🎧 What Flash Briefings Taught Us About the Future of Audio

Hello,

Back in July 2019, I gave a talk at Amazon HQ about flash briefings - those short, punchy audio updates designed to play on Alexa devices. I was convinced they’d be a game-changer for the future of on-demand audio content.

But flash briefings also disappeared quietly, partly because discoverability was a mess and partly because Alexa stopped caring about it. Turns out it’s pretty hard to put time and energy into a daily format when the platform doesn’t back it!

Still, creating a daily podcast that could be heard via a smart speaker taught me a lot about the power of short-form audio. It also put a spotlight on the relationship between speaking, listening and multi-tasking, as well as starting to reveal the difference a real human voice makes when it comes to building trust.

In this week’s episode of the Stop Rewind Play podcast, I revisit what flash briefings taught us about short-form audio, voice-first UX, and the value of sonic identity. And why, even in 2025, there’s still something to learn from them.

The one shot I have of me presenting at Amazon HQ in July 2019. Let this be your reminder to make sure you have someone to take photos for you when you are the one doing the talking on the stage!

Did you ever publish an Alexa flash briefing, or maybe you still have one running? I’d love to hear about it - just hit reply.

Smart links for sound people - this week we Rewind on how Apple’s new listening data could shape strategy, Vue’s blockbuster sonic identity, and why AI voices aren’t fooling everyone - yet…

🎙️ Podcasting

• How TIME chose the 100 best podcasts of all time | TIME

• British Podcast Awards 2025 nominees announced | British Podcast Awards

• Which podcast format is right for your show? | Backstage

• Podcast listening grows as video reshapes the landscape | Edison Research via Podnews

• Podcast advertising has gone omnichannel | The Drum

• Producing podcasts that grow your business - it’s not just talking | Ear Worthy / Medium

• Surround podcast network expands reach with three new shows | Podcasting Today

• Subscription Listening Reports now available for Apple Podcast creators | Apple Podcasts

• Are podcasts going visual? New data shows how listeners are watching | YouGov

• Solving the case for podcast ROI: how Audacy cracked it | Ad Age Studio 30

• Podcast SEO is collapsing - here’s what to do about it | RAIN News

• Inside the podcast brain of Louis Roberts | Sounds Profitable

• The Podcast Consumer 2025: what Edison’s latest research reveals | Edison Research

• Podscribe launches tools to improve podcast ad targeting and performance | Inside Audio Marketing

• Higher ed podcasts are starting to grow and get organised | Forbes

• Comedy podcasters answer questions from famous shows | RGM

• Radiocentre to launch podcast supporting radio ad campaign | Podcasting Today

• Podcasters: do as I say, not as I do | The Critic

• Is podcasting losing sight of its audio roots? | Barrett Media

• Audioboom acquires Adelicious to create largest UK podcast network | Podcasting Today

• The following links require you to login to view…

  • Why more podcasters are pivoting to video and who’s actually tuning in | The New York Times

  • Joe Budden’s podcast finances reveal high earnings and even higher costs | The New York Times

🎶 Sound Design

• WithFeeling named official audio partner for Special Olympics GB | Campaign ME

• Hans Zimmer gives Qatar Airways a full-length sonic identity | Luxury Launches

• Nikki Sunga on how brand-powered sound is evolving globally | Adobo Magazine

• Hijinks crafts EPIC brand and film for Vue’s most advanced experience | LBB Online

• Audio: the multi-billion dollar opportunity advertisers still overlook | Audacy

• New ‘Pure Audio Streaming’ service promises lossless immersive sound | Audioholics

• Re-imagine: Output’s AI tool creates original audio from any sample | MusicRadar

🔮 Audio Future

• AI’s voice mimicry has Sam Altman warning the Fed about a fraud crisis | Fortune

• AI system enables scalable voice-powered interactive surveys | Quantum Zeitgeist

• I couldn’t find a podcast, so I asked AI to make one | PCMag UK

• Is this human, or does it just sound human? | The Boar

• Why audio-to-text tools are revolutionising productivity | Lifehack

• Grab seeks voice samples to improve app for visually impaired users | The Straits Times

• Geotargeted radio ads are here - AM/FM can now split spots by location | Westwood One

• Aiir’s Audio.co launches commercial audio production tools using AI | Radio Today

Click here to listen to the Social Days flash briefing episode from 25 July, 2000.

(Mixing and mastering for Alexa was an education in itself, but listening back to this now it is a little heavy on the broadcast-style compression! 😅)