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Podcasting for business and culture at Bell Labs

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On Thursday night (5/4/17) Bell Works in Holmdel NJ will host a special event featuring a panel event on podcasting and the effects on business and culture. Podcasting has quickly become a powerful tool for businesses to market themselves and for people to reinvent themselves. If you don’t know what podcasting is yet, check out my other article – The Power of Podcasts, but know that this medium, really a radio show on steroids, is helping businesses around the world get the word out. And the thing is anybody can do a podcast that will be available to literally the entire world. According to a report by Edison Research

“Over 98 Million People ListenTo Podcasts In 2016”

podcasting monthly numbers

 

Overall, podcast listening increased from 11% to 36%, translating into an estimated population of 98 million (Edison Research). Even more 21% of Americans over age 12 have listened to a podcast in the past month growing since a 12% share in 2013 (Pew Research). Certainly, podcasts are incrementally growing. Because podcasts listeners will form relationships with hosts and are loyal to show they are following, listeners will tend to return back to shows on a regular and timely basis, whether weekly or monthly (Columbia University).

And the nice thing is that men and women are almost equally listening to podcasts.

men and women

 

In any event, podcasting is securing its prowess in the fabric of business marketing, and even better they are entertaining. They all have personalty that speaks to “you” and cover any topic imaginable. So what is tonights topic? All panelists will speak from their experience about podcasting as a business, including emerging business models that have proven more and less successful. The panel will be moderated by Julia Zapcic of digital marketing agency Marketing Rival and sponsored by Bell Works and vi Innovation Hub.

The panels are made up of the following:

  • Fan Theory Podcast, affiliated with USA Today Network & APP.COM, hosted by Felecia Wellington Radel and Alex Biese.
  • I Sell Comics/Ming & Mike Podcast, affiliated with SMODCO (Kevin Smith’s entertainment company) and AMC TV’s Comic Book Men unscripted tv show and hosted by Mike Zapcic and Ming Chen.
  • Neil Mody, founder of Sparemin, a software startup promising to do for self-produced audio what Youtube did for self-produced video.

Fan Theory will provide a big picture view of corporate-backed podcasting/linked to an established media resource (USA Today/Gannett). Also, how podcasting helps build community and feeds into other conversations that open doors to affiliated business opportunities, including creation or enhancement of events based on a podcast or the larger fan community. 

Mike & Ming will bring the ‘organically grown’ experience of podcasting to the table — building an audience and message around a very personal/personality driven passion. Also, using podcasting to promote a strongly held, personal agenda, ie: more inclusive society; culture that values storytelling and shared goals and aspirations; encouraging the ‘average geek’ to get creative and create something that celebrates what’s important to them in their lives.

Neil Mody and Sparemin will demo new technology currently being used by major media outlets to do on-the-spot audio capture and upload that allows users to produce relevant, relatable content in real time. Neil will talk about who’s already using it, their experience and the impact of this tech in podcasting.

All in all it sounds like a great night. 

Wrap up

Last night was informative on podcasting and the future. And it was a historic moment for Bell Works. The theatre opened for the first time since the place was shut down, and we were the first event to be hosted. Quite an honor. Below are some pictures of Bell Works and the event.

bell works

Podcast panel

 

The Power of Podcasts – Top 5 Podcasts

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Podcasts are more popular than ever. We all have something to say or something to sell. While this is just another channel. It is a channel that holds its audience attention, and reinforces your business goals. So why are so many people turning to podcasts to et the word out? Because content can be delivered in a unique way and with expertise.

The power of podcasts

Podcasts can perform so many functions:

  • They can educate.
  • They can entertain.
  • They can inform.
  • They can inspire.
  • They provide authority.
  • They can provide a humorous personal side of your business.

podcaster
At the end of the day, you can make a connection with your audience. You are able to talk directly to your audience and provide the voice that migt no come out in a blog.

Podcast Listening Grew 23% Between 2015 and 2016 and monthly podcast listenership has increased 75% since 2013.

Podcasts are also portable. In this world of accessibility, we all have multiple devices to listen to podcasts. Where we want and when we want. All this sounds great but who is really listening?

To provide some context for what 21% of the entire country represents, 13% of the US listens to Spotify monthly, and 21% of the country uses Twitter. The same number of folks listen to podcast and use Twitter.

podcast facts
Click to enlarge

All this sounds great but in order to grow more listeners, the age barrier needs to be broken. Those 55+ age bracket are pretty flat with listening. If this changed the podcast would go through the roof.

Even mainstream media is investing in podcasting:

  • The New York Times, which in March 2016 announced the creation of a podcast team focusing on news and opinion programming;
  • Public radio broadcaster WNYC, which announced in October 2015 its plan to raise $15 million in funds for a new podcast division (for more on the role of podcasts within the public radio world, see the public broadcasting fact sheet);
  • The Wall Street Journal, which introduced WSJ Podcasts in December 2o15;
  • And on the local front, the Des Moines Register, which turned to long-form narrative podcasts in order to explore one story in depth.

Startups and newer media organizations investing in podcasting included:

So, what are we all listening to in the podcast world?

Here are the top 5 podcasts when writing this article 1/13/17.

 1. Pod Save America is here

A no-bullshit conversation about politics.

This is a political podcast for people not yet ready to give up or go insane hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor.

 

2 Hollywood & Crime is here

A fictional crime series.

 

3 TED Radio Hour is here

Networks surround and sustain us, in nature, in our bodies, in relationships, in the digital world. This hour, TED speakers explore how we rely on networks and how we have the power to shape them.

 

4 This American Life is here

Most weeks This American Life is the most popular podcast in the country, with around 2.5 million people downloading each episode.

 

5 Hidden Brain is here

The Hidden Brain helps curious people understand the world – and themselves. Using science and storytelling, Hidden Brain’s host Shankar Vedantam reveals the unconscious patterns that drive human behavior, the biases that shape our choices, and the triggers that direct the course of our relationships.

 

 Coffee Podcast 

Tasty videos are a feast for the eyes

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With short attention spans ruling the internet, Tasty videos has taken over FaceBook and marketing to our appetites is on the rise. Thanks to fast-motion animation, food and technology have intersected on the internet with some fresh thinking on recipes. Tasty videos has taken it to the next level.

The New York-based media company’s Facebook-only cooking channel, Tasty, now has 30 million followers on Facebook. Its videos regularly get tens of millions of views.

“Tasty has become the driver of video views at the company, with 53.6 million likes”

UPDATED May 5, 2016

Digiday reported that in less than a year after it launched with an experimental recipe video, Tasty has become the driver of video views at the company, with 53.6 million likes (its rapid ascent made it look like a spam channel, which caused a Facebook glitch that temporarily halted its growth, according to BuzzFeed) and a global presence that’s spawned a growing number of BuzzFeed video offshoots around kids, moms and cooking gadget unboxings. There’s a DIY offshoot for crafters called Nifty. Tasty has begun opening the door to advertising.
Full story.

Take a look at some good examples of stop-motion foodie videos.

The large majority of Tasty’s videos — which are made by BuzzFeed Motion Pictures — are filmed in Los Angeles. Andrew Gauthier, executive producer for BuzzFeed Motion Pictures, said that the process for what to shoot isn’t especially complicated. “Oftentimes a producer will make a new recipe for their family over the weekend, and then come in on Monday excited to make the video and share the dish with the world,” he explained. “Once we’ve arrived at a final recipe, a video can be shot and edited in as little as a day.”

“Tasty has 50 million Facebook fans”

That quick turnaround yields overwhelming results. Tasty is barely a year old — it launched at the end of last July — but has since amassed almost 50 million Facebook fans, and, as of the beginning of this year, more than 84 million comments. The view count is even more astounding: Tasty has racked up 8 billion views and counting.

Engaging the user

Tasty’s format of fast-motion videos, suck the viewer in and keep them engaged. They’re optimized for Facebook’s autoplay feature, which starts playing videos without the sound on. You don’t need sound to engage either. Your eyes do all the work. 

A marketing strategy of publishing your content directly to social media outlets like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, and Instagram, rather than posting links to stories on your website, is not the norm. Unlike conventional thinking at most media organizations, you might want to be less concerned about driving traffic back your website, and concentrate on engagement and acquisition.

 

A different perspective here is a video that is food for thought.

Millennials choose Snapchat over Instagram

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Snapchat swapped places with Instagram and jumps in front.

In November of 2015, Snapchat was the Third Most Popular Social Network Among Millennials.  Snapchat, which allows users to send photo messages that automatically delete themselves shortly after being viewed, shocked many when they turned down a $3 billion buyout offer from Facebook last November.
snapchat and facebook

But it’s spring time and for the first time, the messaging app Snapchat is the preferred social network for teens, according to a survey from research firm Piper Jaffray. The survey, which polled 6,500 teens in the U.S., found Snapchat use surged with 28% of them claiming it’s the most important social network. Instagram app was at 27%.

“Snapchat is the preferred social network for teens”

How big is it?

Snapchat has about 60 million total installs, making it larger than Instagram when it sold to Facebook for $1 billion. Of those 60 million installs, Snapchat has about 30 million monthly active users. Fifty-five percent of monthly active users use Snapchat daily. That’s 16.5 million people. 

faceswap
Face swap filter is creepy

How many snaps?

Snapchat now shares 400 million snaps each day, according to CEO Evan Spiegel, who confirmed the number to TechCrunch. In September, Evan Spiegel announced on the Disrupt stage that the disappearing photo-sharing service was seeing 350 million snaps sent per day, up from 200 million in June.

How much is Snapchat worth?

Snapchat’s $10 billion valuation in the round vaulted Spiegel, 24, and Murphy, 26–who each own an estimated 15% of Snapchat–to a net worth of about $1.5 billion each.

snapchat money

Whats next for Snapchat?

Always a lot of rumors with the stories not disappearing but I think they are just going to make money. NBC just worked a deal with Snapchat, letting them provide video updates of the olympics. Snapchat will present “unique perspectives” from the games via the service’s “live stories.” Snapchat will have an NBC Rio Olympic Discover channel, which are snippets of action with a touch of filters and twists from the service.

Marketing Campaigns

Snapchat and Taco Bell did funny filter today for Cinco de Mayo. They added a filter turning everyones face into a giant taco. While it is a little creepy, it creeped across the web today in large numbers.

Adweek said that Snapchat’s Cinco de Mayo face lens sponsored by Taco Bell today might be up your alley if you ever wondered what its like to put your head in a taco. And for those who plan to get sauced tonight, Taco Bell’s got you covered with a packet of Diablo that promises to “turn up the heat.”

taco bell

Do you need the App? iOS or Android

 

Snapchat filters are one of the most popular aspects of the app.

Old People try Snapchat filters

American Idol Makes History

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Tonight is the last night for American Idol and after 15 years they have definitely left their mark on pop culture. I didn’t watch every season but it was the kind of show you could watch with the family and provided some fun competition. They also made a dent in social media and marketing, by engaging the audience to participate via phones, smartphones, Twitter and downloading from iTunes.

Paul Kai’s Slidely by Slidely Slideshow

American Idol engaged their audience in channels that hadn’t been used before. Voting through your phone and texting was unique and some uncharted territories. Conversations happened online during the live shows.

Text messaging was inspired by Idol.

american idol votingTexting wasn’t very popular when American Idol started using in 2003, on AT&T only, and the show is credited with helping to increase the popularity of texting.

american idol 2016American Idol Show Facts

The show’s original lineup featured cohosts Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman and a panel of judges consisting of former pop star Paula Abdul, music producer Randy Jackson, and British music executiveSimon Cowell. During the auditions the judges critiqued the performers in a predictable manner: Abdul’s comments were typically sympathetic, Jackson’s humorous, and Cowell’s biting.

american idol final season hostsThe show’s eighth season (2009) saw a number of other changes to the show’s formula, most notably the addition of a fourth judge, songwriter Kara DioGuardi. Judges were also given the power to directly influence the final rounds of competition with the “judges’ save rule,” which allowed the panel to override the votes of the viewing public once per season to give a deserving contestant a second chance. In August 2009 Abdul left the show when contract negotiations with American Idol producers broke down, and she was replaced by Ellen DeGeneres.

Losers

At the conclusion of the ninth season, in May 2010, Cowell left the program, and both DeGeneres and DioGuardi departed later that year. In later seasons Jackson was joined on the judging panel by such musicians as Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler (of Aerosmith), Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj, and Harry Connick, Jr. In 2014, his last year on the show, Jackson moved into a mentorship role, leaving the judging to Urban, Lopez, and Connick. In 2015 it was announced that the show would end with its 15th season.

american-idol-winnersWinners

Several winners of the contest became recording sensations, most notably Kelly Clarkson, the winner of season one, and Carrie Underwood, the winner of season four. Other winners included Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks, David Cook, and Kris Allen. Proving that success on the show was not necessarily a prerequisite to success in show business, Jennifer Hudson was voted off in season three but went on to win an Academy Award for her performance in Dreamgirls (2006), and Chris Daughtry, a finalist in season five, scored multiplatinum success with his hard rock band Daughtry. Adam Lambert, the runner-up in season eight, had success as a solo artist and also collaborated with the British rock band Queen, replacing deceased singer Freddie Mercury when the group performed live (as Queen + Adam Lambert).

Trent Harmon singing Chandelier, by Sia 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is now the Top Grossing Film in the Franchise

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Everyone has reported on this but it bears repeating. This movie, like it or not, will take the lead in the franchise, and most likely the top grossing film of all time. The Force Awakens also became the fastest-ever to hit $1 billion globally this weekend: it took 12 days compared to Jurassic World’s 13 earlier this year.

star wars menace movie

It took less than two weeks to happen but: Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens is now the all-time top-grossing film in the franchise. The J. J. Abrams-directed smash hit surpassed both the $1 billion mark and previous franchise record of $1.027 billion, set by Episode I: The Phantom Menace in 1999.

JJ Abrams
JJ Abrams on the set of Episode 7

The Force Awakens holds the record for the fastest-ever film to reach the $500 million mark in America – a milestone it hit in 10 days. With $545 million in domestic box office, The Force Awakens trails only four movies to become the highest-grossing movie in American history: 2009’s Avatar ($760 million), 1997’sTitanic ($658 million), 2015’s Jurassic World ($652 million), and 2012’s The Avengers ($623 million). The Force Awakens will almost certainly shatter Avatar’s record, but it’s yet to be seen if the Disney mega-flick will be the first movie in history to hit $1 billion at the U.S. box office.

Although it’s difficult to accurately compare films from different eras due to inflation (especially when looking at global totals), 1939’s Gone With The Wind is largely acknowledged as the most successful film of all time. Last year, Guinness World Records estimated its then-$393 million intake to be $3.44 billion in 2014 dollars.

But nobody has mastered the franchise business like George Lucas. Movies 8 and 9 are in the works already, and set to launch in 2017.

StarWarsTimelineBehind the scenes of Episode VII

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