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Audience Architect podcast
Scaling Engaged Niche Communities & The Art of Experimentation in News Organizations
Season 1, Ep. 9
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In this must-listen episode, Ryan Y. Kellett, Axios Media’s Vice President of Audience, joins guest host Carla Zanoni, former Wall Street Journal masthead audience editor and TED’s head of audience, to uncover Axios’ strategic approach to deep audience engagement and expansion. Ryan shares his expertise on Axios’ distinctive audience-first content and product strategies as well aa innovative collaborations with influencers, which he pioneered for Axios Local, demonstrating the powerful effect of targeting niche markets. The pair also discuss the pressing issues facing digital journalism today and Ryan’s vision on how individuals and news organizations can come together to address the issues challenging the industry today by leveraging collective knowledge and resources through transparency. Tune in to learn how to captivate and grow your audience in the dynamic world of media, where precision, consistency, and innovation are key.
Hear Ryan's unique approach to fostering collaboration within newsrooms on a near-daily basis. Listeners will be treated to an insider's perspective on the fresh fundamentals of newsletter performance, the pivotal role of evolving social media platforms, including the significance of Reddit in the current media ecosystem. Ryan candidly discusses the importance of experimentation in audience development, sharing his journey through the evolution of his role and the lessons learned along the way-and highlighting innovations like Smart Brevity at Axios.
Adding a personal touch to the episode, Ryan recounts his quest for the best breakfast sandwich in Washington DC, revealing the unexpected reactions it sparked. "Audience Architect - Episode 9" is a treasure trove of stories, strategies, and secrets that anyone interested in media, audience engagement, and the future of news will find invaluable. Join Carla and Ryan for an enlightening session that promises to inspire, educate, and entertain.
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15. Crafting Connections: Mastering Audience Engagement in Next-Generation Publishing
55:56||Season 1, Ep. 15In Episode 15 of Audience Architect, we explore the art and science of audience engagement in the evolving world of media and publishing. Hosted by Bill Levine, this episode features Sheena Hakimian, Senior Director of Digital Consumer Marketing at Condé Nast, and Ladell Fuqua, Senior VP of Client Solutions at PWX Solutions. Together, they share actionable strategies for understanding audience behaviors, driving cross-channel engagement, and monetizing audience relationships. From segmentation to personalization, this conversation delivers insights to help publishers connect deeply with their audiences and thrive in today’s fragmented media landscape. Don't miss this practical guide to shaping the future of audience engagement.SHOW NOTE: Sheena Hakimian is not only a seasoned leader in digital consumer marketing but also a certified life and career coach dedicated to empowering individuals to build confidence and achieve their goals. Through her coaching business, Sheena provides personalized guidance to help clients navigate career transitions, enhance professional growth, and unlock their full potential. Her holistic approach combines actionable strategies with deep empathy, making her a trusted partner for those seeking meaningful change in their personal and professional lives. Explore more about her coaching services and subscribe to her insightful newsletter at sheenahakimian.com.14. The Power of Data and its Impact on Audience Growth and Engagement
56:59||Season 1, Ep. 14In this episode, host Mike Bennett and Amanda Landsaw, sit down with Len Roberto, V.P. of Audience Growth at CyberRisk Alliance. Len’s career spans over 15 years in the B2B space, where he has consistently demonstrated his ability to transform complex data challenges into practical and effective strategies.In this casual conversation we discuss how organizations can harness the power of data and derive insights from that data to fuel audience growth and engagement.We discuss topics such as identifying unknown website visitors, creating frictionless data acquisition journeys and how to leverage data to turn users into deeply engaged power users.Being able to harness the power of data and correctly interpret its signals is a crucial step to understanding your audience and building a proper relationship with those individuals.
13. Navigating the First-Party Data Revolution: Privacy, Personalization, and Profit
54:36||Season 1, Ep. 13You are ALL in for a treat.AnnMarie, Rob, and Amanda explore emerging technologies that empower publishers and media companies to deliver personalized experiences while prioritizing privacy. They delve into contextual targeting and zero-knowledge proofs and discuss how audience exclusion and lookalike modeling can enhance targeting and engagement. They cover first-party data strategies, emphasizing user consent and industry collaboration for privacy best practices. Learn about engaging high-value audiences, reducing churn, and implementing these changes within your organization, including sales team integration and data-driven decision-making. They also discuss the importance of leadership buy-in and cross-departmental collaboration to align on privacy-compliant data strategies. Throughout, they highlight the ethical imperative for prioritizing user privacy to achieve better business and audience outcomes.Host:Amanda Landsaw Vice President, Audience DevelopmentEndeavor Business Media (26) Amanda Landsaw | LinkedInGuests:AnnMarie WillsCEO & Co-FounderLeverage Lab(26) AnnMarie Wills | LinkedInRob McLaughlinFounder & CEOAudiences (26) Rob McLaughlin | LinkedInMentioned in the episode: International Association of Privacy Professionals (iapp.org)
12. Tracking Audience Engagement Trends: Strategies for the Digital Age with Madeleine White
56:30||Season 1, Ep. 12In this comprehensive episode of Audience Architect, host Carla Zanoni sits down with Madeleine White, VP of Marketing at Poool and co-founder & editor-in-chief of The Audiencers. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleinewhite123/) Madeleine takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of digital publishing, sharing insights from her unique path from French translator to industry thought leader. Dive deep into the art of community building as Madeleine reveals innovative strategies for fostering genuine connections, from WhatsApp groups to real-name commenting policies. Learn how to strike the delicate balance between reader engagement and monetization through dynamic paywalls and personalized journeys, adapting to cultural differences across global markets. Madeleine unpacks the concept of the "value exchange," explaining how to tailor "frustration" levels to individual reader engagement for optimal conversion. Discover the power of registration walls and newsletter strategies in building a known audience, and how to leverage community contributions to enrich your content. Throughout the episode, Madeleine emphasizes the importance of experimentation, maintaining a "beginner's mindset," and fostering cross-team collaboration to break down organizational silos. She also offers a refreshing perspective on the industry's future, focusing on solutions and innovations rather than dwelling on challenges. Whether you're a seasoned publisher or new to the field, this episode provides a comprehensive toolkit for thriving in the digital publishing landscape. Join us for an inspiring discussion that will leave you energized and equipped to tackle the evolving world of audience engagement and monetization.Check out The Audiencers: https://theaudiencers.com/
11. Navigating the Zero Click World with Tahnee Perry
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10. Transforming Behavioral Insights into Action: Strategies to Elevate Audience Engagement & Ad Performance
53:34||Season 1, Ep. 10Welcome to another episode of "Audience Architect," where we drill into the strategies shaping the future of audience engagement. In this special live recording from MACMA's Industry Day on April 4th, we are thrilled to host Dr. Joetta Gobell, Senior Vice President of Research & Insights at Dotdash Meredith. With an impressive background that spans roles from A+E Networks to Nissan North America, Joetta is a master at leveraging data to enhance audience understanding and engagement across various platforms.In episode #10, Joetta shared her extensive experience in integrating first-party data into advertising partnerships and primary research initiatives, providing insights that drive product, editorial, and brand strategies at Dotdash Meredith. We'll explore how her team is navigating the challenges posed by the end of third-party cookies, the dynamics of new partnerships like those with Amazon in the exciting d/Cipher ad-enabling product, and the role of data in connecting content to the 'moment of need' for users.This episode is packed with discussions on the transformation of media insights in the digital age, the critical role of data in shaping business strategies, and the innovative ways Dotdash Meredith is setting industry standards. Whether you're a data scientist, audience marketing professional, or just passionate about the future of digital media, this conversation with Joetta Gobell will provide valuable insights into the art and science of audience engagement. Join us to discover how data isn't just about numbers—it's about building communities, enhancing value, and fighting attrition in today's fast-paced world.
8. Unveiling the Future of Audience-Driven Product Innovation with Ronda Hughes
59:35||Season 1, Ep. 8Welcome to Episode #8 of the Audience Architect podcast with your host, Bill Levine. In this engaging session, we're joined by Ronda Hughes from IronMarkets, a beacon in the realms of digital media, event marketing, and audience development. With a rich background that spans across 3 decades and pivotal roles at IronMarkets, Advanstar and EnsembleIQ, Ronda brings her tremendous expertise in leveraging data insights for audience segmentation and engagement. Her innovative approach has significantly contributed to new revenue channels and improved engagement methods, focusing on behavioral data to drive business growth.Today, Ronda dives into the evolving role of Audience Development professionals in the ideation, development, launch, and success of new products. From breaking down silos in the ideas room to leveraging audience data in shaping product strategies, she shares invaluable insights on the intersection of audience engagement and successful product development. Join us as Ronda discusses the unique value of audience development in productization, data-driven strategies, collaboration across teams, and the future vision for audience-driven products in advertising and sponsorship solutions. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the critical role of audience engagement in the lifecycle of product development.Ronda Hughes: (24) Ronda Hughes | LinkedInIronMarkets Publisher: IRONMARKETS - B2B Media & Business Engagement Platform
7. The Reinvention of Magazines in a Digital World: A Conversation with Peter Houston
01:00:05||Season 1, Ep. 7Welcome to Episode #7 of the Audience Architect podcast, the first of 2024, with your host, Bill Levine. In today's episode, we're thrilled to host Peter Houston, a veteran media expert, publisher, and co-founder of The Grub Street Journal. Peter brings a decade of experience from Flipping Pages Media Ltd and insights from co-hosting Media Voices, a podcast examining the media world's trends. We run to ground the counterintuitive revival of print magazine media, discussing The Grub Street Journal's journey, its advocacy for slow journalism, and the future of print in an increasingly digital age. Join us as we explore how magazines may find their unique place in the luxury and nostalgia strata of media brands (clue: reinvention is a must). Peter also shares personal stories from The Grub Street Journal, business model experimentation, the budding magazine scene in the UK, advice for aspiring writers, and his broader thoughts on audience engagement, podcasting, and his take on AI and trending topics in the publishing industry. Tune in for this fun, inspiring and thought provoking conversation with Peter.Contact Peter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phousty/Mentioned in the Podcast: The Paper - pub for gen z and millenials about life in Wales - https://thepaper.bigcartel.com/The Tonic Magazine - self described as a heady cocktail of drink, travel, and adventure - https://thetonicmag.com/FIPP Future of Print report - you may be shocked how high a percentage of revenue print still constitutes - https://www.fipp.com/news/mapping-the-world-of-print/Racquet Magazine - about what else, tennis! - https://racquetmag.com/ Delayed Gratification - a media brand that reinvented their magazine (as a quarterly) - https://www.slow-journalism.com/