Audacy: Celebrity Podcasts Bring in Listeners but “Midfluencers” Drive Conversion
In a blog piece from Audacy’s Insights Team that looks at data from several sources including Podscribe’s Benchmark Report and MRI Simmons 2026 April Podcast Report, the conclusion is that while celebrity-hosted podcasts can achieve big numbers of 
listeners, but the most trusted expert voices tend to drive the most conversion. According to data from Audacy’s own Power of Influencers Study (2026), podcast listeners are 27% more likely to be influenced by topic experts than well-known celebrities. The blog notes, “The brands winning in podcast advertising right now aren’t all sponsoring the biggest names. They’re finding the mid-sized shows. The shows where listeners have been there since episode 12, and where a host recommendation lands more like a text from a friend who actually tried it. Meet the “midfluencer.” No celebrity status or massive profile. Just a deeply loyal audience who listens. It turns out the shows with the tightest communities drive better conversions.” See the blog post here.
It’s budget season. Your clients are planning next year’s spending right now, and your rates should be set before they do, not after.
On the list of imagined crimes committed by the act of consolidation upon the radio industry is the myth that it killed the “farm team” for emerging talent. There never was a farm team.
Talk 2.” KAOX-FM talk host Neal Larson announced the change on his program last Friday (10/30). The station is airing syndicated programming including Premiere Networks shows “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show,” “The Jesse Kelly Show,” “The Michael Berry Show,” plus FOX News Radio’s “Brian Kilmeade Show.” 
excited about the opportunity to join Zimmer Communications. I’ve consulted them for more than a decade, so I know it is a first-class radio operation that still believes in being local and connecting with listeners. I’d like to thank [general manager] Carla Leible and [operations director] Trevor Morgan for making this possible.” Morgan comments, “Mike has a genuine passion for creating great radio. His creativity, organization, and keen ear for compelling content have already made a tremendous impact on the stations he’s worked with through Jacobs Media. We’re excited to bring his expertise and experience to all our brands as we continue to create great content and find meaningful ways to connect with our listeners and advertisers.”
New York market president Chris Oliviero has been elected chair of the board of directors. NYSBA president and executive director Heidi Raphael comments, “This is an exceptional team. Chris Oliviero brings vision and deep market leadership to the chair, and our board reflects the full strength of broadcasting across New York. We are especially grateful to [outgoing chair] Chris Musial for his steady leadership and to our departing directors for their commitment. Together, we’re ready to make 2027 another remarkable year for our members and the communities they serve.”
around the Veterans Day holiday. O’Connor tells TALKERS the program features extraordinary stories from wounded veterans, military families, and the people who help them through some of the most difficult moments of their lives. “These are compelling, deeply personal conversations about service, sacrifice, recovery, and the remarkable work Fisher House does for our military families. This is professionally produced, ready-to-air Veterans Day programming that you can offer your listeners at absolutely no cost.” 
Communications Act limits how many commissioners may belong to one political party, ensuring that decisions on broadband, media ownership, and network security are tested by more than one point of view. Preserving that balance is central to how the Commission is meant to function. Commissioner Gomez has brought independent judgment and a clear command of the FCC’s statutory responsibilities to her work and has consistently engaged with members on both sides of the aisle on the merits of an issue rather than its politics. She has remained focused on many of the core responsibilities that Congress has entrusted to the FCC: closing the digital divide, protecting consumers, promoting competition and innovation, strengthening the security of our communications networks, and advancing U.S. technological leadership.” The group also says, “The Commission functions as intended only when both parties have a seat at the table. Confirming an additional Republican nominee without also securing continued Democratic representation would upset that balance. Commissioner Gomez has shown the experience and judgment to continue that work. We therefore ask that the Senate pair any new Republican nominee with her renomination to a full term, consistent with the bipartisan design Congress built into this agency.”
What makes a life – or the work we do – matter? In Make It Matter, author Matthew Emerzian explores how recognizing our own worth, making others feel valued, and contributing to something beyond ourselves can give everyday choices a deeper purpose.
resounding success. The power-packed one day event (11/24) drew several hundred parents and concerned citizens to Braid Mill in Germantown to meet, mingle, and see an array of speakers including educators, pasters, and policy experts to discuss the state and future of education. Fellow WPHT talk show host, education advocate and podcaster Dom Giordano was one of the featured panelists (see photo). 
on the program was the notion that Ukraine has been persecuting Christians. Zelenskyy said on the program, “Tucker Carlson and other such guys, they I think they’ve never been. I mean, I think these men never been in Ukraine, how he can discuss what’s going on in Ukraine and to speak about the what’s going on with the with religious people in Ukraine, we are very free.” “This Week on Capitol Hill” with Tony Perkins is produced by Salem in cooperation with the Family Research Council. It airs live at 10:00 am on Saturdays on the Salem Radio Network and Salem News Channel and is streamed four times each weekend on the Newsmax 2 platform.
Group managing member Scott Calka says, “‘The No Snooze Podcast’ is a compelling, engaging and inspirational program hosted by a personality who’s equally compelling, engaging and inspirational. With his special blend of motivational leadership insights, uplifting personal-growth stories and practical health and fitness advice, Dave is poised to break out in the podcast universe. Our new partnership underscores our confidence in his potential and is emblematic of an evolving model for our podcast business.” Reggina’s diagnosis as a teen with Crohn’s disease sparked his dedication to health, fitness and resilience. He is the author of the book, 30 Lessons to Lead: From Breakdowns to Breakthroughs, and co-founded A.C.E. (Action Cultivates Excellence), a transformative personal and professional growth movement and community.
guests. Recent interviews have included Stephen A. Smith, Kathie Lee Gifford, Vanilla Ice, Franklin Graham, Rahm Emanuel, Cornel West, and Adam Carolla.
actively pursued involving the community in the station in creative ways. The station is presenting a Halloween radio drama as well as an airstaff music video to create community engagement. Scooby-Doo’s “A Night of Fright Is No Delight” will air on Saturday (10/31) at 7:00 pm featuring voices from the airstaff, clients and community, with a soundtrack performed by local band Cold Flavor Repair in a production that will raise awareness for the Dutchess County SPCA. Gladding says, “Local radio needs to reestablish its position as the community megaphone. At a time when AI-generated content, opinion and voices are saturating the market, the live, local DJ must be reestablished and elevated as the centerpiece of trusted messaging. Giving our staff more creative freedom and control ultimately leads to a stronger team and higher-quality output.” He adds, “There’s a lot of talent walking through this building. Give people room to use it. That’s how you make radio people care about.” 
13+ population as well as those whose primary vehicle they ride in or drive is an EV, but at dramatically different rates. The total population spends 53% of their in-car audio time with AM/FM radio, while EV drivers and riders spend 42% of their in-car audio time with the platform. Streaming music time remains second behind AM/FM radio, but gains significant ground among EV drivers/riders, increasing from 17% of time to 22%. The EV audience’s share of in-car time with podcasts is twice that of the total population. Time spent with SiriusXM also increases among EV drivers/riders, rising from 16% of time to 20%. All other platforms remain relevantly consistent across the two groups.”
“I’m very excited to dive right in to help build the network with great people, original voices, and strong brand partners. Huge thanks to John Goforth for this incredible opportunity to lead Ad Sales for our growing podcast network within Hubbard | Media That Connects. Excited for my next adventure collaborating with all of the talented people in the audio and advertising industry!” Pilewski most recently served Realm as head of sales.
talent. In addition to the original $10,000 scholarship for a qualifying student from a broadcast family, the BFOA will award six new scholarships of $2,500 each annually, bringing the total to seven scholarships and $25,000 in annual awards. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “The future of broadcasting depends on attracting talented, creative people with fresh ideas and a passion for our industry. We want to make sure that financial circumstances or family background don’t stand in the way of a promising student pursuing a career in radio or television. By broadening our scholarship program, we’re opening the door to more members of the next generation of broadcasters and investing in the future of our industry.”