With its ‘podcast plugging’ arm, Blueprint Radio hopes to break into the growing U.S. podcast market.
According to Blueprint Radio, a British independent radio promotions firm, around 5.2 million people listen to podcasts in the UK each month. 45% of these people are under 35.
In addition, over 25% of podcast listeners in the region – the “most engaged” – actively share and repost podcasts.
So, to take advantage of the podcast boom, Blueprint Radio has opened up a new podcast promotions division.
Dubbed Blueprint Pods, the new division matches artists with podcasts that best meet “their strategic needs.” Pods works closely with hosts, brands, producers, and curators as well as hosting platforms, including Audioboom and A-Cast. This, says the company, will ensure clients have the widest range of podcasts and opportunities available to them.
Essentially, this is just like ‘getting spins’ and other traditional placements, with podcasts simply representing the newer platform.
Blueprint Radio has dubbed the division Britain’s “first podcast-led plugging service” for artists and labels.
Pods has launched with several clients. This includes artists Tom Odell and Freya Ridings. Pods has also placed rapper Professor Green and pop singer Kioko on the podcast The Receipts.
Directors Chris Slade and Sophie Paluch will lead Blueprint Pods. Slade, an experienced radio promotions executive, founded Blueprint Radio. He previously served as Director at Alchemy Radio and as National Radio Promotions Executive at EMI Records. Paluch’s experience has encompassed management, publishing, and radio plugging. She has also specialized in podcast hosting and writing.
Speaking about the launch of Blueprint Pods, Slade explained,
“Podcasts present a huge opportunity for artists and rights holders. We wanted to be the first company that fully services this fast developing market in the way in which it deserves.”
Paluch added that podcasts can reach audiences of millions, without location restrictions.
“We believe that music audiences are now hungrier than ever to know more about the artist behind the music and podcasts are the ideal way to do this as well as a chance for artists to reach new audiences.”
She also shared the company’s vision for breaking into the U.S. podcast market. With the launch of Pods, the company aims to introduce talent “within the huge world of American podcasts.”