This week in podcasting, the industry continues to make headlines with consolidations, exciting new show launches, and even pivotal moments in the podcast-driven election landscape. As major players embrace the medium over traditional outlets, podcasting's role in shaping both business and culture has never been clearer.

Dive into this week’s top stories that are making waves across the industry!

With gratitude,
Casey Adams
Founder & CEO, Listener.com

Donald Trump to Appear on the Joe Rogan Podcast

Former President Donald Trump is set to appear on The Joe Rogan Experience, marking his first-ever interview on Rogan’s platform. The move aims to engage Rogan's massive audience, which is largely made up of young men—a key demographic for political candidates seeking to extend their reach beyond traditional media outlets. Trump’s appearance follows Rogan’s previous statements about being selective with political guests, making this episode one of the most anticipated interviews in recent podcasting history. Both Trump and Rogan hope to use the platform to tackle topics like free speech, media bias, and the 2024 election.

Insignia Acquires Veritone’s Podcast Agency for Up to $104M

In a major consolidation within podcast advertising, Insignia Capital Group has acquired Veritone One and Oxford Road for a deal worth up to $104 million. The acquisition represents a strategic move to bridge the gap between rising podcast listenership and slower ad growth, leveraging expertise in direct-response advertising. Dan Granger, founder of Oxford Road, will serve as CEO for both agencies, which will initially operate independently before merging. The deal underscores a growing trend of podcast industry consolidation as brands seek greater efficiency in reaching diverse audiences.

Yahoo Finance Launches New Sports Business Podcast

Yahoo Finance has teamed up with Joe Pompliano, a well-known sports investor and analyst, to launch The Yahoo Finance Sports Report with Joe Pompliano, debuting tomorrow, October 24. The weekly podcast will offer insights into the financial side of sports, covering topics such as billion-dollar deals, athlete ventures, and major trades. Pompliano, who also hosts The Joe Pomp Show, aims to blend sports, business, and technology into compelling episodes that reveal the economic forces behind global sports. Yahoo Finance’s collaboration with Pompliano is part of its broader effort to expand original audio content and capture a growing audience of sports enthusiasts and investors.

Jacqlyn Burnett’s Happiness Habitat Podcast Joins Listener.com Network

Jacqlyn Burnett is launching her new podcast, Happiness Habitat, on Listener.com’s network, marking the one-year anniversary of her book’s release. The podcast will explore themes of personal fulfillment and well-being, featuring discussions with leading experts such as doctors, CEOs, and pioneers in various fields. It aims to expand on the ideas presented in Burnett’s book, providing listeners with practical strategies to enhance their happiness and personal growth. This addition to Listener.com aligns with its mission to offer diverse, impactful content across its podcast network.

Draymond Green Adds Baron Davis as Co-Host of His Podcast

NBA star Draymond Green is officially teaming up with former All-Star Baron Davis as the new co-host of The Draymond Green Show With Baron Davis. The revamped show will launch on October 22, with new episodes released twice weekly. Known for its raw, unfiltered discussions, the podcast will dive into sports, culture, and personal stories, blending Green and Davis's unique perspectives. Produced by The Volume, the partnership is a strategic effort to bolster the show's authenticity and widen its reach. The podcast has previously earned accolades such as the iHeart Sports Podcast of the Year and the Webby People’s Voice Award.

Johnny Manziel Launches New Podcast Glory Daze

Former college football star Johnny Manziel is entering the podcast world with his new show, Glory Daze, produced alongside Almost Friday Media. Launching Thursday, the podcast revisits Manziel’s past triumphs and struggles, aiming to tell untold stories from his NFL days. Manziel hopes to attract intriguing guests, and his “dream guest” is none other than his longtime friend, hip-hop superstar Drake. “I’ve been friends with Drake for a long time, so it would be really cool to sit down and have him on and talk about some of our relationships and some of his life,” Manziel recently told Fox News Digital. The podcast aims to blend sports and pop culture, bringing Manziel’s story to a new generation of listeners.

Harris and Trump Shift to Podcasts, Sidestepping Legacy Media

In a significant departure from traditional media, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are focusing their campaign efforts on podcasts rather than legacy news outlets like NPR, The New York Times, and PBS. Both candidates have opted for popular shows like Call Her Daddy, All the Smoke, Bussin' With the Boys, and Club Shay Shay, aiming to reach specific voter segments. As the 2024 campaign heats up, podcasts have emerged as a more strategic platform to target younger, niche audiences. While Harris still appeared on NBC News and CNN this week, the shift signifies how political campaigns are adapting to the podcast era, where personalized content can engage audiences in ways traditional outlets often can’t.

• Spotify launching an ad exchange, will partner with Trade Desk

• Chick-fil-A launching app with podcasts, animated shows

• Spotify introduced new settings and controls to make managing listener comments easier than ever

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Partner Spotlight

We are thrilled to introduce our newest partner, Acast, the world’s largest podcast company. Acast connects nearly 125,000 podcasts with audiences globally, offering a diverse catalog of high-quality content.

About Acast

Since 2014, Acast has been creating the world’s most valuable podcast marketplace, building the technology that connects podcast creators, advertisers, and listeners. Its marketplace spans nearly 125,000 podcasts, 2,700 advertisers, and approximately 400 million monthly listens. Crucially, those listens are monetized wherever they happen - across any podcasting app or other listening platform.

The company operates worldwide and is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. Acast is listed on the Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ACAST.ST).

For podcasters looking to grow and monetize their shows, we highly recommend checking out Acast. Their innovative technology and extensive reach make them an invaluable partner in the podcasting world. Learn more.

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