The U.S. podcast economy crossed $2B in advertising revenue in 2024. Joe Rogan, Acquired, Lenny, Pivot, All-In, The Daily. Podcasts are reputation infrastructure. The EPR Podcast Influence Index.
Starbucks is one of the most active partnership marketers in American consumer retail. The PepsiCo joint venture. The music experiments. The Seattle's Best Burger King deal. The seasonal Girl Scout cookie collaborations. The pattern that explains which partnerships compound and which do not.
Google has been reportedly negotiating with major music labels for a forthcoming music service that would integrate with Android. The Wall Street Journal and music industry trade press are reporting sustained negotiations. What is being reported, the competitive context, and what brand teams should be watching.