As podcasts become more widely adopted, it's worth keeping an eye on who is using them for communications -- and how.

Today, the very good communications blog Micro Persuasion linked to an item on Podcasting News about the big financial services firm Bear Stearns launching "BearCast:"

BearCast delivers Bear Stearns conference calls, proprietary research and special events in downloadable audio files for busy investors to listen to anywhere.

"Clients have been seeking new ways to access information from Bear Stearns; this new service gives them added flexibility in how they get our full range of unique, grass-roots research," said Kay Booth, senior managing director and Director of Global Equity Research. "It marries our firm's research content with the vast array of portable devices now available."

What a perfect way to share investment research!  Upload MP3 files and let clients download them and listen on the way to work on their iPods or car stereos.  When played on a computer, it seems there will be visual items as well. 

The company plans to accompany the audio files on the BearCast site with slides and other printed research. The files can be downloaded directly from the company's website, or via a subscription. An account is required.

Here's the Bear Stearns press release for those interested.

Separately, for those wondering about the adoption of podcasting in the corporate world, there's an upcoming conference called the Corporate Podcasting Summit being held in San Francisco on June 20-21. 

I don't know the organizers personally and can't vouch for the event, but here's the agenda.  It sounds interesting.  And the topics alone give a sense for where this medium may be headed.