Ad Infinitum Season 3 Debut "Audio is for the Children"; YouTube Pods Hit 1 Billion; “Evolutions” Schedule Announced

The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 3, Episode 1 – “Audio is for the Children.”

Host Stew Redwine (VP, Creative Services, Oxford Road) welcomes Deborah Goldstein (Executive Producer, Head Writer, Host of Gen-Z Media’s hit show “The Big Fib”) and Jeremy Westphal (Director of Partnerships, Advertising Strategy & Creative Services, Gen-Z Media). GZM has mastered the art of crafting immersive, award-winning fiction podcasts for children and families with shows like: Six Minutes, The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel, and of course, The Big Fib.

Together, the team is talking—Work That’s Worth It, 7 Magic Words, and Thinking of the Children, while breaking down ads from BetterHelp, Mint Mobile, Amazon, and yep, Gen-Z Media.

“We’ve got these incredible audiences that span ages and that trust us.”

• Deborah Goldstein (Executive Producer, Head Writer, Host of “The Big Fib”)

7 Magic Words – “I use this and you should too.” Nothing is more powerful than these 7 words when they’re earned. Chief Audio Officers, make sure you’re partnering with hosts and producers who will go the extra mile (like Deborah and Jeremy) to actually try your product or services so they can deliver an honest, ringing personal endorsement.

Work That’s Worth It – Audio is inherently inefficient to start… then wildly effective. One moment of work that was worth the effort: when creating an ad for GZM’s listener surveys, Jeremy tracked down every listener survey ad he could find. Next, he incorporated the elements that moved him to act. CAOs, remember, whatever you’re trying to do, someone’s likely tried it too. Check the audio, see how they did, and learn from their efforts.

Won’t Someone Think of the Children (and Parents)? – You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who cares about their audience as much as Deborah and Jeremy. That means extreme vetting of advertisers to maintain strict brand safety. Plus, doing audience surveys to understand the co-listening environment and interests. Don’t sleep on Kids & Family. Parents remember when you sponsor a show their kids love because you’re supporting their children.

For a fresh insight into a vital genre, tune into the full episode below.

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The Classifieds

YouTube OGs Connect to the Internet’s Gen Z

Network: ZATV Podcast Network / Monthly Downloads: 25k

Inconceivable to most of us, but definitely true for Gen Z, YouTube has defined eras. The Fine Bros joined the platform in 2010, and though their content has evolved continuously over the years, React Media remains their home base. ReactCAST is their flagship podcast, showcasing all the best content YouTube youth has come to covet: stories from Reddit, mukbangs, Y2K fashion, pop culture, and constant goofy vibes. Though the Fines started their channel working with kids, this absurdist good-time ride is now for the grown-ups those kids have become. If you’re trying to reach Millennials in the Comedy genre, this is a great option for Q2 testing now that it’s represented by the newly formed ZATV Podcast Network. If you’re looking to reach internet-focused professionals who turn to convenience time and again, this is highly recommended. If your immediate reaction is to test into this classified, click below.
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Don’t Scare All The Fish Away

Network: YMH Studios  / Monthly Downloads: 80k / Current Civility Score: 66, MEDIUM

Simulcast Comedy options have seen fervent scrutiny in recent years, due to their alignment with the 2024 election and their boundless reach for male listeners. David Lucas is a longtime touring comedian who has worked with well-known personalities like Joe Rogan, Brendan Schaub, Tony Hinchcliffe, and Bert Kreisher. In his unorthodox podcast from YMH Studios, Lucas and his guests spend each episode actually fishing, conversing, and riffing on the state of the world and the little incongruities that make it that much more interesting. Whether talking about the landscape of stand-up comedy or how he sees the world at large, Lucas is always relatable and open, making for great conversations outside of his usual box. For those seeking a demo of internet-focused young men, this is a perfect opportunity for consideration. Be the biggest fish in the smallest pond by reeling in the link below.

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In Case You Missed It

It’s YouTube’s World, We Now Live In It

YouTube has surpassed one billion monthly podcast viewers. The platform attributes this growth to its investments in improving the podcast experience and integrating more podcasters into its revenue-sharing program. Video podcasts, such as Call Her Daddy, Club Shay Shay, New Heights, and the Lex Fridman Podcast have thrived on YT. YouTube now has plans to refine mid-roll ads starting May 12 to ensure they appear at natural break points. These changes aim to boost viewer retention and revenue. With 2.5B estimated monthly users worldwide, the 1B stat means 40% of YouTube’s audience engages with podcasts each month. However, since creators self-mark playlists as podcasts, there’s a lot of room for interpretation. More data would be helpful, but this reinforces what we already know—YouTube is the top platform for podcast consumption, and this should be factored in when planning and measuring a podcast campaign.

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Podcasts: A Safe Bet In Turbulent Times

The implementation of tariffs by President Trump to encourage business investments has caused unease among business leaders, and this concern could extend to the advertising industry. A survey by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) reveals that 94% of U.S. advertising decision-makers are concerned about the impact of tariffs on ad spending. While traditional media is expected to see the biggest cuts, digital audio, including podcast ads, is better positioned, with only 16% of buyers predicting reductions. Advertising budgets are expected to decline by 6% to 10%, with retail, consumer electronics, and media sectors most affected. When the economy sneezes, the advertising industry catches a cold. As marketers become more conservative with ad spending, protecting digital audio ad spend is a smart strategy—it’s a proven driver of performance.

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More Challenges For Radio

Audacy, a radio and podcast giant, has conducted yet another round of layoffs estimated around 100 employees, including radio hosts, program directors, and content producers. The move follows the departure of longtime CEO David Field in January and the company’s emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Cumulus Media faces potential NASDAQ delisting after failing to meet the $10 million stockholders’ equity requirement. Cumulus has until April 21st to submit a compliance plan or risk delisting. CEO Mary Berner cited economic challenges but highlighted digital revenue growth, which rose 5.3% to $154.2 million. These are challenging times for traditional radio, making this news from Audacy and Cumulus Media unsurprising. While the trend leans toward digital audio, that doesn’t mean radio should be left behind. It still accounts for the majority of listening and remains a crucial component of a well-rounded audio strategy.

Read More: Audacy

Read More: Cumulus Media

#SaveTheLiveReads

A Funny Feeling About Found (In A Good Way)

‘Managing business finances is a full-time job on top of your actual full-time job’ as Betsy Sodaro tells us on her podcast, A Funny Feeling. BUT! This well-known comedian and podcast host knows precisely how to set up her personal endorsement for the business banking platform Found, which changed her life! Betsy joyfully describes her relief in finding Found, just in time for tax season! The platform saves her precious time, enabling Betsy to chase the bigger and better things life has to offer. Her spunky, lively personality and unmistakable voice further compliment this week’s #STLR, as she highlights how small businesses reaped the benefits from having found… Found! Playing off our Oxford Road Creative Team’s uniquely crafted talking points for substantiation, Betsy flawlessly delivers this timely and memorable #STLR for Found.

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OXFORd In The News

Evolutions 2025 – Full Schedule Announced

Podcasters and advertisers nationwide will convene in Chicago for 2025 Evolutions by Podcast Movement later this month. This week, the event schedule and speaker list were announced. In addition to prominent names in the space like Will Ferrell, Marc Maron, and Terry Gross, our own Dan Granger, CEO of Oxford Road, will be featured as a keynote speaker to discuss “What’s a Podcast?” Other OR/V1 speakers at this year’s event include; Conor Doyle, Courtney O’Connor, Jarrod Klawinsky, Maggie Beyer, Spencer Semonson, and Stew Redwine. If you haven’t already purchased tickets to this year’s event, it’s not too late—tickets are still available HERE.

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