The Not-So-Glamorous Grind Behind Great Podcast Ads

In this episode of AdStops, Tiffany Rubenstein, COO and Co-Founder of ADOPTER Media, and Angela Stiveson, Director of Ad Operations, talk through the crucial early stages of onboarding new podcast advertising clients—and the often-unseen work an ad operations team tackles behind the scenes.

From crafting effective ad copy with standout calls to action, to troubleshooting URL structures and securing unique promo codes (spoiler: “mom” and “murder” are probably taken), the conversation reveals just how much thoughtful preparation goes into every campaign. They also dig into the logistics—like making sure product samples arrive on time, why host onboarding calls matter, and how communication can make or break an ad read.

They also drop some real-world gems—like the fact that even changing one word in your ad copy still counts as a full rewrite. Yep, one word. So maybe hold off on that “quick tweak” unless you’ve got time to spare.

If you've ever wondered how a podcast ad goes from idea to airtime—or just want to know what size mattress you should be ordering for that host—this episode is your behind-the-scenes guide.