Podcorn

Self-serve podcast advertising marketplace focused on democratizing host-read sponsorships for independent and mid-tier podcasters

Podcorn is a technology-driven podcast advertising marketplace that enables brands and agencies to discover, connect with, and activate independent podcast creators for host-read advertising campaigns. Founded in 2019 and headquartered in Los Angeles, the platform democratizes podcast advertising by making it accessible to podcasters of all sizes — not just top-tier shows — while giving advertisers a scalable way to run authentic, host-read sponsorships across a diverse creator network. The platform handles end-to-end campaign workflows including creator discovery, proposal management, content approval, payment processing, and performance reporting. Podcorn differentiates itself from traditional podcast ad networks by operating as a self-serve marketplace model, allowing advertisers to browse and select podcasts based on audience demographics, topic categories, and engagement metrics. This approach empowers smaller and mid-tier podcasters to monetize their shows without needing a dedicated sales team, while giving brands granular control over creator selection and messaging. The platform supports multiple ad formats including host-read integrations, pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll placements. In 2022, Podcorn was acquired by Audacy (formerly Entercom), one of the largest audio media companies in the United States, which significantly expanded its distribution reach and integration with broader audio advertising ecosystems. The acquisition positioned Podcorn as a key component of Audacy's podcast monetization strategy, though the platform continued to operate under the Podcorn brand serving independent creators and advertisers.