OUR FOUNDING LETTER

By: Dan Granger

Forward: Oxford Road was born on the 4th of July, 2013. What follows is a gently updated document referred to as our, “Founding Letter”. This was my way of introducing our newborn agency to the world and making clear the principles for which we stand. Five years later, our little startup agency is now a leader in our field. We have launched 9 of the top 20 advertisers in the Podcast universe, ranked #398 on the Inc 500, and successfully helped 10 companies become or maintain the classification of “Unicorns” through launching performance marketing efforts on Podcast, Radio, and TV. Our strategic position stems from a strong foundation of offerings in Media, Messaging, and Measurement. Our proprietary methodology for generating, scoring and optimizing ad copy, Audiolytics™ is the most advanced in our field. Oxford Road enjoys a diverse client base of innovative brands that are all products or services we believe in and would use ourselves. Through this we have a united organization that provides meaningful value in the marketplace, but also for the individuals and families who depend on it, as well as the charities we have been able to support. Five years later, many of our circumstances have changed. But our core values remain consistent. We exist to serve people through performance.

Thank you all for helping us get to where we are today. I hope you are able to live out the same purpose in your own life and enjoy the fruits of your labor in the way that Oxford Road has done for me. Happy birthday, America. Long live Oxford Road.

-Dan

FOUNDING LETTER

WRITTEN BY DAN GRANGER

JULY 4, 2013

“The secret to career happiness is to get paid to do that thing that made you weird as a kid.”

Not sure who said it, but I really like that one.

Every business is in some way, a fractal of its founder. So it’s good you should know a bit about me.

I grew up in a suburb of Detroit, on a street called Oxford Road. It was my incubator. Winters below zero with snow measured in feet. Golden Septembers that would make a Californian jealous. I did a show on public access TV when I was six and had a poem published in our local newspaper at 10. I had a sometimes controversial opinion column in high school and some of my articles caused protests. I always loved media. Not for its ability to report about people’s actions, but for its ability to cause them. Small wonder I fell into advertising.

My street, Oxford Road, was where I learned I could make decisions to ruin my own life or influence others to ruin theirs. It was also where I learned I could lead people and inspire them to be a force for good and they could inspire me in the same way. I tested everything. I learned. I worked. I optimized and I grew.

I built some relationships on that street that are standing strong today. To me, that’s what really matters. We start with our best guess at how to do things and by hard knocks we learn how to do them better. During the growth process, we form relationships that never end. As an advertising agency we value people. Our relationships within our organization and our relationships with our clients and partners are important. As are our relationships with our clients’ customers. Our ability to connect with our clients’ customers is the real measure of the value we bring.

Our Agency is here to provide a platform for growth. Advertising done well will do one of two things: help a good business succeed faster or help a bad business fail faster. We look for companies that are changing the world with their products and services, that we can believe in and that we will use, and recommend to people we care about. If they believe in us, we find ambassadors in all walks of life to advocate for our clients to their tribes. We influence the Influencers, then we optimize and scale our messages to the masses. If we treat the audience well, we will be successful. If not, we deserve to fail.

We believe firmly in accountability. Don’t judge us by Cost Per Point. Don’t count how many sporting events we take you to or big nights on the town. You won’t be impressed. Our job is to get you more customers at a price you can afford, over and over again. We don’t value branding, creativity, or industry awards above real customers taking action. Your sales and profit are our primary goal and focus. We obsess over it.

We scrutinize over every detail. We err on the side of overworking. When we hit a goal, it means we can do better. We will not stop until the world knows you, trusts you, and gives you their money.

When it comes to your product or service, we subscribe to Ogilvy’s “We sell or else” philosophy. And we don’t offer transparency in advertising performance as a suggestion. We demand it. Hold us accountable and watch what we do.

As we demand innovation for the clients we work with, we demand the same for ourselves. If we look and sound like other agencies, slap us. We’re going to do things differently here.

Oxford Road is a path. We want your business to benefit from our quirks, our scars, and our character.

I hope you’ll take a stroll with us.

Sincerely,

Dan Granger
CEO & Founder

This Week’s Influencer: ORBIT Report Reveals Sports Podcasts That Actually Sell; The Couch Moves to YouTube; Women are Podcast’s Future; and more…

Lost in today’s media landscape? Or are you just curious as to how the industry got here?

You need to go back to Marshall McLuhan, the grandfather of media literacy, and the grandfather of this week’s special guest.

On this week’s Media Roundtable: Special Edition, Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) and Giles Martin ( EVP, Strategy, Oxford Road) welcome the legacy media guru Andrew McLuhan (Director & Founder, The McLuhan Institute).

Andrew’s work continues the legacy of his grandfather (Marshall McLuhan) and father (Eric McLuhan). The McLuhan family’s work is enormously relevant to marketers: it’s all about the effect that media and technology have on people. When marketers decide which channels to use and how to craft & place their messages, they would do well to draw on McLuhan’s insights.

Dan, Giles, and Andrew are talking: Early Media Literacy, The Media is The Message, and Hot vs. Cool. Let’s dig in.

“Nobody loves being sold stuff, so you’re already at a disadvantage. But people do love creativity. If that’s not a license to have some fun, I don’t know what is.” – Andrew McLuhan (Director & Founder, The McLuhan Institute)

Early Media Literacy – Over 80 years ago, Marshall McLuhan had a wild idea: take new approaches to understanding literature and apply them to media and technology. That was the birth of ‘media literacy’, and it still has much to teach us about why people behave the way they do. One takeaway: in the post-linear video-electric age, advertisers need to sell a ‘vibe’, not a product.

The Media is still the Message – Marshall McLuhan coined the phrase “The Medium is the Message” in 1958, talking to radio broadcasters worried about TV. It could also apply to audio podcasters worried about video. The truth is, people interact with audio and video differently (more on that below), so each plays a different role. One doesn’t replace the other. Marketers should ask themselves: what effect am I trying to achieve, and which medium is the best for that effect?

So Hot. So Cool – At the risk of having an Annie Hall moment, let’s talk about McLuhan’s theory of hot and cool media. Cool media (like audio podcasts) make you participate more actively in the media experience by mentally filling in gaps in information. The richer the information (adding in video), the hotter the media, and the more passive the audience becomes. When you want someone to act (like most performance advertisers), cool media can mean the audience is more attentive and engaged. This could help explain the audio podcasts’ boost in response.

For insights drawing from early radio dramas to Hollywood goats, you owe it to yourself to check out the full episode below.

Your Monthly ORBIT Report – Feb 2026

Niche Sports Grab the Gold

February is overflowing with sports, with the Olympics and the “Big Game” dominating airwaves. That’s why we used ORBIT (Oxford Road Benchmark Intelligence Tool) to analyze the top-performing sports podcasts and networks. Turns out there are plenty of Moneyball opportunities year-round, including our top shows: #3 F1: Beyond The Grid, #2, 2 Pros And A Cup Of Joe, and #1 Locked On NHL.

And special shoutout to our top networks, who have proven that their phenomenal sports content earns a spot in any roster: #3 The Athletic Media Company, #2 Harris Football, and #1 Good Karma Broadcasting.

Just like managing a salary cap, smart decisions can set your campaign up for a championship run. Here to help you build a performance dynasty is ORBIT. A few key takeaways:

Niches get Riches. Just fell in love with curling? You’re in good company. 67% of our top shows came from niche sports. And it makes sense. With a general NFL show, listeners spread out across the various teams. For niche shows, the community rallies around a single host, feels a greater affinity, and acts on host recs more often.
Motorsports are in pole position. Motorsports are over 25% of our Top 15 shows. More importantly, they’re reliable. Unlike the short-lived spikes of the “Big Game” or March Madness, motorsports deliver sustained momentum over an 8-month season. Brands: You can stay top of mind for a deeply loyal fanbase for most of the year. Sounds like a checkered flag to us.

For the complete February ORBIT Rankings and methodology, check out the full report here.

The Classifieds

Podcaster of all Trades, Master of None

Network: Amplitude Media Partners / Monthly Downloads: 100k

Seasonal podcasts are difficult to pitch: They’re often only producer-read, run for a limited amount of time, and there’s often zero previous performance to compare to. That said, countless direct-response advertisers have tested these opportunities with high success rates and often rebook when new seasons launch. Our first such show, produced by The Lever, is available for sale through Amplitude Media Partners.

Investigative journalist and screenwriter David Sirota hosts this historic look at US politics and the factors that now shape our modern world. The narrative flow of the production is rooted in a wry humor that buoys its more unsavory elements. Advertisers who have found success on highly produced documentary-style offerings or in public radio are highly encouraged to test season 2, launching this March. You can request a plan by clicking below for more details.

Get The Deal

The Past Always Has a Way of Finding Us Again

Network: Daylight Media / Monthly Downloads: 50k

Our second opportunity is a well-established podcast that recently began its 10th season and 20th year of production. Nick van der Kolk is the show’s longtime host and frequent interviewer. Our main story revolves around a mythical figure in one of the most dangerous gangs in US history: the Aryan Brotherhood. Leader Michael Thompson is sitting in prison when he decides to change his life, redeem himself, and become an informant.

From the perspective of two anonymous women, the series opens its multi-episode arc, setting the stage for a true story that never stops delivering malevolent twists. This is a highly produced podcast featuring a variety of past direct-response top performers across multiple categories. Those who are looking for self-improvement-minded young professionals are highly recommended to test out the season’s last several episodes. Don’t stay radio silent, turn in your information via the link below.

Get The Deal

In Case You Missed It

From Daytime TV to Anytime Pods

The Kelly Clarkson Show and Sherri cancellations fuel fears that video podcasts are displacing TV talk shows. Cable viewership is down 39% since 2021; podcast listening time is up 355% since 2015 to 773M hours/week. Talk show producers now compete with podcasts for guest bookings. WGA West is urging union organizing around YouTube/podcasts as “the future of television.” Talk shows aren’t dying because the format doesn’t work. They’re going extinct because podcasts and YouTube now do it better, with lower costs and fewer gatekeepers. The audience moved first, as it always does when content is compelling and easy to access. Advertisers now must adapt to this shift in consumer behavior.

She Listens. She Trusts. She Buys.

A Katz Radio Group survey found that 70% of women 18+ consider podcasts trustworthy, approaching broadcast radio’s 83% trust level, as female podcast listenership reaches near parity with men. Edison data shows that 45% of U.S. women listen monthly (52% when video podcasts are included), totaling roughly 60 million women. Among those who have heard podcast ads, 75% report taking action, and nearly half say podcast advertising improves brand favorability, especially for brands supporting women-hosted shows. With women now at parity in podcast consumption and 75% taking action after hearing ads, they should be a priority in podcast planning. Lean into women-hosted shows in particular, where the trust multiplier is real, and brand alignment carries more weight.

Radio’s Future Is Here, But It’s Not in Charge Yet

Radio’s digital business continues to expand, now accounting for 24.4% of total industry revenue ($2.3B in 2025) according to RAB/Borrell. Since 2022, digital revenue has grown at an 8.3% CAGR while core broadcast revenue has declined 2.2%. Digital may be where radio’s growth lies, but it’s not the core business yet. Roughly three-quarters of ad dollars and nearly 90% of listening still lives in broadcast. For marketers, terrestrial should remain the foundation of the plan, with digital as the complement.

Boll & Branch Pampers with Warm Luxury

There are two types of people in winter: those who survive it and those who turn their beds into luxury retreats to escape it, just like Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson on their podcast, What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. Amy and Margaret are warm, relaxed, and full of those “wait, same” moments that make listeners lean in. Their genuine love for the cozy season shines through as they rave about their buttery soft Boll & Branch sheets. Margaret’s confession about sleeping hotter every year adds that perfectly relatable touch. Instead of listing features, they naturally fold in the benefits like 100% organic cotton, breathable comfort, softer with every wash, so everything is filled with enthusiasm rather than a scripted response.

This live read also smartly ties the product to winter coziness, making it timely and emotionally resonant, while the sensory language helps listeners imagine the upgrade in their own bedrooms. Add in social proof with the 30-night guarantee, and a clear discount offer, and you’ve got a message that builds trust and urgency at the same time. By the time they tell listeners to “get cozy,” it feels less like an ad and more like two friends convincing you to level up your sleep for the rest of the season and all year long.

Listen Here

If you’ve read this far, thank you!

The Influencer is a production from the team at Oxford Road.
If you like our sometimes sassy, mostly informed POVs on the wonderful world of audio advertising, you should see what we do for our clients.

Interested in seeing how we could help your business?
Contact us at influencer@oxfordroad.com!

Thank you to the team that puts The Influencer together each week:

Ezra Fox – Media Roundtable & Ad Infinitum recap
Spencer Semonson – Classifieds
Neal Lucey – In Case You Missed It
Hannah Lloyd – Save The Live Reads

Editors:
Kyle Jelinek
Kristen Larson
Haley Wiese
Bianca Gorodinsky

This Week's Influencer: Ad Infinitum’s Historic Audio Tale; La NFL Crea un Plan Estratégico en Español; Hulu Enters the Podcast Wars; and More

History has seen the rise of countless monarchies, but very few have the grit and determination to stand the test of time. No, we’re not talking about the newest Game of Thrones spin-off; this is a historical dive into the rise of audio, from the early days of radio to the explosion of podcasts and beyond.

The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a one-of-a-kind episode that aims to change your understanding of the medium forever. Presenting the Ad Infinitum Season 3 finale, Episode 16: “The Royal and The Regent: The Audio Monarchy.”

Hosted by Stew Redwine (Executive Creative Director, Oxford Road) and guided by the “esteemed bard” and guest producer Jeanna Isham (Owner, Dreamr Productions), this episode takes you on a journey back in time to explore the meteoric rise of the “Audio Monarchy.”

Throw out your history books and put on your headphones. This unusual episode explores how audio has become so dominant and how the kingdom can thrive going forward. The narrative spans from early TV jingles to YouTube CTAs, anchoring itself in the Six Sonic Laws of Audio Advertising, established by His Royal Highness, “King Radio”: #1 Attention, #2 Trust, #3 Memory, #4 Proximity, #5 Monetization, and #6 The Covenant (the promise not to abuse the listener’s time and to respect their loyalty).

To discuss the above, the “council” includes:

• Chancellor of the Airwaves: Kraig T. Kitchin (Senior Strategic Advisor, Oxford Road)

• Royal Historian: Cynthia Meyers (Professor Emerita, College of Mount Saint Vincent)

• Noble Scribes: Tom Webster (Partner, Sounds Profitable) and Paul Riismandel (President, Signal Hill Insights)

• Brave Troubadours: Arielle Nissenblatt (Founder, Earbuds Podcast Collective), Dallas Taylor (host, Twenty Thousand Hertz), and Shaun Michael Colón (Director, The Age of Audio)

Hear ye, hear ye: This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the business of sound. Join the Royal Council of Audio and step into the context of the monarchy.

“Prince Podcasting was born on the principles of abundance, not scarcity, and focused on purposeful communication, not time sold to brands.” – Jeanna Isham (Owner, Dreamr Productions)

Obey Thy Covenant – Six sonic laws have powered the rise of audio, but marketers would do well to heed #6: The promise not to abuse the listeners’ time and to respect their loyalty. Radio lost share as ad loads increased, and podcasts risk the same future if they’re not careful. Marketers, you can help in two ways: 1. Don’t make hosts read boring ads. Instead, let them innovate. 2. Support networks with low ad loads. Do these, and you’ll preserve the audio kingdom for generations (and improve performance too).

Who Owns Audio? – Early radio should be both a blueprint and a warning. Because the power of ownership isn’t static, early advertisers controlled content by sponsoring shows (think Kraft Music Hall). Power shifted to the broadcasters in the 50s, but as media choices expanded, it became clear: the true power is in the hands, and ears, of the audience. They can always leave. Podcasting, just like its hosts, must continually give its audience a reason to stay.

The Grateful Pod – The birth of podcasts was fan-led, not corporate. The first RSS-published audio file was a Grateful Dead song circulated as a protest against George W. Bush’s inauguration. It was an intimate desire to connect, piggybacked by an unforeseen technological possibility. Podcasts thrive when they monetize sustainably while preserving their original, authentic human spirit.

The Classifieds

When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

Network: Young and Profiting Media / Monthly Downloads: 15k

After Trent Shelton left the world of professional football in 2011, he pivoted his focus to helping others, centered around self-improvement and personal betterment. Shelton has written several books and founded the Christian-based nonprofit RehabTime, which prioritizes mental health. In his weekly podcast on Young and Profiting Media, Shelton delves deeper into complex, emotionally charged topics such as motivational tools, facing hard truths, and confidence building.
There are many opportunities to work with the show, whether on the podcast itself or through Facebook or Instagram Reels, which have an impressive reach totaling in the millions. Recommended advertisers include those with a sizable female consumer base or those seeking self-improvement podcasts that target both spiritual and personal growth. Be the change you want to see in the world, and click the link below for additional details.

Get The Deal

Ballin’ Out With Two Legendary Women

Network: AMP Sports / Monthly Downloads: 200k

The term “360” is used frequently, but for advertisers unfamiliar with the market’s potential, it can be unclear where to start. That’s where we come in: two opportunities with the potential to be tested across social, video, or audio. Our first Classified this week comes from the WNBA, which returns in May to celebrate the league’s 30th anniversary. Two of the sport’s legendary players, Candace Parker and current Indiana Fever star Aliyah Boston sit down every week to discuss what’s on their minds.
Whether they’re detailing their perspective on in-game strategy or discussing their day-to-day lives, this twosome radiates positivity and assured confidence. Both brand and performance advertisers have found success by testing this opportunity and have also benefited from leveraging the show’s video production and social handles. Don’t wait ‘til the clock runs out to test this champion of a show. Take your shot at the link below.

Get The Deal

In Case You Missed It

Bad Bunny Isn’t Just a Halftime Show Choice. He’s a Strategy

Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t a random decision; it was a part of a strategic and carefully calculated campaign led by the NFL. NFL SVP Marissa Solis stated league growth is “mathematically impossible without Latinos,” citing 39M+ US Latino fans currently not being reached by the brand. Spanish-language Super Bowl broadcasts drew 1.9M viewers (+340% vs 2014’s first Spanish broadcast). The league’s “Por La Cultura” campaign positioned Bad Bunny as a strategic growth play. From a marketing perspective, Bad Bunny headlining makes total sense. The Hispanic segment represents roughly 20% of the US population, is growing, and skews younger than the national average. The NFL isn’t a cultural trend setter; it’s following demographics and making a smart growth calculation. Marketers should take note: if Hispanic audiences aren’t a deliberate part of your strategy, you’re limiting future growth potential.

Sports Podcasts Spike 358% After Games

Spotify data shared with eMarketer shows sports podcast consumption surges 358% in the days following games and 172% above average in the lead-up, revealing a growing window of opportunity for advertisers beyond live viewing. Emarketer frames post-event conversations as potentially more effective than pre-game because fans are emotionally charged, seeking analysis, and primed for messaging tied to outcomes. This research is useful for any marketer with sports audio in their mix. As a complement to live sports, audio sees its highest engagement in the lead-up to games and immediately after. That pattern makes intuitive sense, and this data confirms how fans actually behave—using audio to get ready for the game and to process what just happened.

The Streaming Wars Continue: Here Comes Hulu

Emarketer reports that Hulu’s licensing of the standalone video podcast “We’re Here to Help” escalates the streamer podcast arms race. Unlike companion pods (Only Murders, etc.), this mirrors YouTube’s video-first strategy. Netflix has already launched a Pete Davidson original and secured deals with iHeartMedia (15+ shows) and Spotify. Emarketer warns that the expansion introduces new fragmentation challenges for marketers. It was only a matter of time before Hulu followed YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon into video podcasts, and more CTV platforms will follow. What’s unclear is how this inventory will actually be sold and what measurements will be available. Marketers should expect short-term uncertainty, with performance measurement likely limited or nonexistent in the interim.

AG1 for Parents: One Scoop, Zero Chaos

Elise Hu helps parents juggle the chaos of raising kids and managing life with the help of AG 1! Her podcast, Raising Us: A Parenting Podcast, delivers this live read to busy parents juggling packed schedules, carpools, and nonstop responsibilities, making AG1 feel like the easiest victory of the day. By boiling nutrition down to one scoop and 20 seconds of your time, Elise turns healthy habits into her quiet morning ritual before the kids wake up, painting AG1 as a calming anchor before the daily chaos begins.
With delicious flavor callouts, smoothie options, and a focus on consistency over perfection, Elise makes AG1 feel like it naturally fits into family life. Add in the strong reviews, money-back guarantee, and generous limited-time offer, and the read lands as motivating, reassuring, and refreshingly doable exactly what makes it such a standout in audio history books!

Listen Here

If you’ve read this far, thank you!

Interested in seeing how we could help your business?
Contact us at influencer@oxfordroad.com!

Thank you to the team that puts The Influencer together each week:

Ezra Fox – Media Roundtable & Ad Infinitum recap
Spencer Semonson – Classifieds
Neal Lucey – In Case You Missed It
Hannah Lloyd – Save The Live Reads

Editors:
Kyle Jelinek
Kristen Larson
Haley Wiese
Bianca Gorodinsky

Ad Infinitum S3 Finale - The Ruler and The Regent

To discuss the above, the “council” includes:

• Chancellor of the Airwaves: Kraig T. Kitchin (Senior Strategic Advisor, Oxford Road)

• Royal Historian: Cynthia Meyers (Professor Emerita, College of Mount Saint Vincent)

• Noble Scribes: Tom Webster (Partner, Sounds Profitable) and Paul Riismandel (President, Signal Hill Insights)

• Brave Troubadours: Arielle Nissenblatt (Founder, Earbuds Podcast Collective), Dallas Taylor (host, Twenty Thousand Hertz), and Shaun Michael Colón (Director, The Age of Audio)

Hear ye, hear ye: This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the business of sound. Join the Royal Council of Audio and step into the context of the monarchy.

“Prince Podcasting was born on the principles of abundance, not scarcity, and focused on purposeful communication, not time sold to brands.” – Jeanna Isham (Owner, Dreamr Productions)

This Week’s Influencer: ORBIT Report Reveals Sports Podcasts That Actually Sell; The Couch Moves to YouTube; Women are Podcast’s Future; and more…

Your Monthly ORBIT Report – Feb 2026

Niche Sports Grab the Gold

The Classifieds

Podcaster of all Trades, Master of None

The Past Always Has a Way of Finding Us Again

In Case You Missed It

From Daytime TV to Anytime Pods

She Listens. She Trusts. She Buys.

Radio’s Future Is Here, But It’s Not in Charge Yet

#SaveTheLiveReads

Boll & Branch Pampers with Warm Luxury

This Week's Influencer: Ad Infinitum’s Historic Audio Tale; La NFL Crea un Plan Estratégico en Español; Hulu Enters the Podcast Wars; and More

The Classifieds

When the Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going

Ballin’ Out With Two Legendary Women

In Case You Missed It

Bad Bunny Isn’t Just a Halftime Show Choice. He’s a Strategy

Sports Podcasts Spike 358% After Games

The Streaming Wars Continue: Here Comes Hulu

#SaveTheLiveReads

AG1 for Parents: One Scoop, Zero Chaos

Ad Infinitum S3 Finale - The Ruler and The Regent