CHICAGO — For many, it is a forgotten medium that never quite fulfilled its promise. But podcast publishers who have done well tend to have done really well.

Webzine Slate, a veteran talk podcast show producer, had six million downloads last month, publisher Anthony DeMaio tells Beet.TV in this video interview.

“We think there’s a huge (advertising) business percolating in the podcasting space,” he says. “It’s very difficult to multitask when you listen to a podcast.”

Right now, Slate monetises podcasts by having their hosts read 30-second sponsor messages. Recently, Acura sponsored a whole five-episode roadshow.

“We’re currently working with the IAB and other likeminded brands like NPR and The Atlantic to create some metrics behind (the opportunity),” DeMaio adds.

He was interviewed by Andy Plesser, executive producer of Beet.TV, earlier this month at the Beet.TV video summit about video advertising outside of the pre-roll.  The event was presented by Teads.