Gimlet

Gimlet is Providing Free Mentorship for BIPOC Podcast Creators

~ jen

Gimlet believes in creating a platform for underrepresented voices. In order to elevate diverse voices in podcasting and audio, and as part of a broader commitment to diversity in the audio space, Gimlet is offering free informational and training sessions for creators who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color).

The Gimlet mentorship program is intended to provide more than one-off consultation. We intend to build long-term, relationships and guidance between working professionals and those seeking to advance in the field.

Our relationship with mentees is for the sole benefit of the mentee and not for Gimlet. No work will be done by mentees on the behalf of Gimlet.

Application Process:

  • The deadline to apply is August 28th
  • Gimlet is offering mentorship to 15 applicants. Applicants will be chosen randomly.
  • The first mentorship cycle will last from September through December 31st (Gimlet will reopen the next cycle of applicants in January of 2021)
  • Mentors will be available for at least one hour of one-on-one meetings per month

Gimlet mentors currently offer:

  • General Informational Sessions
  • Resume Review
  • Pitch Feedback
  • Story Structure Assistance
  • Reporting/Production Advice
  • Sound Design/Mixing

Those who qualify for the mentorship can apply for it on the Gimlet website.

Spotify’s Sandra Podcast Goes Global

~ jen

In 2018, Gimlet Media launched Sandra, a seven-part fictional drama depicting a world where artificial intelligence isn’t so artificial. Since then, Gimlet Media has become part of Spotify.

Sandra had big names and voices including Alia Shawkat (Helen), Kristin Wiig (Sandra), and Ethan Hawke (Dustin). The podcast launched to critical acclaim due to its relevant themes of technology, security, and self-actualization. Spotify deemed it a story worth telling listeners around the world.

On July 7, Spotify and Gimlet premiered an exclusive Sandra podcast in four markets: France, Germany, Brazil and Mexico. The most interesting about this release is that it is not just a translation into the local language. Instead, each version is specially adapted via a culturally relevant name, a customized storyline, and more.

Sandra will be called Sara in France, Susi in Germany, Sonia in Mexico, and Sofia in Brazil. Sandra is the first truly localized adaptations ever made of a hit fictional podcast.

The Spotify Studio teams in those four countries have worked with local directors to adapt the script, cast local talent, and reimagine the podcast with an appreciation for local culture, language and nuance. In each market, the podcast has an A-list cast mixed with traditional TV and film actors as well as digital creators and influencers.

I think this is a fantastic idea! Adapting the podcast to a localized population would make the show easier to relate to and get involved in. Spotify has the ability to have separate teams to work on each adaptation – and the money to hire the voice actors. That’s way beyond the ability (and finances) of most podcasters. So, it is good to see Spotify making use of their resources in this unique way.

Gimlet Seeks an Experienced Producer

~ jen

Gimlet Media, which is part of Spotify, is seeking an experienced producer to join a team that will launch a new crime show, based in Los Angeles. It will be a wide-ranging role that will have an impact on the exciting experiences of a launch.

Gimlet Media is here to create a world more full of human connection and understanding. Our roster of podcasts includes critically-acclaimed shows like Reply All, Crimetown, The Clearing, Heavyweight, and Homecoming. We have top editorial, sales, and business teams that work together to create experiences that help listeners better understand each other and the world around them. We are looking for ambitious, curious, talented, and kind people to join our team.

What You’ll Do includes:

  • Brainstorm, develop, and shape ideas for show episodes
  • Work with Host and supporting producers to identify sources, subjects and interviews to create a story.
  • Track down court documents, submit public records requests, find and secure archival tape
  • Find, pre-interview, and book guests
  • Plan field producing and reporting trips in collaboration with supervising producers
  • Travel and field produce interviews with people you’ve been reading about and researching for months


What You’ll Bring includes:

  •  A strong interest in the world of crime, punishment, and justice
  • A minimum of four years of experience producing audio for radio or podcast
  • A journalism background
  • Experience scripting 15-20 minute audio stories
  • Proficiency in field recording, with a variety of audio equipment

Those who want to find out more about what you’ll do, and what you will be expected to bring, should visit the Spotify website where the job is listed. It is also possible to apply for the job on that website.

Spotify is in Advanced Talks to Aquire Gimlet Media

~ jen

According to Recode, Spotify is in advanced talks to acquire Gimlet Media. Spotify reportedly plans to pay more than $200 million to buy Gimlet Media.

If this deal happens, it will be the first time Spotify has bought a content company. It will also be one of the biggest acquisitions in the podcasting industry.

It is possible that Spotify is looking to compete with Apple Podcasts for podcast listeners. Recode noted that while Apple is the dominant podcast distributer, it doesn’t appear to spend much energy on podcasts. Spotify has already started promoting podcasts to its 200 million users.

Hot Pod pointed out that Spotify has already started emphasizing a content strategy where it brings “voices in-house, or at least exclusively licenses their content”.

One of those deals involved Amy Schumer. Her comedy podcast 3 Girls 1 Keith is exclusively on Spotify.

Spotify reported that The Joe Budden Podcast brought its series exclusively to Spotify on September 12, 2018. The Apple Podcast listing for The Joe Budden Podcast has some extremely short episodes that direct listeners to seek out the podcast on Spotify.

Jemele Hill’s Unbothered podcast will launch on Spotify in March of 2019. It will be hosted by Jemele Hill and her co-hosts, and will include a rotating cast of guests. It will provide an honest discussion of American life. It appears this podcast will be exclusive to Spotify.

Gimlet Seeks Editor for Reply All Podcast

~ jen

Gimlet looking for an editor for Reply All, a weekly podcast that covers the internet and “whatever else we are interested in” through a weird mix of ambitious narrative journalism and conversations between friends. The editor position is listed as a full-time role.

We’re looking for an editor. We do not understand sports, but we understand this role as some combination of team coach, team cheerleader, and last line of defense against all the errors and mediocrity that try to sneak into everything humans make. A bunch of smart and creative and sometimes anxious people will need to rely on and trust you.

They want someone who has years of experience in longform audio storytelling. The person must know how to structure and write for radio. They seek someone who is a pro at turning OK stories into good ones and good ones into great ones.

Some requirements include:

  • 5+ years of experience editing or story producing longform journalism, audio background is extremely important.
  • A deep comfort and proficiency in structuring and editing non-linear, narrative pieces
  • A proven knack for mentoring and helping others develop in their careers.

The editor position is listed as a full-time role. The editor must be able to work full-time in Gimlet’s Brooklyn, New York, offices. Visit the Gimlet website for more details.

Gimlet Raised $15 Million

~ jen

Gimlet Media is an award-winning narrative podcasting company that aims to help listeners better understand the world and each other. It was founded in 2014 and is based in Brooklyn, New York. Gimlet raised $15 million earlier this month, something that appears to be unheard of for a podcasting company.

Variety reported that Gimlet Media raises $15 million in Series B financing led by investment firm Stripes Group.  It is a leading growth equity firm that makes $10-150 million investments in internet, software, healthcare IT and branded consumer business.

Variety also reported that Emerson Collective also joined in the funding round. Emerson Collective was established by, and is led by, Laurene Powell Jobs. Emerson Collective is dedicated to removing barriers to opportunity so people can live to their full potential. They use a wide range of tools and strategies to develop and execute innovative solutions that will spur change and promote equality.

ReCode reported that previous to the $15 million, Gimlet had raised $7 million.

People familiar with the company say investors valued Gimlet at $55 million pre-money – that is, it’s worth $70 million now – and that the 80-person company is on track to generate something in the range of $15 million this year.

The ReCode article includes interesting information about why venture capitalists had not been interested in investing in podcasting. The article also points out that Gimlet “will use some of the money to build out new programs, train new podcasters, expand the company’s in-house advertising shop and work on exporting hit podcasts into other formats.”

Gimlet Seeks a Producer for The Pitch

~ jen

Gimlet is looking for a Producer of a new podcast called The Pitch. It is described as “a reality show that brings listeners into the room as real entrepreneurs pitch to real investors – for real money.”

Gimlet media tells stories through audio. Their roster of podcasts includes newly-launched, critically-acclaimed shows like Homecoming, Heavyweight, and Science Vs. Gimlet is also home to perennial favorites Reply All and Start Up. Gimlet is looking for ambitious, curious, talented, and kind people to join their team.

The Pitch is a reality show that brings listeners into the room as real entrepreneurs pitch to real investors – for real money. While it offers a glimpse into the high stakes world of venture capital, its really a show about human relationships: how people sell their companies, what makes investors tick, and how these initial conversations can bloom into business deals – or die on the vine. To achieve this, pitches are edited down and narrated for clarity but it’s important to us to always stay true to what really happened in these conversations.

As such, Gimlet is looking for an experienced producer who has a passion for VC culture and an appreciation for narrative storytelling. They need someone who can work independently to edit long, sometimes wonky pitches into digestible 30-minute experiences for listeners. This involves cutting multiple tracks of tape; writing tight, clear, narration; and looking for fresh, creative ways to tell each story. The Pitch is still early in its life with Gimlet, so there is a real opportunity for someone to take ownership over the growth and direction of the show.

Those who are interested in this job should read the full Gimlet ad for more details. This is a full-time role based in Gimlet’s Brooklyn, New York, offices. The posting will be closed at 5PM on August 2, 2017.

The Undone Podcast is Done

~ jen

Everyone starts a podcast with the intent of keeping it going as long as possible. Unfortunately, circumstances may change and cause a podcast to come to an end. Such is the case with the Undone podcast that has informed its fans that it is done.

Undone was a podcast from Gimlet Media. Undone was hosted by Pat Walters. The show was about how big stories we thought were over were actually the beginning of something else. The very last episode of Undone was posted on January 23, 2017. It is about the Space Shuttle Columbia.

The same day that Undone’s very last episode was posted, an explanation appeared on the Undone Facebook page.  It said:

Hey everybody, we’re sorry to announce that Undone will not be coming back for a second season.

Making this first season was incredible and we’ve loved seeing how the stories resonated with you. Which made this decision really hard. Undone was performing well, but the show requires a very particular kind of editorial support, and as we got into the first season, it became clear that as of right now, we don’t have everything we need for it to keep growing and experimenting and finding its way. Gimlet is a start-up. Some things we try are going to continue on for a long time. And some things won’t.

So after a lot of thought and discussion, we reached the decision to stop making the show. We’re tremendously proud of the work we’ve done this season, and overwhelmed with gratitude for all of you who have listened, posted reviews, and written to us. Thanks also to Retro Report, the documentary film series we worked with on coming up with the idea for the show; to Gimlet; and to our fantastic team. We’re excited to bring you new stories and other projects down the line.

Pat Walters provided further explanation on his Twitter account:

It’s always sad when a podcast that was doing well, and had a lot of fans, comes to an end. The right thing to do was to reach out to fans and explain why the show was ending, and I think Pat Walters handled that very well.