Audio companies aren’t exempt from the impacts of the current economic uncertainty, but they don’t seem to have taken quite the hit that Meta did in the second quarter.

Both Spotify and SiriusXM reported earnings last week, and both said their advertising revenue increased, noting podcasts as a strong spot. Podcast company Acast followed this week, also reporting net sales growth in Q2.

That being said, the broader pullback in ad spend did come up:

• “For advertising, we did see some softening in trends over the last two weeks of June,” said Spotify CFO Paul Vogel, who noted that while the company still expects growth in Q3, the state of the ad market could mean it’ll be slower than previously anticipated.
• “There is growing uncertainty in the advertising market, where we generate significant revenue with high variable margins,” is how SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz put it.

Call it what you want, the ad biz is not looking its best right now. But according to these execs, the growing podcast segment is keeping its head above water.

The podcasts are alright: Spotify’s ad revenue was up 31% year over year to 360 million euros (~$366 million).

• Though the company doesn’t break out podcast ad revenue specifically, Vogel said there’s been “strong growth on the podcasting side” and increasing advertiser demand for that inventory.
• CEO Daniel Ek added that “we are seeing, despite a very dire macroenvironment, advertisers take to the format really, really well.”

SiriusXM’s Q2 ad revenue for Pandora and its off-platform segment—which includes ad revenue from non-owned-and-operated platforms, like fees from its AdsWizz ad-tech tool—combined saw a 5% year over year increase to $403 million.

• Witz acknowledged that “our advertising business is not immune to the macro trends felt industry wide,” but singled out its podcast ad biz as an area of growth.

Keep reading here.—AM

You probably know by now that podcasting is a Thing in the advertising world this year. Advertising Week thinks so, too.

While the topic had its place at the industry event in years past, 2022 marks the first time that podcasting has been in the title of a track, Richard Larsson, Advertising Week’s head of podcasting and year-round digital content, told Marketing Brew.

• The rise of audio throughout the pandemic, coupled with Advertising Week’s efforts to build its own podcast network, culminated in the decision to give audio a more official spot on the agenda this October, Larsson said.

Hot topic: The organization has a handful of podcasts of its own, including one it created in partnership with the Edelman Trust Institute, and Larsson said many of its other partners have also expressed interest in podcasting this year.

“I don’t think there’s any single topic like this that has garnered as much attention this year on an increasing basis than last,” he said. “It’s been phenomenal how many partners are interested in podcasting.”

What to expect: Larsson was tight-lipped about the lineup of audio-track presenters, but said that “some of the biggest names in podcast distribution are going to be represented.”

• While analytics will, of course, be up for discussion, there will also be a big emphasis on the storytelling aspect of audio and podcast content, Larsson explained.
• “One of the important things that we can do, especially with our partners at events like this and through programs like a podcast track, is to demonstrate the power of this medium,” he said. “If you have stories to tell, or if you have agendas that you want to really pursue, or if you’re interested in philanthropy of any sort, this is a great way to do that where you are showing that you have a depth that maybe you weren’t showing before.”—AM

We spent a good portion of last month covering the tools, resources, and platforms that are on marketers’ minds. Turns out, people really love Canva and are only a little bit afraid of AI taking their jobs. A recap:

What tools marketers use most, miss, and could do without

• We asked, you answered. About 150 of you responded, sharing all sorts of thoughts (and let’s be real, grievances).

Why some marketers are shifting their focus from inboxes to mailboxes

• Some brands are finding that the best way to reach younger consumers could be through good ol’ fashioned snail mail.

How much should graphic designers worry about DALL-E 2?

• As the technology for creating images becomes more advanced and instantaneous, questions are arising about certain creative roles.

Small businesses are seeing organic success on TikTok

• Companies like clothing brand Sani and coffee shop The Nitro Bar are getting customers from the platform with zero paid spend.

You can read all the stories in one place here. This month, we’ll be shifting our focus to consumer privacy—stay tuned.

There are a lot of bad marketing tips out there. These aren’t those.

The ’tube: If your content strategy on YouTube feels a littleee dull lately, get inspired here.

Watch and learn: The 20 most popular LinkedIn Learning courses are free until the end of the month.

Hacky sack: People are becoming increasingly afraid of their social media accounts getting hacked, according to this infographic.

Data-driven: Forecast, model, and visualize performance data so you can grow that budget. The Brew’s Business Analytics Accelerator starts Sept. 6. Don’t miss your chance to run circles around the finance team!

Ahhhh, work travel, we’ve missed you. We love a conference, don’t you? Free food, smart people with inspiring ideas...aspirational breakfast meetings. Well, marketers...we have news.

::drumroll:: Introducing The Brief: A Summit Presented by Marketing Brew

Marketing Brew has partnered with some of the world’s most-recognized brands and influential marketers to bring you a premiere one-day marketing event in the heart of New York City.

Early-bird pricing ends soon, so don’t wait. Save yourself a seat (and some green) now!

Stat: US consumer spending on video games fell 13% in Q2 year over year, according to NPD research cited by The Verge.

Quote: “If I just acted, I wouldn’t be able to afford my life in LA. I take deals because I have to.”—Sydney Sweeney to the Hollywood Reporter on why she started working with brands like Miu Miu

Read: How did a dating app become my longest relationship? (The Cut)

Catch up on a few Marketing Brew stories you might have missed.

• Brands are getting creative with being real
• TikTok is collecting an ‘excessive’ amount of data from users, report suggests
• Behind the scenes of Maybelline’s ‘Bachelorette’ commercial