NOVA Entertainment

NOVA Entertainment Appoints Kim Keaton As Head Of Podcast Partnerships

~ jen

NOVA Entertainment has strengthened its digital leadership line-up by announcing the appointment of Kim Kerton to the newly created role of Head of Podcast Partnerships.

The role has been introduced with NOVA’s branded entertainment division CREATE, responsible for podcast-led content partnerships and show integration.

Kerton rejoins the business having spent the last five years as a senior strategic consultant for brands including Queensland Tourism, Colonial First Slate, Tourism Tasmania and AGL, defining their podcast content, audience and monetization strategies. She is an established podcast creator, producer and host.

Prior to that she was the Head of CREATE Sydney at NOVA, spearheading brand integration solutions for some of the country’s biggest audio advertisers, with over 15 years of sales leadership experience.

Kate Murphy, NOVA’s Director of Commercial Strategy, described Kerton as uniquely qualified for the role.

“When it comes to brand interaction, radio sets the standard for depth of creativity and connection, within audio and beyond. NOVA has been a market leader on that front and Kim’s appointment speaks to our intention to cover customers that same gold standard of access, influence and impact across our podcast content.”

“Kim is a unique talent, an expert in both content and commercial podcasting, alongside significant experience in commercial brand integration. She knows intimately how to maximize the potential that our content, talent and audience represent for advertisers.”

Kerton said of her new role: “It feels like the best of both worlds for me — being back at NOVA and getting to do what I love. As a podcaster, I understand the balancing act between creating conversations that connect with an audience and then building a meaningful role for brands within that.”

“I know there’s greater potential in podcast advertising. And I know I’m in the right business to unlock that.”

Kerton’s appointment coincides with the recent announcement of several key new titles joining the NOVA Podcast network, including Schwartz Media’s 7am, and JOHNS MEDIA’s Backstage with Cooper & Matty Johns and the Johns Family Podcast.

These signings and Kerton’s appointment, further signal commercial confidence in NOVA’s digital transformation, following the appointment of Michelle Golding (Digital Strategy Director) and Rebecca Jeffrey (Business Director, Digital) to the commercial leadership team in 2024, joining from the BBC and Seven Network respectively.

DM Podcasts Joins NOVA Entertainment Podcast Network

~ jen

NOVA Entertainment announced that DM Podcasts (Diamantia Media) will be joining the NOVA Entertainment Podcast Network (NEPN), in a strategic partnership that will see NOVA host and commercialize their slate of popular podcasts, alongside an investment in shared original podcast titles.

The partnership will see NOVA Entertainment represent DM Podcast’s full network of shows across popular categories in sport, comedy, and entertainment, which includes the award winning The Betoota Advocate Podcast, Becky & Cam Hotline, and So Dramatic!, as well as developing and releasing new co-productions titles which will grow audiences and provide greater integration opportunities for brands.

Kane Reiken, NOVA Entertainment’s Digital Commercial Director said, “The NOVA Entertainment Podcast Network is known as a network built for brands, and this partnership with Diamantina Media showcases our continued commitment to building and supporting quality local original content which creates new contextual, and talent led environments for our clients.

“Our considered approach to partnerships identified DM Podcasts as a content producer at the forefront of pop culture in Australia, with considerable success in entertaining and engaging audiences across multiple titles.”

Antony Stockdale, Founder, DM Podcasts said, “We are excited to partner with NOVA Entertainment. This co-production deal is the first of its type in Australia and we believe this is the future for podcasting. DM Podcasts is thrilled that NEPN share the same vision and ambition that we do. We believe this partnership is the best of both worlds, allowing us to maintain our voice as authentic, independent content creators, with the support, knowledge and resources of Australia’s fastest growing media business.”

The partnership will allow both brands to further scale their ambitions to continue to lead the market in creating high quality Australian content that connects with audiences and provides compelling advertising opportunities for clients to drive impact and deliver results.

The NOVA Entertainment Podcast Network (NEPN) brings together the largest stable of accessible talent in the country, including much-loved identities, influencers and experts, to create a suite of quality podcast content that connects audiences and brands.

NOVA Entertainment and Acast Announce End of Partnership

~ jen

NOVA Entertainment and Acast announced the end of their partnership, with both companies set to pursue broader business ambitions.

NOVA and Acast have enjoyed a successful three-year partnership with NOVA representing and selling Acast’s audio-on-demand inventory in the Australian market since 2017.

Effective from Monday 7 September, both businesses will manage sales of their respective podcasting inventory in-house.

Henrik Isaksson, Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand at Acast, said: “As the local podcast industry continues to go from strength to strength, now is the time for Acast to be an independent player, to offer further podcast-specific strategy, insight and reach opportunities to brands and agencies.

“NOVA has been an incredible partner to work with and we leave on really good terms. The split is simply about the incredible growth of the podcasting market and the huge opportunity Acast can offer to brands both in Australia and globally.”

Peter Charlton, NOVA Entertainment’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “Our partnership with Acast has delivered in all the ways the right partnerships do – insight, experience and importantly, shared success. There’s a lot to be proud of, but now’s the right time for us to build on that foundation independently.

“As in everything we do, NOVA has big ambitions to further develop our digital audio offering, and the work we’ve done with Acast stands us in good stead to realize those. It’s an exciting time, and I wish Henrik and the team the very best.”