Sounder's AI-Powered Classification Technology Outperforms
Keyword Analysis for Multicultural Audio Content, Encouraging
Greater Monetization
NEW
YORK, Aug. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sounder, a
leading AI-powered brand safety solution in podcasting, and Urban
One, the largest diversified Black-owned media organization in
the United States, today released
the findings of a groundbreaking research project on AI/ML-driven
brand safety and suitability for podcasting.
The research, which was conducted in partnership with Radio One
& Reach Media, Urban One's audio divisions, as well as the new
Urban One Podcast Network, found that AI/ML-driven tools can
accurately classify diverse content, leading to greater
inclusivity, representation, and advertising opportunities for
underrepresented voices.
"This research is a significant step forward in ensuring equal
monetization opportunities for diverse creators in podcasting,"
said Kal Amin, co-founder and CEO of
Sounder. "By addressing concerns about AI/ML-driven brand safety
and suitability models, Sounder's AI-based technology supports
authentic and inclusive content representation."
The research found that traditional keyword-based approaches to
brand safety and suitability are often inaccurate and can lead to
the under-monetization of diverse content. For example, a
keyword-based approach might flag a podcast episode that discusses
race or social justice as unsafe, even if the episode features a
well-produced, informative and educational conversation that is
respectful of all viewpoints.
In contrast, Sounder's AI-based technology is able to understand
the context of a podcast episode and accurately assess its
suitability for advertising. This means that Black content creators
who share their unique stories and perspectives can be confident
that their content has the ability to be appropriately classified
and monetized.
Additional findings include:
- When applying a standard keyword blocklist solution to Urban
One's podcast content, an overwhelming 92% of all episodes are
removed from available inventory.
- When applying a semantically and contextually focused
AI/ML-based model to classify brand safety and suitability, only
10% of episodes are potentially unavailable
for monetization.
- Transcription quality is important for accurately classifying
content. If Black English (AAVE) is transcribed incorrectly, this
can lead to misclassifications and further marginalization of Black
creators.
"At Urban One, we are passionate about having real, authentic
dialogue with our audience around topics that matter to them, while
also creating equitable conversations with brands and agencies,
ensuring that they can invest confidently in brand safe, relevant
environments," said Josh Rahmani,
CRO, Urban One, Audio Division. "This research is a step in the
right direction to help advertisers see the bias that exists in
legacy brand safety solutions which disproportionately impact
Black-owned and Black-targeted media."
The research findings have implications for the entire
podcasting industry. As podcasting continues to grow in popularity,
it is essential that the industry finds ways to ensure that all
voices are represented. By using AI/ML-driven tools that are
designed without bias, the podcasting industry can create a more
inclusive and equitable space for all creators.
The full research report is available on the Sounder website
here: https://www.sounder.fm/urbanone-suitability-whitepaper
About Urban One, Inc.
Urban One, Inc. (urban1.com),
together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media
company that primarily targets Black Americans and urban consumers
in the United States. The company
owns TV One, LLC (tvone.tv), a television network serving more than
59 million households, offering a broad range of original
programming, classic series, and movies designed to entertain,
inform and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. As of
June 2023, Urban One currently owns
and/or operates 66 independently formatted, revenue-producing
broadcast stations (including 55 FM or AM stations, 9 HD stations,
and the 2 low-power television stations we operate) branded under
the tradename "Radio One" in 13 urban markets in the United States. Through its controlling
interest in Reach Media, Inc.
(blackamericaweb.com), the Company also operates syndicated
programming, including the Rickey Smiley
Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning
Show, and the DL Hughley Show. In addition to its radio and
television broadcast assets, Urban One owns iOne Digital
(ionedigital.com), our wholly-owned digital platform serving the
African American community through social content, news,
information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius,
Bossip, HipHopWired, and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands.
Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers
with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to African American
and urban audiences.
About Sounder
Sounder is an industry-leading Al
company specializing in podcast content classification. Its
advanced technology enables precise content discovery and
recommendations, providing brand safety and suitability solutions,
and contextual intelligence to podcast creators and consumers.
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SOURCE Urban One, Inc.