People in marketing are not like consumers

• Have you heard of an Aperol Spritz? 50% of all consumers haven’t: but almost every marketer knows about the Italian wine-based cocktail. It’s one example, according to new research from Pushkin Industries and iHeartMedia, of marketers increasingly not understanding the consumers they’re trying to reach. The data claims that marketers often chase the ‘shiny and new’ at the expense of reflecting the values and priorities of real consumers.

  • The data also says that snacks and podcasts are the two hardest things for consumers to give up. The hardest thing for marketers to give up was… online shopping.

• Podcast Movement has released video and audio recordings from PM23. They’re available to all Plus, Pro, and Virtual ticket holders. Find links in Swapcard.

• Alitu has launched the Alitu ShowPlanner, an entirely AI-powered tool that auto-generates an entire podcast action plan for free. It also has a podcast name generator and an auto-generated script for the show’s initial trailer.

• SMI data from Guideline, which captures agency invoicing data, says that podcast ad spend grew +57% in Q2 YoY, with overall digital audio up +6%. Host-read podcast placement spend is up +91% in Q2 YoY.

  • Nearly 1 in 4 podcast dollars were spent in the tech category.
  • Travel Services and Wellness both more than quadrupled last year’s investment.

• In the UK, Persephonica launches Political Currency today - a new political podcast to compete with Goalhanger’s The Rest Is Politics and the company’s own The News Agents. The show is hosted by George Osborne, a former UK Chancellor, and Ed Balls, Shadow Chancellor (positions similar to the Treasury Secretary in the US).

  • Persephonica’s CEO Dino Sofos is speaking at Podnews Live in London on Sep 27.

• Jack Rhysider has added “up to date podcast stats for my podcast on my website” - using an API from AdvertiseCast. He adds that it’s been a five-year project, and demands better tools from podcast hosts.

  • The better tools he’s demanding? OP3, which is open and free; here are our stats and those of many others. We’d agree that an API into Apple and Spotify’s proprietary data would be useful, though.

• Coleman Insights has launched a new brand lift study service. Called Ascend℠, it allows advertisers to assess the performance of their creative and overall campaign.

• Bucking the trend, financial newspaper The Economist is adding a new Podcasts+ subscription tier; and moving almost every show behind the paywall. The Intelligence will remain free. Current subscribers will get included access.

• CBS News and Paramount Audio announced a Q3/23 slate of new and returning shows.

Podcast News - with Airwave

Part of the Airwave Podcast Network: If you want to keep up with the latest advances in AI, while keeping one foot in the real world, then Practical AI: Machine Learning, Data Science is the show for you! The focus is on productive implementations and real-world scenarios that are accessible to everyone.

This week’s Media Roundtable from Oxford Road looks at the $18k “white noise gravy train”, the rise of the Podhead, and SXM’s new brand safety tool. Dan Granger hosts; Neal Lucey, Kristen Duenas and our Editor are guests.

The Not Old - Better Show has teamed up with Prevention Magazine to offer a monthly interview series focusing on stories from the publication. The inaugural show, out today, features interviews with Prevention Editor-in-Chief Sarah Smith and cover story writer Beth Howard.

No Guilt Mom has joined Adalyst Media. Adalyst specializes in connecting brands with podcasters dedicated to female audiences.

The Big Dig is new from GBH and PRX - a look at the most expensive highway project in America, and the removal of the big, green, ugly elevated I-93, which cut through Boston’s historic downtown. It was announced 40 years ago this month; but was only completed in 2006.

After she tied the record for most VMA wins in one night, and USA Today hires for a Taylor Swift reporter, Taylor Swift Today has been launched. “No need to search high and low for the latest headlines and updates—Taylor Swift Today has got you covered. We’ll bring you a short and exciting roundup of all the buzz surrounding Taylor, keeping you in the loop with all the juicy details you crave. From her chart-topping hits to her blockbuster films, we’ve got it all right here!” It’s new from Caloroga Media and The Shark Deck.

Audio drama Superhuman Public Radio returns for a new season today; and also has joined the Fable and Folly Network. Enjoy the surprisingly human stories that come out of a superhuman world, in this show produced by award-winning duo John Dorsey and Maximilian Clark.