Introducing Vid2Pod and RedCircle’s new Host Read Ad Offering #583

In this podcast episode, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss the latest in podcasting news, innovations, and industry insights, featuring a discussion on Todd’s Vid2Pod service and an interview with Mike Kadin from RedCircle.

The episode begins with the hosts, Todd and Rob, discussing an AI-generated music track, which leads to a conversation about AI and copyright. Todd  Cochrane then talks about launching Vid2Pod and AI tools for podcasters.

Rob then asks Todd about his newly announced product, Vid2Pod, which Todd explains in great detail. Vid2Pod is a feature that converts video content from YouTube into a podcast format. Todd goes through the process and features of this service, including how it automates video-to podcast conversion, channel integration, terms of service implications, and licensing considerations.

Mike Kadin from RedCircle then joins the show to discuss their new product offering, OpenRap. Mike provides an overview of RedCircle’s emphasis on host-read advertising automation and explains how OpenRap extends its ad automation services to podcasts hosted on other platforms that are VAST compatible without RedCircle having to manage the hosting. They discuss dynamic ad insertion, VAST integration, and how RedCircle’s software aims to streamline the ad process for podcasters and advertisers.

Todd questions the practicality and monetization aspects from both a hosting platform’s and a podcaster’s perspectives. Mike emphasizes RedCircle’s commitment to serving the oft-underserved mid-tier podcast content creators by streamlining the ad management and insertion process.

The conversation shifts to the ongoing issues with podcast analytics and measurement, focusing on recent iOS changes impacting download numbers, podcasters’ need for clarity when picking measurement platforms, and the advertisers’ pursuit of additional tracking and attribution methods.

Rob mentions a post by Lisa LaPorte, CEO of Twit TV, about challenges in the podcast advertising market, emphasizing the demand by podcast agencies for more complicated ad tech. Mike shares his perspective on the need for more transparent and dynamic pricing in the podcast advertising market and its implications on host-read ads.

Finally, Rob concludes by asking Mike where listeners can find more information about RedCircle’s OpenRap, to which Mike suggests visiting RedCircle’s website.

The episode closes with the hosts discussing their availability for the next episode due to Todd’s travel plans and concluding remarks. Todd and Rob shared their contact information so listeners would want to reach out to them.

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The Evolving Landscape of Podcast Consumption #582

In this episode of the new media show, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss a range of topics related to podcasting, leveraging their extensive experience in the industry.

They start by experimenting with streaming on a new platform, Rumble, and share their excitement about opening up new audiences. Todd teases an upcoming announcement about a new feature they’re beta testing without revealing too much detail. Rob cautiously probes for more information, and Todd hints that other companies may copy this feature once it’s revealed. The announcement is scheduled for release on Monday, and a live event will showcase it at Podcast Movement.

They touch on the live streaming schedule at Podcast Movement, with Todd discussing plans to stream from the booth. They discuss the challenge of ensuring good audio quality during live streams and consider potential issues with internet connectivity at the event.

Todd mentions working hard on Blueberry’s AI features, focusing on perfecting an automatic email promotion for podcast episodes. Rob talks about the potential positive impact of AI on the podcasting industry by saving time and money. Todd shares his experience using AI to create documentation efficiently and emphasizes the importance of quality assurance.

They then talk about industry news: Joe Rogan is having full episodes back on YouTube, layoffs at Rooster Teeth, Spotify unions are reaching tentative agreements, and Libsyn is finally adding transcript support. Todd gleefully digs into Libsyn for being behind the curve with their recent update, which enables users to upload transcripts to their episodes when competitors already provide this service.

Rob reads from a KSNR report that suggests podcasts are replacing traditional media, especially among certain age groups, and that future trends may include augmented reality and virtual reality. Both hosts reflect on the change in media consumption habits and predict a continuation of the trend toward interactive and immersive content.

In response to a listener’s comments, they address radio’s decline due to a lack of local programming and how podcasting offers a personalized alternative. They also speculate on the future integration of AR/VR in podcasts and the importance of building community around podcast content.

Before signing off, Todd shares the improvements he’s seen with transcriptions in podcast apps, like Apple’s accurate syncing despite pre-roll ads, which could be a sign of evolving podcast technology. They wrap up by teasing listeners with more details about the upcoming announcement and reminding them where they can find them and their work online. Todd and Rob emphasize the importance of innovation and staying ahead in podcasting technology before ending the show on a note of anticipation for their next big reveal.

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Exploring Rumble’s New RSS Feed Capability #581

In this podcast episode, co-hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various topics relevant to the podcasting industry. The episode begins with Todd and Rob addressing a copyright issue they encountered with using a song. They proceed to discuss the potential of artificial intelligence in creating music and its role in other aspects like writing documentation and aiding developers.

The conversation moves on to the influence of AI on podcasting, including its ability to aid content creation and how podcasters should consider leveraging AI tools. Rob and Todd explore the idea that AI will not replace the need for programmers but will change their role in the development process.

Attention is then given to “seasons” in podcasting, triggered by the news of the “Serial” podcast returning for a fourth season after a decade. They contemplate whether this shows a lack of new ideas in the industry or is a strategic move to tap into established brand value.

The discussion continues with Rob mentioning StreamYard.com and the integration between podcasting and live video streams. They mention the crossover between audiences and the monetization of podcasts.

Todd and Rob then address a listener support ticket regarding Apple Podcasts’ transcript settings. After investigating during the podcast, Todd clarifies that contrary to some listeners’ experiences, displaying podcast transcripts rather than Apple’s automatic ones does not require a payment of $19.95.

Rob mentions a new Lavalier microphone launched by Shure, discussing how such technology could simplify the podcast production process and be enhanced with contemporary AI-based audio platforms.

The discussion transitions back to podcasting platforms and the challenges podcasters face, including sluggish audience growth on YouTube despite investments in equipment and editing by podcast creators.

The conversation turns to Rumble’s new feature that allows RSS feeds for live broadcasts. Todd shares initial research indicating that only live events on Rumble have an RSS feed and not regular video uploads. They consider the implications of Rumble RSS feeds for the podcast industry and explore the platform, noting its content diversity and growth opportunities for podcasters.

Before concluding, Todd shares fascinating statistics regarding the global growth rates of podcasting outside the top ten countries, emphasizing the substantial increases in listener numbers in smaller countries. They conclude their exchange by touching on Malcolm Gladwell receiving an award despite recent layoffs at his company, hinting at potential biases in awards selections within the podcast industry.

The episode ends with a brief look into the Edison Research study that examines listening habits across different geographical areas within the United States. The episode combines technical discussion, industry trends analysis, and the hosts’ insights on the evolving podcasting landscape.

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New Media Productions
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The Shift from Mainstream Media to Podcasting #580

This episode of “The New Media Show,” hosted by Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee, delves into the shifting media consumption landscape from mainstream sources to podcasting. The conversation begins with the hosts discussing the technical aspects of live-streaming platforms and the intricacies of timing content delivery across various platforms.

Todd Cochrane shares his recent experiences with artificial intelligence (AI), expressing how it has been heavily incorporated into testing and optimization for his podcasting efforts, particularly at Blubrry Podcasting. He mentions he has been dreaming about AI due to the intensity of his work.

Rob Greenlee talks about the challenges of traveling in coach, the annoyance of reclining airplane seats, and his aspirations to switch to business class flying. They transition into discussing the relevance of AI in the podcasting industry, noting that major companies are starting to embrace AI technology.

Todd discusses the strategic integration of AI within his company to streamline processes such as pre-production, post-production, and social media clipping, emphasizing the importance of staying within their competencies without overextending into areas like audio editing, better handled by specialized tools like Descript.

Rob and Todd contemplate the role of AI startups as larger companies begin to adopt AI technologies, questioning the sustainability of these startups in the evolving market. They explore how podcast hosting companies implement AI and debate the challenges and benefits of having in-platform recording and editing tools.

The conversation shifts to the partnership between Riverside and Spotify, with Todd giving insights into the competitive dynamics between podcast hosting services and recording platforms. They also touch on revenue trends, discussing an increase in the revenue per thousand downloads (RPM) reported by Spreaker and iHeart while also considering the broader implications of layoffs within the media industry and how they may affect content quality.

Todd and Rob discuss the changing media landscape, referencing Pew Research data showing a decline in traditional news media audiences. They share their personal media consumption habits and the polarization of news. The discussion turns to how fewer people follow the news closely and how this may affect societal awareness.

They talk about job opportunities and the importance of content creators potentially producing their content rather than relying on larger organizations. Todd shares stories of highly successful independent podcasters and the financial benefits they have experienced, highlighting the potential for content creators to thrive outside of traditional media companies.

The conversation wraps up with Rob sharing the launch of his new podcast, “Podcast Tips,” hosted on Blubrry with WordPress integration. Todd offers on-the-spot technical support as they navigate through the new podcast setup and conclude with Todd talking about the new chapter marking feature in Blubrry’s audio player, which AI generates.

Overall, the hosts discuss the effect of significant technology and industry changes on podcasting, from AI integration to job market fluctuations, focusing on how these factors shape the medium’s future. They close the episode by expressing excitement about returning to the usual podcasting setup the following week.
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