Timi Siytangco is the Key Account Director, International (Asia) for Acast, a global podcast platform that makes podcasts available on every listening app, and helps podcasters monetize through advertising, brand collaborations, and paid subscriptions. 

She’s part of a global team that’s responsible for developing new markets. Oh, and she’s Acast’s first employee in Asia!

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👋🏼 How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I tell family, friends, and strangers that I help podcasters make money. 

That usually prompts a response like, “Podcasts can make money?” which can go off in any number of directions depending on whether the person listens to podcasts, what their job is, where in the world they are, and their own podcasting ambitions.

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🧐 What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

We frequently get asked by creators (both experienced and aspiring) what shows are working so they can make that show and monetize it. Then most go and make a basic talk show. 

The reality is developing a unique format is more important than ever, as is a great host who knows the subject and can carry a conversation and is willing to do it week after week. Make a great product! 

On the other end of the spectrum are people who understand format and production, but do not work on audience growth. If they don’t need monetization then that’s fine, but if a creator has a goal of monetizing now or in the future, then an audience of some scale is ultimately necessary to make a show sustainable. 

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🏆 What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

No single big highlight, but I’ve had the opportunity to be an early employee for several digital media companies starting up in Asia, and the experiences I’ve had as a “starter” for the market are always the most interesting. No day is the same!

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🔍 What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?‍

Food security and sustainable food systems. 

I don’t mean things like lab-grown food, I’m tracking solutions around sustainable agriculture systems, zero-waste for restaurants and hospitality, and companies working on sustainable food supply chains. 

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💼 What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry? 

All successful media, large or small, fill a need for a specific audience. So always think about the audience—get to know them, understand what makes them tick, and how you can serve them.

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🗣 What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours? 

Books. Food. Dogs.

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🎥 What's your favorite movie/TV show? 

I’m high-low with my entertainment consumption. Chef’s Table. The West Wing. And also Masterchef Australia, La Casa de Papel…I’ll watch house tours on YouTube to relax, and catch the new Wes Anderson film at The Projector on Beach Road. 

I love that movie theatre by the way—their bar has the best chili dogs in town and happy hour.

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🍨 What's your go-to ice cream flavor?‍

Pistachio.

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FYI. We've edited this interview for clarity.