Before you start: this guide assumes you already have access to Acast’s ad platform and a campaign with at least one podcast booked. It walks through ad production for a sponsorship — the process for other ad formats may differ slightly. |
Once you have confirmed a podcast to your sponsorship campaign, you'll manage the production of the ad for that sponsorship directly in Acast’s ad platform. Production happens in three or four steps, depending on the script preferences when you submit your campaign proposal. What step you’re on is always visible at the top of the sponsorship page:
Brief - send the podcast your talking points
Script - optional - you review and approve what the host will say or supply a script as a part of your brief
Media asset - you review and approve the recorded sponsorship ad
Production complete - your sponsorship is scheduled to go live
If your campaign includes more than one podcast, each sponsorship goes through this process separately - you'll repeat these steps once per podcast.
Quick walkthrough video
Finding ad production for your sponsorship
From the ad platform dashboard, select the sponsorship tab and open the campaign you’re managing.
In the left sidebar, under Sponsorships, select the podcast you want to work on.
Select Host-read sponsorship. This opens the sponsorship's production page.
You'll come back to this same page throughout production — the heading and content update automatically as each step moves forward.
If there is an action expected of you, it’s listed in the “Action required” section on the sponsorship page and at the top of each individual sponsorship page.
You'll also get an email notification whenever it's your turn to take action.
Step 1: Submit your brief
The brief tells the podcast host what to talk about, so use it to set out your key talking points, must-include messages, and the call-to-action (CTA). The podcast will write the script in their own voice, based on what you provide here.
Under Download the template, select Download to get the Acast Brief Template.docx. You can also open acast-example-brief.docx to see what a completed brief looks like.
Fill in the template with your talking points, key messages, and any CTAs.
Script - If you’ve selected to supply a script for the podcaster to read, include that in the brief or as a separate file upload. (see section Script options below)
Under Upload the completed brief, click or drag your completed file into the upload area.
Select Submit brief.
Script options
A confirmation window opens: “Submit brief? Your brief will be sent to the podcast. You can make updates to the brief later, but the podcast will start working from what you send now.” Select Submit brief again to confirm.
Tip: If you’ve asked the podcaster to provide a script, you can edit the brief up until the script is approved. But if you’ve provided a script, you can edit your brief until a media asset has been submitted. |
What happens next: Awaiting podcast's script
Note: If you’ve already supplied the script for the podcaster to read as part of the brief, this step is skipped. |
Once your brief is submitted, the page updates to “Awaiting podcast's script.” No action is needed from you here, the podcast is writing a script based on your brief, and you'll get notified in the platform and receive an email when it's ready for you to review.
Step 2: Review the script
Note: If you’ve supplied the script for the podcaster, this step is skipped. |
When the script is ready, the page updates to “Review script” and you'll get an email notification.
Select Download to open and read the attached script file.
Choose one of the following:
Approve script — the script moves forward as-is.
Approve with notes — for small tweaks that don't need a full revision round.
Reject and request a revision — for changes that need to be made before the script can move forward.
You can request several script revisions. It’s a good idea to make sure you and the podcaster are clear on the script before recording the sponsorship. You only get one revision of the audio asset.
Requesting a script revision
If you need changes, select Reject and request a revision:
In the Request a revision window, describe what needs to change in Revision request (required).
Optionally attach an annotated script or reference document (.doc, .docx, .pdf).
Select Submit revision request.
Guidelines for a good revision request Be specific about what needs to change. Reference the section or line, and describe what should be different — clear, specific feedback means a faster turnaround. Focus on brief-related issues. For example, incorrect CTAs, missing key messages, or factual errors. Mind the timing. The final script should be a maximum of 150 words, so it fits your sponsorship slot length. |
Once you submit, the page updates to “Awaiting revised script.” Again, no action is needed until the podcast resubmits — you'll be notified in the sponsorship page and by email.
Reviewing a revised script
When a revised script is ready, the page updates to “Review revised script,” marked Version 2. Your original revision request is shown for reference above the approval buttons.
Review the new script and choose Approve script, Approve with notes, or request another revision if it still isn't right. Once you approve the script, the tracker moves on to step 3, Media asset.
Step 3: Review the media asset
After the script is approved, the podcast records the ad. The page updates to “Awaiting podcast's media asset”. No action is needed from you until it's ready.
When the recording is ready, the page updates to “Review media asset” and you'll get an email notification.
Select the play button to listen to the recording.
Select Download if you'd like a copy of the file.
Choose Approve media asset or Request a revision.
Approval is final. Once you approve the media asset, it's scheduled to go live. Any further adjustments after approval go through your sponsorship manager. |
Requesting a media asset revision
One revision only. You can only request one revision of a media asset. After that you must contact your sponsorship manager. |
Select Request a revision to open the request window:
Under What needs to be changed? (Select all that apply), check any that apply:
Mispronounced name or word
Call-to-action is wrong or missing
Missed mandatory talking point
Audio has technical issues (noise, distortion, poor clarity)
Other — I'm not sure if it's qualified for a revision
Add specifics in Details (required) — include a timestamp if you can, for example “0:34 — should be pronounced XXX.”
Check the confirmation box: “I understand that all revision requests will be directed through my sponsorship manager, who will inform me if the change will incur an additional fee.”
Select Submit revision request.
How does a revision work? Re-records are only available for significant issues — an incorrect CTA, a missed key point from your brief, a mispronounced name, or poor audio quality. Changes to creative direction or tone don't qualify. Requests for edits or wording that weren't in the original brief may incur an additional fee (up to €/$/£500 per read) and/or delays. Your sponsorship manager will advise after you submit the request. |
The page updates to “Awaiting revised media asset” while the podcast re-records. When the new version is ready, the page updates to “Review revised media asset,” marked Version 2 — review it the same way and select Approve media asset once you're happy with it.
Approving the final media asset
A confirmation window opens: “Approve media asset? Once you've approved the media asset, production is complete. Your sponsorship will go live on [date] and is scheduled to air until [date].”
Select Approve media asset to confirm.
Production complete
Once approved, the page updates to “Production complete” and your sponsorship is scheduled to go live for its booked dates.
You'll also be asked to rate how easy it was to work with the podcast, on a 1–5 star scale from “Very hard” to “Very easy.” This feedback helps Acast and the podcast improve the production process.
Select Go to campaign to return to the campaign overview.
Tracking your campaign after production
Back on the campaign page, open the Budget and delivery tab to see your Campaign summary — net spend and impressions by podcast — once your sponsorship goes live.
Need help?
Every sponsorship has a dedicated sponsorship manager, shown under “Need help?” on the production page. They can answer questions about your brief, script, revisions, or any fees — select Message [name] to start a conversation at any point during production.