The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Host: Francesco D’Orazio
Producer: Sal Morton
Music: Manfredi Romano aka DJ Tennis
https://www.audiencespodcast.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Host: Francesco D’Orazio
Producer: Sal Morton
Music: Manfredi Romano aka DJ Tennis
https://www.audiencespodcast.com/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What if you could talk to your audience and ask what it thinks of your next product? What if you could test your ads or social content with a simulated version of 200 to 1,000 members of your audience in less than 1 minute? In this fascinating conversation, James He, founder of Artificial Societies, reveals how AI-powered audience simulation is transforming the way we experiment with ideas before putting them into the world.
From his journey as a Cambridge social science researcher frustrated by the difficulty of running human experiments, to building a platform that creates "artificial societies" from real social media profiles, James walks us through the technology that's making market research faster, cheaper, and more experimental than ever before.
We explore the mechanics of how chatbots can mimic real human behavior patterns, the surprising 82-83% accuracy rates in predicting content performance (beating the founders themselves at 57-67%), and the philosophical implications of giving everyone the power to experiment without real-world consequences.
What You'll Discover: • How AI chatbots trained on real social media profiles achieve 82% accuracy (beating human experts at 57%) • The exact process from start to finish • Why traditional surveys miss the crucial element of social influence • Real examples of testing 10x more content variants than ever possible • The ethics of modeling people through AI
The Bigger Picture: James's vision goes beyond marketing optimization. Could giving everyone "experimental superpowers" help us find our individual and collective "golden path"? We explore the implications of a world where anyone can test ideas without real-world consequences
Perfect for: Product managers, marketers, social scientists, AI enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the future of human experimentation
Guest: James He, Founder of Artificial Societies, Cambridge social science researcher, former misinformation researcher
Key Topics: AI simulation, behavioral science, social influence, content optimization, research ethics, democratization of experimentation
Subscribe for more conversations where AI meets human behavior and emerging technologies shape how we understand ourselves.
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Who’s the Audience of Magic? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🪄
From TikTok tarot readings to “manifesting crypto gains”, we explore how audiences are engaging with magic to reassert individual agency, reinterpret identity, and regain some level of control over systems trying to define them. In this episode, Fran has a magical conversation with hosts of the Five and Nine podcast, cultural strategist A.X. Mina and writer, artist and media scholar Dorothy R. Santos PhD. Fran, AX and Dorothy dissect AI-generated audience personas to ask what happens when machine learning tries to map belief. Throughout, they reflect on the rise of mystical frameworks not as escape, but as resistance: a response to overexposure, over-simulation, and a growing desire to feel agency again. Whether it’s tarot as feedback loop, divination as dialogue, or witchcraft as subculture, magic is increasingly where audiences go to find meaning beyond the algorithm.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: AX Mina & Dorothy Santos
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Five and Nine Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/fiveandnine_podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Romance? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🌹🎬
Romance, Romance. Wherefore art thou, Romance? In this episode, Francesco D’Orazio talks with film analyst and industry researcher Stephen Follows to examine how the script has flipped on romantic storytelling in entertainment. From the big-screen romances that dominated the 90s to today's streaming-friendly, binge-worthy love stories, Fran and Stephen delve into why romance as a genre is thriving in books and TV but struggling on the silver screen. Discover how shifts in audience values around gender and sexuality, technological advancements, and changing viewing habits are redefining romantic storytelling. Are romantic movies truly gone with the wind, or are they simply evolving into something new entirely?
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Charlie Palmer
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Wrestling? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🤼♂️
In this episode, Francesco D’Orazio is tagging in Charlie Palmer, Marketing Director at Audience Strategies to pin down the dynamic, interactive, and evolving world of wrestling fandom.
From wrestling's old school TV early days on to today’s global streaming phenomenon, Charlie and Fran explore how wrestling narratives are shaped, at their very core, by audience engagement. Now that digital platforms have transformed fan interactions, it’s taken a new leap forward. Discover why wrestling is becoming the new political theatre, how memes have shaped storylines long before social media, and how WWE has turned audience intelligence into entertainment. Wrestling's unique blend of live spontaneity and scripted drama, places it in media like no other sporting or entertainment phenomenon. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just curious about why wrestling keeps dominating the mainstream, this episode dives deep into the psychology, demographics, and future trends shaping wrestling audiences today.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Charlie Palmer
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of the Unhinged? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🤪🌀
In this episode, Francesco D’Orazio speaks with Annie House, Strategy Director at OK COOL, to unravel the phenomenon of unhinged.
From the early days of unhinged marketing on Twitter to the rampant TikTok chaos of today, we explore how unhinged became a political and cultural force. We go into the unhinged hourglass effect and why the internet keeps swinging between hyper-polished and completely feral. Is unhinged is a creative revolution… or just the next thing brands will ruin? If you’ve ever liked a chaotic Duolingo post, accidentally laughed at a Ryanair clapback, or wondered why brands are acting like meme accounts, this ep is for you.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Annie House
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Fran and David Boyle, Director of Audience Strategies as they dive into the impact of AI on market research. David, ever a passionate advocate for AI-first strategies in insights, shares his vision for the future of research, emphasising how AI is transforming workflows, uncovering hidden patterns, and enabling faster, more impactful (and cost-effective) decision-making.
The episode unpacks AI’s role in synthesis, learning, thinking, and writing, exploring its potential to create deeper, more strategic insights while maintaining the human touch. From big reports to rapid answers, the emergence of insight architects, and the return of a certain class of insights manager: creative strategists. Join us as we explore how AI is shaping a more integrated and forward-thinking approach to audience understanding.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: David Boyle
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
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Who’s the Audience of Horror? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🧟
Horror is experiencing a double boom: we've never produced as many horror movies as today and the horror share of all movies produced is also the highest that's ever been.
What's going on? We talk to film analyst Stephen Follows to understand what's behind the rise of Horror and how the audience behind it is evolving. Stephen recently published the Horror Movie Report 2.0 which examines 27,000 horror films, analyzing factors like production, audience demographics, and the unique aspects of horror films in over 350 charts.
Join as Stephen and Fran explore why horror films defy traditional critic and audience relationship models and delve into horror's cultural significance. They touch on the rising global production of horror films, the genre's diversification, and its increasingly mainstream and society-reflecting audience. They also discuss the societal and technological factors influencing horror film trends and speculate on future developments in the world of horror.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Stephen Follows
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
The Horror Movie Report: https://stephenfollows.com/p/the-horror-movie-report
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IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
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Who’s the Audience of Nuclear? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? ☢️
Join us as we speak to Pablos Holman, General Partner at Deep Future - a Nuclear technology advocate who’s been investing in high-tech solutions that reshape the reality and the narrative around nuclear energy. We delve into the evolving public perception of nuclear energy, exploring its history, challenges, opportunities and potential - this episode is a deep dive into the intersection of energy innovation and public opinion. Get into the critical role both play in addressing climate change and global energy needs.
We’re also joined by James Box, Pulsar’s Associate Research Director, who explores the evolving communities surrounding nuclear energy. With audience clusters from progressive activists to MAGA supporters, we explore their motivations and perceptions as well as how key influencers such as Isodope shape public opinion - and what that means for future energy policies.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Pablos Holman, James Box
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Hollywood? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🎬
We speak with Diana Williams, CEO & Co-Founder of Kinetic Energy about the impact digital distribution has had on Hollywood audiences, how entertainment ‘content-culture’ is changing the way communities form and explore what Diana really means when she says that ‘bias is killing capitalism’. Formerly the Creative Development and Franchise Producer at Lucasfilm in charge of narrative cohesion for the Star Wars universe, Diana has seen all sides of Hollywood mega franchises. She’s currently Chair of the Interactive Board of Jurors for digital and immersive storytelling for the Peabody Awards, on the board of the Overlook Film Festival, and holds many more positions in entertainment, IP development and storytelling media.
Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Diana Williams, Ethan Helvering
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Cultural Intelligence? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 📚
We speak with Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel, author of ‘Cultural Intelligence for Marketers: Building an Inclusive Marketing Strategy’ about the need for brands to produce inclusive and representative messaging that resonates with diverse audiences. In today’s globalized and diverse world, understanding cultural intelligence has become increasingly crucial for marketers. Looking at the examples of Lyft, Coca-Cola and Hinge, Fran and Anastasia explore how championing cultural intelligence, analyzing audiences and leveraging social trends and cultural movements can benefit both businesses and society.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of AI? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🤖
For the inaugural episode of Audiences’ second season we’re joined by Deanna Tserkezie, Research Director at Pulsar, and Chris Stoker Walker, author of 'How AI Ate the World', to discuss AI's evolution from niche technology to widespread cultural phenomenon. In this bumper-length episode, we look at the changing audiences of AI over the last ten years, address AI's misconceptions, societal impacts, and the integration of generative AI into daily life, while foregrounding issues of ethics, bias, and the essence of human creativity.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Chris Stokel-Walker and Deanna Tserkezie
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Sustainability? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🌱
What role does the personal definition of sustainability among consumers play in brands’ sustainability choices? We’re joined by Jess Francis, Senior Global Strategist, McCann Worldgroup Truth Central and Oliver Orlik, Global Sustainability Manager at McCann to explore the shift towards making sustainable choices the default rather than the aspiration. Together we discuss how sustainability audiences have evolved, the intersection of sustainability with various sectors, and the challenges of greenwashing in marketing. Integrating sustainability into narrative management has never been more important - and the future trajectory of sustainability audiences calls for brands to connect sustainability with other consumer concerns like the cost of living crisis and healthcare.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guests: Jess Francis and Oli Orlik
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
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IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Oli’s sustainable baby clothes company, Nina: https://ninababy.co.uk/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Electronic Music? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next?
Over the last 40 years electronic music in the UK has gone from counterculture to mainstream with far reaching influences outside music and into domains like fashion and pop-culture. In this transition, electronic music has gone from being an identity for a specific community, to becoming a platform for a broad range of audiences to express themselves. And in the process, electronic music has become a key driver of economic growth in many countries, but particularly so in the UK. Now a newly released study by the Night Time Industry Association in the UK shines a light on the cultural, social and economic impact of electronic music in the UK and we are joined by David Boyle, Director at Audience Strategies and one of the author of the report, to discuss how the audience of electronic music has evolved in the UK. We discuss the pioneering impact the British scene had on electronic music worldwide, changing demographics, shifting music tastes, evolving economies and premiumization, as well as risks and opportunities for the industry emerging with the new audiences joining the scene.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: David Boyle
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
NTIA UK Electronic Music Industry Report: https://ntia.co.uk/the-second-uk-electronic-music-industry-report/
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Who’s the Audience of Snapchat? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 👻
Discover how Snapchat fosters loyalty and community by addressing users’ most top concern on social platforms right now: authenticity. Ranked as the #1 happiest platform, Snapchat has been on the scene since 2011 and has since grown to 400 million daily and 800 million monthly active users. With a focus on messaging, connection and personal content shared with a closed audience, Snapchat creates an individualized social media ecosystem. Learn how brands fit into that ecosystem, why young demographics are attracted to the app and why Snapchat is encouraging its users to get streaking
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: Lea Karam
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Fandom? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next? 🤩
Discover how fandoms, uniting people online and offline through shared interests, have evolved into powerful, global networks. Join us as we chat with Andy Crysell, the founder of Crowd DNA and advisor at the Museum of Youth Culture, exploring the rise of fandoms into the mainstream. Learn how fandom offers social connections, a platform for self-expression, and even opportunities for fans to invest in their passions. We'll delve into the complexities of engaging with fan communities, the experience of fandom in a turbulent world, and the emerging trend of fans gaining financial involvement in what they love.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio and Sal Morton
Guest: Andy Crysell
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@audiencespodcast
IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How do you build an Audience out of thin air or… dust?
Following the publication of Dust: The Modern World in a Trillion Particles, we speak to author Jay Owens, Head of Audience at the London Review of Books, about who exactly is interested in a book about dust. We talk about dust’s role in climate change, domestic situations and the Anthropocene as a whole. The unconventional subject matter of dust leads to interesting points about the diversity of an audience, and how we can spark curiosity and open-mindedness among our audiences.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: Jay Owens
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
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IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Generosity? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next?
In the run-up to world generosity super-event Giving Tuesday, we speak to Kathleen Murphy-Toms, their Director of Digital Strategy. Kathleen’s unique perspective into the biggest charitable event worldwide gives insight into the ways that audiences give, how they want to give and which specific affects and emotions resonate most with different groups. Kathleen also talks about the wider world of generosity outside of traditional monetary giving and what a more generous world looks like.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: Kathleen Murphy-Toms
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
Supported by Pulsar
X https://twitter.com/audiencedisco
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IG https://www.instagram.com/audiencespodcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Who’s the Audience of Vogue? How has it evolved over the past few years? Where is it going next?
In this fashion-focused episode, host and Pulsar CEO Francesco D’Orazio speaks to Jenna Rak, Senior Director of Audience Development at Vogue, to explore how fashion audiences want to stray from linear time and traditional content timelines, and why creative industries need to take lead from their most creative allies.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Hosted by: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: Jenna Rak
Produced by: Sal Morton
Music: DJ Tennis
A special thank you to Vogue
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In this live inaugural episode session, host and Pulsar CEO Francesco D’Orazio speaks to Sarah Brandt, the EVP of Partnerships of Newsguard, to explore industry perspectives on how misinformation works, how it spreads, the risks associated with brands and public organizations and the audiences most commonly associated with it, their motivations and their key behaviors.
The Audiences Podcast is the audience discovery show. We talk to guests who build audiences for a living. And as we discuss what it takes to build an audience, we explore new emerging audiences in fashion, tech, media and many other industries. Subscribe to never miss an episode.
Host: Francesco D’Orazio
Guest: Sarah Brandt
Producer: Sal Morton
Research: Dahye Lee
Music: Manfredi Romano aka DJ Tennis
A special thank you to NewsGuard, who you can find at https://twitter.com/NewsGuardRating
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This Episode is brought to you with the generous support of Pulsar, the AI powered audience intelligence platform for marketeers, researchers and PR pros who put audiences at the core of everything they do.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.