Insights into new media trends on podcasting, social media, and smart speakers

By Mark Schaefer

Every year, I look forward to hearing first-hand insights from Tom Webster on trends in new media that are emerging from his annual research report “The Infinite Dial.”

Every year there are some eye-popping surprises and the 2018 edition does not disappoint. Here are a couple of gems.

Online audio continues to explode. This suggests that companies need to have a comprehensive audio strategy.
Podcasting is red-hot. An amazing stat: in 2017 people listened to an average of five podcasts a week. Today it is seven per week. Amazing growth!
The adoption of smart speakers for the home is growing faster than even smartphones. This is the fastest tech adoption in history.
Last year, homeS either had an Amazon device or a Google device but this year, 11 percent of speaker households owned both technologies.
Tom points out that the implications for smart speakers is far beyond mere music devices — there are massive implications for all marketers here.
Usage of most social media platforms are continuing to rise … except Facebook. Facebook usage dropped for the first time. Tom concludes that we might have hit “peak social.”
The evolution of YouTube as a music service and a new role it is playing with young kids.
A hidden reason why people may be abandoning Facebook.
Why some companies are going with a podcast-first content strategy.
Insights on how we will interact with tech in the future.

You’re going to love this episode. Check it out:

Click on this link to listen to Episode 125

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Many thanks to our friend Scott Monty for the awesome show intro. Be sure to check out his amazing newsletter The Full Monty and his new podcast available here: fullmontyshow.com.

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