Media Roundtable

The Media Roundtable is back! Fresh from Podcast Movement 2024 in DC, we’re here to alleviate FOMO (ICYMI) and share the biggest takeaways from speakers and attendees. Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) recaps and reminisces with fellow Oxford Roadies Miranda Romano (SVP, Media, Oxford Road), Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Product, Oxford Road) and welcoming Tess Ryan (Associate Media Director, Oxford Road). The team is talking: Two Kinds of True Crime, Research Superpowers, What Brands Want, and more. Let’s dig in. “The beauty of podcasting and its greatest challenge is this fragmentation.” - Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The episode of the Media Roundtable is a guaranteed jolt of energy showcasing the positive power of audio! This week, we feature the kickoff event from our 2nd Annual CAO Summit. The conversation focuses on what makes our work matter: Purpose. Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) takes the stage with two audio titans; Ashley Flowers, (Founder & CEO, audiochuck, Creator/Host of Crime Junkie) and Brittany Clevenger (Senior Director of Growth Marketing, BetterHelp) to discuss harnessing the power of audio for ‘good.’ Together they cover: thoughtful ad breaks, long-lasting partnerships, celebrating wins, and getting started the right way. Let’s dig in. “The right stories, the right way, for the right reasons.” Ashley Flowers, (Founder & CEO, audiochuck, Creator/Host of Crime Junkie) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“If the ad load of an episode goes from 5% to 15%, you can reasonably expect a 30-40% drop-off in conversion rate.” Pete Birsinger, CEO & Founder, Podscribe For every podcast ad you’ve bought, there’s a hidden variable that swings performance in double-digit percentages. It’s time to talk about that. This week, in a ground-breaking episode of the Media Roundtable, we reveal our newest report, The Danger of Rising PodLoad: How Increasing Clutter Erodes Podcast Advertising Value. This industry-first case study on ad loads and performance answers a question that every CAO wants to know: “What’s the right amount of ads for a podcast?” Giles Martin (EVP, Strategy & Insights, Oxford Road) joins Pete Birsinger (CEO & Founder, Podscribe) onstage at our CAO Summit to present the PodLoad Report. Oxford Road partners with Podscribe to analyze 1.7 Billion podcast impressions across 1800+ shows, tying ad loads to real performance for 159 brands. For insights that’ll change the way you buy podcast ads, check out the full episode and dive into the PodLoad Report by clicking below. https://oxfordroad.com/the-danger-of-rising-podload See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“You don't need pictures in front of you to see what you're feeling.” Kraig Kitchin, Audio Legend The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 2, Episode 7 - "Audio Affects." Fearless host Stew Redwine (VP, Creative, Oxford Road) welcomes bonafide Audio Legend, Kraig Kitchin. Kraig’s a Talent Manager for many on-air personalities and longtime Senior Strategic Advisor for Oxford Road. (Check out his epic episode of the Media Roundtable) As if that weren’t enough, he’s also Co-Chair and 2024 Inductee to the Radio Hall of Fame and Co-Founder of Premiere Networks. Join Stew and Kraig, as they wax poetic on the science and emotion of audio and break down ads from Lowe’s, Progressive, Babbel, and Home Depot. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“It's easy to be enraged. It's essential to be engaged.” - Kellyanne Conway (former Campaign Manager and Senior Counselor to former President Trump) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re going back to our roots and one of our passions: Civil Discourse in Audio. Dan Granger, (CEO & Founder at Oxford Road) welcomes bi-partisan hosts of the new podcast; The Campaign Managers with Kellyanne Conway (former Campaign Manager and Senior Counselor to former President Trump) and David Plouffe (former Campaign Manager and Senior Advisor to former President Obama). They’re talking: The Power of Listening to Other Opinions, The Divided and the Deciders, Civility, and more. Let’s dive in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"It was just great to see that community taking place right in front of our eyes." James Ingrassia, (EVP of Client Services, Oxford Road) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we recap the epic whirlwind of our 2nd Annual Oxford Road CAO Summit in Hollywood last week. Dan Granger, (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) breaks down the highlights with brilliant CAOs/attendees: Mae Haynes, (Brand Media Manager, The Home Depot/GCC/Blinds.com) Brynn Greenelsh (Marketing Manager, Auctane–Stamps.com & ShipStation) Dominic Palombo, (Senior Partnerships Manager, Caldera + Lab) James Ingrassia, (EVP of Client Services, Oxford Road) The team’s talking: summer camp vibes, creative testing, the maturing audio industry, ideal ad load, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We really want to deliver on the connectivity between the host, the sponsors, and the audience.” - Mike Jensen, CEO of Rhapsody Voices This week, our Ad Infinitum superhost Stew Redwine brings you a very special guest—Mike Jensen, CEO of Rhapsody Voices—to chat about the many Rules of Three in audio. Audio is replete with threes: first, there’s production: voice-over, sound design, and music. Then, there’s the classic story structure of beginning, middle, and end. Of course, there’s also timeless rhetorical appeals: pathos, logos, and ethos. Mike adds a fourth dimension: the Host, the Audience, and the Sponsor. With all these forces at play in audio advertising, how can marketers make heads or tales of things and get the best ads for their dollar? Check out the episode for more insights from these two major players in audio, plus everyone’s favorite segment, on-air ad ratings! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Oxford Road’s 11th anniversary has just passed and we just can’t help but feel nostalgic this week. On that note, this week’s Media Roundtable special edition takes a look back at our past 5 years, with all the changes that have taken place in our world and the industry at large since 2019. In this episode, we feature 3 of Oxford Road’s ‘middle children’—folks who joined us at the halfway point of our existence, who also have a BIG hand in developing our agency into who we are today. Giles Martin (EVP of Strategy and Insights), Ricardo Martinez Simental (VP of Client Services), and Melissa Altamirano (Operations Manager) hopped into the recording booth with Dan Granger (Oxford Road CEO and Founder) to reminisce on all things Oxford Road over the last half-decade, while setting their sights on the future of audio. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“We’re not even talking about the content anymore. It’s either brand-safe or it’s not brand-safe. But what is that actually doing? - Adam Curry, MTV Video Jockey & Host of No Agenda We like to say our CEO & Founder, Dan Granger, got in on the ground floor of podcasting. However, if there’s anyone his senior in the industry, it’s Adam Curry (MTV Video Jockey and host of No Agenda). Known as the Podfather, he was into podcasting in the early 2000s, back when apps were called applications and (to quote Bowling for Soup) music was still on MTV. Needless to say, Adam Curry and Dan Granger’s conversation on this week’s Special Edition Media Roundtable podcast was as insightful as it gets. They covered a wide range of topics, from the peculiarity of last week’s presidential debate to the evolving definition of “podcast,” and literally everything in between. Take it from us: you won’t want to miss this one. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you missed out on Cannes or if you simply miss Cannes, we have your cure. Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) jumped in the booth at Spotify’s Podcast Studio at Cannes to talk with Conor McKenna (Partner, LUMA). They channel the excitement and buzz from the festival into a 45-minute rundown packed with insights from their week on the Riviera. We’re talking creativity’s role in marketing, forecasts for the macro environment in 2025, the value of AI in audio, and so much more. Listen to the full episode to hear audio advertising insights you won’t find anywhere else. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“A podcaster is talking to your exact target audience.” - Hala Taha Today, we have a true Ad Infinitum gem! Host Stew Redwine (VP of Creative Services, Oxford Road) covers all things B2B podcast ads with Hala Taha (CEO & Founder, YAP Media) AKA the Princess of Podcasts herself! These two advertising experts reveal their secrets to making B2B podcast ads truly resonant and effective. Hala’s insider tips? Know and use the product, be a storyteller, and be a broken record. Listen to the full episode to hear Stew and Hala get into the nitty gritty of making great B2B ads and hear their live ratings of real-world podcast ads! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“When we think of AI, it is a forward and a backward-looking question. ‘What's going to happen?’ We don't know. ‘Have we ever not known before?’ Well, every day of our history, we've not known. So there's the lesson.” - Lindsay Graham (CEO & Founder, Airship) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re looking into the present through the lens of history. Dan Granger, (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) hosts Lindsay Graham (not Lindsey Graham). This Lindsay is a Webby Award-winning and Ambie-nominated history podcasting superstar, a repeat Media Roundtable guest, and CEO & Founder of Airship, a podcast publishing company (American Criminal, American Scandal, American History Tellers, & more.) Together, they discuss our messy past, uncertain futures, and everything in between. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Rather than trying to throw brands in at the deep end of the pool, how do we build them a staircase?” Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re talking directly with two extremely successful Chief Audio Officers to answer one key question: “What do brands want?” At Podcast Movement Evolutions, Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) took the stage with Kezia Koo, (Senior Director of Global Employer Performance Marketing, Indeed) and Robbie Giles (VP of Performance & Lifecycle Marketing, MasterClass) to dive into the unique benefits and challenges of audio. We’re bringing all their insights (and the changes they’re hoping for) straight to you. We’re talking brand safety, testing in the age of efficiency, audio’s role in your media mix, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re recapping a whirlwind of a time from the 3rd International Podcast Show in London. If you missed out, we’re here to ease your FOMO (and hopefully inspire you to make the trip next year). Steven Abraham (President, Oxford Road) hosts fellow Oxford Road jetsetters Miranda Romano, (SVP of Media Services, Oxford Road) and Giles Martin (EVP of Strategy and Measurement, Oxford Road). Plus our old friends Amelia Coomber (Head of Marketing and Growth, Podscribe) and keynote speaker James Cridland (Editor of Podnews and Podcast Business Journal) are here to share their highlights. The team is talking: US & International markets, the future of international audio, lessons for stateside events, navigating nuances, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you get too cute, too kitschy with it, that could turn people off in the wrong way where they actively dislike the brand.” Ray Harkins, Senior Account Executive, Wondery The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 2, Episode 4 - "Scary Ads." Context is everything for ads, but what do you do when the podcast is fiction? How do you put your ad in the middle of a story and not feel like an uninvited guest? Ad wizard and Host Stew Redwine (VP, Creative Services, Oxford Road) welcomes scripted podcast experts, Nathalie Chicha (Producer, I Hear Fear) and Ray Harkins (Senior Account Executive, Wondery) to find out. Join Stew, Nathalie, and Ray as they dive into the best and worst of ads with scripted audio and break down spots from scripted advertisers like BetterHelp, Dave, and (controversially for Ray) Twizzler. What lessons can the CAO learn from these audio allstars before venturing into these scripted waters? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You could envisage a future where a run-of-network buy was voiced by the person who's hosting each individual show through the power of AI.” - Giles Martin (EVP, Strategy & Insights, Oxford Road) Chief Audio Officers, rejoice! The Media Roundtable is back, covering this week’s top audio stories and there’s a lot to digest. Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) hosts fellow Oxford Road luminaries James Ingrassia (EVP, Client Service), Kyle Jelinek (VP, Client Strategy), and Giles Martin (EVP, Strategy & Insights). The team is talking: Podscribe's International moves, Smart Moms, the VC Podcast Rush, Attack of the Clone (Voices), and so much more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We live in an age where customers are omnipresent. They're everywhere. Your brand needs to be omnipresent, and Sonic Branding is part of that.” Nikhil Arora (Chief Growth Officer, Albert) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re giving you all the best insights from our latest Chief Audio Officer event, the CAO Messaging Forum in NYC. Stew Redwine (VP of Creative Services, Oxford Road) hosts fellow Oxford Road audiophiles Dan Granger (CEO & Founder, Oxford Road) and James Ingrassia (EVP, Client Service, Oxford Road) with special guests Cassandra LaPrairie (Performance Marketing Lead, Audio, Wise) and Nikhil Arora (Chief Growth Officer, Albert). The team is talking: audio’s suitability elephant, getting the most from your host, Zero-to-One Sonic Branding, A/B Testing that actually works, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Media is not math. And anyone who's looking at media from a mathematical perspective is going to end up with the wrong answer and no competitive advantage. Media is human behavior.” Chris Binns, (Chief Strategy Officer, Open X, WPP) The Media Roundtable is back! This week we’re devoting the episode to one question that every Chief Audio Officer should ask themselves: “What’s the core purpose of Audio in an advertiser's ecosystem?” Steven Abraham (President, Oxford Road) hosts fellow Oxford Road luminaries Miranda Romano (VP of Media Operations, Oxford Road) and Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Product, Oxford Road) with special guests Chris Binns, (Chief Strategy Officer, Open X a WPP agency) and Andrea Stillacci (Founder & President, Herezie, Paris). This all-star audio team is talking: $200 headphones, the ultimate sidekick, the value of deep dives, and more. Let’s jump in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

You can say you're compliant, but if there's no auditing, you're judging your own homework.” Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Product, Oxford Road) It’s a brand new episode of the Media Roundtable, and we’re tackling the biggest audio stories of the day: big podcast revenues, platforms too big to quit, and becoming a sports giant. Back on the lead microphone, fresh from hosting Ad Infinitum, is Stew Redwine (VP Creative, Oxford Road). Stew’s joined by fellow Oxford Road experts James Ingrassia (EVP, Client Services, Oxford Road) and Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Product, Oxford Road). Plus we have the world’s favorite Radio Futurologist, James Cridland (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). We’re talking: Neil Young getting back together with Spotify, Spotify quiet-quitting the IAB, Audacy’s wide world of sports, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“When we're creating sonic identity systems, [the] people we're dealing with are experts in absolutely everything in their job except this.” Joel Beckerman, Founder of Made Music The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a new episode! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 2, Episode 3 - "Branding with your Eyes Closed." Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) welcomes a person whose name is so synonymous with sonic branding, he needs his own Sonic logo. Joel Beckerman is the author of Sonic Boom and the Founder of Made Music, an award-winning global sonic branding agency racking up wins with every brand from Tostitos to AT&T. Join Stew and Joel as they cover all the major and minor notes of sonic identity and break down radio heavyweights like Whole Foods, Vicks, and Xfinity. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Media Roundtable is back, and we’re tackling all the nuances of one of the thorniest, most misunderstood, and most rewarding parts of audio advertising: B2B. This deep dive was inspired by the excellent recent report by Pierre Bouvard (Chief Insights Officer, Cumulus Media | Westwood One) on reaching B2B decision-makers through audio. “You can't just say, ‘hey, let's give audio a shot–we're just going to throw a bunch of money at it and see what happens.’ You really need to hone in on what you expect will happen and what your benchmarks for success are going to be.” - Rion Swartz (VP, Brand Marketing, Constant Contact) Hosting again is Oxford Road founder and CEO Dan Granger, with Pierre Bouvard himself, and an all-star crew of deep thinkers with extensive B2B chops: James Ingrassia (EVP, Client Services, Oxford Road), Neal Lucey (EVP, Strategy & Product, Oxford Road), and Rion Swartz (VP, Brand Marketing, Constant Contact). Together they’re talking all things B2B audio including balancing the long-term and short-term, why everyone should look beyond Business, why good things take time, and a whole lot more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“It's really about consistently showing people you care and just relentlessly reinforcing that the product or service you provide is getting better too.” Jason Calacanis, Entrepreneur and Podcaster In this episode of the Media Roundtable, we’re bringing you a very special fireside chat direct from our recent Chief Audio Officer event in SF. Oxford Road founder and CEO Dan Granger sat down with the one and only Jason Calacanis at the CAO Measurement Forum. Jason’s been shaping the internet for decades as an entrepreneur, angel investor, author, and podcaster hosting multiple shows, including This Week in Startups and the world-famous All-In Podcast. Together they talked about the age of efficiency, why Brand wins, getting the absolute most from your ads through big swings, and a whole lot more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

CAOs, did you miss out on Podcast Movement Evolutions? We have the cure for your FOMO right here–an all-new Industry Edition of the Media Roundtable recapping the biggest moments and distilling days of insights into bite-sized chunks with no travel. Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) is back on the host microphone, joined by fellow attendees and agents of influence Stew Redwine (Oxford Road VP of Creative Services), Giles Martin, (EVP of Strategy & Insights, Oxford Road), and James Ingrassia, (EVP of Client Service, Oxford Road). And we’re beyond pleased to welcome back the keynote speaker at this year’s event, and frequent MRT guest, James Cridland, the world’s favorite audio futurologist (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). Join us as we recap the most significant takeaways of this year’s event and distill days of insights into a bite-sized chunk with no travel or expense report needed. “To see somebody (Amy Poehler) that has the option of being in any type of media they want, choosing podcasts… is very validating for where we are at with this channel.” - Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI translation seems all the rage, but it’s so yesterday. At Oxford Road, we're on to bigger and better things. In partnership with GoLocalise, we’re able to offer this week’s Media Roundtable podcast in your native tongue, whatever that may be. While everyone else is hyping up translating podcasts into foreign languages, we're breaking boundaries by making podcasts accessible to animals too! That's right, now your furry friends can absorb knowledge from our industry experts. Forget French, Mandarin, and Tagalog – we're talking about translating into "woofs," "meows," and even "moos." Imagine your Fiddo catching up on the latest marketing trends or your Mr. Beans, the cat, getting insights into the advertising world. We've even made our podcasts accessible for our bovine buddies and majestic elephants! So, buckle up as we dive into the first-ever Oxford Road Media Roundtable Industry Edition for animals. From barking breakthroughs to purr-fect strategies, this podcast has something for every creature, big or small. Tune in and let the learning begin – because at Oxford Road, even the animals get a seat at the table. Happy April Fools! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

C.A.Os you are in luck–we have a new Industry Edition of the Media Roundtable for you and it will not disappoint. Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) is hosting again, joined by fellow agents of influence Kristen Duenas, (Associate Media Director, Oxford Road), Giles Martin, (EVP of Strategy & Insights, Oxford Road), and Ricardo Martinez, (VP of Client Services, Oxford Road). And we’re beyond pleased to welcome back James Cridland, the world’s favorite audio futurologist (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). “Listeners aren't stupid. They have a lot of choices and they might check you out, but they're probably not going to stay if you're not actually good at the craft.” -Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) We’re talking buzzy new sports podcasts, Ringer’s (mostly) AI-proof union deal, the British Podcast Invasion, and so much more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a new episode! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 2, Episode 2 - "Hosts are People Too." Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) discusses the importance of advertisers keeping in mind the hosts' humanity on the other end of those talking points they’re sending over. He welcomes a real host and real person who’s at the top of his game but always looking to get better–Jordy Meiselas. Jordy’s one of the three Founders of the wildly popular MeidasTouch Network and co-host of The MeidasTouch Podcast. Join them as they break down four ads from BetterHelp which aired on some of the top sports podcasts. Which are better (and which need help)? “I know my audience better than anybody… as long as I can understand where the brand wants me to go with that message, I can find a perfect world to marry the two.” - Jordy Meiselas, co-Founder MeidasTouch Network, co-host The MeidasTouch Podcast See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you're looking for them to make a great impression with your ad, first, you need to make a great impression on the host.” - Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) Chief Audio Officers, it’s time for an all-new Industry Edition of the Media Roundtable. Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) is back on the host microphone, joined by fellow agents of influence Kyle Jelinek (Oxford Road VP of Client Strategy) Spencer Semonson (Oxford Road Media Buyer and Planner Extraordinaire), and Neal Lucey (Oxford Road EVP, Strategy & Product). And we’re overjoyed to welcome back James Cridland, the world’s favorite audio futurologist (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). We’re talking Oscars, why brands need to focus on female listeners and hosts, Rooster Teeth shuttering, whether or not Crime pays, and so much more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“[What’s] fascinating about podcasts… is the idea of intimacy that it creates because people so often listen to podcasts while they're doing something else… and so then you become this friend in their ear.” - Joanna Robinson, Podcaster, Author It’s a brand new episode of the Media Roundtable, and for all our Chief Audio Officers, today we’re focusing on the other side of the microphone. That’s right, we have a bonafide star podcast host sitting down with our very Stew Redwine (Oxford Road). Taking time from her busy podcasting schedule is Joanna Robinson. Joanna is a writer, podcaster, and cultural critic for The Ringer appearing on several shows including The House of R (covering all things fandom) and Trial By Content. She’s a former senior writer for Vanity Fair penning multiple cover stories, and in 2019, SyFy dubbed her the "Queen of Game of Thrones." Together, Stew and Joanna cover the intimacy of fandom and podcasts, how brands can write copy that hosts will love, and the joys of long-term sponsorships. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“If you are an advertiser who tried podcasting in the last two years, and it wasn't all that you ever dreamed it would be, it might be time to revisit it soon... because the performance has gotten better.” Pete Birsinger, CEO & Founder of Podscribe It’s a brand new episode of the Media Roundtable, and we’re going DEEP on data with Podscribe’s Q4 2024 Benchmark report. There’s a treasure trove of insights so we’re sifting, questioning, and transforming them into real action for Chief Audio Officers like you. Back on the host microphone is Oxford Road founder and CEO Dan Granger, along with fellow Oxford Road luminary Neal Lucey. And we’ve brought back the absolutely best person to break down this report–Pete Birsinger, CEO & Founder of Podscribe. Together we’re talking ad lengths, iOS shakeups, and for all your audio choices, if the juice is worth the squeeze. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Either do the hard work of finding words that work hard, or use words that make hard work for everyone else.” Mark Pollard, Author of “Strategy is Your Words” The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a new season! Presenting Ad Infinitum Season 2, Episode 1 - "Sound Strategy." Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) discusses the importance of strategy in audio advertising and ranks ads from five top audio spenders. But this job is too big for one person, so Stew welcomes Strategist Supreme Mark Pollard–podcast host, author, and CEO of Sweathead. Join them as they break down ads from big names with bigger budgets–Progressive, Apple, Verizon, AT&T, and Pfizer. The real question: are their strategies sound? Or do they hit a sour note? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“I trusted what [the press] were telling me for the most part… and then social media comes along and says ‘Not so fast democracy!’ and it really just pulls everybody into their corners to never emerge.” Evan Shapiro, Media Cartographer, CEO of ESHAP In this episode of the Media Roundtable, we’re blowing things up and getting back to our roots–talking with a giant who’s making a ruckus about topics we care deeply about–the fragmentation and polarization of media and its impacts on democracy. Back on the host microphone is Oxford Road founder and CEO Dan Granger, along with fellow Oxford Road luminary Neal Lucey. In the hot seat is Evan Shapiro. Evan is a media cartographer and the CEO of ESHAP with one of the more fascinating backgrounds you’re ever going to find. He’s an adjunct professor, the Former EVP of NBCUniversal Media, the Former President of IFC (thanks for Portlandia, Evan!), and his substack, Media War & Peace, is a must-read for Neal and over 9,000 other subscribers. Together we’re talking the decades-long decay of trust in the news post-Watergate, our social media echo chambers, and of course, we “follow the money”. Let’s dig in.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“You get to a size where there’s a lot more downside in taking on a risk of switching partners than upside.” - Dan Granger, Oxford Road founder and CEO Attention Chief Audio Officers! We’re back with a very special episode of the Media Roundtable. Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) is hosting, joined by audio heavyweight Bryan Barletta, (Partner and Founder at Sounds Profitable) and Oxford Road’s newest Agent of Influence Nathan Aminian (EVP of Operations, Oxford Road). We’re talking about what Joe Rogan’s new $250M Spotify deal means for podcasting, and an even bigger deal–Nathan joining Oxford Road. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chief Audio Officers, welcome back to another raucous episode of the Media Roundtable! Dan Granger (Oxford Road founder and CEO) is back to host, joined by fellow agents of influence Kristen Duenas (Associate Media Director, Oxford Road), Stew Redwine (VP of Creative Services, Oxford Road), and everyone’s favorite radio futurologist, James Cridland (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). We’re talking virtual products, the podcast to TV pipeline, Seekr’s new brand safety bet, the next “cool” era of podcasts, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“[Sonic strategy] is the blending of sound science with sound art in order to help us make sound decisions.” Steve Keller, Sonic Strategy Director, SXM Media’s Studio Resonate Ad Infitium, the world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a very special Season 1 Finale. Presenting Episode 7 - "It's All in the Execution." Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) welcomes two Sound Strategists; Steve Keller, Sonic Strategy Director for SXM Media’s Studio Resonate, and Bjorn Thorleifsson, Head of Research & Insights at amp sound branding, to discuss the 9th and final Audiolytics™ Key Component: Execution. In short, does every word count? Join us as we try and feast on a combo of the best audio ads McDonald’s has to serve up. Are we “lovin’ it” or are these arches made of fools’ gold? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're chasing something that's easier to transact, but not nearly as valuable as what they could be selling.” Dan Granger, Oxford Road founder and CEO Chief Audio Officers, the Media Roundtable’s back with a roundup of all the industry news you need to know–up this week, preserving and celebrating audio’s quirks. On the host microphone again is Oxford Road founder and CEO, Dan Granger. Joining him are fan-favorites Kyle Jelinek (Oxford Road VP of Client Strategy), James Cridland (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal), and special guest Scott MacDonell, (former Oxford Road managing director and 5x Oxford Road client). We’re talking stretching audio budgets through digital, getting IAB de-certifed, the foretold rise of programmatic, and more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“[Audio] is the last kitchen table conversation that exists in this country.” - Dan Granger, Founder and CEO of Oxford Roadn Chief Audio Officers, as we plan for 2024, it’s the perfect time to go back and see how well we predicted audio in 2023. Because as Churchill said, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” So how did Oxford Road do on our 2023 predictions? TL;DR, scary good. Like a 90% hit rate. And not to toot our own crystal ball, but for all the CAOs who care about where audio is heading, you’ll want to hear what we think is coming down the RSS feed in 2024. Hosting the Media Roundtable once more is Oxford Road founder and CEO, Dan Granger, joined by fellow Podcastradamuses James Ingrassia, Spencer Semonson, and Stew Redwine. So let’s re-calibrate our crystal balls and make a full tarot deck’s worth of bold predictions that’ll no doubt shape your year and budgets. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome to 2024, Chief Audio Officers! Podcasting is now old enough to order a beer. And of course, the Media Roundtable is back to prepare you for what looks to be a very eventful year in audio. Back as host is Oxford Road founder and CEO, Dan Granger. And by popular demand, we’ve brought back the Wizard of NYU, Steve Goldstein (founder and CEO at Amplifi Media). We’re talking about the big money questions of audio: from CPMs to content investments, and why our theme music is so terrible on this podcast. How low will radio sink, and how high will podcast climb? And in an election year that promises to be anything but boring, how wide of a berth will advertisers give to all things political? Let’s put our ears to the crystal ball and see what it tells us. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“To… refer to videos of podcasts as podcasts–every time that happens, a little piece of me dies.” - Skye Pillsbury, Author of The Squeeze It’s almost 2024! So with one ear to the past and one to the future, we’ve assembled an unparalleled group of audio journalists and industry experts. And what’s more, we’ve gotten them to take strong positions on the trends of 2024 that we 100% will hold them to (mostly). Back on the host microphone is Oxford Road founder and CEO Dan Granger with the World’s Favorite Radio Futurologist James Cridland, Ariel Shapiro (Lead Reporter, Hot Pod), and Skye Pillsbury, (Author of The Squeeze). We have some of the most informed and spiciest takes we’ve ever seen on the show. On the docket, we have: Video podcast–terrible term or convenient catch-all? Rogan and Spotify–should he stay or should he go? And if the audio industry will be getting productive pain in 2024, or just the regular kind. Let’s dig in.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We hope you’re stocking up on holiday cheer and doing your last minute shopping because the season’s almost over! Why are we inciting panic? Because it’s time to talk about ads and scarcity. That’s right, the world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with a special edition–a very limited-time offer! We’re covering the Audiolytics™ key components of offer, scarcity, and path. Presenting Ad Infinitum Episode 6 - “Why Now?” Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) welcomes Amanda DiMarco, VP of Client Success at Veritonic, who has unparalleled expertise in understanding why people do (and don’t) act after hearing audio ads. “At the end of the day, the consumer wants to have a perceived value–a sense of; “I won, I got this great deal.” Amanda DiMarco, VP of Client Success, Veritonic Join us as we talk about compelling offers, clear CTAs, and the urgency to act before it’s too late. And what’s fast becoming our favorite Ad Infinitum tradition, we’re breaking down top spending creative from Bed, Bath, & Beyond, Home Depot, Whole Foods, and Macy’s. Let’s see which ones have been naughty and nice. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Audio is its own unique language. It has shades of digital, shades of influencer, shades of traditional media–it is all of them and it is none of them." - Dan Granger, Oxford Road Founder & CEO So much happened for audio in 2023 that the Media Roundtable needed to take an inside look at the stories and trends that shaped the soundwaves. Back on the host microphone is Oxford Road founder and CEO, Dan Granger with fellow agents of influence James Ingrassia, Spencer Semonson, and Stew Redwine. We’re taking stock of this landmark year in audio with a special look at the so-called Podcrash, the industry impact of big brands and big brand bucks, YouTube’s surprise rise as the top place for podcast discovery, and a whole lot more. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

With 2023 almost over, it’s time for the Media Roundtable to look back at the big shifts we’ve seen in the industry. Hosting is Oxford Road founder and CEO, Dan Granger with special guest, Steven Goldstein, an internationally recognized executive and leader in the audio space. Steven is the Founder and CEO of Amplifi Media, an audio innovation firm that’s been shaping soundwaves since the early days of podcasts. Steven’s also behind the top branded podcast in the US, and is an NYU professor teaching ”The Business of Podcasting,” the first at a major university. As we look back on a wild year, we’re going beyond the RSS feed, investigating the end of “dumb money,” and what, if anything advertisers should do with AM/FM radio. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Don't think you have to solve these problems yourselves–there's 130 years of experiments into how to persuade people more effectively.” Richard Shotton, author of “The Choice Factory” The world’s only podcast solely dedicated to audio ads is back with an all-timer of an episode. Presenting Ad Infinitum Episode 5 - “Trust Factories, or Illusions of Credibility.” Host Stew Redwine (Oxford Road’s VP of Creative Services) welcomes Richard Shotton, author of “The Choice Factory” and “The Illusion of Choice.” Richard has written extensively on consumer behavior and is a renowned thought leader in the advertising space, applying findings from psychology and behavioral science to help people make better marketing choices. Join us as we try to answer the age-old question, “Why should I trust you?” And at the same, we’ll be breaking down top-spending creative from Bank of America, Babbel, Vick’s, and Upside. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our Chief Audio Officers–we’ve got a lot to be thankful for, including an all-new episode of Media Roundtable: Industry Edition! Hosting this auditory feast is Oxford Road Founder and CEO, Dan Granger, with fellow Oxford Road celebrants, Jennifer Laine, Spencer Semonson, and Stew Redwine. We’re talking brands and politics, Spotify’s surprising podcast trend report, and the quarter-trillion marketing engine. Pass the stuffing and let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We’re back with an all-new episode of Media Roundtable: Industry Edition! Back on the host microphone is Oxford Road Founder and CEO, Dan Granger. Joining him are fellow Oxford Road luminaries, Neal Lucey, Julia Palermo, and Kyle Jelinek. We’re talking big brand bucks, Bill Gates’ AI podcast picker, podcasting from behind bars, and streaming audio–the quiet juggernaut. Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Calling all Chief Audio Officers–it’s time for another all-new episode of the Media Roundtable: Special Edition! To give you the tools to ask the right questions, we’re bringing you a deep dive into an issue that has plagued the industry since its inception - “What is a Download?” And we couldn’t ask for a better group of guides on this journey. Making his hosting debut is long-time guest, Oxford Road EVP of Strategy & Insights, Giles Martin. Joining him are fellow Oxford Road Luminary and VP of Media Operations, Miranda Romano, along with special guests Bryan Barletta, Partner and Founder at Sounds Profitable, and Pete Birsinger, CEO & Founder of Podscribe. The question of “What is a Download?” is a surprisingly tricky one. Our industry leaders have worked hard to ensure our podcast compasses are pointing north (or as close to it as possible). This is the story of how they did it, and what’s next for all the CAOs who are navigating with these same tools. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The old is evaporating very slowly, and the new is trying to find its footing, but nothing is quite where it's going to land for a long period of time.” Dan Granger, Oxford Road Founder and CEO Calling all Chief Audio Officers–it’s time for another all-new episode of the Media Roundtable: Special Edition! Leading us once again is Oxford Road Founder and CEO, Dan Granger. Joining him are fellow Oxford Road Experts Miranda Romano, James Ingrassia, Jennifer Laine, and Giles Martin. Last week in New York, Oxford Road hosted the Chief Audio Officer Measurement Forum, but there were so many good takeaways that we knew we needed to share out the learnings with the wider CAO community. We’re talking verification, brand safety and suitability, and a personal favorite of ours–attribution. Let’s get in the weeds as we distill insights from 20 or so CAOs just like you. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

"Hello Chief Audio Officers, it’s time for another all-new episode of the Media Roundtable: Industry Edition! Back on the lead microphone is fearless host Jennifer Laine. Joining her are fellow Oxford Road luminaries, Kyle Jelinek, Steven Abraham, and Stew Redwine,. We’re talking podcast merch straight from Spotify, sports fans in audio, and AI shennangians. Let’s dig in." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We're back with an all-new episode of Media Roundtable: Industry Edition! Commandeering the host microphone with authority is Oxford Road Media Buyer and self-described "all-around menace" Spencer Semonson. Joining her are fellow Oxford Road experts Neal Lucey, Julia Palmero, and Stew Redwine, along with our timeline's preeminent radio futurologist, James Cridland (Podnews, Podcast Business Journal). We're talking ad skipping, a strategy turnaround for a major podcast producer, and how to make holiday creative that makes spirits (and ROI) bright. Let's dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“Don’t make podcast ‘radio.’” Dan Granger, Oxford Road CEO & Founder This week on the Media Roundtable: Special Edition, we present a rebroadcast of Oxford Road CEO Dan Granger's address from Podcast Movement 2023, "A Decade of Defiance," with participation from Oxford Founding Team members, Gary Brown and Miranda Romano. For the full effect, we highly recommend checking out the video version on YouTube–there are some great visuals along the way you won’t want to miss. This may be the most important message we've put out to the market to date. The talk offers insights gathered from hard-won experience and Oxford Road’s first-ever Chief Audio Officer Summit. We’re tracing Podcasting’s disruptive origins while taking today’s new challenges (from Brand Safety to AI) as an opportunity to disrupt ourselves again. Because if we don’t, we risk turning Podcasts into “Radio 2.0.” Let’s dig in. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode's title is "Demonstrated = Persuaded", inspired by a quote from Aristotle's Rhetoric, written 2300 years ago, and as relevant today as it was then, quote, "We are most persuaded when we consider a thing demonstrated". Using this quote as a lens we've assembled a Powerhouse Panel from across the Podcast Polyverse to analyze 4 of the top spenders in podcast from over the summer. The panel of four includes Amelia Coomber, Head of Marketing at Podscribe and host of Make Better, Adam McNeil, Amelia's fellow host of Make Better and VP Marketing at Adopter Media, Arielle Nissenblatt, Head of Community and Content at Squadcast.fm, and Paul Riismandel, Chief Insights Officer and partner at Signal Hill Insights. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.