Acast has acquired Wake Word Studios, a Munich- and Berlin-based creative audio and video studio and original content producer.
The business will undergo a rebrand to become Acast Creative Studios following completion.
The deal strengthens Acast’s position in Germany, marking the latest step in its local expansion since entering the market in 2019. It’s also scaling its Acast Creative Studios proposition, which delivers omnichannel campaigns for major brands across audio, video, social and live events.
Wake Word Studios’ existing podcast portfolio will join the Acast network, adding 50 titles with more than two million monthly listens.
These include Beisenherz & Polak, Mensch!, Ralphs Relevante Rätsel and Wild und Fremd, as well as plans to establish new audio and visual podcast studios in Munich.
The German Acast Creative Studios team will focus on omnichannel advertising campaigns, branded content production and original podcast creation, supporting advertisers and creators as podcasting continues to expand across audio, video and social platforms.
This acquisition also includes Wake Word’s media planning platform, Podius, which will continue to operate independently for German advertisers, providing podcast discoverability, comparability and campaign planning tools.
Germany’s podcast advertising market is forecast to reach nearly €79 million this year, according to the OVK-Report 2025/02, reflecting growing demand for more sophisticated advertising approaches in the region.
Greg Glenday, Acast CEO, said: “The acquisition of Wake Word Studios is a decisive move that solidifies Acast’s leadership position in the vital German podcast market.
“Germany is a mature, high-potential region, and integrating Wake Word’s stellar production reputation is a game-changer for our advertisers.
“This instantly supercharges our Acast Creative Studios proposition, marrying Wake Word Studios’ deep expertise in creating chart-topping German content with Acast’s world-leading sales teams and technology for creators and advertisers.
“We will also leverage the expertise of both the Wake Word and Podius teams to enable even more advertisers and agencies to access podcasting in a smart way.
“Our combined focus is clear: to accelerate monetization for German-language creators and offer brands unparalleled access to premium, highly engaged local audiences, driving innovation across the entire German podcasting landscape.”
Ruben Schulze-Fröhlich, Wake Word founder, added: “We are deeply grateful for Axel Springer’s trust over the past years, which laid the foundation for Wake Word’s success.
“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.
“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.”
Wake Word Studios will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Acast, with the transaction expected to complete on 22 December, subject to customary closing conditions in Germany.
