Acast has opened a new Sydney office and podcast studio, promoted a senior commercial leader and appointed a new Group Business Director, as creator payouts across Australia and New Zealand surpass $56 million.
The Woolloomooloo-based office will serve as a central hub for Acast’s Australian operations. The space includes a fully equipped audio and video recording studio with a three-camera set-up and professional studio lighting.
The expansion reflects continued growth for the podcast network in the ANZ market. Since launching locally in 2017, Acast has paid out more than $56 million to creators in Australia and New Zealand, up from $44.9 million at the same time last year.
Commercial leadership changes
As part of its regional investment, Acast has promoted Kate Digby to the newly created role of Sales Director, ANZ.
Previously Commercial Strategy Director, Digby will now lead revenue growth and oversee Acast’s commercial direction across Australia and New Zealand.
Digby has more than 20 years’ experience across the UK and Australia. She began her career in London at a full-service boutique agency before moving to Global Radio.
After relocating to Sydney, she joined Adshel in out-of-home advertising and later held senior commercial roles at Nova Entertainment. She has been with Acast for nearly five years.
Acast has also appointed Katie Stenson as Group Business Director. Stenson brings 13 years’ experience across adtech and premium publishing.
She began her media career in adtech in the UK before relocating to Australia to launch an APAC operation. She later joined The Guardian, where she spent more than five years as an Account Director.
Stenson joined Acast in January 2026 and will focus on strengthening agency and client partnerships.
Henrik Isaksson, Managing Director, Acast ANZ, said the appointments will support Acast’s mission to drive advocacy and education for podcasting and its creators across Australia and New Zealand.
He added that the new office reflects continued growth in the sector, with 2026 shaping up as a strong year for the medium.
Partnerships and creator network
Acast’s local growth comes alongside new global partnerships with Apple and Spotify, as well as a collaboration with Little Dot Studios to support YouTube distribution and audience development.
To mark the opening of the new office, Acast hosted a housewarming event for independent creators and industry partners. Attendees included the hosts of Casefile True Crime, Toni and Ryan, Just The Gist, Hello Sport, Equity Mates, We Used To Be Journos, One Minute Remaining and The Mitch Churi Chat Show.
Antoinette Lattouf and Jan Fran. Source: Acast
Antoinette Lattouf, Co-Founder of Ette Media and Co-Host of We Used To Be Journos, said:
“There’s a crackle in the independent creator space right now, and the optimism in the room felt sincere and hard-earned rather than performative.
“We have been with Acast since launch, and in just seven months, the audience has grown, the reach has widened, and the conversations about which brands align with our ethics have remained refreshingly honest. Our voice stayed ours, the content stayed sharp, and independence remained non-negotiable.”
The new office, leadership appointments and studio investment highlight Acast’s continued expansion in Australia as podcast consumption and advertising investment increase across the market.