Liberated Syndication Inc. (Libsyn) is a world leading podcast hosting platform that has been equipping creators with hosting, distribution, and monetization services since 2004. This legacy syncs with our founding vision to provide the most advanced podcast hosting platform and ecosystem for podcasters to create, distribute and monetize content worldwide. In 2021 Libsyn hosted millions of media files from 75,000+ podcasts, delivering billions of downloads. Libsyn’s family of brands includes Libsyn, Libsyn Glow, Libsyn Studio, Pair Networks and Libsyn’s Advertisecast Marketplace, the industry’s leader in connecting advertisers to podcasters. These brands work together to give podcasters a comprehensive toolkit for sharing their passion, telling their stories, and changing the world.
To facilitate our vision, Libsyn has established a team of experts, who work together as thought-leaders in the podcasting ecosystem. Each member brings a special brand of experience and knowledge to the table that measurably furthers our mission. Libsyn’s team continues to grow as the marketplace demands greater and greater stewardship through the dynamic podcasting macrocosm.
John W. Gibbons has been at the forefront of the podcast and digital media industries throughout his career. He most recently served as CEO of Pocket Casts, an industry-revered podcast app that was backed by a consortium of investors, including NPR, WNYC, WBEZ, and the BBC, and was acquired by Automattic, the parent company of WordPress.com, in 2021. Prior to Pocket Casts, John spent over a decade with Amazon.com and its subsidiary, The Internet Movie Database (IMDb.com); following his tenure at Amazon.com, he served as VP of International for Sizmek, a global ad server, preceding its acquisition by Amazon.com. A VC-backed Founder and CEO of a digital-first video company, John also helped launch and grow Atom Tickets, an award-winning movie ticket e-commerce app, and has served as an advisor to Podchaser, an industry-leading podcast-discovery database, since its inception.
Elsie Escobar is Libsyn’s Community Manager and co-host/producer of The Feed: The Official Libsyn Podcast. She is a 15-year veteran in the podcasting industry and an inductee to the Academy of Podcasters Hall of Fame. Elsie is also Co-founder of She Podcasts, a podcasting community for women + non-binary that has more than 20k members with a corresponding podcast and conference.
A podcasting advocate, pundit, and mentor to primarily women podcaster leaders, Elsie drives dialogue in the podcasting industry focusing on society and culture as well as the power of podcasts to drive social change. Elsie earned her BFA from Loyola Marymount University and her MFA at the National Theater Conservatory.
Prior to joining Libsyn in 2007, Rob Walch was President and founder of podCast411, Inc. He is co-author of the book Tricks of the Podcasting Masters, 2006, an editors’ pick as a Top 10 Reference book for 2006 by Amazon.com. Rob was listed as the 5th most influential person in podcasting according to the book Podcasting for Dummies, Wiley Press 2005.
Rob has consulted on podcasting for eBay, Jack Welch, Tim Ferriss, Senator Edwards, Governor Bill Richardson, Dr. Mark Hyman, Noah Shanok (Stitcher), and the Sacramento Kings/Monarchs, to name just a few. He is also on the editorial board and a columnist for the Podcast Business Journal. Rob was Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee for the Association of Downloadable Media and on the committee for the IAB Podcast Metric Guidelines. Rob received his BS in Engineering from the University of Dayton and his MBA from the University of Connecticut.