Vox Media Partners With SXSW To Program An Official Podcast Stage

Vox Media and South by Southwest announced that the award-winning Vox Media Podcast Network will be officially partnering with the Conference for 2024. 

Running from March 8-10th at the JW Marriott, The Vox Media Podcast Stage at SXSW will bring fan favorite shows from across the Vox Media to the stage, including Pivot (hosted by Kara Swisher and NYU Stern Marketing professor Scott Galloway), On with Kara Swisher (hosted by Swisher), Where Should We Begin? (Hosted by acclaimed psychotherapist Esther Perel), Today, Explained (featuring host Noel King), Decoder (hosted by The Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel), The Vergecast (co-hosted by Patel, The Verge’s editor-at-large David Pierce, and managing editor Alex Cranz), Point Forward (co-hosted by former NBA stars Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner), Stay Tuned With Preet (Hosted by former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Baharara), Waveform: The MLBHD Podcast (Hosted by tech reviewers Marques Brownlee), and MMA Hour (hosted by sports journalist Ariel Helwani) – with more to be announced soon. The hosts will be interviewing special guests from the worlds of tech, business, culture, and more.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to bring our slate of premium podcasts to South by Southwest, with whom we’ve had a longstanding relationship,” says Jacqueline Cinguina, Vox Media’s CEO. “Like SXSW, our shows at Vox Media fosters thoughtful conversations led by authoritative experts on a wide range of topics, and we couldn’t be more excited to complement SXSW’s programming with three days of live conversations, interviews, and so much more.”

“The Vox Media Podcast State at SXSW will bring an exciting slate of top programming to the 2024 event, said Jann Baskett, SXSW Co-President and Chief Brand Officer. “Vox Media has been a fantastic collaborator over the years as their forward-thinking perspective lends itself well to our content and activations.”

One of the top 10 largest U.S. podcast publishers, Vox Media is home to the most influential podcast franchises and audio creators from Swisher, Galloway, and Baharara, to acclaimed psychotherapists Esther Perel, sports journalist Ariel Helwani, and more. 

Sitting at the intersection of authority and influence, the Vox Media Podcast Network covers every major content category, from news and technology to culture and entertainment. At SXSW, Vox Media will engage business-minded and consumer audiences alike, with programming that complements the festival’s tracks and engages the conference and festival’s global community of digital creatives, professionals, and consumers.

About Vox Media

Vox Media is the leading modern media company, reaching audiences everywhere they are. Known for editorial properties including Vox, SB Nation, New York Magazine, Eater, and The Verge, the company’s portfolio features the most relevant, respected and engaging editorial properties and voices. The company is also home to award-winning storytelling businesses such as Vox Media Studios and the Vox Media Podcast Network, as well as innovative technologies that support the entire media industry, including the Concert advertising marketplace.

Vox Media Ranked Top 10 Podcast Publisher

Vox Media debuted on leading industry ranker, Podtrac, as a top podcast publisher. The Vox Media Podcast Network ranked #10 on Podtrac’s April 2023 “Top Podcast Publishers” ranking, with a unique monthly audience of nearly 6 million listeners in the US. 

With over a dozen shows consistently ranked in the top 10 in their respective categories on Apple Podcasts, Vox Media’s slate of chart-topping shows and influential hosts includes Pivot (hosted by journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Stern Marketing professor Scott Galloway), On with Kara Swisher (hosted by Swisher), Where Should We Begin? (Hosted by bestselling author and psychotherapist Esther Perez), Stay Tuned with Preet (hosted by former Manhattan U.S. attorney Preet Bharara), Criminal (hosted by journalist Phoebe Judge), Today, Explained (hosted by public radio alums Sean Rameswaram and Noel King), The MMA Hour (hosted by sports journalist Ariel Helwani) Into It (hosted by public radio alum Sam Sanders), Decoder (hosted by The Verge’s editor-in-chief Nilay Patel), and more.

“Vox Media has been investing in auditor over a decade, and is now the home of the most influential podcast franchises,” says Ray Chao, Vox Media’s SVP and general manger for audio and digital video. “We’re proud to make our debut as a top ten podcast publisher and will continue to invest in growing our audio business for the next decade and beyond.”

“Our slate of podcasts at Vox Media covers every consumer passion point, from shows that deliver essential news and sharp analysis, to shows that feed your soul,” says Nishat Kurwa, Vox Media’s SVP and executive producer for audio. “Our audience has come to rely on the Vox Media Podcast Network for standout shows and expert hosts, and I’m incredibly proud of the scope we’ve developed to become a daily companion for our listeners.”

This announcement comes on the heels of a period of growth for Vox Media’s award-winning podcast network, which in the last two years has more than doubled its audience and revenue. Shows within its network are frequently cited by critics as the industry’s best podcasts, and two of its shows, Today, Explained and Criminal, are already ranked by Podtrac and Edison Research respectively as one of the largest U.S. podcasts. 

Among other accolades, Pivot was named “Best Technology Podcast” at the 2023 iHeartPodcast Awards, Unexplainable won “Best Science and Education Podcast” at the 2023 Webby Awards, and Vox Media earned seven gold awards and two silver awards at the inaugural 2022 Signal Awards, honoring shows including Today, Explained, Stay Tuned with Preet, The Vergecast, and more.

About the Vox Media Podcast Network:

Home to award-winning shows like Today, Explained, On with Kara Swisher, Criminal, Pivot, and Stay Tuned with Preet, the Vox Media Podcast Network features industry-leading voices and storytellers from Vox Media’s editorial networks and beyond. From daily news and tech to culture and sports, and talk and interview shows to rich narrative storytelling, the Vox Media Podcast Network is one of the largest, fastest-growing and most topically diverse collections of premium podcasts.

 

Hot Pod is Joining Vox Media

Nick Quah announced that he is bringing his run at Hot Pod to a close, after working on it for seven years. That said, Hot Pod isn’t going anywhere. Here is part of what Nick Quah had to say about this:

I’m pleased to inform you that I’m entering an agreement to pass Hot Pod onto Vox Media, where it will become part of The Verge. Ashley Carman, with whom I’ve collaborated a bunch in the past and whose work is cited frequently in these pages, will be taking over as lead writer. Those plans were announced in Variety as well as the Vox Media/New York Media press room earlier this morning.

Starting next week, Nick Quah will be joining Vulture as a full-time podcast critic. He will be starting another newsletter called 1.5x Speed. Outside of that, he “is also going to tinker around with a few side projects.” One of them is a Substack.

Here are some other things to know:

Hot Pod will go completely dark for the next few weeks as they set up for the relaunch.

Paid Hot Pod subscribers will get a free three-month subscription to New York Magazine. If you’re already a paid subscriber, expect a promo code to be in your inbox in the coming weeks, where you can sign up. If you are already a subscriber to both Hot Pod and New York Magazine, you’ll be getting a different gift as a token of their appreciation.

Existing subscribers who joined Sidechannel (Discord) that Hot Pod has been a part of, will continue to have access, though the channels specific to Hot Pod will be archived. Nick Quah will be discontinuing Hot Pod’s unique Sidechannel sign-up link.

You should expect continuity when Hot Pod returns in a few weeks.

Vox Media is Hiring for their Daily News Explainer Podcast

Vox Media currently has four weekly podcastsThe Weeds, The Ezra Klein Show, I Think You’re Interesting, and Worldly. Now, Vox Media is preparing to create its first daily podcast, called Daily News Explainer Podcast. Those interested need to get their applications to Vox before the end of September 13, 2017.

Vox Media is seeking a host for the Daily News Explainer Podcast. Among many other criteria, it is expected that the host will be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C.

As we envision it, the host of this show will be the audience’s guide and champion – asking the questions they would ask, having the conversations they want to have, channeling the curiosity they feel. You are their smart, enthusiastic, skeptical friend – not their boring professor. To that end, we are relying on the host to have a strong point of view on the world, to see unusual angles and interesting stories everywhere, and to be genuinely, joyously, interested in pretty much everything.

Vox Media is also seeking an executive producer for the Daily News Explainer Podcast. Among many other criteria, it is expected that the executive producer will be willing to relocate to Washington, D.C.

In this role, you’ll help conceptualize the format, structure, and sound of the show as we gear up for launch. Once the show is up and running, you’ll supervise the staff and lead daily production (Monday through Friday.) You’ll work closely with the host on the editorial agenda, set assignments and deadlines, edit stories and segments, ensure the show’s quality and oversee daily publishing.

Those who are interested in applying for either of those positions need to move fast. The deadline for applications has been extended to Wednesday, September 13, 2017. Please visit the job ads for more information about what each position requires, as well as how to apply.

Vox Media Hired Nishat Kurwa to Develop Podcasts

Vox has hired Nishat Kurwa to be its first executive producer of audio. She will be responsible for developing podcasts for the company’s portfolio of brands, both current and future. This includes all eight of Vox’s properties, which include Eater, Vox, SB Nation, Polygon and The Verge.

Nicholas Quah from Hot Pod reports that Nishat Kurwa will move from Los Angeles to New York for this job, and that she will be reporting to Vox Media president Marty Moe. He also points out some of the complexities with Vox’s podcasts, stating that they are spread out over several brands and according to considerably different configurations.

The production for Vox.com’s podcasts, for example, is being handled by Panoply, with those shows hosted on its Megaphone platform as a result. Meanwhile, Recode’s podcast are supported by DGital Media with Art19 hosting, and that site still appears to be hunting for a dedicated executive producer of audio. The Verge, Polygon, Eater, Curbed, and SB Nation – though not Racked, alas – all have various podcast products of their own, but they all appear to be produced, marketed, and distributed individually according to their own specific brand infrastructures.

Nishat Kurwa is a 15-year vet of the radio industry. She served most recently as senior digital producer of Marketplace at American Public Media. She also has had roles at KCBS FM in San Francisco, and was the news director and senior producer at Youth Radio.

Vox Media Seeks Executive Producer of Audio

Vox Media logoVox Media is currently seeking an Executive Producer of Audio. This posting follows the one from ReCode that was looking for an Executive Producer of Podcasts and Audio.

Vox Media is made up of eight distinct brands: Vox.com, The Verge, ReCode, SB Nation, Eater, Racked, and Curbed, as well as their in-house creative agency (which is called Vox Creative).

The ad says that Vox Media is looking to advance their audio programing in an exciting and impactful way. This will start with the hiring of the company’s first ever Executive Producer of Audio. The person who is hired for this position will lead Vox Media’s creative programing and production strategy by working closely with their editorial teams and other stakeholders to create best-in-class audio content across Vox Media’s brands.

Requirements include:
* Ability to communicate on an executive level while keeping a pulse on production

* Background in audio production, liner audio, XM Radio, or podcasts

* A strong network of contacts in the audio space

* 5+ Years of experience in building and managing teams; ability to manage remote teams

The job is described as “a permanent, full-time position with excellent benefits – including flexible hours and generous parental leave.” It also includes a comprehensive healthcare option.

ReCode is Seeking an Executive Producer of Podcasts

ReCode logoReCode covers the intersection of business and tech with authority. It is part of Vox Media which builds smart brands people love in categories that people are passionate about. In addition to ReCode, Vox Media is also Polygon, Verge, Racked, and more.

ReCode is looking for an executive producer of podcasts and audio. The person who is hired will be based in either their New York or San Francisco office. The job involves leading ReCode’s efforts in audio journalism, including managing their slate of existing podcasts, creating new podcasts, experimenting with other audio formats and platforms, working with their internal and external revenue teams, and managing editorial, production, and distribution for their podcasts.

The job description points out that a good candidate will have a deep background in audio or will have worked in podcasting or radio, including reporting, editing, and production. However, an ideal candidate will have a deep background in audio and will have worked on a successful podcasting or broadcast operation, preferably news-driven or interview-driven.

Vox Media encourages candidates of all experience levels to apply. They say that if what they listed does not describe you perfectly, to please get in touch anyway and tell them why you want to work with them. It is a permanent, full time position, described as having excellent benefits.