Sony Music Entertainment builds commitment to global podcast expansion
Sony Music Entertainment previewed its range of new original podcast titles and announced the official return of several hit series earlier during its first presentation at the 2021 IAB UK Podcast Upfront.
Highlighting the Company’s strategic approach, Jez Nelson, EVP and Co-Head of Global Podcasts at Sony Music Entertainment, showcased SME’s mission to grow a global podcast business based on its creator first focus in audio entertainment.
During its presentation, a diverse line-up of new content was revealed with its creative partners around the world that will debut in coming months across culture, true crime, politics, history, entertainment and more.
These will include its newest original title exploring the intersection of art, drugs and mystery, “Hemingway’s Picasso,” which will premiere on 18 October. In addition, SME showcased several of its chart-topping podcasts from the past year, many of which will return for new seasons soon, including “Smoke Screen: The Sellout” on 26 October and “Power: Hugh Hefner” on 1 November.
The company also announced one of its newest projects, “The Female Gaze,” which will premiere next year from illustrator, writer & feminist social activist Florence Given.
In the series, the best-selling author and artist will break out of the polarising left and right echo chambers to connect people by raising conversation around provocative issues with passion, humour and sensitivity.
The presentation also featured a special mashup that combined two of SME’s most popular UK shows. Restaurant critic Jay Rayner went “Out to Lunch” with the host of “Something Rhymes with Purple” Susie Dent. There was also a conversation about the art of cheating with Peabody-winning journalist and host of “Cheat!” Alzo Slade.
Jez Nelson said: “Sony Music’s proud history as a global entertainment business has helped strategically position our newly expanded podcast division to super-serve creators and deliver premium original content for audiences around the world.
“As podcasting continues to grow globally, we are keenly focused on developing more ways to reach diverse audiences and growing audio consumption everywhere.”