How Audio is Dealing with A.I. Tech; The Writer’s Strike Affects You; AAPI-Focused Podcasts You Should Consider; Pod Host Makes a Millionaire Match

Spring is out, and Summer is coming at you faster than time Jimmy went head-first down the nearly vertical slide at Raging Waters.

This week’s edition is a podcastless version of The Influencer, but that doesn’t mean we won’t share the media info you need to know. Keep reading to learn more about:

Our penultimate group of AAPI podcasts you should consider sponsoring.
The media news stories you may have missed, like how AI is changing the endorsement landscape and how the writer’s strike will affect your marketing efforts.
An example of what may be the most transparent personalized endorsement ever recorded from a host who is not afraid to talk about the tough subjects.

That’s all we’ve got this time around. For this weekend, may your BBQ be hot, your iced tea be cold, and may we all remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country. Happy Memorial Day!

The Classifieds

Candid Comedians Create Chuckles

Our May classifieds will continue highlighting AAPI hosts, and our selections this week feature female-hosted comedy offerings.. Hosts Annie Lederman, Esther Povitsky, and Khalyla Kuhn are all well-known comedians with a penchant for foul language, radical empathy, and open dialogue that would make most people blush. While most podcast hosts try to be your best friend, this trio emanates cool girl energy, untouchable yet entertaining. Brought to you by All Things Comedy, the now two-year-old podcast has been a go-to for any client looking for female-focused options with a simulcast insertion. Though the content is decidedly NSFW, the slate of guests more than makes up any brand safety concerns, including heavyweights such as Nikki Glaser, Jamar Neighbors, and Tefi.

Women’s Internet Protector Becomes Podcast Maven

Growing a thick skin can be challenging to do in today’s world, but Tik Toker Drew Afualo has somehow done it and is helping others grow their own. Recently partnering with Spotify and available on Past Your Bedtime’s YT Channel, Drew’s show has gained immense popularity with TikTok-focused Gen Z listeners. Drew’s your friend, big sister, and protector, and in her interview-based podcast, she speaks to other internet celebs about her unique brand of female empowerment. If you’re looking for a sassy comedic society-and-culture offering, The Comment Section should be at the top of your list.

In Case You Missed It

Why You Need to Care About the Writer’s Strike

You wouldn’t think the Writer’s Guild strike would impact podcast, but it does. With fiction and story-based podcasts all under the guild’s purview, audio’s darling has not eluded the first WGA strike in 15 years. However, nonscripted podcasts and non-produced streaming content will undoubtedly fill in gaps for those interested in must-see TV and new, timely content choices. Unscripted everything will have higher than average engagement, and marketers getting in now will reap the benefits.

Audio A.I. Part One

A.I. technology is changing everything, and this week, we have two examples of how one of audio’s biggest players is addressing both the pros and cons of this emerging technology. First, the sweetheart of streaming, Spotify, is actively removing songs created by the AI.. music generator Boomy as a part of their ongoing effort to root out artificial streaming. But while they’re limiting the use of A.I. on that front, Spotify is embracing it elsewhere…

She’s a Woman (Audio A.I. Part Two)

On the other side of the A.I. coin, that personal endorsement on your favorite podcast might not be as authentic as you thought. Business Insider reports that Spotify is developing AI technology to mimic their hosts’ voices in their advertisements. Bill Simmons, the founder of The Ringer, which Spotify now owns, is quoted in the article discussing the application of the technology for advertising. This could mean a future where synthetic voices are used for host-read advertising. Another application cited is the ability to use the technology to translate Podcasts into other languages, thereby expanding reach to new audiences.

Advancements in A.I. technology are unfolding, with principles and rules mostly unwritten. In the new world of A.I., it will be paramount for publishers and advertisers alike to be transparent on how the technology is applied.

We Have Some Work to Do

Despite our best efforts, digital audio advertising is still a work in progress. The World Advertising Research Council (WARC) conducted research on the growth potential for digital audio advertising, particularly in the podcast industry, and summarized that lower adoption of digital audio is likely due to lower awareness among marketers. For example, almost 25% of respondents in the study remain unaware of live-read ads.

Regular readers of The Influencer: this means you are more knowledgeable about the audio ecosystem than the average person, which could be a competitive advantage against other marketers still catching up to the power of digital audio advertising. Take all the land grabs you can now before everyone else discovers our secrets.

The Hiring Tool Behind the Velvet Rope

Nothing inspires an audience quite like a good redemption story, and when you get one from a host as honest as David Yontef, it’s as good as gold. In a recent read for the hiring platform Indeed, David shares a story about when he had to fire several employees because he lacked the proper resources to vet potential hires. David shares how pre-vetting candidates with Indeed has helped transform his hiring process and invited his loyal audience to do the same. David’s ability to be so open should be no surprise since he hails from Reality TV, and his podcast Behind the Velvet Rope features spills back the curtain on Reality TV’s most recognized names. If you’d like the influencers supporting your brand to be as enthusiastic as David, click below to learn how we approach matching the right brands to the right hosts.

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