The Impact of Spotify and Podbean’s IAB Departure #587

The Impact of Spotify and Podbean’s IAB Departure #587

Author: Rob Greenlee April 25, 2024 Duration: 0:00

In this episode of the New Media Show, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee dive deep into the significant news of Spotify, Megaphone, Chartabe, and Podbean pulling out from the IAB podcast measurement compliance. They discuss the various implications and reasons for these decisions, what they mean for the podcasting industry, particularly in advertising standards, and the broader consequences for podcast creators.

The episode begins with Todd discussing feeling overwhelmed with work demands, contemplating hiring an assistant, and the difficulty of finding someone who can handle the specialized tasks related to podcasting.

The conversation then shifts to the main topic: the departure of Spotify and Podbean from IAB certification compliance. They first examine the impact on Spotify, with Todd acknowledging Spotify’s significant internal metrics due to its app-based system allowing detailed listener tracking. Despite Spotify’s data advantages, Todd discusses the necessity and cost of IAB compliance, especially with changes to membership tier pricing affecting the company’s expenses.

Rob weighs in on the issue, surfacing concerns about the potential adverse effects that the removal of certification might bring about over time. However, he also notes that Spotify’s financial situation possibly contributed to their decision. The hosts delve into the nuances of IAB certification costs, compliance, and how these factors influence their decisions as service providers, drawing on personal experience and insights from the industry.

Todd shares news about Blubrry’s partnership with BackBeat Media for host-read advertising, emphasizing the importance of maintaining IAB certification to fulfill this partnership’s reporting and trust requirements for advertisers.

Rob plans to invite a CEO from the brand safety industry on the show to discuss these issues further, something they’re wary of due to its potential implications on content censorship.

They reflect on in-person studio trends and the movement towards more video content creation, balancing skepticism with acknowledgment of the potential personalization and authenticity such setups might offer specific high-profile creators.

As the episode progresses, they discuss the strategic importance of not putting all content into one platform’s basket, citing several instances where reliance on a single platform like Google or YouTube has proven risky for content creators.

Rob updates the upcoming New Media Show schedule, noting that he will be out of town for specific dates, and Todd shares his travel plans to the Philippines and the UK, making it necessary to shuffle their broadcast schedule.

The episode concludes with the hosts touching upon platforms such as TikTok’s tenuous status amidst government regulations, the importance of free speech, and the preservation of open RSS as a channel for independent creators to share their content without restrictions.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show via email, and Todd hints at developing a new mailing list for the show. They thank their audience and close with a reminder to follow or subscribe to the New Media Show on favored podcast apps, highlighting newer platforms featured at podcastapps.com.

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The post The Impact of Spotify and Podbean’s IAB Departure #587 first appeared on New Media Show.


Hosted by veteran voice Rob Greenlee, New Media Show (Video) offers a grounded, weekly conversation about the realities of building an audience and a business in today's digital landscape. Each episode features a different guest co-host, bringing fresh perspectives from the trenches of content creation, marketing, and entrepreneurship. The discussions move beyond theory, focusing on practical strategies and the evolving tools that shape how we connect and communicate. You'll hear honest reflections on what works, what doesn't, and where the opportunities lie in the constantly shifting worlds of podcasting and online video. This isn't about hype; it's a clear-eyed look at the craft and commerce of new media, informed by Rob's long history in the space and the direct experiences of his weekly collaborators. Tune in for a straightforward exchange of ideas that feels more like a focused workshop than a broadcast, designed for anyone serious about understanding and navigating the business side of digital content.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

New Media Show (Video)
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