Pandemic lockdowns forced many to go online to find entertainment. Thanks to its more informal format, podcasts became a hit among Brazilians, collecting listeners across ages and regions – making the medium a great place for brands to foster engagement through a more personal connection.

Already gaining steam pre-pandemic, podcast listening has greatly accelerated, giving rise to ‘heavy’ podcast listeners who tune in multiple times a week. Aside from being passionate about audio, this group is also receptive to in-podcast ads, creating opportunities for brands to get their message heard.

Limited real-life interactions in lockdown have led many people to seek out online communications that allow for deeper, more intimate connections. Audio offers a welcome break from screen-based social media, but how can brands best harness this medium to stand out?

How will physical and virtual entertainment merge? What impact will mass spectatorship have on the gaming landscape? How can streaming services keep up with consumer demand? In this part of Expert Outlook, we speak to three experts about people’s evolving media preferences and expectations.