“Podcast” Chosen as Word of the Year

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by: Joseph Mann

If ever there was an indication that something has transcended fad-ism it is to be included in the dictionary. “Podcast” has been chosen word of the year by the editors of the New Oxford American Dictionary. According to Erin McKean, editor in chief of the New Oxford American Dictionary: “Podcast was considered for inclusion last year, but we found that not enough people were using it, or were even familiar with the concept. This year it's a completely different story. The word has finally caught up with the rest of the iPod phenomenon.”

I’ll say. With more than 6 million MP3 player owners having downloaded podcasts1 and Apple Computer reporting more than 15,000 podcasts are available through its iTunes Music Store2 alone, we’re not exactly at the critical mass stage yet, but those are still no metrics to dismiss. The numbers are sure to climb steadily as more businesses realize the value of podcasts in branding and demand creation and figure out how to integrate them into their communications.

Sources:
1
Pew Internet & American Life Project
2 Apple Computer
CMO Magazine

Original Post: http://marketingroi.blogspot.com/2005/12/podcast-chosen-as-word-of-year.html