Bloody Disgusting, George A. Romero Foundation To Produce Podcast Series Based On 'Night Of The Living Dead' Universe

Horror Stories

CINEDIGM's BLOODY DISGUSTING and the GEORGE A. ROMERO FOUNDATION are partnering to produce a scripted horror podcast based on the universe of characters and stories in the late director ROMERO's "NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD" movies. "THE DEAD" is projected to be a 24-episode series, and the ROMERO FOUNDATION will be soliciting applications from writers to be considered for writing the podcast.

BLOODY DISGUSTING co-founder TOM OWEN said, "We strive to work with amazing storytellers, and GEORGE A. ROMERO is one of the best to ever bring horror to the screen. Our goal with this project is to introduce and support a new generation of horror writers who are influenced by GEORGE, while honoring and preserving his legacy through socially conscious horror."

The FOUNDATION's Pres. SUZANNE DESROCHER-ROMERO added, "The GEORGE A. ROMERO FOUNDATION is delighted to partner with BLOODY DISGUSTING to foster GEORGE's innovative legacy. This unique model opens up new opportunities for writers and encourages their creative spirit. Under the guidance of BLOODY DISGUSTING, I know that the final stories produced will entertain us all."

New Podcast Probes Alleged FBI Infiltration Of 2020 Racial Justice Protests

Debuts 2/7

A new investigative podcast from WESTERN SOUND and iHEARTPODCASTS examines how the FBI allegedly infiltrated racial justice protest groups with informants in an apparent effort to undermine the 2020 protests. "ALPHABET BOYS," a podcast debuting FEBRUARY 7th with a ten-episode first season, is hosted by TREVOR AARONSON, with the debut season using secret recordings to look at how a paid informant tried to push DENVER activists into violence.

“Federal law enforcement caused violence and destruction in the summer of 2020,” said DENVER activist ZEBBODIOS “ZEBB” HALL. “The FBI’s informant was a criminal who pushed activists toward violence as part ... more »

Nielsen To Market Edison Research ‘Share Of Ear’ & ‘Podcast Metrics’ To Advertisers

NIELSEN is now marketing EDISON RESEARCH's Share of Ear and EDISON Podcast Metrics data to advertising agencies. EDISON's services will be included in NIELSEN's offerings for audio and podcasting, including its Podcast Buying Power and Podcast Ad Effectiveness studies.

“The media landscape is evolving quickly and agencies have a vital need to understand how all the media puzzle pieces fit together,” said NIELSEN Head of Agency and Advertiser-direct Businesses JON KAISER. “EDISON’s insights are best in class and Nielsen is excited to work together with them to provide media planners and buyers with deep insights into the total audio landscape and the rapidly growing podcasting audience.”

“Share of Ear and Edison Podcast Metrics provide advertising agencies and clients with incredibly rich data about the total audio universe,” said EDISON Pres. LARRY ROSIN. “We are excited to work with NIELSEN to grow the audio space by providing information about the total audio audience to planners and buyers.”

Steve Lickteig Named Exec. Producer/Podcast And Audio Content At CNN Audio

Lickteig (Photo: Twitter @slickteig)

Former NBC NEWS and MSNBC Exec. Producer/Podcasts and Audio and NPR "WEEKEND ALL THINGS CONSIDERED" Exec. Producer STEVE LICKTEIG has joined CNN AUDIO as Exec. Producer/Podcast and Audio Content.

LICKTEIG, most recently a consultant with his own SMALL GOOD THING company and previously head of SLATE's podcast network, will report to CNN VP/Development KATIE HINMAN. He will be based in WASHINGTON and begins his new role on FEBRUARY 6th.

Acast To Debut Jessi Cruickshank's 'Phone A Friend' Podcast With Dan Levy As First Guest

February 9th Launch

Comedian JESSI CRUICKSHANK is jumping into podcasting with "PHONE A FRIEND," distributed and sold through ACAST CANADA. The show, on which CRUICKSHANK will delve into pop culture and will "phone a friend" to get more information, debuts FEBRUARY 9th with DAN LEVY ("SCHITT'S CREEK") as the first guest; CRUICKSHANK and LEVY co-hosted "THE HILLS: THE AFTERSHOW" on MTV and have not appeared together on the air in over a decade.

“I’ve always had a face for podcasting,” said CRUICKSHANK. “Now I’ll finally get to use it on a platform where I can say all the things I can’t say anywhere else. Because you can’t get in trouble from a podcast, can you? Wait… can you?”

“JESSI’s entrance to the world of podcasting brings a true luminary to the space and marks one of the most significant podcast launches by a Canadian entertainer to-date,” said ACAST Managing Dir./CANADA HEATHER GORDON. “It’s a point of pride for us that JESSI entrusted ACAST to launch PHONE A FRIEND, allowing us to provide fans with an intimate new channel where they can engage with her and giving brands unparalleled access to a media heavyweight.”

KPCC/Los Angeles Rebranding As 'LAist 89.3'

Unified Branding

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RADIO News-Talk KPCC/PASADENA-LOS ANGELES is rebranding as LAist 89.3, taking on the LAist branding of its news site and podcast production studio. The conversion will take place in coming weeks; the station will retain the formal KPCC calls but will change all public-facing branding to LAist.

President and CEO HERB SCANNELL said, “As a leading public media organization we cannot stay static. The moment to change to service more Angelenos and beyond in the platform of their preference is now. A cross-platform approach will be the tip of the spear of our evolution, and a powerful unified brand is table stakes to ... more »

Acast Research Looks At Marketer And Advertiser Perceptions Of Programmatic Podcast Ad Sales

Research by ACAST is highlighting marketer and advertiser perceptions of programmatic podcast advertising, with predictions from marketers that programmatic ad spend on podcasts will triple by 2027 but a shockingly low 39% of marketers even able to correctly define what "programmatic" is and just 42% saying they have a detailed understanding of programmatic (although 60% said they have bought ads via programmatic already). Despite the deficiancies in understanding the marketplace, marketers remain bullish on podcasting, with only 3% expecting the end of cookies on the internet to negatively impact podcasting while 70% expect it to hurt ... more »

Ambie Awards Nominees Announced

Finalists Announced

The PODCAST ACADEMY has announced the nominees for its third annual AMBIES (Awards for Excellence in Audio), The winners will be honored in a live ceremony in LAS VEGAS on MARCH 7th, hosted by LARRY WILMORE and streaming on AMAZON MUSIC's TWITCH channel. Voting among members of the ACADEMY is open through FEBRUARY 27th.

The nominees are:

Podcast of The Year:

CHAMELEON: WILD BOYS
DESIGN MATTERS WITH DEBBIE MILLMAN
DIRECT DEPOSIT
FIASCO: THE AIDS CRISIS
GAY PRIDE & PREJUDICE
MORIARTY
PINK CARD
RECLAIMED: THE STORY OF MAMIE TILL MOBLEY
THE OUTLAW OCEAN PODCAST
THE PRINCE

Best Business Podcast:

AN ARM AND A LEG
BUSINESS WARS
LEAD BALLOON - PUBLIC RELATIONS, ... more »

Urban One Rebrands Interactive One As 'iONE Digital'

New Name

URBAN ONE has rebranded its INTERACTIVE ONE digital division as iONE DIGITAL. The division includes CASSIUS, HELLOBEAUTIFUL, MADAMENOIRE, BOSSIP, NEWSONE, GLOBALGRIND, HIPHOPWIRED, BLACKAMERICAWEB, ELEV8, BLACKPLANET, THE FUMBLE, HOLLYSCOOP, and NERDWIRE, along with the ONE YARD HBCU site and the URBAN ONE PODCAST NETWORK.

"For over 42 years, URBAN ONE has understood the need for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, especially in sharing our varied experiences. We are proud to be a leader with the largest African American footprint in the media space," said CEO ALFRED C. LIGGINS III. "As the needs and concerns constantly evolve, we are dedicated ... more »

Libsyn Launches Data Integration With YouTube

YouTube Metrics Now Available

LIBSYN's ADVERTISECAST is now connected with YOUTUBE to allow for access to YOUTUBE statistics for podcasts in the ADVERTISECAST marketplace. IAB-compliant YOUTUBE statistics are also available to podcasters using LIBSYN's hosting platform even if they are not being sold on the ADVERTISECAST marketplace.

“Podcasters are increasingly uploading their shows to YOUTUBE as both a distribution and marketing channel and ADVERTISECAST is continuing to offer richer data and insights on campaign performance for brand partners,” said ADVERTISECAST SVP/Sales ANTHONY SAVELLI “YOUTUBE is one of the most popular podcast listening platforms in the U.S. and usage share has steadily grown from 14% in 2019 to 24.2% in 2022. LIBSYN was the first hosting company to support publishing podcasts to YOUTUBE and this data integration furthers our commitment to the multi- channel approach and will provide better transparency to brands and advertisers.”

CBC's 'Q With Tom Power' Moves To 'Podcast-First' Format

The CBC has relaunched its long-running pop culture interview show “Q WITH TOM POWER” in a “podcast-first” format. The show will continue to air on U.S. broadcast radio on over 90 stations and remains on CBC RADIO 1, now in an hour-long format, with a new half-hour interview show, "COMMOTION," hosted by ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD, following.

"Q" launched its revised incarnation MONDAY (1/30) with SAM SMITH and SHANIA TWAIN as the guests; upcoming guests include SARAH POLLEY, LAURA DERN, TEGAN AND SARA, THE 1975’s MATTY HEALY, JASON SEGEL, ANNA KENDRICK, KRISTIN CHENOWETH, and MARGO PRICE.

“I’m so proud of the work we’ve been doing on Q to have candid, honest conversations with some of the greatest artists of our time,” said POWER, who took over as host of the show from SHAD in 2016 after SHAD replaced the scandal-plagued JIAN GHOMESHI in 2014. “Now that we’re re-launching it as a podcast-first show, we have even more freedom to keep those authentic conversations going, and bring new people to the show. Plus, I can’t wait to start doing mattress ads.”

iHeartRadio Promos, Upside Spots Top Media Monitors Top 10 National Radio Advertisers List For January 23-29

Top 10

Once again, iHEARTRADIO promos led the MEDIA MONITORS' list of top 10 national radio advertisers for the fourth week of 2023 (JANUARY 23-29), with UPSIDE moving up from sixth place to take the lead among paid advertisers. iHEART podcast promos continued to occupy a slot in the top 10, this week for "BRIDGEWATER"; NBCUNIVERSAL's PEACOCK streaming service entered the list in tenth place.

The list:

1. iHEARTRADIO (last week #1; 87772 instances)
2. UPSIDE (#6; 51361)
3. BABBEL (#4; 51270)
4. LOWE'S (#3; 48342)
5. PROGRESSIVE (#5; 46593)
6. ZIPRECRUITER (#7; 43993)
7. VICKS (#11; 33182)
8. BRIDGEWATER PODCAST (--; 30637)
9. THE HOME DEPOT (#13; 26024)
10. PEACOCK (--; 25584)

Playwright Dan Kitrosser Creates New Scripted Podcast 'Svetlana! Svetlana!'

Debuts Today

Playwright DAN KITROSSER has created a new scripted dramatic podcast, "SVETLANA! SVETLANA!," released through iHEARTPODCASTS.

The podcast, premiering TODAY (1/30), is based on KITROSSER's play centering on JOSEPH STALIN's daughter SVETLANA and her defection from the SOVIET UNION to AMERICA in 1967.

Chris Haynes, Marc Stein Launch New NBA Podcast For iHeartPodcasts

Tipping Off Today

TNT Senior NBA Insider CHRIS HAYNES and former ESPN NBA Insider MARC STEIN are co-hosting a new NBA podcast for iHEARTPODCASTS. “#thisleague UNCUT” will post twice a week beginning TODAY (1/30).

“Reuniting with STEIN has been a long time coming and this partnership with iHeartRadio is the perfect platform for us to share our insight uncut,” said HAYNES, who worked with STEIN at ESPN and hosted the “POSTED UP WITH CHRIS HAYNES” podcast while at YAHOO! “I’m excited to get back to work with one of my best friends in the business, and equally excited for NBA fans because we’re going to bring it like never before.”

"I’m excited beyond words to be able to team up again with CHRIS on #thisleague UNCUT," said STEIN. "I've literally spent years, with an S, trying to break into the podcast arena with the proverbial ‘right’ pod -- and to be able to get on the mic and break things down twice a week with such a dear friend and also have iHEART joining forces with us to produce it makes me feel very fortunate."

Edison Research To Present Q1 Boomer And Gen Z Podcast Listener Studies

EDISON RESEARCH has announced two podcast thought leadership studies to be presented in Q1 2023 centering on Boomer and Gen Z listening habits.

"Hit Play, Boomer," from NPR and EDISON RESEARCH, will focus on podcast listeners aged 55 and older.

The Gen Z Podcast Listening Report, from SXM MEDIA and EDISON RESEARCH will look at the habits and motivations of the elusive and much-desired younger listeners.

EDISON VP MEGAL LAZOVICK said, "Everything we do works to drive the audio space forward with the highest quality data. We believe these two studies will help advertisers understand the opportunities for audio to reach these two important generations and, of course, help the media companies who can deliver these audiences.”

Presentation dates and registration information are forthcoming.