Digital Audio Ads Growing, JAR Audio Pilot Competition, & More

The raw data from this year’s iteration of Ofcom’s podcast survey is now available, built from surveying a nationally-representative pool of 1,857 people, including those who don’t consume podcasts, and regular listeners. According to the report, 50% of people in the U.K. have at least consumed a podcast once, and 25% regularly partake on at least a weekly basis. The biggest growth in regular podcast listeners happens at both sides of the age demographics, with U.K. audiences aged 18-24 increasing 20% year-over-year, and audiences 65+ increasing 3%. [Source]

According to The Information’s Creator Economy Database, funding for U.S.-based creator startups more than doubled in the first three months of 2024, reaching almost $341 million. Notable splashes include YouTube comedy group Dude Perfect’s $100 million in growth capital and Pocket FM’s $103 million in Series D funding. While we’re not back at the $1.5 billion per-quarter startup investment phenomenon of 2021, venture capitalists are opening their checkbooks and voting confidence in creator-focused startups. And as Pocket FM shows, that includes podcasting. [Source]

This week the National Association of Broadcasters Show in Las Vegas brought together audio pros to discuss the state of advertising. Triton Digital President and CEO John Rosso reports podcasting is leading the way in rates, with steaming in second place as it’s packaged in by a lot of sellers. As Digiday notes, there is growth happening in advertising, even if it is tempered with cautious optimism about various factors that might throw the industry a curveball. [Source]

The April edition of the Brand Podcast Summit is set to feature over 30 speakers and focus on refining a brand’s podcast strategy. The two-day event kicks off April 24th at 10:00 a.m. EST. Event host Lower Street is currently throwing a giveaway where email registrants who sign up through this landing page will be entered to win a $250 value ticket to the Summit.

…as for the rest of the news:

• JAR Audio has kicked off their second annual Pilot Competition for Women in Podcasting. The winning pilot pitch will have their episode produced by JAR while the creator retains full rights to the IP. 

• Linkfire has posted a roundup of Q1 2024 highlights and future sneak peeks for Q2.

• Free Turn LTD’s audio fiction series Cold Tapes brings a creative twist to whodunnit podcasting: for £5, listeners can get access to the entire series early and try to solve the fictional murder themselves. Correct solutions are entered into a drawing for a £10,000 cash prize.

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