Acast announced the acquisition of Wake Word Studios, a Munich- and Berlin-based creative audio and video studio, which will rebrand as Acast Creative Studios following the transaction.

According to a press release, the acquisition brings 50 podcast titles with more than two million monthly listens to the Acast network, including shows such as Beisenherz & Polak, Mensch!, Ralphs Relevante Rätsel and Wild und Fremd. Wake Word Studios was founded in 2019 and has received recognition including the “Deutscher Podcast Preis,” “Apple Podcast of the Year,” and the “European Publishing Award.”

Germany represents a significant podcast advertising market, with revenue forecast to reach nearly €79 million in 2025 according to the OVK-Report 2025/02. The acquisition marks the latest development in Acast’s German expansion since entering the market in 2019.

“The acquisition of Wake Word Studios is a decisive move that solidifies Acast’s leadership position in the vital German podcast market,” Acast CEO Greg Glenday said. “Germany is a mature, high-potential region, and integrating Wake Word’s stellar production reputation is a game-changer for our advertisers.”

The acquisition includes Wake Word’s media-planning platform, Podius, which will continue to operate as an independent tool for German advertisers to support discoverability, comparability, and planning of podcast campaigns.

Acast Creative Studios Expansion

Wake Word Studios becomes part of Acast Creative Studios, which launched in the U.S. at the start of 2025 following the acquisition of Wonder Media Network and operates across the UK, Australia, Sweden, and France. The German team will focus on omnichannel campaigns across audio, video, social media, and live events, as well as branded content and original podcast production.

Ruben Schulze-Fröhlich, founder of Wake Word, will become head of Acast Creative Studios Germany, reporting to Nina Wüst, Acast’s country manager. Schulze-Fröhlich will also remain part of the Podius management team.

“Joining Acast marks a brilliant new chapter for us – a natural fit that unites our team’s creative DNA with global expertise, technology, and scale in the premium audio sector,” Schulze-Fröhlich said. “Together, we are uniquely positioned to elevate the quality of original German content, while empowering brands to forge stronger connections with audiences through innovative, multi-platform storytelling.”

Infrastructure and Operations

The company will establish audio and visual podcast studios in Munich to support premium content creation and branded production, and to serve as a hub for German podcasters. The transaction will make Wake Word Studios a wholly-owned subsidiary of Acast.

Acast stated the acquisition is not expected to have a material impact on its financial position or short-term financial results, but anticipates significant strategic value for long-term growth in Germany.

Acast reports operating a marketplace spanning more than 140,000 podcasts, 3,300 advertisers, and 1 billion quarterly listens. The company is headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, and listed on Nasdaq Stockholm.

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