From an audience and producer criticism perspective. In a society dominated by visual content, how are podcasts still relevant?

1. PODCASTS
by Sandrine Vaillancourt

2. WHAT IS A PODCAST?
“A digital audio file made available on the Internet
for downloading to a computer or portable media
player, typically available as a series, new
installments of which can be received by
subscribers automatically” – Dictionary
“Podcast” is a term that appeared in 2004.

3. In a societydominatedby visualmedia, how
are podcastsstill relevant?
- Audience Criticism
- Author Criticism

4. PODCASTS AND OTHER
MEDIA
A mix between radio, YouTube videos, and blogs.
- Audio file
- Subscription
- Content
- “Podcasting offers the accessibility and linearity of audio
content, but because it is chosen by listeners rather than
offered by broadcasters, podcasts often appeal to niche
audiences who select specific content geared to their
interests” - Wrather

5. AUDIENCE HAS THE POWER TO
CHOOSE PREFERENCES
• On demand
• Different categories of
podcasts; Arts, Business,
Education, Comedy, Lifestyle,
Culture, Technology,
Educational…
• Different Apps
• Custom ‘sound effects’: Speed,
voice boost, shorten silences,...

6. PROS OF LISTENING TO
PODCASTS
• Podcast producer just like ‘one of us’
• More intimacy
• Knowledge about different topics or issues
• Feeling of experience
The difference with other media is that podcasts do not have
mainstream attention and there is no visual.

7. WHO ARE THE PODCAST
LISTENERS?
Podcast listeners often described as…
• Young and affluent
• Socially motivated
• Active on social media
• More wealthy and educated

8. FACTORS OF PRODUCTION
Amateur podcast vs. Quality
podcast
• Interesting discussions
• Likability
• Quality sound skills (avoid
background noises, voice
tone,…)
• Number of people talking

9. TYPES OF PODCASTS

10. ON PODCASTS…
« A large number of [podcasts] are not
highly produced affairs of artists and
creators, but instead just regular
people sharing in a microphone to a
similar community of people » - Dana Gerber-
Margie (Author of podcast review newsletter)

11. PROS OF CREATING A
PODCAST
Podcast producers have the liberty to create the content they
want
- Time limits or topic limits (liberty)
- Not subject to censorship by laws or regulations of a state
- Trying new things (creativity)
- Build a community, engage
- No ‘radio schedule’
- Anyone can do it
“Many podcasts are about cultivating and sustaining small
communities around niches and interests” – Dana Gerber-Margie

12. MONETIZATION
« The growth of the medium has made it a viable space for
commercialization »
- Ads
- Sponsored content
- Targeted to the specific audience

13. FILLER PODCAST
Creative industries podcast hosted
and produced by Harry Hitchens
and Matt Shore.
Concept: Sit down and talk with
creative people over coffee
(photographer, filmmaker, writer,
etc.)

14. PARDON MY FRENCH by
Garance Doré
- Extension of the blog
‘Garance Doré’
- Candid conversations
with friends
- Interviews with people
she admires

15. In a society dominated by visual
media, how are podcasts still
relevant?