PRX to Lead Google Podcasts creator program

Boston MA/Mountain View CA, USA—Google has teamed up with PRX, a leading media company with a deep commitment to podcast training, education and audio technology, to develop and run the Google Podcasts creator program. The Google Podcasts creator program, funded by Google, hopes to remove barriers to podcasting, increase the diversity of voices in the industry, and to make sure content is available for all audiences.

The Google Podcasts creator program focuses on three pillars: empowering and training underrepresented voices, educating a global community with free tools, and showcasing the participants’ work as a model for others.

One of the key elements of the program will be a global podcast accelerator headed up by PRX, a pioneer in podcast training and education. PRX and members of an advisory committee will select global teams to receive seed funding, intensive training, and mentorship. The program will be split into two rounds of approximately six projects each. The first round kicks off in January 2019. Applications are live until 11:59pm ET on Sunday, November 18. For more information on how to apply, visit https://googlecp.prx.org/.

“We are committed to lowering barriers to podcasting through education and information sharing,” says Zack Reneau-Wedeen, Product Manager of Google Podcasts, which launched Google Podcasts in June. “As we work to bring hundreds of millions more listeners into the fold, we want to play a role in ensuring content is available for all types of global audiences. PRX has a proven track record of mentorship and education, and we couldn’t be more excited to work with them as our lead partner.”

“We want to dramatically change the podcasting ecosystem and support more access,” says PRX CEO Kerri Hoffman. “Training is a primary way to close the skills gap that keep many from being successful in podcasting. This is particularly true for those who are underrepresented in other forms of media. We hope to elevate more diverse voices and empower others with tools to create and share.”

Complementing the global accelerator, PRX will develop a series of podcasting 101 videos in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Arabic to support the training of podcast enthusiasts around the world.

Google initially announced this program in June 2018 with the launch of its podcast app for Android users.

PRX has been a pioneer in training and education in the podcast space. PRX launched its Podcast Garage, a community-based podcasting studio and classroom in Boston, in 2016 and plans to expand to Washington, D.C. in 2019. In addition, PRX hosted Radiotopia’s Podquest, an open call for diverse talent, new voices and sustainable podcast ideas, which resulted in production of the critically-acclaimed show Ear Hustle. With the support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PRX also introduced Project Catapult, a podcast development boot camp for public radio stations. Most recently, PRX hired its first director of training, Kerry Donahue, from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.

About PRX PRX is a leading media company, shaping the future of audio by connecting talented producers with their most engaged, supportive audiences. PRX builds technology and creates cutting-edge content that reaches millions of listeners worldwide. The company was named one of Fast Company’s ‘Ten Most Innovative Companies in Media’ in both 2015 and 2017. PRX is a founding member of Matter Ventures, a media accelerator program, and RadioPublic, a company driving podcast listener discovery, engagement and revenue for creators. Radiotopia is PRX’s curated network of cutting-edge podcasts, anchored by 99% Invisible from Roman Mars.