by Davy Gardner

Spotify to Become the Netflix of Audio

Spotify, the world’s most popular music streaming service, has acquired Gimlet Media and Anchor. Gimlet is a podcasting startup founded my Alex Blumberg and Matthew Lieber that focuses on narrative content, while Anchor is a podcast platform that provides tools and monetization services for podcast creators.

Spotify’s new acquisitions signal a major push into the podcasting space. This is a strategic shift to becoming an audio platform rather than just a music platform. Acquiring Gimlet (for $223 million) and its twenty-five shows was the Swedish company’s first step in becoming “the Netflix of audio”.

The hope is that some of Gimlet’s podcasts becoming exclusive to Spotify will bring listeners to the streaming service and redefine the company as the leader in the the production of original content in podcasting. In time, we’ll see if the company’s $223 million investment pays off, and allows the service to be for audio what Netflix was for video. Read More

by Davy Gardner

Authentic Micro-Influencers: Interview with Natasha Vaynblat

The relationship between a micro-influencer (influencers with a reach of less than 50K) and his or her audience should be organic and authentic. In turn, if your brand chooses a micro-influencer that naturally resonates with your message, you’ve established a truthful relationship between brand and consumer. Chloé Blog sat down with comedian Natasha Vaynblat (@NatashaWearsClothes),… Read More

by Davy Gardner

Brands in the End Zone: Twitter’s #BrandBowl52 Competition

Whether you’re an Eagles fan or a Pats fan, Super Bowl LII is a time to root for your brand. Recognizing that the best-halftime-ads debate is a staple of every Super Bowl Sunday, Twitter (@TwitterMktg) is holding a multi-platform competition for the best ads on social media and television. Unlike the game, Brand Bowl had… Read More