Pandora’s Audio First Summit

You’ve heard us say it many times—we are amidst an audio boom. With audio shaping the future of media, it’s important for agencies and clients alike to be thinking of how audio fits into their media strategy. To impress and instill the power of audio, Pandora’s Chicago office hosted 100+ clients and partners to think about audio first as they build their media mixes for 2020, with the goal to educate attendees about audio and inspire action. From a Q&A panel to a sound presentation, the afternoon was full of fun, education, and inspiration.

The day kicked off with a brand marketing panel with industry experts discussing how audio has been a driver for their business, delivering success for their brands. A diverse group of influential leaders from Chicago’s media scene contributed to an exciting discussion on the future of audio, opportunities, challenges, and measurements. Panelists included:

• Tiffany White – Director of Business Development – The Trade Desk
• Chris Yarusso – Head of Audio Investment – Spark Foundry
• Jason Gershman – Director USCC - Starcom
• Jon Lopes – Group Vice President Data and Analysis – Digitas
• Tara Rohde – Director of Sales Chicago, Pandora (Moderator)

Next up was a thought-provoking presentation on “What the Future Sounds Like” with Lindsie Miller, Director of Ad Products and Innovation, at Pandora. In a visually overloaded world, audio allows a level of being present away from a screen that is unique. According to eMarketer, “people are returning to audio for the experience, the intimacy, the storytelling, and the entertainment value.” Miller emphasized the undeniable power of audio and its ability to engage the listener’s imagination, creating a deeply personal and memorable experience. The proof?

The day wrapped up with Erin Harris, Director of Multicultural at Pandora, outlining the powerful cultural influences that marketers should be thinking about when building a winning multicultural strategy. With a focus on Hispanic and African American consumers, Harris highlighted trends for each audience:

The audio renaissance is here—and Pandora’s Audio-First Summit underscored the importance of audio as a critical component to any brand’s media strategy. Through shared successes and case studies with our clients and partners, Pandora created a relevant opportunity for the media community to celebrate the power—and future—of audio.