Gizmodo reported that Gimlet Media is facing a class-action lawsuit for failing to make its podcast accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing. The complaint was filed in New York. Plaintiff Kahlimah Jones argues that Gimlet violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by failing to provide closed captioning on various podcasts.

The lawsuit, posted on Scribd, is called: Kahlimah Jones, individually situated and as the representative of a class of similarly situated persons vs Gimlet Media Inc. It was filed in the United States District Court Eastern District of New York.

The plaintiff’s argument states that deaf and hard-of-hearing people listen to podcasts just as aurally capable people do. The lack of closed captioning means that deaf and hard-of-hearing people are excluded from the rapidly expanding Internet media industry and from independently accessing podcasts posted on the website.

Despite readily available accessible technology, such as the technology in use at other heavily trafficked websites, which make use of closed captioning for hard-of-hearing individuals, such as YouTube and Netflix, Defendant has chosen to post podcasts without closed captioning, or with limited closed captioning, that are inaccessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Without closed captioning, deaf and hard-of-hearing people cannot comprehend the audio portion of the podcasts on the Website.

The lawsuit also claims that by failing to make the website accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing persons, Gimlet Media is violating basic equal access requirements both under state and federal law. It notes the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which was designed to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

Gizmodo reported that courts haven’t come to a consensus about how the ADA applies to the web. They aren’t sure if a website for a private company constitutes a place of public accommodations and therefore needs to remove barriers to entry, in the same way we expect physical stores to accommodate for wheelchairs.

Spotify acquired Gimlet Media in 2019. To me, it seems possible that the outcome of this lawsuit could also affect the podcasts on Spotify, as well as Anchor (which Spotify also acquired in 2019).

Gimlet Media is seeking an Associate Producer for their Scripted Fiction Department. The department develops and creates new and original series. It is described as “a highly collaborative group of producers, sound designers, and engineers.” The position is a full-time role, based in Gimlet Media’s Brooklyn, New York, office.

We’re looking for a creative, self-motivated Associate Producer to help develop and produce original fiction shows for Gimlet Media. We’re looking for candidates who come from a TV or film background and are particularly familiar with show production. This person has a commitment to excellence, can give and receive constructive feedback, and is a team player. Above all, this person is genuinely excited about the challenge of making new shows from the ground up, from pre-production through post-production, and developing their career in audio with a team geared toward fast growth.

Requirements Include:

•  2-3 years of experience in audio production, TV production, or a relevant field
• The ability and flexibility to work in a fast paced, changing environment
• Able to identify strong pitches/potential writers
• Demonstrated passion for storytelling, whether in video, audio, and/or written content
• A keen organizational sense and a proven ability to execute against deadlines
• The ability to receive and implement feedback as part of a highly collaborative work environment
• The ability to community clearly and effectively, both within Gimlet + Spotify and externally
• A close attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple tasks
• Bonus points if you’re familiar with Pro Tools!

Those who would like more information about this position, or who want to apply for it, should visit the Gimlet Media website where the want-ad is located.

Gimlet Media announced that they have appointed Jenny Wall as the company’s first Chief Marketing Officer. In this newly created role, Wall will oversee all marketing and audience growth efforts at the company.

Prior to joining Gimlet, Jenny Wall was SVP, Head of Marketing, at Hulu where she oversaw all marketing, promotion, and creative for the company during a pivotal growth period. Wall will be based at Gimlet’s Brooklyn headquarters.

During her tenure at Hulu, Wall oversaw the launches of the company’s most high-profile Original Programming to date: The Mindy Project, Difficult People, the Golden Globe-nominated Casual, and the Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning series, The Handmaid’s Tale.

Wall also launched Hulu’s commercial-free offering and the Hulu with Live TV bundle. Additionally, Wall dramatically increased Hulu’s brand awareness, overseeing a successful brand and acquisition marketing campaigns, driving subscriber growth.

“Jenny brings over two decades of entertainment marketing experience, with a proven track record for sparking cultural moments through stories that matter, from House of Cards to The Handmaid’s Tale,” said Matt Lieber, Co-founder and President, Gimlet. “She has worked to elevate the most significant new platforms in entertainment — HBO, Netflix, Hulu — and I can’t wait to see how her innovative, risk-taking approach will advance our growth in this new world of audio. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have Jenny onboard as Gimlet enters a pivotal, exciting phase for the company and audio industry at large.”

“I’ve been fortunate to work at some of the biggest innovators in entertainment and media, which is a big reason why I was so drawn to Gimlet — the company that is redefining what the future of audio can be,” said Wall. “I am passionate about entertainment and storytelling, and Gimlet is creating a new kind of media company, at the forefront of where this industry is going. We are creating shows that enrich people’s lives, and I’m excited to bring that experience to many more people.”