US-based digital media firm Group Nine Media and US broadcast giant iHeartMedia have inked a deal for an exclusive slate of co-produced podcasts.
The original audio content will include at least one podcast from each of Group Nine’s four brands: NowThis, The Dodo, Seeker and Thrillist, as well as one from JASH, which is part of the media company’s LA-based Studios team.
The partnership will kick off with two new original podcasts from NowThis and Thrillist set to launch this fall.
All podcasts will be overseen by Mickey Meyer, President of Network, and Brett Kushner, VP of New Initiatives at Group Nine and executive produced by Mangesh Hattikudur, Head of Development at the iHeartPodcast Network.
Group Nine’s brand NowThis will introduce the Who is? podcast, which will explore backstories of America’s most powerful people, while Thrillist will premiere the Re-Rank (WT) podcast.
“As a distributed media company and the leader on mobile, we’ve always met audiences where they are and podcasting is certainly the place to be.”
Mickey Meyer, Group Nine
Mickey Meyer, President of Group Nine’s Network, said: “Storytelling is at the core of any forward-looking media brand in today’s industry.
“As a distributed media company and the leader on mobile, we’ve always met audiences where they are and podcasting is certainly the place to be.
“iHeartRadio knows this better than anyone and we’re excited to partner with them to extend Group Nine’s brands and creative prowess into the audio space.”
“Group Nine’s brands create content that resonates extremely well with their dedicated and loyal fans.”
Conal Byrne, iHeartPodcast Network
Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network, added: “Group Nine’s brands create content that resonates extremely well with their dedicated and loyal fans.
“They are pioneers in social-first publishing and have built meaningful online communities that connect with audiences.
“We are excited to work together with them to co-produce an amazing slate of shows and extend their brands into the burgeoning podcast space.”Music Business Worldwide
