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Unlocking Branded Content with Audio & Video: Affordable Tools Media Companies Can Use Today

  • Writer: Shannon Kinney
    Shannon Kinney
  • 9 minutes ago
  • 4 min read

Branded content has never been more powerful. Audiences are hungry for stories they can connect with, and advertisers are eager to align with trusted publishers who can tell those stories. As media companies look to expand their branded content offerings, audio and video open new doors for engagement and revenue.


But here’s the good news: you don’t need a Hollywood budget or a full production studio to get started. With the explosion of AI-driven tools and affordable software, creating professional-quality video and podcast content is more accessible than ever. If you’ve been considering adding audio or video to your branded content mix, these resources can help you start strong and scale quickly. We are helping our current Branded Content Cash Camp Cohort that’s focusing on Audio & Video develop sustainable models and compiled this list for them, and I wanted to share it with all of you. 


🎥 Video Creation & Editing


AI-Powered Tools:


  • Descript (Free + Paid): Edit video and audio by editing text, remove filler words, add captions, and even overdub voice. Ideal for turning podcasts into video content.

  • Pictory (Paid, ~$19/mo): Transform blog posts or scripts into videos with AI visuals and voiceovers. Perfect for short social clips.

  • Runway (Free + Paid): AI-powered editing with background removal, green screen, and text-to-video.

  • Veed.io (Free + Paid): Browser-based editor with AI subtitles, templates, and quick exports for social.

  • Zingfrog.ai: Streamlined video creation with AI automation.

  • NotebookLM (Google): Smart summarization and video explanation support, great for creating explainers.

  • Stringr: A hybrid platform combining AI tools with access to freelance videographers nationwide.


AI for Image/Video Assets:


  • DALL·E, MidJourney, Koala AI, Opus AI, Google Veo: New AI-driven image and video generators that can support branded content visuals.


Other Free or Low-Cost Options:


  • DaVinci Resolve (Free): Industry-level video editing with color correction and graphics.

  • Canva Video Editor (Free + Paid): Drag-and-drop templates for branded clips, reels, and social posts.

  • Audio Versioning (ElevenLabs): AI voice generation for narration.

  • VideoBolt: Quick video creation from customizable templates.


🎙️ Podcast Creation & Editing


AI-Powered Tools:


  • Descript: Again, it’s a star — edit audio by editing text, add music, and export across platforms.

  • Adobe Podcast Enhance (Free): AI noise reduction and voice enhancement that makes any audio sound studio-quality.

  • Podcastle (Free + Paid): AI-driven recording and editing with multitrack remote interviews.


Other Free/Inexpensive Tools:


  • Audacity (Free): Reliable open-source audio editor.

  • GarageBand (Free on Mac): Easy, entry-level recording and editing.

  • Zoom PodTrak P4 ($169 one-time): Portable recorder purpose-built for podcasts.


📡 Podcast Hosting & Distribution


AI/Smart Platforms:


  • Riverside.fm (Paid, ~$19+/mo): Remote interview recording with studio-quality audio, AI transcription, and automatic social clips.

  • Castmagic (Paid, ~$39/mo): AI-generated show notes, social posts, and episode summaries — saves hours of work.


Other Free/Inexpensive Options:


  • Spotify for Podcasters (Free): Unlimited hosting, broad distribution, and monetization.

  • Buzzsprout ($12–$24/mo): User-friendly with robust analytics.

  • Anchor (now merged into Spotify): Simple and free podcast hosting.


🔑 Best All-in-One Options


If you want to keep things lean:


  • Descript + Riverside.fm + Canva: Covers video, podcast, editing, distribution, and repurposing at a modest monthly cost.

  • DaVinci Resolve + Audacity + Spotify for Podcasters: A completely free, professional-grade workflow (with a steeper learning curve).


🔑 Fulfillment Support


Podcast



Video



Content Creation and/or Strategy



Branded Content Distribution: Nativo acts like a programmatic network for your branded content


Why This Matters for Media Companies


Adding video and audio branded content isn’t just about chasing trends — it’s about meeting audiences where they are. Short-form video is dominating attention spans, podcasts are driving record engagement, and advertisers want innovative, cross-platform ways to tell their story.


With these tools, your team can:


  • Create branded content video and podcast packages for advertisers.

  • Expand your reach into high-demand formats without heavy upfront investment.

  • Train internal teams and even DIY advertisers to create and distribute their own branded content — with your media brand guiding the way.


And with the fulfillment support, you can offer these solutions without needing to staff up.


The bottom line? Audio and video branded content are no longer out of reach. With the right tools, media outlets can expand offerings, deepen advertiser relationships, and unlock new revenue streams.


For additional AI resources tailored to local media, visit Local Media Association’s AI Resources Hub.


And, applications are now open for our next Branded Content Cohort which is focused on Cause Marketing, you can apply here.

The Branded Content Project is designed through a strategic partnership between Local Media Association and the Local Media Consortium with funding from the Knight Foundation to help facilitate additional growth, engagement, and revenue success for more publishers of all shapes and sizes.

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