Annalise Nielsen is the head of podcast strategy and development at Lower Street. We talked about the college years at Queen's University and how her professor was an early podfader in an attempt to create lecture podcasts. We also spent some time discussing her work at a Television station and later, Rogers and Pacific Content. She emphasized the importance of newsletters and targeted social media for podcast promotion. Nielsen also discussed the shift from video-heavy podcasts to clips and the potential for independent creators to thrive in the future.Lower Street is a leading podcast production company and makes award winning branded podcasts.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thanks to our group sponsors: Rogers, Pattison Media, Corus Entertainment, iHeartRadio, Stingray, Vista Broadcasting, Harvard Media. The Following summary of winners is from Broadcast Dialogue. Pattison Media’s 102.3 NOW! Radio (CKNO-FM) Edmonton is among the multiple winners at the 2024 Canadian Radio Awards.NOW! won Major Market Station of the Year, and Best On-Air Promotion (Major Market) for its “Swiftie-oke” contest, while Program Director Jay Stone captured Program Director of the Year (Major Market). The station was also the catalyst behind Best Community Service Initiative winner Alberta Day of Caring for Jasper, which saw the province’s radio stations come together to raise more than $1.5M to support those impacted by this summer’s wildfire.Evanov Communications’ stations in Winnipeg won in multiple categories. Evanov Winnipeg’s Adam West captured Program Director of the Year (Medium Market), while the Energy 106 (CHWE-FM) morning show, Wheeler in the Morning, won Best On-Air Team (Music) (Medium Market). Energy 106 and Z103.5 (CIDC-FM) Toronto also won Best Imaging Production (Large Market), while their joint entry for HOT 100.5 (CFJL-FM) Winnipeg and LITE 92.1 (CKPC-FM) Brantford won in the Medium Market category.Rogers Sports & Media’s CHEZ 106 Ottawa also captured two awards, including Station of the Year (Medium Market) and Best Community Service Initiative (Medium Market) for its DEEDS promotion.In the small market categories, Fort St. John, BC independent station 100.1 Moose FM (CKFU-FM) picked up two awards. Program Director Chris Walker won Program Director of the Year (Small Market), while the station also won Best Podcast (Small Market) for Before the Peace, focused on telling the stories of the Indigenous and Métis peoples of B.C.’s Peace Region.Kahnawake, Que. community station K1037 The Monster (CKRK-FM) also claimed two awards. Paul Graiff won Best Anchor/Reporter (Small Market), while Mitch Craig captured Best Imaging Voice (Small Market).By network, Rogers Sports & Media led wins with 14, followed by Pattison Media with eight, while Evanov picked up a total of five wins. Bell Media won in four categories, with Corus Radio and Harvard Media each earning three awards. Vista Radio won two.Find a full list of this year’s winners below. To listen to their award-winning audio and view this year’s runners-up, head to CanadianRadioAwards.com.Best Anchor or Reporter – Sponsored by Burli Major MarketRichard Southern, 680 NewsRadio, (CFTR), Rogers Sports & Media, TorontoMedium MarketRichard Duggan, VOCM-AM, (VOCM), Stingray, St. John’s, Newfoundland and LabradorSmall MarketPaul Graif, K103.7 The Monster, (CKRK), Mohawk Radio, KahnawakeBest Canadian Multi-Market Network ProgramMajor MarketFearless Fred, Q107 / Power 97 / Edge / Big 101, (CILQ / CFQC / CJKR / CIQB ), CorusMedium MarketSam McDaid – Country Nights, (CKQC / CJOK / CKXC / CKBY / CIKZ / CJQM / CKAT / CJDL), Rogers Sports & MediaSmall MarketNick Liard – Regional Midday Show, (CJRQ / CJQQ / CKFX ), Rogers Sports & MediaBest On-Air Team or Host (News/Talk/Sports)Major MarketAndrea Montgomery / Kelly Turner / Logan Stein / Tanya Blakeney / Phil Wood / Lauryn Heintz – Calgary Morning Show, 660 NewsRadio (CFFR), Rogers Sports & Media, Calgary, AlbertaMedium MarketBrett Megarry / Greg Mackling – The Start, 680 CJOB (CJOB), Corus, Winnipeg, ManitobaBest On-Air Team or Host (Music)Major MarketThe Roz & Mocha Show, KiSS 92.5 (CKIS), Rogers Sports & Media, Toronto, OntarioMedium MarketWheeler in the Morning, Energy 106 (CHWE), Evanov Communications, Winnipeg, ManitobaSmall MarketJason McCoy / Carey Moran, Pure Country 106 (CICX), Bell Media, Orillia, OntarioBest On-Air Solo Host (Music)Major MarketLauren Hunter, Sonic 102.9 (CHDI), Rogers Sports & Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketKatherine Dines, MOVE 100 (CJMJ), Bell Media, Ottawa, OntarioSmall MarketRobyn Thomson, KiSS 99.3 (CKGB), Rogers Sports & Media, TimminsMusic Director of the YearMajor MarketKatie Stanners, KiSS 91.7 (CHBN), Rogers Sports & Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketIan Sharek, Rogers Rock Radio, Rogers Sports & Media, Multiple MarketsSmall MarketCourtney Rae, 106.1 The Goat (CKLM), Vista Radio, Lloydminster, Alberta Program Director of the Year – Sponsored by Momentum Media Major MarketJay Stone, 102.3 NOW! Radio (CKNO), UP! 99.3 (CIUP), Pattison Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketAdam West, Energy 106 (CHWE), HOT 100.5 (CFJL), Evanov Communications, Winnipeg, ManitobaSmall MarketChris Walker, 100.1 Moose FM (CKFU), Moose Media, Fort St John, British ColumbiaStation of The Year – Sponsored by David Kaye / Kayeman Productions Major Market102.3 NOW! Radio (CKNO), Pattison Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketCHEZ 106 (CHEZ), Rogers Sports & Media, Ottawa, OntarioSmall Market100.5 Cruz FM (CHFT), Harvard Media, Fort McMurray, AlbertaSound of Success – Sponsored by Validate Audio AttributionMajor MarketWhat’s In A Name / Booster Juice, Rogers Sports & Media, National Campaign, Canada-wideSmall MarketGo Rock Campaign (CFLB), Novacast Media, Lunenburg, Nova Scotia Best Achievement in Engineering – Sponsored by leanStream All MarketsDaryll Donais, Hot Country 103, (CKHZ), Acadia Broadcasting, Halifax, Nova ScotiaBest Community or Campus Station – Sponsored by Community Radio Fund of Canada Major MarketVIBE 105 (CHRY), Canadian Centre for Civic Media and Arts Development Inc., Toronto, OntarioSmall Market100.1 BayFM (CKVB), Bay of Islands Radio Inc. , Corner Brook, Newfoundland and LabradorBest Community Service Initiative – Sponsored By Broadcast Dialogue Major MarketAlberta Day Of Caring For Jasper, 102.3 NOW! (CKNO), UP! 99.3 (CIUP), Pattison Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketDEEDS, 106.1 CHEZ (CHEZ), Rogers Sports & Media, Ottawa, OntarioSmall MarketSpirit Day, 101.3 the River (CKKN), 99.3 REWIND Radio (CKDV), Pattison Media, Prince George, British ColumbiaBest Imaging Production – Sponsored by Benztown Major MarketZ103.5, (CIDC), Energy 106, (CHWE), Evanov Communications, Toronto, Ontario / Winnipeg, ManitobaMedium MarketLITE 92.1, (CKPC), HOT 100.5, (CFJL), Evanov Communications, Brantford, Ontario / Winnipeg, ManitobaSmall MarketPure Country 105, (CKQM), Bell Media, Peterborough, OntarioBest Imaging VoiceMajor MarketCorri English / Allan Peck / Jeff McKnight, STAR 95.9, (CHFM), Rogers Sports & Media, Calgary, AlbertaMedium MarketDavid Kaye, 104.9 The Wolf, (CFWF), Harvard Media, Regina, SaskatchewanSmall MarketMitch Craig, K1037, The Monster, (CKRK), Mohawk Radio, KahnawakeBest Performance in a CommercialMajor MarketBob Johnstone, Amore Pasta – Love Pasta Again, The Eagle, (CKLR), Pattison Media, Courtenay, British ColumbiaMedium MarketDave Hiltz, FoCheezy, 107.5 Dave Rocks. (CJDV), Corus, Kitchener, OntarioSmall MarketBrian Viggiani, Georgian Bay Storage, LITE 99.3, (CJGB), Evanov Communications, Meaford, Ontario Best CommercialMajor MarketOodle / Noodle – Improve Your Noodle, Play 107, (CKPW), Harvard Media, Edmonton, AlbertaMedium MarketHealthy Smiles / The Tooth Is Out There, BIG105 FM, (CHUB), Pattison Media, Red Deer, AlbertaSmall MarketFouillard Carpets, POWER99, (CFMM), Pattison Media, Prince Albert, SaskatchewanBest On-Air Promotion – Sponsored by vcreative Major Market102.3 NOW! Radio, (CKNO), Pattison Media, Edmonton, Alberta  Medium Market103.7 Virgin Radio, (CHBE), Bell Media, Victoria, British ColumbiaSmall Market94.1 CJOC, (CJOC), Vista Radio, Lethbridge, AlbertaBest PodcastMajor MarketSweethearts: Island Crime, Season 6, Rogers Frequency NetworkMedium MarketRadio des Petits Hiboux, U Multicultural, U RadioSmall MarketBefore The Peace, 100.1 Moose FM, (CKFU), Fort St. John, British ColumbiaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We love having Fred Jacobs from Jacobs Media on the show to discuss things like Tech Survey and the AQ Study. What do listeners come to radio for? Well since 2018 it has been for personalities first, then music. I'm not sure what you are being told from your program director, but depending on the market or format, they could be working off some old thinking. We also spoke about the lack of women in various radio roles including on air and the need for more female program directors. We also discussed the disconnect between AI and innovation, and some of the perceptions that "podcasting is taking over" when in fact, most radio P1 listeners are not that interested in the medium. One of the more successful formats is Christian Radio when has all the things commercial radio strives for... an emotional connection with listeners. We also discussed the financial struggles of public radio.If your radio station is interested in participating in the Tech Survey Study for 2025, click here. Deadline is December 19.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ian March, Program Director of Indy 88 in Toronto, discussed his 25-year radio career. He started at Sports Radio 1200 in Ottawa, then moved to Kingston for K Rock 1057. Ian became APD for Magic 100 and Bob FM in Ottawa, and later PD for New Country 94. He highlighted the impact of Gord Downie's death on K Rock, leading to a week of Tragically Hip music. Ian joined Indy 88, focusing on digital integration and targeting a broader audience. He noted the recent ownership change to Local Radio Lab and the challenges posed by CRTC approval delays. Ian emphasized the importance of consistency in ratings and the evolving nature of radio programming.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Brandt's career in radio and voiceover is a testament to the power of versatility, resilience, and a willingness to embrace change. From her early days in small-town radio to her time at some of Toronto's most iconic stations, Brandt's story is one of navigating the evolving landscape of the industry with determination.One of the most striking aspects of Lisa's journey is her ability to keep it young. Whether it was cueing records and producing commercials in the analog era, or pivoting to voice work when her radio career took an unexpected turn, Brandt has consistently demonstrated a knack for reinventing herself. Her openness to trying new things, from blogging to painting, has allowed her to maintain a creative spark and avoid the stagnation that can sometimes plague long-term media professionals.Lisa's emphasis on the importance of community and support is also noteworthy. Her experiences working with talented programmers and personalities like Marty Forbes, Pat Holiday, and Erin Davis have underscored the value of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals who can provide guidance, encouragement, and a sounding board. Perhaps most significantly, her approach to managing the constant influx of news and information is a lesson in self-care of her mental health. She is selective in her news consumption and to prioritize her own well-being over obsessing over current events is a refreshing perspective in an era where anxiety and burnout are all too common.Lisa has an excellent podcast with Erin Davis (who was on our show earlier this year), called Gracefully and Frankly. Follow that show if you know what is good for you. By the way, if you want to know why we titled the episode the way we did - checkout the video of this episode.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Legendary radio broadcaster John Leslie, shared his journey from building a three-watt transmitter in his bedroom to becoming a program director at WEIR in Weirton, West Virginia. He discussed his service in the Marine Corps, his early radio roles, and his transition to television. Leslie highlighted his significant achievements, including a 38 share in Binghamton, a 27 share in Des Moines, and a 22 share in Albany. He recounted his historic trip to the Soviet Union to broadcast uncensored, marking a pivotal moment in media history. Leslie also detailed his transition to podcasting and the success of his hypnotherapy seminars with John Morgan.Connect with John's podcast Talking About Radio here. There are a lot of great episodes in here! Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We dive deep into the importance of audio promos for podcasts. Steve Goldstein, returns to make a compelling case for why every podcast needs a well-crafted audio promo.Steve told us that as the podcast landscape becomes increasingly crowded, using owned media to promote your show is essential. However, he notes that promos are often overlooked, sitting low on the priority list for many podcasters. This is a missed opportunity, as an effective promo can hook listeners and drive them to tune in.The key, Steve says, is to take a "right-brain" approach focused on storytelling and emotion, rather than just listing facts about the show. He advises against the common pitfall of creating a promo that is dry and overly logical. Instead, the goal should be to craft a short, attention-grabbing piece that piques the listener's curiosity.Steve also emphasizes the importance of frequency, encouraging podcasters to "burn in" their promos rather than worrying about overexposure. He cites research showing the value of repetition in audio marketing. By investing the time to create compelling, story-driven promos, podcasters can better distinguish their shows and drive meaningful engagement with their audience.If you are going to listen to one thing in the show - check out the his critique of our podcast promo. All to say, we will need a new one.Check out the full blog with the 7 things you need to think about when making a promo. Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Our Quarterly Feed Drop. This is where we play an episode from another awesome podcast. You might remember a few week's back we had Jeff Umbro on the show. His show is called Podcast Perspectives and you should give it follow.The podcast world is growing rapidly, and podcasters can fall behind without a glimpse of the future. Predictive analytics have become vital for podcasts to survive and thrive.In this episode of Podcast Perspectives, Jeff Umbro, host and The Podglomerate’s CEO and Founder, talks with Sean Howard, the founder and CEO of Flightpath, a predictive analytics platform for podcasting. Sean is also the founder of Fable and Folly, which is a network of fiction podcasts.Sean and Jeff chat about his predictive dashboard, the data that goes into Flightpath, stories from Sean's past, and hints about the podcast industry's future.You can listen to other Podcast Perspectives episodes hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mary Anne Ivison was laid off in 2021. Ivison discusses the difficult transition and mental health challenges she faced after losing her job, but how she eventually found success in voiceover work and launching her own podcast "Let's Take This Outside".We covered the ups and downs of building a voiceover business, including the challenges of working with agents and the impact of AI on the industry. Ivison shares her perspective that while AI may take over some lower-end voiceover work, the level of direction and variation required for many commercial projects still requires human talent. We also touched on the state of the podcast industry, acknowledging the difficulties of monetization and the shift towards more VC-backed companies. However, they emphasize the importance of finding a niche and building a loyal audience, rather than chasing download numbers.Mary Anne is candid about the mental toll of the freelance lifestyle and the need to manage expectations, and that entering these creative fields requires a realistic understanding of the hard work and persistence required for long-term success.Another honest episode providing an insightful look at the realities of navigating a career transition and building a sustainable creative business in the modern media landscape.A video and transcript of the episode can be found on the network website.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Donna Reed, a former radio host, podcast creator, and voiceover talent discusses her dcareer in radio, including her times at WQDR and WRDU in Raleigh, NC; then to KLOL and KODA in Houston, Texas and WCXR in Washington, DC. where she enjoyed the freedom of night shifts. She transitioned to voice acting after a car commercial opportunity and has since worked on audiobooks, commercials, and transit announcements. Reed also curated the "Leopard Print Lounge Chair" channel for AccuRadio during COVID-19, blending eclectic music for a relaxed atmosphere. She reflects on the challenges and joys of podcasting, emphasizing the need for consistency and creativity. Reed looks forward to more interviews and episodes in 2025. Give her show a follow here. A video and transcript of the episode can be found on the network website.Please sign up for the SOUNDING OFF Newsletter. Full of all the verbal diarrhea you never knew what you were missing in your life.Also we added the Sound Off Podcast to the The Open Podcast Prefix Project (OP3) A free and open-source podcast prefix analytics service committed to open data and listener privacy. You can be a nosey parker by checking out our downloads here.Thanks to the following organizations for supporting the show:Nlogic - TV & Radio Audience Data SolutionsMary Anne Ivison at Ivison Voice. - Make her the female voice of your radio station.Matt Fogarty Voiceovers - It's great to have Matt back for 2024 supporting our show. Make him the imaging voice for your radio station by contacting him through his website.Megatrax - Licensed Music for your radio station or podcast production company.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.