PodMov Daily: Friday, June 26

Episode 235: Week Download Complete

C13Features Launches to Produce Full-Length Podcast “Movies”

A new venture from the podcast company Cadence13 will bring the ‘feature film’ experience to podcasts, reports Brent Lang of Variety. C13Features has launched to “back thrillers, dramas, comedies, and other stories that unspool between 90 minutes to two-hours, or roughly the length of a feature film.”

Chris Corcoran, CCO and a founding partner of Cadence13, tells Variety: “We want to create a brand new lane of storytelling and build a brand new type of listening experience.” Corcoran developed the concept in hopes that it will become a lucrative, long-lasting “IP incubator” of sequels, spinoffs, and series.

“These one-episode original scripted features are intended to launch franchises, which makes Cadence13’s strategy similar to that of major film studios,” Lang explains. “The company plans to hire movie stars and prominent actors to voice key roles and to partner with film directors and other creative talent.”

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PRX: A New Year of the Google Podcasts Creator Program

A new year of the Google Podcasts creator program has begun. Launched in October 2018, the free accelerator and training program welcomes worldwide applicants. This year's sessions are designed for “producers with an existing podcast who want to advance their skills and take their productions to the next level.”

20 applicants will be selected for 2020, which “will be entirely virtual and conducted by PRX alongside international industry experts and Google Podcasts creator program alumni.” Last year's program included producers from Brazil, Chile, Colombia, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Spain, and the United States. Applications open July 1.

“We’re committed to helping expand podcast creation and listenership to be more inclusive,” said Zack Reneau-Wedeen of Google Podcasts. “We believe there are millions more storytellers and listeners around the world who will benefit from the medium, and we are proud to join with PRX to open new doors.”

Memberful: Smarter Podcast Memberships

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Your listeners already love your content. With Memberful’s features, like custom branding, gift subscriptions, Apple Pay, and free trials, you have even more tools to keep them tuned in.

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Here's what else is going on:

• Open road: Sounder, a free end-to-end podcast management platform, has come out of beta. Its founders, Kal Amin, Dan Daugherty, and Goran Krgović, explain how the company aims to solve the discovery “bottleneck” for independent creators of all sizes.

• Zip codes: With compelling data visualizations, Pacific Content’s Dan Misener explains why creators and marketers should study ‘nearby' shows in terms of content. “Your podcast neighbours are a great starting place for promo swaps, guesting, and paid promo.”

• Top talent: Applications are open for the Fall 2020 Transom Story Mentorship. Six audio storytellers will be selected for the 6-week online training, which features special guests like Ira Glass (This American Life) and Shereen Marisol Meraji (NPR’s Code Switch).

• Auction house: Scripps is exploring the sale of Stitcher, according to Tom Dotan of The Information. “In an apparent effort to cash in on a surge of interest in the podcasting industry,” the broadcaster may offload one of its “fastest-growing businesses.”