Erik Diehn

Stitcher CEO Erik Diehn returns to join Lex on The Wolf Den. Erik gives updates of Midroll and Stitcher’s recent “brand rotation,” and how it affects the company’s strategy going forward. Then, Erik outlines how the the recent acquisition of Triton Digital will help bring Stitcher closer to the goal of being the “best place in the world for podcasting.” Finally, the two discuss the inherent challenges and benefits to the growing trend of bilingual podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by Warby Parker (www.warbyparker.com/wolfden).

Midroll Media CEO Erik Diehn returns to The Wolf Den. The group discusses the formation of the East Coast office, the future of Stitcher, and the value of premium content and partnerships in podcasting.

Find out what’s happening behind the scenes at Midroll and Earwolf during this very busy summer, as Midroll’s Erik Diehn and Lex Friedman join Adam for his very last episode hosting The Wolf Den. Adam recently stepped aside from his position of CEO and explains his reasons for doing so. He reminisces with Lex and Erik about the most fun, and the most challenging, moments of the last three eventful years. Then they take up Midroll’s recent acquisition of Stitcher, addressing some of the concerns raised by a few prominent tech podcasters. Lex and Erik detail why and how a reinvigorated Stitcher will be good for all podcasters. Finally they discuss Midroll’s brand studio initiative and the upcoming Now Hear This podcast festival, and share what’s in store for Earwolf.

This episode is sponsored by Blue Apron.

Adam goes deep into the business of podcasting with Erik Diehn, Midroll Media’s VP of Business Development, touching on how Erik finds and signs new shows, how public radio came to dominate the top of the charts, and on the advertising technologies like programmatic buying and ad injection. Erik joined Midroll from New York Public Radio, so Adam asks him why he decided to make the jump last year from the nation’s largest public radio station to a comparatively small podcasting startup. Erik then explains what it means to be in charge of business development and how he calls upon the experiences represented on his varied resume in both technology and media to do his unique job. He also details why he thinks it was important for the company to launch the Howl app and platform, and why it’s in important evolution in podcasting. Finishing up, Adam asks Erik to unpack the hype around the connected car and predict the effect it will have on podcasting.