PodMov Daily: Wednesday, October 27

Episode 529: Your Midweek Update

YouTube’s Podcast Hire & News from Amazon

Google has hired someone to lead its podcasting efforts, reports Ashley Carman of Hot Pod. Kai Chuk, a YouTube employee of nearly 10 years, will “manage the large volume of existing podcasts and relationships across the YouTube platform.” It’s likely this is the role Bloomberg brought up three weeks back.

It’s unclear what Chuk will actually do in this new role, Carman points out. “Podcasters already upload and host videos on Google’s servers, and Google monetizes those videos for them based on user data.” We’re curious about what it will mean to manage “relationships,” a term that wasn’t in the description reported by Bloomberg. 

Meanwhile, Amazon is working on a live audio app. Carman and The Verge viewed a presentation on ‘Project Mic,’ which “takes bits from Anchor and bits from Clubhouse.” The idea is to “democratize and reinvent” radio by letting users (initially influencers) host DJ sets that mix talk with music from Amazon’s catalog.

Ear Reset: How to Avoid a Formulaic Sound

“I can’t tell you how many times people have told me with disdain ‘I’m sick of how formulaic podcasts have become,’” writes Rob Rosenthal of Transom. Over the past two or three years, these complaints have focused on the same kinds of melodramatic stories with “cheesy and predictable” sound design and scoring.

Rosenthal may have a solution (“or, at least, a way to help a little bit”) around that last element: Listening to sound art. There’s a “whole constellation” of approaches that podcasts often overlook, he says. “Even if it’s not your cup of tea, just dropping into that world for a few hours from time to time will open your ears.”

Sound walks are another form of sonic creativity that inspires the unexpected. To start, Rosenthal recommends listening to the work of Hildegard Westerkamp: “I’ve always found her inspiring and ear-catching.” Once podcasters focus on a variety of real sounds, the limitations of imitation become clear.

uCast: Meet the Fiverr of Podcast Advertising

uCast is a marketplace for podcasters and advertisers to find each other and create successful ad campaigns. Smarter matching helps both sides find the right fit quickly — without the risk. On uCast, secure deal management and strong campaigns go hand-in-hand.

Podcasts and businesses of any size are welcome. Simply create a profile, list your podcast, and review ad offers as they come in. If you’re an advertiser, just start a campaign, input your parameters, and send offers to the podcasts you like. In-app communication and contracts mean everyone moves forward with confidence.

Now launched in beta, uCast is offering three months completely free. The feedback you share will help make the experience even better. Ready to meet the Fiverr of podcast advertising? Your next great campaign is a signup away.

Here's what else is going on:

• Bulletin board: Starting this week, PM’s community updates are new and improved. Today’s issue includes deadlines for proposals, program sign-ups, and upcoming PMU events. Tomorrow at 9:30 am CT, join Jay Clouse (Creative Elements) for a free talk on using Twitter to grow your show.

• Business class: Brittany Luse (The Nod, For Colored Nerds) is the host of YouTube’s first ever podcast. In a feature for Forbes, Luse tells Rashad Grove about The Upload: The Rise of the Creator Economy, her last seven years in podcasting, and the number-one piece of advice for creatives.

• Stage makeup: Did you know that 2022 will mark the 100th year of organized audio drama production? Since the first Audio Drama Day in 2013, October 30 has been a celebration of the artform. Its founder, Patience “Sibby” Wieland, writes about its history for Acast’s Audio Fiction Week. 

• Group chat: On November 3 at 12:00 CT, Acast will host “Aclass: Indigenous Voices.” Guest-curated by Mi’kmaq lawyer Pamela Palmater, two conversation sessions will focus on Indigenous experiences in podcast creation, storytelling, and navigating industry careers. Free registration.