Live reads or announcer-read spots? Use both, says the data

• Live, host-read ads perform the best, according to After These Messages, new research presented yesterday by Sounds Profitable’s Tom Webster: but well-produced scripted or programmatic ads work almost as well, says the study. Webster suggested to use both live reads and announcer-read ads throughout the course of a campaign. The research is available to download here, y también en español.

• Libsyn will today be announcing a new programmatic ad solution for Libsyn-hosted shows. The beta program for Libsyn’s Auto Ads, which allows pre, mid and post-roll, is now open for application. Additionally, the company has announced it has made more than $50m in advertising earnings for podcasters.

• The Podcast Broker, a new service for buying and selling podcasts, was launched at Podcast Movement. The service is the brainchild of TrueNativeMedia’s Heather Osgood, and aims to make it easy to buy and sell podcasts just like you would trade any other business. (Podnews’s Editor is an advisor. Disclosures)

• NPR has announced that more than twenty of its biggest podcasts are now available on YouTube. This is on the heels of a quiet launch of a podcast section in YouTube in the US.

• Spotify and Archewell Audio have released the highly anticipated original podcast series Archetypes, with Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex. The first episode and trailer are available now; the show is produced by Gimlet.

• If you’re heading to Podcast Movement, Apple Podcasts want to help you get the most out of your Apple Podcasts Connect account. You can sign up for one of their 1:1 sessions.

• Would you rather the Spotify podcast playback experience was a little cleaner? Podify is a third-party Android app for Spotify podcasts. It uses the Spotify API to access the shows you listen to; you still need the Spotify app installed though.

• Audacy is now using Sounder as the company’s brand safety partner, joining SpokenLayer, iHeartRadio and DAX.

• Diversion Audio has announced a new slate of talk and fiction podcasts, in partnership with Gemini XIII.

• AdLarge has signed Girls Next Level, with Holly Madison & Bridget Marquardt, to their network.

• AdWeek has announced a full slate of new and returning podcasts for Q3/22.

• She Podcasts and Podbean are to host a live panel on Sep 9, focused on supporting more women and marginalized genders to get involved in podcasting.

• The Afros & Audio Podcast Festival is to return for its fourth year; a hybrid event, it’s at the Warwick Rittenhouse Square Hotel in Downtown Philadelphia, PA and on the Whova Conferencing Platform on Oct 22-23.

• Dino Sofos is interviewed by Deadline, appearing in a story with the longest headline ever published. He’s talking about The News Agent, the new daily news podcast from Global.

Podcast News

Code Story is kicking off season 7 of its podcast; interviewing startup builders themselves about the human stories of creating something from nothing, the technical tools used, finding product market fit… and building a team that has your back. It’s hosted by Noah Labhart, and launched yesterday.

Ugly Things Magazine, the ultimate rock ‘n’ roll read is now a bi-weekly podcast! Ugly Things launched yesterday, with guests like The Troggs and Lenny Kaye. It’s an adaptation of the long running print magazine, which covers the obscure and overlooked music of the 1950s,’60s,’70s and beyond.

Happy Millionaire launches today - UK TV personality Dr Rupy Aujla is joined by tech entrepreneur Jay Radia to look at how to achieve career success without compromising on having a happy life. Episodes will cover a variety of topics, such as how to find a co-founder, dating apps, the value of business coaches, the Spotlight Syndrome and more.

Beneath Our Feet is a new, six-part audio drama series about community resistance, myths, and vertical cities. Beneath Our Feet is a drama about communities under siege: be it by gentrification, climate collapse, or cultural erasure, it launches today, and is funded by Arts Council England.