Podcast News: Linktree Hires Head Of Audio And Other Big Partnerships Announced

The Q'd Up Podcast on Podcasting

We have too much news to cover, so we’re dedicating an entire episode to the latest podcast news. On this episode of the Q’d Up Podcast, John Luckenbaugh and Matthew Stevens take you through the most interesting and important stories that have popped up recently.

Matt and John cover Linktree hiring a Head of Audio, an independent podcast forcing actress Kristen Bell to change her podcast’s name, some recent branded podcast news The guys also break down recently-announced big partnerships between Libsyn and Canva, and Sports Illustrated and iHeartRadio, as well as Stephen King joining the podcast industry.

Listen to John and Matt discuss the latest podcast news:

Linktree hires Head of Audio (1:27)

According to former MouthMedia Network’s Marc Raco’s LinkedIn profile, he’s the new Head of Audio at Linktree. John and Matt look at what that might mean for the link-sharing platform and if podcasts will take a front-row seat in their plans.

Kristen Bell forced to change her new podcast’s name (7:17)

It looks like someone might have forgotten to Google their podcast name before starting. Actress Kristen Bell’s new podcast has been forced to change its name after hosts of a podcast of the same name wrote a public cease and desist letter.

NBC creating extra Olympics content via podcast (13:10)

It’s officially time for the 2021 Olympics, taking place in Tokyo. With the Olympics on everyone’s minds, NBC is taking advantage. They’ve added at least five new podcasts to their lineup, all focusing on Olympics coverage for those rabid fans.

Netflix explains its podcast strategy (15:25)

We’ve already known Netflix was getting into the podcasting game, hiring N’Jeri Eaton as its Head of Podcasts. Netflix CEO Reed Hasting was incredibly transparent with the company’s podcast strategy, however, pointing to it being a way to further engage with fans of its shows.

Libsyn partners with Canva (19:27)

The barrier to entry in podcasting is getting smaller and smaller, especially with deals like this one. Podcast host Libsyn announced a partnership with the graphics-creation application Canva. John and Matt take a look at how this could help podcasters quickly and more consistently put out social graphics to promote their shows.

Sports Illustrated teaming up with iHeartRadio (23:03)

iHeartRadio continues to add to its podcast library, this time teaming up with Sports Illustrated. iHeart will distribute all of Sports Illustrated’s existing podcasts and help develop, produce, and market some new shows.

Stephen King coming to a podcast near you (25:38)

Horror icon Stephen King is having one of his short stories adapted to a podcast. Starring a handful of big names, King’s Strawberry Spring will hopefully be his latest successful adaptation and a major win for podcasting.

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Links from the show:

Marc Raco - LinkedIn

Yahoo - Kristen Bell prompted to rename podcast series

Podcast Business Journal - NBC Sports producing Olympics podcast

Inside Radio - Netflix CEO says podcasts are designed to promote us, not make money

Business Wire - Liberated Syndication announces Canva partnership

Inside Radio - Sports Illustrated and iHeart ink multiyear audio content deal

Podcast Business Journal - Stephen King audio adaptation coming