Listen Up: Podcasts You Should Pay Attention To

I've got a homework assignment for you.

I know, I know. You're already inundated with industry information: trade magazines, books, conferences, Web sites, newsletters. So why am I suggesting you tune into still one more source of work information?

I admit I can't keep up with all the existing industry information sources, either. But podcasts make it easy for me to consume great, interesting information in an engaging way. I can listen to other experts sharing what they do for clients and commenting on breakthrough online campaigns. And I can consume this content on a treadmill, on an airplane, in my car, or anywhere I please. It's great!

Following is a list of the podcasts I listen to, as well as quick summaries of what you'll hear and (here's the easy part) links to these podcasts. Click a link and iTunes will launch and take you to the subscription page for the recommended podcast. After you've subscribed, the podcasts will update automatically every time a new show is made available. You can listen to them at your leisure, either on your PC or loaded onto your MP3 player.

Ready? Here we go:

• Across the Sound. Running time: 30-60 minutes. In his weekly podcast, Joseph Jaffe and a guest co-host explore the world of new media. You'll hear discussion about everything, such as thoughts on this year's Super Bowl ads and the latest efforts to capitalize on emerging media. Next week, Jaffe's guest host is none other than John Keehler, a strategist at my agency. Subscribe here.
  
  
• Why It Matters. Running time: 6-9 minutes. This weekly AdAge podcast is hosted by Hoag Levins, executive producer for AdAge.com. This show usually features Levins interviewing either an Ad Age writer on a variety of topics or an outside expert in advertising and marketing. Past content includes Bob Garfield sharing his opinion on advertising creative and Verizon CMO John Stratton talking about the mobile phone ad revolution. Subscribe here.
  
  
• iMedia Connection. Running time: 15-60 minutes. This podcast is updated irregularly, sometimes every couple days, sometimes weekly, and once in a while a little longer. It features lots of topics, such as online media measurement, the future of online video, and online gaming. Subscribe here.
  
  
• Marketing Edge. Running time: 5-15 minutes. Albert Maruggi's mostly weekly show was one of the first marketing podcasts. Maruggi's a former television anchor and press secretary for the Republican National Committee (don't hold that against him). Don't worry, he doesn't talk politics in his podcast. He discusses new media and marketing topics, such as podcasting audiences and marketing research, direct mail, and radio. Subscribe here.
  
  
• On the Record. Running time: 20-30 minutes. Eric Schwartzman hosts this mostly weekly show featuring, as he puts it, "one-on-one interviews with journalists from the mainstream media as well as influential bloggers and podcasters and influential newsmakers about how technology is changing and threatening to disrupt the media business as we know it." Subscribe here.
  
  
• The Advertising Show. Running time: 80 minutes. This syndicated radio show features hosts Ray Schilens and Brad Forsythe. Although it follows the typical radio show format (as opposed to a podcast content approach) this show has access to lots of really good marketing experts from the media, prominent agencies, and high-level marketers. If you can get past the fact this is a portable radio show, you'll find it's pretty good. Subscribe here.
  
  
• The Daily SearchCast. Running time: 20-30 minutes. Part of the ClickZ network, Search Engine Watch offers a daily podcast hosted by Danny Sullivan, SEM guru, covering the latest SEM happenings. He discusses things such as BMW getting in trouble with Google for using doorway pages and China's censorship of search engines. Subscribe here.
  
  
• New York Times: Advertising Spotlight. Running time: 2-3 minutes. "The New York Times" has launched a number of podcasts. Though I applaud it for doing so, I'm a little disappointed with the approach. All it's done is have its writers read their printed stories into a microphone. So, you get someone like Stuart Elliott reading his weekly column, which takes about 2-3 minutes. Keep an eye on this, though; my hope is it will get better over time. Subscribe here.

Check out any or all of these podcasts. I hope you enjoy them. And, hey, if you know of a podcast I should be listening to, please let me know.

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