PodMov Daily: Wednesday, March 4

Episode 155: Your Midweek Update

Building Spotify Australia's Audio-Focused Team

Mariam Cheik-Hussein of AdNews spoke with Karen Lawson, Spotify’s Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand. Lawson discussed the experience of “lead[ing] the local transition of the business to an audio platform,” including the hiring of a podcast team.

“We’re starting to see some really playful, innovative and creative ways that audio content is being delivered,” Lawson told Cheik-Hussein. “We’re really excited about that. I think it’s an industry which has so much potential that we’re only just starting to unlock right now.”

At the time of the conversation, the team had reached 55. Lawson says it will be working on locally produced shows. 4 members shared excitements and challenges of the new venture. Peter Manten, head of sales, describes “being at the absolute pinnacle of digital audio streaming at scale.”

PM's Weekly Community Recap: Act Fast on Good News

This week’s community update is all about timing. Consider this a sign: The application deadline to speak at PM20 has been extended to this Friday, March 6. Give it a shot to present at our 7th annual, largest-ever event.

For those planning to attend PM20 this August, securing tickets now will land you the lowest possible rate. Super early bird pricing for PM20 registration ends tonight at midnight.

In other news, this month’s 28-Day Launch Your Podcast Challenge has begun. Those participating are encouraged to show off their progress on social media. Tag, tweet, and post away.

NYT Media Columnist: ‘Shopping for Dominance' in Audio

Ben Smith, the former editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, has delivered his first piece as The New York Times’ media columnist. Smith’s depiction of the NYT evolving into a peerless behemoth of journalism has garnered mixed reactions. We’re just here for the podcasting comments.

“The paper is now quietly shopping for dominance in an adjacent industry: audio,” Smith acknowledges. He confirms that the Times is “in exclusive talks” to buy Serial Productions, however “expected to pay significantly less” than the estimated $75 million.

Smith figures the Serial deal plus megahit podcast The Daily “could form the basis for an ambitious new paid product […] that executives believe could become the HBO of podcasts.” Credit to Sarah Scire of Nieman Lab for noting the phrase’s long and dubious history in a “flashback to 2015.”

Happy Wednesday, readers, and congratulations to confirmed PM20 attendees for snagging the lowest rates of the year. There's still time, but registration prices go up tonight at midnight. Plan ahead for a summer of podcast love.

Cheers,

Team PM

Here's what else is going on:

• Deep learning: Jen Grogono of Forbes describes podcasting's role in this era of “upskilling” (advanced on-the-job training). Internal podcasts, or “enterprise podcasting on private corporate audio channels,” have proven effective.

• Toast proposed: Sally Herships, director of the audio program at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, will be overseeing the Center for Public Integrity’s first-ever podcast series, to be launched later this year.

• Sound strategy: India Today details 6 professional roles in podcasting, including sound engineer, content curator, and marketer. Alongside interest in and demand for audio content, “the careers possible in this field are also on a rise.”

• Record store: The Twin Cities-area mall Rosedale Center has opened a radio and podcasting studio. Fluence Media and Entercom Twin Cities partnered to develop the space, where several WCCO Radio podcasts will be recorded.