Podcast Advertising Examples
What Makes a Podcast Ad Effective?
When podcast advertising is done right, it doesn’t even feel like you’re listening to an ad. Yes, podcast sponsorships need to be disclosed as such, but if executed well, these ads blend effortlessly into the show. The perfect podcast ad sounds more like a recommendation from a good friend or a natural continuation of the conversation. If you’re part of the 53% of the US population who listens to podcasts regularly every month, your online shopping cart has certainly experienced the impact!
But what makes these ads work? Is it the way the host transitions smoothly into the pitch? The humor? The personal endorsement that feels completely unscripted? It’s all of this!
Before sharing some of our favorite podcast advertising examples, let’s break down the key elements that make them effective. Understanding the types, formats, and placements of podcast ads is the foundation of building a campaign that works. Ok, let’s dig in!
Podcast Ad Types: Introduction to the Basics
Understanding the types of podcast ads is the first step to building a campaign that resonates. Download the PDF version of the chart below here!
Host-Read Ads: The Gold Standard
Host-read ads are the most effective format because they leverage audience trust. The host delivers the ad in their own voice and style, often drawing from personal experience with the product.
- Feels authentic and conversational
- Can be baked in (permanent) or dynamically inserted (updated ads)
- Drives higher engagement and conversion rates
Producer-Read Ads: Structured & Scripted
These programmatic ads are placed using listener demographics, allowing brands to target audiences based on location, interests, or behavior. While these ads can be either host-read or producer-read, they don’t always achieve the same level of authenticity.
Key Insight: Host-read ads continue to outperform producer-read ads in engagement and conversions because they feel more genuine and personalized.
Podcast Ad Formats: Placement Matters
Where an ad appears in an episode affects its performance.
Pre-Roll Ads (First 5 Minutes)
Great for brand awareness, but some listeners may skip ahead.
Mid-Roll Ads (40-70% Through the Episode) – Highest Conversions
- Listeners are fully engaged in the content
- More seamless integration into the conversation
- Best performance in terms of recall and action taken
Post-Roll Ads (End of Episode)
- Good for reinforcing brand awareness
- Lower engagement since some listeners drop off before the final moments
Takeaway: If conversion is the goal, mid-roll ads consistently deliver the best return on investment because listeners are actively engaged. And services like Podscribe can provide you automated transcription, tracking, and verification for your ads ensuring you know exactly when and how your ads are being delivered.
Podcast Advertising Examples That Work
Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals, let’s check out some real-world examples of podcast ads that worked. These are reads that connected with listeners, felt seamless, and conveyed genuine enthusiasm.
Lumen on The Titus Podcast
Ad Type: Host-Read Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Conversational LISTEN NOW
The hosts of The Titus Podcast turned their ad for Lumen into a natural conversation. Over five and a half minutes, they shared stories about using Lumen in their daily routines, mixing humor with personal anecdotes. It felt like an organic part of the show rather than a scripted promotion. Why It Worked: The hosts’ authenticity and enthusiasm made it feel like a recommendation from a friend. Their personal experience with the product built trust with the audience.
Magic Spoon on Woo Woo with Rachel Dratch
Ad Type: Host-Read (Celebrity Endorsement) Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Scripted but Personalized LISTEN NOW
Rachel Dratch infused her read for Magic Spoon with the same dry humor that made her famous on Saturday Night Live. By incorporating elements of her well-known Debbie Downer character, she made the ad feel like a natural part of the show rather than an interruption. Why It Worked: Leveraged nostalgia and humor to keep listeners engaged. Integrated the product into her comedic style for a seamless transition.
Graza Olive Oil on Something’s Burning
Ad Type: Host-Read Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Free Flowing LISTEN NOW
On Something’s Burning, Bert Kreischer brought his signature energy to this ad, making Graza Olive Oil sound like the most exciting thing to hit a kitchen since cast-iron skillets. His passion for food turned a simple brand mention into a full-on, can’t-miss moment that had listeners genuinely excited about olive oil. Why It Worked: High energy and natural integration made the ad impossible to ignore. Authentic enthusiasm turned the mention into an engaging conversation.
Miracle Made on Reading Glasses
Ad Type: Host-Read Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Free Flowing LISTEN NOW
On Reading Glasses, hosts Brea and Mallory went beyond the script for Miracle Made sheets, throwing in a detail that cat lovers everywhere instantly appreciated: cat hair doesn’t stick to these sheets. Suddenly, Miracle Made wasn’t just a temperature-regulating bedding brand—it was a game-changer for pet owners. Why It Worked: The hosts highlighted a unique product benefit tailored to their audience. Their natural enthusiasm made it feel like a personal recommendation.
Remi on Wine & Crime
Ad Type: Host-Read Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Endorsement LISTEN NOW
This ad begins with a relatable introduction to common issues that lead many to consider a mouthguard—an approach that immediately draws listeners in. It clearly outlines Remi's streamlined process for creating a custom-fit guard, making it easy to understand and highly appealing. Why It Worked: The hosts genuinely sounded like they needed, used, and now appreciate their Remi mouthguard.The ad focused on a clear problem-solution structure, making it highly effective.
Blissy on She’s All Bach
Ad Type: Host-Read Placement: Mid-Roll Style: Conversational LISTEN NOW
The read for Blissy flowed so effortlessly into the host's conversation that listeners didn’t experience a jarring commercial break moment. Instead, it felt like a natural extension of the show—engaging, informative, and delivered with genuine excitement. Why It Worked: The ad felt like a casual, enthusiastic conversation rather than an interruption. The hosts’ excitement made the product feel like something they truly loved.
The Takeaway: What We’ve Learned from These Ads
Podcast advertising isn’t just about the sell—it’s about making a real connection with the audience. The best ads don’t feel like ads at all. They feel like stories, recommendations, or moments of shared enthusiasm…which together create brand interest and loyalty. When creating your campaign keep the following in mind:
- Host-read ads drive the highest engagement because they feel authentic.
- Mid-roll placements deliver the best results since they appear when listeners are highly engaged.
- Conversational and bullet-point styles outperform scripted reads, allowing for natural personality-driven delivery.
Want to create a podcast ad campaign that actually works?
Focus on seamless integration, trusting the host’s voice, and prioritizing connection over conversion. Interested in learning if podcast advertising is the right fit for your brand? Let’s chat!
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