The Podcast Academy: what and why?
This article is at least a year old
My appointment to be Chairperson of The Podcast Academy was not something that I asked for or even lobbied for.
Before being invited to attend a Governors board meeting back in March, I was outspoken about my concerns about the goals of The Podcast Academy after its announcement in February 2020 at Podcast Movement Evolutions in Los Angeles.
My concerns centered on the board and organization not understanding the independent podcasting side and history of the medium. The fact is that prior Podcast Awards and a Hall of Fame existed already and previous podcast associations have been tried and failed in the past.
I believe that historical understandings and sensitivities to existing and past efforts are essential for an industry body to have at its founding: to keep in context and to overcome the obstacles to success from the past.
The board of governors has learned from this: and is working hard to build a diverse, cohesive, and unified membership community that recognizes all podcasters’ levels and the medium’s founding history.
The Podcast Academy is an opportunity and honor to help lead the beginning of unity and cooperation across the globe in essential areas. The areas of focus will be in rewarding excellence, diversity, best practices, and education to foster the sharing of ideas and tactics to grow the overall audience, content, and business of podcasting.
As Chairperson, I feel responsible for helping alleviate the above concerns and encourage an inclusive and diverse Academy.
What and Why?
Many have asked what this new organization can potentially do for me and or the podcasting industry? The truth is it is up to you to contribute ideas and help us determine the “What” and “Why” we need The Podcast Academy.
The initial founding Board of Governors needs the global podcast community to help create the participation foundation to create a vibrant membership community to generate impactful ideas that will move this fast-growing podcast industry forward.
Please join us in pulling this industry together and charting a growth path we all want. To build community connections, expertise, best practices, standards, and to reward and recognize outstanding achievement.
Membership criteria, and how to become a member
Do you currently participate in the podcast industry? Then you are eligible for membership! All participants in the Podcast industry, whether professional or student, are welcomed as members.
Membership in The Podcast Academy begins on June 22, 2020. You can join here.
The Membership Fees — Early Adopters Save $$. Sign up on or before September 30 and get 50% off your initial annual membership fee:
- June 22 - September 30: $50.00
- October 1 and after: $100.00 ($75.00 for students)
Regular Membership in The Podcast Academy is in two categories, called peer groups. When applying for membership, individuals select either the “In Front of the Mic” or “Behind the Mic” peer group. Each group has access to the same member benefits, but grouping members in this way allows The Podcast Academy to best tailor programs and communications to each group’s professional needs.
Students may apply for Student Membership in The Podcast Academy, and their membership is at a discount. Student Members may not vote in the awards or for the Board of Governors but otherwise have the same member benefits.
Every individual application is reviewed for eligibility before membership approval. Proof of work in the podcast industry will be satisfied with two references and work samples related to the member’s chosen peer group.
Who’s involved
The Podcast Academy has part-time staff with Executive Director, Michele Cobb, and Account Manager, JoAnna Laskas.
The 17 Founding Board of Governors are all smart and talented podcasting professionals capable of shaping the Academy into an organization that will represent, help, educate, and positively impact the whole industry.
Chairperson Rob Greenlee: VP, Content and Partnerships, Libsyn
Vice-Chairperson Donald Albright: President & Co-Founder, TenderfootTV
Secretary Kerri Hoffman: President and CEO, PRX
Treasurer Christy Mirabal: VP of Marketing, Sony Music Entertainment
BOARD OF GOVERNORS
- Conal Byrne: President, iHeartMedia
- Ben Cave: Global Head of Podcasts, Apple
- Erik Diehn: CEO, Stitcher
- Anya Grundmann SVP, Programming and Audience Development, NPR
- Courtney Holt: Head of Studios and Video, Spotify
- Hernan Lopez: Founder & CEO, Wondery
- Christina Moore: Founder, Don’t Skip Media.
- Rekha Murthy: Independent Podcast Strategist
- Liliana Maria Percy Ruíz: Executive Producer, On Being Studios
- Oren Rosenbaum: Agent, Emerging Platforms, United Talent Agency
- Lauren Spohrer: Co-creator of Criminal and This is Love Podcasts
- Alia Tavakolian: EVP of Content, Spoke Media
- Jenna Weiss-Berman: Co-Founder, Pineapple Street
Learn more
To learn more about The Podcast Academy, visit their website. Or, register for two Webinars on Thursday, June 18, 2020, with me and Executive Director Michele Cobb. Two sessions on the same day, we hope you can join us!
- Session one: 12pm ET/9am PT
- Session two: 3pm ET/12pm PT
