Air Mail Goes Auditory: ElevenLabs Deal Signals Audio Revolution in Digital Publishing

Print's not dead—it's just changing frequencies. Air Mail, the digital-first newsletter darling, just inked a deal with ElevenLabs to pump AI-generated audio into its content pipeline. Because apparently, millennials can't be bothered to read anymore.

The audio arms race heats up

Publications are scrambling to repackage text as voice—and investors are eating it up. ElevenLabs' valuation probably doubled overnight (again), while traditional media stocks keep circling the drain. Nothing like some synthetic voices to distract from the collapsing ad revenue model.

Will subscribers listen?

The real test comes when paywalled content meets voice cloning. Will anyone actually pay for robot-narrated takes on European art exhibitions? Your move, hedge fund newsletter bros.

Another day, another pivot to 'audio experiences' as publishers desperately try to monetize attention spans shorter than a Bitcoin price prediction.

Air Mail, the digital weekly founded by former Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter, is set to revolutionize its content delivery by adding audio versions of its stories. This development, in partnership with ElevenLabs, a leader in Text to Speech technology, aims to make its esteemed journalism more accessible and convenient for its global readership.

Enhanced Reader Experience

According to Air Mail, selected stories will now be available in audio format, allowing readers to enjoy content while commuting, exercising, or engaging in other activities. This integration is designed to offer flexibility, enabling audiences to switch seamlessly between reading and listening without losing the narrative thread. The audio feature is accessible directly from Air Mail’s website.

Voicing World-Class Journalism

Alessandra Stanley, Editor-in-Chief of Air Mail, emphasized the advantage of this new feature by stating, “We’re known for delivering smart, well-edited writing to a global audience. This gives voice - quite literally - to those stories, so readers can listen in the car, at the gym, or on a walk.” This sentiment was echoed by Mati Staniszewski, co-founder of ElevenLabs, who highlighted the synergy in bringing stories to life through audio.

A Shift Toward Voice-First Experiences

This MOVE represents a broader trend in publishing towards high-quality, voice-first experiences. By incorporating audio, Air Mail not only enhances user convenience but also aligns with evolving consumer preferences for engaging with content. The integration into story pages and email newsletters is part of this strategic shift, aiming to make good writing and information more accessible in everyday life.

For more details on this innovative collaboration, visit the ElevenLabs blog.

• air mail
• elevenlabs
• audio integration
• digital publishing