Episode Transcript
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Welcome to Michelle's Podcast News, where wedive into the latest updates from the
podcasting world.
I'm your host, Michelle Tandler, and today,we're exploring some exciting developments in
the true crime podcasting space.
Today's top story comes from iHeartMedia,Incorporated, which has just announced an
exciting new collaboration betweeniHeartPodcasts and Glass Podcasts.
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Together, they've launched a groundbreakingtrue crime podcast series titled "American
Homicide." This series promises to captivatelisteners with its dynamic storytelling
approach, re-examining infamous murder casesacross the United States using a mix of
first-person accounts, archival recordings,court footage, and immersive audio.
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Hosted by crime journalist Sloane Glass,"American Homicide" will deliver new episodes
every Thursday, immersing listeners in thechilling world of true crime.
Each episode is designed to take you on ajourney through the crime and its
investigation, featuring emotional interviewswith those closest to the victims, as well as
insights from the investigators and prosecutorswho played pivotal roles in bringing justice.
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Sloane Glass, the voice of "American Homicide,"is no stranger to the world of crime
journalism.
As NewsNation’s National Correspondent, she'scovered everything from the Delphi Indiana cold
case murders to the George Santos courthearings and the Long Island Serial Killer
investigation.
Her extensive experience makes her the perfectguide through the haunting tales of "American
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Homicide."
This new series is co-produced by GlassPodcasts, a division of the Glass Entertainment
Group, and iHeartPodcasts.
It promises to add to the already impressiveslate of true crime content from both
companies.
Nancy Glass, the Chief Executive Officer ofGlass Entertainment Group, highlighted the
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unique approach of "American Homicide,"focusing on how these crimes affect the
communities where they occur, making thelocation itself a character in the story.
Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts,expressed excitement about the launch, noting
the team's consistent ability to producegripping true-crime series that captivate
listeners.
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With "American Homicide," they're aiming todeliver yet another compelling experience for
true crime enthusiasts.
Listeners can tune in to "American Homicide"for free on the iHeartRadio App, Apple
Podcasts, or wherever they get their podcasts.
For those with an iHeart True Crime+subscription on Apple Podcasts, episodes will
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be available one week early and ad-free.
This series is sure to be a hit among truecrime fans, so be sure to check it out!
Our next story takes us into the world ofartificial intelligence and podcasting with an
exciting update from Google Labs.
Google's NotebookLM, originally launched in2023 as an experimental AI-focused writing
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tool, is now offering users the ability tocustomize AI-generated podcasts.
This feature allows users to createpodcast-like conversations between two AI
voices using uploaded documents as sourcematerial.
Raiza Martin, who leads the NotebookLM team atGoogle Labs, shared her excitement about this
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new feature, stating, "It's the number onefeature we've heard people request." Users now
have the power to provide feedback on what theAI-generated deep dives should focus on, making
the content more tailored and engaging fortheir specific interests.
This update comes as NotebookLM sheds its'experimental' label, a move that reflects the
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team's progress in achieving internalmilestones related to quality, user retention,
and interface standards.
With this change, users can expect a higherlevel of stability and reliability from the
software.
To create a customized AI podcast, users canstart by opening the Google Labs website and
creating a new notebook.
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From there, they can add any source documentsthey wish to be used, ranging from files on
their computers to YouTube links.
The customization process involves selecting a'Customize' option, where users can specify
prompts to dictate the focus of the AI podcast.
Suggestions include highlighting certainsections, exploring larger topics, or tailoring
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content for specific audiences.
Raiza Martin suggests generating an initial'Audio Overview' without customization to
identify any areas for improvement.
Users can then use their notes to refine thepodcast's focus, ensuring it aligns with their
interests.
This iterative process allows for a trulypersonalized audio experience.
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In a test run of the new feature, an 80-pagedocument of Franz Kafka’s "The Metamorphosis"
was used.
The initial audio overview provided a broadsummary of the novella, while further
customization prompted the AI to delve intothemes of alienation and bureaucracy.
Although some attempts to focus on specificpages were less successful, the ability to
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tailor content for varied audiences provedintriguing.
For instance, when the AI podcast wascustomized to appeal to a recent college
graduate entering the workforce, it focused onlife changes and transitions.
In another version, designed for a drag queenaudience, the AI hosts used playful language to
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discuss themes of isolation and otherness,showcasing the versatility of this tool.
Google's NotebookLM may not yet be perfect, butit represents a significant step forward in
making AI-generated content more relevant andpersonalized.
By allowing users to shape the direction andtone of these podcasts, NotebookLM is
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transforming how we engage with AI-generatedaudio content, offering a glimpse into the
future of personalized media consumption.
In our final segment today, let's dive into theworld of advertising with insights from Shopify
on successful ad campaign strategies acrossvarious platforms, including podcasts,
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websites, streaming, and more.
This comprehensive look at advertisinghighlights how brands are leveraging different
types of media to reach their audienceseffectively.
As Shopify points out, brands have a multitudeof advertising options at their disposal.
From traditional print ads to modern digitaland social media campaigns, each format offers
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distinct advantages.
For instance, social media platforms likeInstagram, Facebook, and TikTok allow
advertisers to target specific demographicswith precision, making it easier to connect
with the right audience.
One standout example is Fly by Jing, a brandknown for its Sichuan sauces and spices.
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They utilized social media to boost theirpresence, particularly during Asian American
Pacific Islander Heritage Month, with acollaborative Instagram giveaway involving
other Asian American food companies.
This strategy not only increased theirvisibility but also strengthened community
ties.
Podcasts are another powerful medium foradvertising, especially for brands looking to
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tap into niche audiences.
Liquid I.V., an electrolyte drink mix brand,successfully targeted Gen Zers and millennials
by sponsoring podcasts like The Bill SimmonsPodcast and Sounds Like a Cult.
By having podcast hosts read the ads, LiquidI.V.
added an element of authenticity and trust,similar to influencer marketing on social
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media.
Television and streaming services also offerunique opportunities.
Brands like The Farmer’s Dog have usedemotional storytelling in their commercials to
forge deep connections with viewers.
Their Super Bowl ad, which highlighted the bondbetween a girl and her dog, resonated with
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audiences and underscored the importance ofchoosing healthy food for pets.
Digital advertising continues to evolve withinnovative approaches.
For example, Nectar Sleep cleverly targetedGoogle search results for their competitor,
Tuft & Needle, by bidding on their name as asearch term.
This strategic move aimed to capture theattention of potential customers actively
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searching for mattresses, demonstrating thepower of search engine marketing.
Print advertising, often considered atraditional medium, remains effective for
brands like Oatly, which utilized creativeprint campaigns to engage readers and challenge
food norms.
Their use of cartoon characters in The Guardianand The Observer sparked conversations about
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plant-based diets, showcasing how print canstill make a significant impact.
These examples from Shopify illustrate thediverse ways brands can connect with their
audiences through well-crafted advertisingcampaigns.
Whether through digital innovation, emotionalstorytelling, or community engagement, the key
is to choose the right medium that aligns withyour brand's message and audience.
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And with that, we've reached the end of today'sepisode of Michelle's Podcast News.
Thank you for joining me as we explored theseexciting developments in the podcasting and
advertising worlds.
Be sure to tune in tomorrow for more insightsand updates from the ever-evolving podcasting
community.
Until next time, I'm Michelle Tandler, signingoff.