Blue Wire

Blue Wire And Sounder Announce Strategic Partnership

~ jen

Premier sports podcast network Blue Wire and Sounder, the AI-powered audio intelligence platform, announced they have partnered to provide Blue Wire’s advertisers with access to Sounder’s brand safety, suitability, and precision ad targeting tools across its entire catalog.

Sounder’s cutting-edge technology will enhance brand safety and ensure suitability and precision in ad targeting, creating a win-win scenario for both content creators and advertisers. With this partnership, Blue Wire is poised to strengthen its position as the go-to destination for top-tier sports content while delivering a more personalized and engaging podcast experience for its listeners. This strategic alliance underscores Blue Wire’s commitment to innovation and excellence in the sports podcasting arena.

“We are excited to partner with Sounder to provide our network with access to the best precision targeting and podcast analytics tools available,” said Blue Wire CEO and Founder Kevin Jones. “Sounder’s insights will boost tailored monetization opportunities across Blue Wire’s network to align with relevant and suitable inventory in the ultimate win-win for our content creators and advertisers.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Blue Wire,” said Sounder’s Vice President of Sales and Client Success, Brittany Hall. “Blue Wire’s podcast advertising operations will scale with our AI-powered targeting tools, driving trust at scale for advertisers.”

The partnership between Blue Wire and Sounder is a podcasting game-changer, creating new opportunities for advertisers to reach relevant content. Podcast fans can look forward to a new era of richer, more diverse listening experiences.

 

Blue Wire Announces Launch of Equity Crowdfunding

~ jen

Blue Wire, a leading independent sports podcast company, announced the launch of a community fundraising round, in partnership with WeFunder, with the goal to raise $1 million at a $25 million valuation cap. 

The raise will allow investors — fans, journalists, athletes, and creators — to join the company’s ownership group and support Blue Wire’s plans to scale operations, expand its portfolio of profitable content, and develop proprietary software to further support its network of over 500 creators and 300 individual podcasts, which includes athlete-driven series from 2x Super Bowl Champion Chris Long, former NBA stars Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye, and more.

In addition to generating revenue for its network of independent shows, Blue Wire also collaborates with a range of strategic content partners including Wynn Resorts, Action Network, and Fubo Sports to produce and monetize content.

The new funding round comes at a time of explosive growth for the company. Blue Wire has quickly established itself as one of the premier sports podcast networks, boasting a US audience of over 3 million unique monthly listeners and an annual download count of over 130 million. Blue Wire also works with more than 100 advertisers, connecting top brands from a wide array of categories to its full lineup of network partners, resulting in over $20 million in revenue generated since 2020.

“Blue Wire is offering individual investors the opportunity to join our movement. Independent podcasters are building thriving content businesses, and our infrastructure can support this explosive growth,” said Kevin Jones, Founder & CEO of Blue Wire. “In a market dominated by major conglomerates and publishers, Blue Wire is building a different type of business. We believe in ‘strength in numbers,’ and this crowdfunding campaign further highlights this core value.”

“I looked at Blue Wire and said this is a perfect opportunity to be in the podcast space,” said two-time NBA All-Star and Blue Wire investor Baron Davis. “The company has great vision, great intuition, and they care about what they’re building.”

Since 2020, Blue Wire has secured $12 million in funding from various sources, including seed and Series A rounds led by Dot Capital, Wynn Resorts, former NBA superstar Baron Davis, and East Carolina University’s Pirate Fund. 

For more information on how to invest in Blue Wire, visit Wefunder. https://wefunder.com/bluewire/ 

Fast Growing Global Sports Podcast Network Signs US and Australian Partnerships

~ jen

Sport Social Podcast Network (Sport Social), one of the UK’s leading podcast networks, has bolstered its advertising offer in US and Australian markets through two new global partnerships.

This includes a partnership with US-based sports podcast network company Blue Wire, which features podcasts on its network from creators across a range of sports including baseball, basketball and football, with works with world class athletes to grow their audio platforms. The other partnership is with ARN, a leading Australian broadcast and on-demand audio company, which is home to several award-winning podcasts in every genre.

Blue Wire and ARN will be able to offer their clients the opportunity to advertise through Sport Social’s popular sports podcasts, getting access to a growing listener base.

This partnership with Blue Wire also means that Sport Social can offer the brands it works with advertising space on podcasts hosted through Blue Wire.

Since launching in 2021, Sport Social has developed a strong network of sports content creators and podcasts, now generating 7.5 million downloads a month. This includes the official podcasts of Manchester City and West Ham, and popular shows Seaman Says and the Geraint Thomas Cycling Club.

Sophie Hind, managing director at Sport Social, said: “It’s a huge milestone moment for us to be working with Blue Wire and ARN, both leaders in their markets who share our passion for audio and sport-focussed content.

“All parties can give advertisers wider access to global audiences and offer greater value for the podcast creators we work with, helping them access more potential sponsorship options from new brands.”

Henry Ettinger, director of network growth at Blue Wire, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Sport Social. For us, this partnership is a no-brainer; not only will it maximize revenue for both networks, it will also maximize revenue for all our podcasters too.

“The team at Sport Social are innovative and hungry, and this partnership is another example of how we can work together to propel our companies and the industry forward.”

Blue Wire Hires Jeremiah Crowe As Director Of Operations

~ jen

Blue Wire is pleased to announce the addition of Jeremiah Crowe as Director of Operations. Crowe brings 20+ years of media experience to Blue Wire, spanning ESPN Radio, Audacy, Cumulus and his own company Green Roll Media.

In his new role at Blue Wire, Crowe will play an integral role in the company’s in-person studio partnerships with Wynn Resorts. Crowe will manage production, sales, promotions, events & marketing related to the Blue Wire Studios.

Crowe, who will be based in Las Vegas, is returning with Blue Wire CEO Kevin Jones. The two were former radio colleagues at KNBR in San Francisco in 2016 and 2017. Jones launched Blue Wire in August of 2018.

“Jeremiah is a problem solver, a connector and an experienced executive playing a big role growing Blue Wire,” said Jones. “Throughout his career, he’s worked well with talent and can be a major contributor on the business side for us. We’re thrilled to add Jeremiah to our team,” says Jones.

“I’m thrilled to join the innovative team at Blue Wire and push the limits of storytelling across all digital platforms. Their commitment to empowering young diverse talent & channeling truly unique perspectives is the future of media. I look forward to leading Blue Wire’s state-of-the-art Wynn studio and elevating a variety of content across their expansive portfolio of podcasts,” said Crowe when asked about his new position.

Additionally, Crowe will lead pre-production efforts of top Blue Wire podcasts, including Road Trippin with Richard Jefferson, Channing Frye and Allie Clifton and Stay Hot with Matt Sponsor, Theo Ashe and Blaiden Kirk.

Since opening in September of 2021, celebrities who have visited Blue Wire Studios include Michael Phelps, Matthew Stafford, Julian Edelman, Coach K, Gilbert Arenas and Mark Cuban. Raiders Pro Bowlers Maxx Crosby and Darren Waller regularly record podcasts from the studio setup.

Blue Wire Teams with PAR and Simplecast

~ jen

Podcast Ad Reps (PAR) and Simplecast are pleased to announce a sales representation and distribution with Blue Wire, a sports podcasting network of over 85 original podcasts.

Founded in October 2018, Blue Wire has emerged as a home for younger content creators who have built highly engaged audiences on Twitter, Snap and YouTube. Blue Wire’s roster is comprised of beat-reporters, bloggers, super fans, athletes, independent journalists, broadcasters, comedians and internet personalities. The eclectic team has 40 different podcasters on the network who are women of color.

“We’re solving a creator and listener problem in the marketplace,” said CEO Kevin Jones. “Podcasts are changing how fans consume sports. New voices are emerging. Listeners are pivoting away from traditional media outlets and instead finding their favorite topical influencer. Blue Wire exists to help our podcasters and fans build these stronger relationships.”

“Our team was excited to accept the challenges Kevin and his team presented to us,” states PAR President Rick Selah, “and the shows are a perfect complement to expand our existing sports catalog of powerhouse shows like No Laying Up and The Sports Reporters.”

Some of Blue Wire’s notable podcasts include Laker Film Room, Bronx Pinstripes, Light Years, The Chris Van Vilet Show, Snapback Sports, and The Tajh Boyd Podcast. The network covers the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, Premier League, College Football, College Basketball, Fantasy, Gambling and is starting to dip into pop culture.

“We are now capable of offering coverage year-round to our agency partners seeking sports fans,” observes PAR CRO Anthony Savelli. “If a brand wants to reach Hoops fans from March Madness thru the NAB Playoffs, we have 25 shows to offer. Same with Football. And if brands want to reach Soccer fans, NHL fans, Baseball, Gambling, or even Boxing fans, we can bring a loyal audience.”

“The model Blue Wire has created to support emerging talent find an audience in podcasting is innovative and noteworthy,” says Dane Cardiel, Simplecast’s Director of Sales and Partnerships. “We’re beyond excited to partner with Blue Wire and PAR to bring them a truly enterprise suite for podcasting: content management, distribution, dynamic content delivery – all built upon the most comprehensive audience analytics offering in the industry. We can’t wait to see what they accomplish next.”

Blue Wire plans to continue growth throughout 2020 with forays into original storytelling and building an academy for college podcasters.