Achieving scale in podcast advertising is another challenge, as podcast producers have historically been independent publishers. But the podcast network model developed in the US is now emerging in Canada, allowing for media buying of audiences across publishers. Dynamic ad insertion into podcasts is also gaining momentum as a complement to the host-read ad model that’s familiar to listeners.
Brands are also investing in sponsored podcasts, many of which are conceived by the brand itself as a means to attract audiences and round out the content marketing mix. In 2018, several podcasts supported by brands launched their first seasons in Canada.