Spotify has announced plans to suspend all political advertising in 2020 in the run-up to the presidential election. Amid rising concerns around big tech’s role in shaping the political landscape, the move positions the brand outside of the industry’s reputation for spreading misinformation.

From podcasts to audiobooks, spoken word audio has undergone massive growth in recent years, especially among younger age groups. As the way that people consume media evolves, there’s an opportunity for brands to meet consumers in these new audio spaces.

With its acquisition of Gimlet Media and Anchor, Spotify is setting its sights on becoming the go-to destination for podcasts. It’s a sign of the medium’s growing influence as brands seek ways to tap engaged and young audiences who want immersive narratives that can hold their attention.

As second-screening becomes the norm, attention spans are dwindling. But how exactly does multitasking affect our ability to identify useful information? Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Daniel Zane, an associate professor at the University of Miami, to understand what happens when we’re distracted by ads.