Independent podcasters called to apply for new year-long programme
A new year-long programme designed to provide independent podcasters with the tools, resources and support they need to thrive has launched today.
The Partnership Group’s brand-new production company, Unlocked is behind the programme, The Amplify Accelerator.
While grassroots podcasters form the backbone of the podcast industry, it has become increasingly difficult to stand out in the crowd – primarily due to resource limitations.
This ‘incubator’ aims to bridge that gap, offering up to four selected independent podcasters the support needed to grow their listenership and revenue.
By providing resources, expertise, and guidance to up to four podcasters annually, the Accelerator seeks to nurture diverse voices, build sustainable careers and ultimately make the podcasting industry more equitable.
Selected participants will gain access to a wide range of benefits, including:
- Access to free central London studio space
- Access to a podcast editor
- Access to editorial support from Head of Podcasts at Unlocked, Leanne Alie
- Active marketing and press support for their podcast
- Cross-promotion across Unlocked’s slate of original podcasts
- Access to TPG’s roster of talent as potential podcast guests
- Access to the rest of TPG’s business such as the literary department, live events team and publishing
- A more desirable ad revenue rate
- Creator retains the IP and rights to their podcast
Entry requirements for podcasters applying for The Amplify Accelerator include:
- Your podcast is achieving a minimum of 2000 – 5000+ listens per episode, per week
- Your podcast is weekly (but can be seasonal)
- Your podcast is independent – you own the IP and rights and there are no other partners involved (this excludes monetization platforms)
- The host and podcast have an online social presence
- You have published a minimum of 20 episodes
- You do not have to be London-based, but the studio they are offering access to is based in central London
Unlocked is led by Head of Podcasts, Leanne Alie, who has a background spanning production, development, and commissioning. She previously worked at the BBC for nearly four years in commissioning, podcast production and development production for BBC Sounds and also created and led BBC Sounds Audio Lab.
Leanne says: “As amazing as it is to see the podcast industry grow exponentially over the last few years, it has been harder and harder for smaller independent shows to break through.
“As an industry we need to give more opportunities to home grown podcasters to help them grow and develop as this is what is so great about our industry.
“Podcasts are powerful; anyone can publish a show, anyone can share their diversity of thought and the more diverse stories that are out there, the more we can build empathy and understanding within our society.
“I speak to this as having experience as an independent podcaster myself and I’m very excited to be able to give back to the podcasting community and help try and make the industry more equitable for those of us that start from scratch – after all, it is bedroom podcasters that really built and grew this industry.”
For more information on The Amplify Accelerator including criteria and how to apply, visit: unlockedpodcasts.com
You will need to submit a 10-minute highlights reel of your podcast, along with links to socials and listener data. The deadline to apply is Monday 7 October, shortlisted candidates will then be invited to an interview with up to four podcasters selected for the inaugural round of the programme.