Acast has launched “Staycast”, a new campaign encouraging people everywhere to stay at home during the coronavirus pandemic by offering podcast-based inspiration and entertainment from a wide range of popular podcasters.
Listeners will hear messages of support (or “Staycasts”) across thousands of the network’s shows from some of Acast’s top podcasters — including Osher Gunsberg, Georgia Love and How I Work’s Dr Amantha Imber — as they remind people of local government advice, as well as giving recommendations of other podcasts to listen to while they do so.
- Abbie Chatfield Staycast
- Dr Amantha Imber Staycast
Accompanying this will be a social media campaign, where “Staycasts” — Instagram Lives, IGTVs and Stories takeovers — will include Q&As with podcasters, live classes or tutorials, listening parties, live episodes and more. Dedicated Staycast collections on the Acast app will also provide listeners with recommendations for shows and episodes to relax, escape, or keep up to date on the latest coronavirus developments.
Trials on Acast’s Open platform — which helps anyone and everyone set up a podcast for free — are booming, increasing by nearly half (+49 per cent) in March versus February. And Acast will be encouraging even more people to get podcasting at home with a dedicated Staycast promotion, offering three months’ free access to any of its paid tiers.
As the world continues to self-isolate, the Acast network has experienced stronger-than-usual growth in listens, with an all-time high globally. The past three weekends have been record-breakers for the Acast network — with weekend listens up +13.5% overall. The month of March also saw a record 23 million listens of Acast content in Australia.
Acast’s content director for Australia and New Zealand, Guy Scott-Wilson, said: “It’s clear, though not surprising, that during this time of crisis and self-isolation people are turning to podcasting in increasing numbers. We’re seeing huge increases across a wide variety of content – from News and Finance to Health and Wellness, Education and Comedy.”
“While the numbers are exciting, we want to continue to give back to the podcasting community, helping people to find great new content at a time in which it’s really needed, which is why “Staycasts” has been launched.”
