Sounds Profitable

Sounds Profitable’s series of podcasts have been so helpful to me as I’ve tried to keep up-to-speed with the changes across podcasting and media. I’ve relied on their coverage and insights to learn about how the AdTech industry works and evolves, but have also appreciated their in-depth research and analysis of news across the industry. Highly recommended!

Why does this show keep appearing on my screen? I’ve never searched for it. Have zero interest in the topic. Just this moment I was eating lunch, reading a book, not even touching my phone. Suddenly the screen lit up and the podcast app spontaneously landed on the show page—again. What sorcery is this? Please stop.

Dude wants to turn personal podcast queue management into yet another media gavage? Wut? These people are why your phone is tracking everything you do. And selling that info. They sound like your friends. They’re not. It seems that every time they quote stats in this show, they twist them to make it seem like there should be more advertising in podcasts. As if the skip button doesn’t exist. As if the metrics are honest. As if the numbers don’t actually show audience prefers no ads. It all seems dishonest and bad for podcasting long-term. This show could do better in finding ways to tailor advertising to podcasting without losing audience. I would predict they’d find much shorter ads, fewer ad breaks, ads that sonically match the show yet are distinct from it, ads in their own chapter breaks, and non-intrusive whole-season sponsorships would be more pleasant and effective than what we’re getting now. Ads are quickly driving me away from podcasting and helping me create my “never buy” list. This show is telling the industry the opposite. I’d be suspicious of whatever it is this show is selling.

Bryan and now Tom, are great researchers; been following them both for a while. Bryan is passionate about the podcast space and how ads fit into it. Tom comes from Edison research and has a heavy research background- very knowledgeable about podcast data. They’re already making a great team and I look forward to continue to track this space with them. They too do a good job of helping indies by giving a lot of free game and webinars etc. Definitely recommend to fellow podcasters that want to monetize and run ads