In this edition the APVA Awards return, celebrating storytelling excellence in Africa. Gracie Imo inspires at a Nigerian conference, Phat Joe critiques interviewing skills, while Matt Cundill celebrates 400 episodes with success insights. Nickelodeon introduces preschool podcasts, and new data shows rising listenership across Africa and the Philippines.
Africa's premier audio event, the African Podcast and Voice Awards (APVA), is back, set to honour the continent's top podcasters, spoken-word artists, and voice actors. This year's theme, "King of The Game," symbolizes resilience, innovation, and excellence in storytelling. From Nigeria to Zambia, watch parties will unite communities to cheer on their favourites and foster a sense of shared pride. Beyond recognition, the APVA Awards offer opportunities for partnerships and sponsorships, inviting collaborators to join in amplifying African voices globally. Read More
Afripods is gearing up to host PodConnect, a community-building event for podcast enthusiasts. Scheduled for Thursday, May 23rd, at Baraza Media Lab, the event aims to equip attendees with strategies for expanding podcast audiences and enhancing community engagement. With esteemed speakers on board, it promises valuable insights for podcasters. Read More
Gracie Imo, a renowned podcaster and community manager for APVA, recently took the stage at the National Teenagers Workers Conference in Abuja, Nigeria. In an inspiring session, she instructed young attendees on leveraging podcasting to communicate and connect with peers worldwide. Imo's guidance aimed to foster creativity and passion among the teenage demographic. The event, organized by the Teenagers Outreach Ministries (TOM), provided a platform for Imo to ignite enthusiasm for podcasting among Nigerian youth. Read More
Anita Chinwendu Opara announces an exciting collaboration with a seasoned journalist boasting nearly four decades of active practice. Together, they aim to bridge the generation gap by leveraging the power of podcasting to impart valuable knowledge to younger audiences. Read More
Multimedia personality Phat Joe criticizes MacG's interviewing skills during the 'Podcast and Chill' Live Nation Tour in Cape Town. Phat Joe describes the interview as 'horrible,' suggesting MacG and his team have much to learn. Despite criticisms, Phat Joe acknowledges MacG's potential for improvement. Social media reactions vary, with some agreeing and others dissenting. Read More
Matt Cundill, host of the 'Sounding Off' podcast, shares insights after hitting 400 episodes! [Check out the episode Tony Doe features on, here]. He highlights consistency, quality content, and innovative monetization strategies, advising against SoundCloud for skewed metrics. Cundill emphasizes artwork, transcripts for SEO, and genuine listener engagement over conventional metrics. Read More
In his latest newsletter, 'The Audio Insurgent,' Eric Nuzum advocates for a shift in media strategy, emphasizing audience understanding over content push. He introduces 'Cover Up: The Conspiracy Tapes,' a new podcast exploring modern conspiracy theories' origins. The dispatch also touches on international radio trends and Nuzum's recent podcast appearance, offering insights into evolving media landscapes. Read More
"Frank Racioppi's 'Ear Worthy' newsletter explores the impact of podcasts on print magazines' decline, reviews 'Surfing Corporate' for insights on corporate life, and previews upcoming 'Crow's Feet' episodes honouring Mother's Day and Memorial Day. Read More
Former Malaysian politician Khairy Jamaluddin, also known as KJ, has hinted at the possibility of running for leadership in Malaysia. After leaving politics and moving into broadcasting and podcasting, KJ expressed interest in returning to the political arena during an interview at Radiodays Europe. He discussed his aspirations and current activities during the conversation. Read More
Andrew Hickey, host of "A History of Rock Music in 500 Songs," accuses the French podcast "Un dernier disque avant la fin du monde" of plagiarising his episodes. Hickey demands the removal of copied content and a public apology by Monday. The incident ignites debates on intellectual property and ethical standards in podcasting. Read More
Actress Amy Poehler dives into podcasting with comedic parodies like "Say More With Dr? Sheila," partnering with Audacy Podcasts. Integrating brand messages seamlessly, Poehler offers unique engagement for advertisers, reflecting podcasting's evolving landscape. Read More
Ahron Wohlgelernter, a podcast manager and editor, talks about how editing podcasts has helped him communicate better. He says he's learned a lot from editing over 9,000 minutes of audio in 2024. Ahron now uses these skills in everyday conversations, like having a good talk with his wife. It shows how work skills can make a big difference in personal life. Read More
Nickelodeon introduces four fresh preschool podcasts, featuring iconic characters like Dora and Blue from Blue's Clues. With themes ranging from culinary quests to bedtime tales, the podcasts aim to captivate young listeners. Available on platforms like Apple Podcasts and Spotify, Nickelodeon aims to expand its reach to a younger audience. Read More
New data from YouGov shows a remarkable rise in podcast listenership across Africa. South Africa leads with 68% of its population tuning in regularly. This trend signals a shift in media consumption habits, offering significant growth opportunities for content creators and businesses in the region. Read More
The May 2024 Actively Established Podcast Report shares insights about podcasting. It says most podcasters start to succeed after about 100 episodes. But many also quit before that. Despite this, there's a big opportunity for growth in podcasting. The report also shows how many podcasts are active and their chances of success. Plus, it ranks podcast hosting companies. Overall, it helps podcasters understand the industry better. Read More
Podcast listenership in the Philippines surges to 17 million weekly, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year, reports socio-cultural research firm The Fourth Wall. Comedy is the top genre, with 74% of listeners tuning in for laughs. The trend reflects a preference for engaging yet informative content. Read More
In Podwires' latest update, Spotify moves to limit lyrics to paying users and there was a sharp decline in new podcast launches in April. However, the IAB's new standards aim to bolster trust in podcast measurement. Read More
Penn State Lehigh Valley has launched a new podcasting course, offering students a comprehensive understanding of podcast production. Led by faculty member Liz Keptner, the course covers everything from scripting to editing and is open to students from all majors. Projects range from social issues to pop culture, providing practical skills like writing and audio production. One student, Krushil Amrutiya, sees potential in integrating podcasting into future endeavours. Read More
A new article explores whether podcast events are worthwhile. Author Anya Spence evaluates the pros and cons of launch parties, live recordings, collaborations, and more. Valuable insights for podcasters considering event planning. Read More
Tip…
This week, check out a podcast about something you're interested in, like industry history, cultural insights, or everyday science. Exploring new topics can make your podcast experience more exciting and expand your knowledge.
Podverb Of The Week…
"Podcasts: where every ear finds its story."