Acast appoints Veronika Taylor as SVP of its Creator Network

Acast, the world’s leading independent podcast company, today announces the appointment of Veronika Taylor as Senior Vice President of its Creator Network, leading its podcast team globally. Previously Managing Director for the Americas, and before that Content Director for the US — during which time she brought a long list of high-profile talent to Acast, including the EARIOS network and Danny Pellegrino — Taylor will now direct the company’s strategy for attracting the biggest and best podcasts all around the world.

In three years at Acast, Taylor has overseen the growth of its US podcasts team to 15 people, during which time the business also launched on-the-ground operations in Canada and Mexico. Throughout that period an influx of top US creators have joined the Acast Creator Network, including Fat Mascara, Forever35, Giggly Squad and Reality Gays, and premium publishers and media companies like Discovery, A+E, VICE, PBS NewsHour, The Daily Beast, and CBC.

Under Taylor’s data-driven approach to growing Acast’s Creator Network in the US, the company also nurtured podcast verticals where there was opportunity for further monetization and success — such as women’s lifestyle, and health and wellness.

And those efforts were instrumental in driving record net sales growth of 111% for Acast’s Americas business in the third quarter of 2021, as announced in the company’s most recent financial reporting.

To support further growth in one of the world’s biggest podcast markets, Samantha Skey has also been appointed Director of the Board within Acast’s US entity. Skey is an experienced media and technology executive focused on rapid growth companies, and as CEO of SHE Media works closely with a broad range of diverse talent across the US.

Already a strategic advisor to Acast since June 2021, Skey’s appointment to the Board represents another significant, senior investment in the US market by the company.

Ross Adams, Acast CEO, said: “Veronika has completely transformed our Creator Network in the US, not only attracting big names to Acast but helping a diverse and broad roster of podcasters to find their voice.

“Her new role is a vital part of the Acast senior leadership team, and pivotal in our mission to work with the world’s biggest and best podcasts. But, above all, she’s a stellar Acaster — and someone who has already taught so many of us how to lead with real empathy.

“Bringing Samantha onto the team is another big statement of intent for us. We’ve been working together for a short time already, but her knowledge of both the talent in the market and the ad industry — the two audiences we’re focused on — will help us further grow the Acast business in the US.”

Veronika Taylor, SVP Creator Network at Acast, said: “I want to continue bringing Acast’s creator-centric approach to podcasters and listeners the world over, as the joy of podcasting continues to spread across the globe. Creators worldwide are supportive of our efforts to champion the open ecosystem and, while our growth in the US has been strong in recent years, we look forward to stepping this up further — alongside our efforts internationally.

“One of the things I’ve been most proud of during my time here has been our efforts to bring more women and LGBTQ+ creators to the forefront, and there’s a lot more we want to do to bring more diverse voices into the space and help them scale their audiences and revenue.”