Conan O’Brien recently had an intriguing discussion on his talk show, “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend,” about the concept of “brand safety analysis.” In this episode, Conan reflects on the progress of the podcast, which has been running for over 5 years and has released more than 400 episodes.
Despite being in the industry for a long time, Conan’s podcast is still experiencing growth. This is partly due to the Evergreen nature of the episodes, allowing new listeners to discover and enjoy the show’s extensive back catalog. In fact, around 40% of monthly listens come from older episodes, proving the timeless appeal of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend.”
Conan also shared his excitement about the high-profile guests the podcast attracts. From Arnold Schwarzenegger to Sir Paul McCartney, the show continues to feature incredible talent, even after all these years. In a playful twist, Conan humorously mentioned how they didn’t even invite Schwarzenegger to the show, but he barged in and became part of the episode.
Another interesting aspect Conan discussed was the evolution of the podcasting industry. Since the show’s inception, there has been a shift from direct response advertisers to big brands. While direct response advertisers focused mainly on the performance of their ads, big brands prioritize associating their names with reputable talents. This has led to the rise of brand safety analysis, where algorithms and transcription services analyze the content to ensure it aligns with the brand’s values.
During the segment, Conan reviewed the brand safety analysis of his own show. The analysis highlighted various categories and their corresponding risk levels. For instance, adult and sexual explicit content ranked at a relatively low 4%, while obscenity and profanity scored a high 83%. Conan humorously poked fun at these numbers, suggesting that perhaps they should monitor their language more closely during interviews and segments.
Conan and his team also delved into other categories of the brand safety analysis, such as hate speech, acts of aggression, and crime and violence. While a few numbers raised eyebrows, Conan took the analysis in jest, emphasizing that he appreciates the increased sensitivity of advertisers towards brand safety.
Even though Conan aims to become more brand-friendly, he remains dedicated to maintaining the authenticity that defines his podcast. While he acknowledges that certain language and topics might need toning down, he believes that the essence of “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” lies in its unique and unabashed humor.
Overall, Conan’s perspective on the state of his podcast offers an entertaining insight into the dynamics of the entertainment industry. As the show continues to grow and evolve, Conan and his team are committed to striking a balance between authenticity and brand safety. With its impressive lineup of guests and dynamic content, “Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend” remains a must-listen for fans of talk shows and comedy alike.
