LWC Studios, a Peabody-nominated digital production studio, announced Steve Pratt, former Pacific Content co-founder, is joining its advisory board. As a former TV executive, having worked with some of the biggest media brands, and co-founder of the world’s first branded podcast agency, Steve brings decades of experience, insight, and a broad set of expertise to LWC Studios.

He joins current board member: audio production and editorial consultant Rehka Murthy, Chris Colbert, Founder and CEO of DCP Entertainment, Pablo Fuentes, Founder of Makepath, and Lesley Lopez, Partner of ReKon Productions. The group helps guide the company’s initiatives and the development of its slate of original narrative-driven work across podcasts and other digital media.

“This makes it official. Steve has been a trusted and supportive friend to LWC Studios for several years, always ready to get on a call or make an introduction, always eager to share his hard-won wisdom in building one of the strongest branded content companies in podcasting. We’re so thankful for his commitment,” says Juleyka Lantigua, Founder and CEO of LWC Studios.

“When Juleyka and I met for the first time, I knew LWC Studios was a special company with a very special founder and leader. LWC Studios is a values-driven company that has storytelling, experimentation, and community deep in its DNA, and I couldn’t be more excited to work more closely with Juleyka and her team by joining their Advisory Board,” Pratt says.

Steve Pratt is the founder of The Creativity Business, a strategy firm helping companies find success with the right balance of creativity and business. He is the former co-founder of the world’s first and leading branded podcast agency, Pacific Content. Named one of Entrepreneur’s 100 Brilliant Companies, BMW, NYT, Dell Technologies, Facebook, Rocket Mortgage, Slack, Shopify, Zendesk, Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, Prudential, Adobe, and Atlassian. Pacific Content was started from scratch with no investment in 2014 and was sold to Rogers Communications in 2019.

Visit LWCStudios.com for more information in its work and Advisory Board.

LWC Studios, an award-winning digital production studio, is pleased to welcome Rekha Murthy as an Advisory Board member. Her unique expertise in content strategy, editorial development, digital distribution, audience growth and extensive experience in developing critically acclaimed shows make Murthy a standout in the podcast industry and an invaluable asset to LWC Studios, as we continue to build meaningful content for rising-majority audiences.

She joins seasoned leaders working at the highest level of podcasting and media: Chris Colbert, Founder and CEO of DCP Entertainment, Pablo Fuentes, Founder and Principal of makepath and Lesley Lopez COO/Partner of RecKon Productions. Their expert insights help guide the company’s initiatives and the development of the studio’s slate of original narrative-driven work across podcasts, documentaries, and films.

“I heard about Rekha before I actually met her. She is brilliant, she is great to work with, she gets stuff done, she is deeply insightful about podcasting and storytelling. All true, but getting to know her and developing a friendship with her over time has been an absolute privilege, I know she will have a lasting impact on our Advisory Board,” says Julekya Langiqua, Founder and CEO of LWC Studios.

“I have been a fan and supporter of Julekya and LWC Studios since the early days. I believe deeply in LWC’s mission to make meaningful, high-quality work that highlights diverse experiences, and its essential role in the industry as a vibrant independent company. I’m delighted to play a part in advertising this special organization,” Murthy says.

Rekha Murthy is a podcast strategist who believes that podcasting is at its best when it includes a wide range of voices and lived experiences. She works with clients of all sizes – from Spotify, Crooked Media, KEXP, and BirdNote to independent creators, influencers, and journalists. Rekha is a founding team member and lead curriculum designer of Spotify’s Sound Up program for new creators, and served as Founding Governor of The Podcast Academy, home of The Ambies. She spent years at PRX + Radiotopia, NPR’s All Things Considered + NPR Online, and web and mobile startups.

Visit LWCStudios.com for more information on its work and Advisory Board.

LWC Studios announced the expansion of its award fund to include reimbursements for audio production education and training for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ independent producers, editors, and other creators. Through this expansion, The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund will support educational opportunities for creators belonging to underrepresented groups.

Independent creators seeking to advance their careers in audio production can apply for grants and be awarded up to $500 per person per year after completing training at established institutions.

Pauline Velasco, Managing Producer at LWC Studios says, “We’re thrilled to provide creators the chance to improve their skills and expand their opportunities for work in our industry.”

Tiffany Ashitey, Creator Network Director at Acast, one of the Fund Partners, says, “Over the past year, I’ve watched the LWC Studios team dedicate their time and creativity to fostering an industry that welcomes, recognizes, and celebrates diverse voices. What LWC Studios has built with The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund is a truly incredible resource for independent creators – and we are so proud to support it. My hope is for other organizations in the industry to follow in this team’s footsteps.”

Launched in early 2021 by LWC Studios with fund partners, AIR, Pacific Content, Acast, Triton Digital, and Sounds Profitable, The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund supports independent BIPOC and LGBTQ+ identifying independent audio professionals in submitting their work to media and journalism awards by covering entry fees. The Fund’s mission is to expand the pool of talent considered for recognition in order to make competitions and awards more inclusive.

“At Triton Digital, we are committed to doing our part in supporting accessible educational opportunities for independent media producers, editors and creators,” says Sharon Taylor, Senior Vice President of Podcast Strategy & Product Operations at Triton Digital, a Fund Partner. “The audio community is louder and stronger together, and being part of The Podcasting, Seriously Awards Fund will enable us to continue to shape the industry for future success.”

To date, the fund has raised $50,000 to cover entry fees to competitions such as The Ambies, The Web Awards, Podcast Awards, Tribeca Film Festival, and The Third Coast International Film Festival, among others. Reimbursement applications can be submitted to the Fund at any time of the year, and eligible applicants can be base in anywhere in Canada, The United Kingdom, United States, or Australia.

Those interested in applying can submit their information here. Those interested in contributing to the Fund can donate via Patreon, AIR, and Buy Me a Coffee.