"Kill the Word 'Podcast'": The Roost's AJ Feliciano on How Video Blew Up the Medium in Every Sense

Kill the word podcast? Our expert says – yes.

This week on “What’s a Podcast? – The Extended Interviews,” Dan Granger (CEO, Oxford Road) hosts AJ Feliciano (former GM of The Roost Network) for a deep dive on how The Roost became the in-house “media company of tomorrow.”

AJ is all-in on 360 content. He even built a flywheel for how podcasts can pivot to video so they can “pump [distribution platforms] with all types of content.” Oh, and in the podcast vs. simulcast debate? He’s 11/10 on “simulcast.”

Dan and AJ are also talking: Be a Mini-Disney, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Finding What Clicks, and more. Let’s get into it.

“Simulcast doesn’t put itself in a box necessarily. When I’m talking to creators or fans and I say the word ‘simulcast,’ they see it’s in multiple places. It just sort of clicks immediately without having to explain it.”- AJ Feliciano (former GM of The Roost Network

360 Experience = 360 Revenue – Want better revenue streams? Find better channels. The Roost led the creator and sales spaces because they built layers of distribution channels and had the data to back it up. As a ‘mini-Disney,’ they owned shows, launched a streaming on-demand platform, built a partnership business, hosted conventions, and tracked impressions in every one of those areas. CAOs: choose networks with opportunities to be in multiple places, in different formats, with integrated metrics.
Be Everywhere, Anywhere – The best networks work backwards. AJ says to focus on “content efficiency.” Distribute shows to as many places as you can, and THEN figure out how to best advertise and what the limitations are. “Create a more holistic environment to be able to make those integrations and opportunities for advertisers and audiences alike.” Impressions translate to sales. Find where your fans’ eyes and ears are–and go there.
Call It Like It Is – Important truth: you’re not the expert–your audience is. They know where they consume content and how they consume it. And since they’re engaging in multiple places, AJ argues “simulcast” is more inclusive. While we think in Podcast and Video, Podcasts still hold more cachet for most people. The big takeaway is the same: ultimately, your audience calls the shots.

Want more of AJ’s insights on building a media empire? Tune into the full episode below.