Nova has unveiled a new venture designed to discover and support new and emerging podcasters, while bolstering out its own inventory at the same time.
Hot on the heels of creating its Nova Podcast platform, which hosts a range of material, including optimised show content, original productions and series specifically created for brands, the network has now launched 'Podquest'.
The initiative has been created to provide opportunities for audio content creators by giving them financial grants as well as access to Nova Entertainment’s production facilities, technical expertise and distribution channels. The winners gets to create a five-part series podcast for release.
Podquest applicants will be judged by an internal and external industry panel, including Adam Martin, Acast’s chief content officer and an international podcast expert.
Nova Entertainment’s head of podcasting, Jay Walkerden, says: “We are excited to launch Nova Podcast, which will include pillars centred around our on-air shows, growing new talent through Podquest and working with brands to develop rich content that can connect brands with audiences.”
Nova is not the only media owner looking to tap into the podcasting realm. Last month, Channel Nine revealed it was looking to grow new revenue streams with a podcasting strategy built around many of its existing news, sports and lifestyle brands. Mamamia also has a popular podcast as does AdNews, in partnership with Nova.
See here for: Podcast predictions for 2017
In February, Nova inked a deal with the podcast powerhouse Acast, which hosts content from major publishers such as The Guardian and the Financial Times. Nova Entertainment’s CEO Cathy O'Connor said at the time: “We want to be a multi-platform business and we want to be defined beyond radio. There's a heritage in Nova for ideas and being creative and we want to play a bigger game in that.”
Nova has since launched the first podcast series created especially for Ladbrokes - Left Right Out, which is a light-hearted look at the world of sport each week. It also recently published two podcast series in non-radio categories; one featuring wisdom from women who are successful in their own special unique fields and The Abstract History of Music with Chit Chat, a music based 10-part podcast.
The Nova Podcast allows advertisers to dynamically serve advertisements across any of the platforms where their consumers access podcasts, providing advertisers with the opportunity to commission native content within podcasts tailored to their needs.
In November, Nova Entertainment announced it was ramping up its data play, thanks to a new partnership with real-time people-based marketing business Signal. See here for more.
Aspiring podcasters will be able to upload a podcast on the www.podquest.com.au website from today until 19 May to be eligible to win. Up to 10 podcasters will be shortlisted by 26 May, with the winner announced before 2 June.
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