Acast has hired Kate Mander as Commercial Development Manager UK/IE at Acast Creative, the company’s dedicated in-house creative team.
She will be responsible for major brand partnerships and activations, working closely with Acast’s top podcasting talent to build on the 58% increase in brand spend the company recorded in the UK last year.
Mander has built and managed the careers of household names including Clara Amfo, Gizzi Erskine and Emma Bunton, and at The Stylist Group was pivotal in the success of talent-led events such as the Remarkable Women Awards and the award-winning Stylist Live festival. She also led all commercial talent partnerships for Stylist, working with some of the world’s biggest brands like Coty, NatWest, Amazon, TK Maxx and Adidas — and her experience on both sides of such deals means she knows the talent industry inside out.
Jack Preson, Director of Acast Creative UK & US, said: “Kate joining the Acast Creative team represents a shift in how we’re able to work with creators and brands to tell their stories, expanding our ability to offer new, bespoke opportunities and activations.
“Podcasting is constantly evolving, and smart brands are seeing the opportunity to work with creators on original series, live experiences, and even physical products. Kate’s vast experience and her understanding of the talent industry will help our podcasters make even more money — and will unlock unique new opportunities for the brands they work with.”
Kate Mander, Commercial Development Manager UK/IE, Acast Creative, added: “Acast is home to the best names in the business and, with the world of podcasting exploding, there’s never been a bigger opportunity for creators and brands to work together. At Acast we understand that podcasters are artists, not algorithms, and I can’t wait to start bringing more truly collaborative commercial opportunities to brands.”
