The term “Netflix for podcasts” or “YouTube for podcasts” has been thrown around in a number of recent articles about the future of the format. Specifically, a handful of companies are trying to position themselves as the leading portal for anyone interested in listening to podcasts and therefore bring in the lion’s share of advertising … Continue reading Did…Did People Forget How Podcasts Worked?
Those Systems Don’t Know Us, But Pretend To
I’ve certainly had experiences similar to what’s described in this much-shared story from a few months ago about the way the algorithms that push suggestions and notifications at us all day long are never exactly right but are also never exactly wrong. Spotify, for instance, continues to insist I’m going to enjoy Hall & Oates … Continue reading Those Systems Don’t Know Us, But Pretend To
Medium, Spotify and the Problem With Editorial Platforms
I know it’s shocking, but last week Medium pivoted again. With little or no warning, it informed publishers using the platform that it was discontinuing their ability to offer paid memberships to readers, cutting off a source of revenue and audience-building for many outlets. The rationale for this latest shift is that Medium felt the … Continue reading Medium, Spotify and the Problem With Editorial Platforms
Everybody’s Bundling
First it was Spotify Premium and Hulu being available for a combined $12.99 a month. Then it was MoviePass and iHeartRadio offering a three-month combined package for $29.99. Most recently it’s Comcast announcing Netflix will be part of a subscription package, though that’s technically just an expansion of an existing deal. If I didn’t know … Continue reading Everybody’s Bundling
Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 10/27/17
The Content Marketing Institute is out with a new study that takes a look at the state of the industry. Basically people are feeling things are working better than they have in the past and it’s all going quite nicely, thank you very much. Apple is taking a conservative, at least in terms of subject … Continue reading Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 10/27/17
Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 10 /24/17
Facebook has downplayed their significance, but the fact remains it’s been testing a version of the News Feed that separates posts from publishers into a whole different section from updates from friends and family, with publishers able to buy their way into that “main” feed. Spotify is letting everyone know they have the data showing … Continue reading Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 10 /24/17
Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 9/15
Your regular reminder to be careful when it comes to working with social media influencers and popular YouTubers because they could turn out to be really really racist. Bezos is panicking because Amazon’s original series aren’t big enough hits, cancelling some shows and ordering new ones that fit with a new vision. A new study … Continue reading Quick Takes: Content Marketing and Media News for 9/15
Streaming Services, Artist Relations and Exclusive Content
The "artist relations" role is one that's usually associated with record labels but it's one that is becoming more common for streaming services to have as well. That's largely because those services are trying to help artists not just accumulate streams of their music, something that doesn't pay any party well, but also sell merchandise, … Continue reading Streaming Services, Artist Relations and Exclusive Content
Shuffle and discover
I'll agree with parts of what both Kyle Vanhemert and Janko Roettgers say about Netflix and the need for a "lean back" mode that just plays shows or movies without having to go through the discovery process. Vanhemert argues that it needs something that just allows people to watch *something* as opposed to determining what … Continue reading Shuffle and discover
Chris Thilk 