positions seeking applicants. JAR Audio is hiring a full-time Audience Growth Specialist Wondery is ...

Feb 02, 202311 minEp. 55

Marketecture Feed Drop: Podcast Ad Tech for Dummies

This week Bryan brings you a feed drop from Marketecture.tv, featuring his interview with Ari Paparo. This episode marks the beginning of a partnership between Marketecture and Sounds Profitable! Look forward to interviews conducted by Bryan himself in future on official Marketecture channels, as well as Sounds Profitable DeepDives on the Sounds Profitable YouTube channel. From the original description: In this conversation with Ari Paparo, Bryan Barletta provides an overview of the audio advert...

Feb 01, 202345 minEp. 54

It's Right There In Front Of You

This week Tom Webster demonstrates how even seemingly small pieces of data can have big implications if given the right context and a story. Credits: Written by Tom Webster Edited by Bryan Barletta Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 31, 202316 minEp. 53

Spotify Lays Off Six Percent Of Workforce And 6 Other Stories

This week: Spotify layoffs, TikTok Podcasts feature spotted in the wild, exclusivity deals seem to be losing luster, and Buzzsprout launches premium subscriptions. Spotify lays off six percent of workforce. Manuela: We start today on a dour note, but it’s the largest story to happen this week and bears covering. This Monday Spotify CEO Daniel Ek announced the company is downsizing six percent of its workforce. Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer Dawn Ostroff is also leaving the compan...

Jan 26, 202310 minEp. 52

My Three Favorite Data Points of 2022

Tom took a look back on all of the great research that was done at Sounds Profitable in 2022 and came up with a handful of the most impactful data points. Here are his three favorite data points from 2022! Credits: Written by Tom Webster Edited by Tom Webster Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com .See omnystudio.com/...

Jan 24, 20239 minEp. 51

Podcasting’s Recession Era And How Podcasters Are Approaching It And 4 Other Stories

This week: Opportunity in Kids podcasting as recession looms, Podcasting’s ‘recession era’, some audio publisher’s teams still growing in 2023, and Paul Riismandel joins Signal Hill Insights. Podcasting’s Recession Era and how podcasters are approaching it. Manuela: This week our first segment is going to cover a variety of articles centering around an overall theme: podcasting’s reaction to the recession in early 2023. To kick things off, we continue a throughline of covering how the Kids &...

Jan 19, 202310 minEp. 50

The New Sounds Profitable

We’re off to the races in 2023, and we’re taking you with us. Credits: Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Bryan Barletta Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 17, 20238 minEp. 49

Megaphone has Weekend of Outages & 8 Other Stories

This week: Megaphone’s weekend of outages, AdvertiseCast Publishes average CPM of 2022, Apple debuts Delegated Delivery, a software engineer teases adblock for iTunes, and The Podscape 2023 is live. Megaphone has Weekend of Outages Manuela: We start from a story from the holiday break. On Monday, December 19th, https://podnews.net/update/flemish-podcast-platform on a weekend of outages for Megaphone. According to Megaphone documentation, the outage started sometime before 11am Eastern on Saturda...

Jan 12, 202310 minEp. 48

Acquisitions & Funding - 2022 Podcast Industry Overview

Join Bryan in kicking off this year with a review of the notable acquisitions and fundraising that happened in 2022. Credits: Written by Bryan Barletta Edited by Bryan Barletta Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more information, visit soundsprofitable.com .See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....

Jan 10, 202310 minEp. 47

Three Reasons Podcast Creatives Should Embrace, Not Fear, The Role of AI

ChatGPT and other new forms of chatbot are already able to credibly write like humans, and it’s getting harder to tell who - or what - writes any given blog post. This week, Tom explains why this is a good thing for podcast creatives, and not the apocalypse. Credits: Written by Tom Webster Edited by Tom Webster Produced with Spooler.fm Hosted with Omny Studio Sounds Profitable theme written by Tim Cameron Sounds Profitable: Narrated Articles is a production of Sounds Profitable. For more informa...

Dec 20, 202218 minEp. 46
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android