PIA renews its board and calls for urgent action to support audio creation

At its Annual General Meeting, the PIA – Syndicate of Independent and Professional Audio Producers – re-elected Katia Sanerot (Louie Media) as President, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the native podcast sector, recognizing audio as a creative work, and supporting culturally significant formats such as youth content, narrative series, and social documentaries.

While the report commissioned by the French government from the Inspectorate General of Cultural Affairs (Philippe Chantepie and Myriam Burdin) is still pending publication, the PIA sounds the alarm: podcasts continue to be overlooked in public cultural policies. Despite the fact that 40% of French people now listen to podcasts every month (source: ACPM x CSA) and the audio advertising market is experiencing record growth (+23% in 2024, BUMP - Kantar), some essential formats are weakening due to a lack of structural support. Without public action, these culturally valuable French productions risk being sidelined.

“Podcasting is growing fast, but formats like youth creation or documentaries are at risk without proper support. Tomorrow, only public broadcasters or AI will carry them. Preserving this diversity – which promotes French creativity and offers an alternative to screens – is a cultural emergency.” — Katia Sanerot, President of the PIA

Strengthened governance and new priorities During the General Meeting, members unanimously renewed the board:

• President: Katia Sanerot (Louie Media)
• Vice Presidents: Joël Ronez (Binge Audio – funding and support), Julien Neuville (Nouvelles Écoutes – visibility, audience, revenues)
• Treasurer: Candice Smadja (AOC Production)
• Deputy Treasurer: Gérald Joseph-Alexandre (Tann Audio)
• Secretary General: Marguerite de Rodellec (MedShake Studio – AI commission)
• Deputy Secretary General: Nathalie Mattera (Gong Audio – communication)

Additional board members with new roles:

• Head of communication, memberships, and onboarding: Violette Voldoire (La Houle studio)
• Youth content representative: Julien Moch (Billy the Cast)
• Author relations representative: Thomas Baumgartner (Wave Audio)

Other board members:

• Albane Fily (Binge Audio)
• Nawel Hadrami (Calliopé)
• Thomas Benzazon (FeuilleBlanche)
• Arthur Soria (Lacme)
• John Mac (Audio 360)

The syndicate also announced the creation of two new commissions, in addition to existing ones (Social & contractual, Funding & support, Visibility & revenues, Distribution, Tech & Innovation):

• AI Commission, to regulate uses, safeguard rights, and support studios
• Audiobook Commission, to help structure this booming €30M sector in France (€9B globally), now part of PIA following the arrival of new audiobook producers

The role of Youth Creation Representative was also created, tasked with defending this vital genre, which is still excluded from public support despite addressing key issues: youth access to culture, screen alternatives, and representation diversity.

Concrete progress

The AGM was an opportunity to present:

• An updated version of the charter on social and contractual best practices, first published in 2022, now better addressing the challenges posed by AI
• A white paper on audiobooks (to be published this fall), providing a foundational understanding of this specific form of audio creation, to support its growth as platforms expand distribution

A call to public authorities

The PIA reminds us that podcasts still lack legal recognition: they are neither audiovisual works, nor press, nor phonograms. They benefit from no support schemes – no tax credit, neighboring rights, production grants, private copying remuneration, or even reduced VAT (unlike press and audiobooks). This legal void threatens the entire ecosystem.

The PIA urges the Ministry of Culture to publish the IGAC report – and above all, to act on it before the end of the year.

“Podcasting is inherently accessible, especially to under-35s, and it offers a unique space for diverse voices. It’s no longer time to observe — it’s time to act. If we want genuine cultural access for all, podcasts — as a creator-driven and democratic medium — must be recognized as a full-fledged cultural industry. Minister Rachida Dati’s commitment to cultural accessibility must now be translated into action.”— Katia Sanerot, President of the PIA

An active and inclusive syndicate

The PIA continues to collaborate with the Podcast Observatory (ARCOM x DGMIC), supports audience certification via ACPM, and maintains strong ties with its partners: SCAM, SACD, GESTE, Paris Podcast Festival, Longueur d’Ondes, La Claque, Les Podcasteurs du Sud.

An Extraordinary General Meeting also validated updates to the syndicate’s statutes, allowing it to welcome new kinds of digital audio players, including those from larger groups, independent of streaming platforms.

About the PIA

The PIA (Syndicate of Independent and Professional Audio Producers) represents studios, producers, and publishers of native audio content (podcasts, audiobooks, sound documentaries, etc.). Since 2020, it has worked to structure, defend, and professionalize this innovative cultural sector.