NEW FOOTBALL PODCASTS FROM AWARD-WINNING TEAM
Added: (Thu Oct 08 2009)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
FANS FIND THEIR VOICE WITH ‘MY CLUB’ PODCASTS
NEW FOOTBALL PODCASTS FROM AWARD-WINNING TEAM
8th October 2009 – LONDON – Playback Media, the company behind the double award-winning Spurs Show podcast, is launching a series of weekly football club podcasts. Playback launched two titles in September focusing on Manchester United and Liverpool and unveils two more this month, for Chelsea and Arsenal.
The podcasts have been produced by the successful talent agent and comedy producer Mike Leigh and Paul Myers - internet entrepreneur and founder of the pioneering music download service, Wippit.
Their skill in of discovering football-obsessed broadcasters and creating internet hits is causing Playback Media's independent productions to rise above other mainstream media podcasts.
Leigh who is also co-host of the Spurs Show with Phil Cornwell, a podcast which won two EPL Talk Awards, EPL Podcast of the Year 08/09 and EPL Presenter of the Year 08/09, says: “The Spurs Show has become an outrageous success. On the iTunes chart, it's regularly the Number 1 Sports podcast, it's always the most popular independent production and in the main chart it has hovered in and out of the Top 3 since the new season began - above Ricky Gervais, Jonathan Ross and others that are heavily promoted on the BBC and in other media.”
“The secret of our success is that our podcasts are about the experience of being a fan. We don't just reel off results, repeat what the papers reported or gush news from the club's PR machine. And we don't generalise about the entire sport or league either. We talk about what fans of our team care about and, most importantly, we create entertainment - podcasts that non-fans can enjoy too”, says Leigh, “We get emails weekly from listeners who have become fans of Tottenham Hotspur just because they like our podcast!”
The Playback Media 'formula' is now being rolled out, albeit in slightly different flavours, for fans of West Ham United, Manchester United and Liverpool, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City to follow soon.
Each show's hosts bring their own approach and Playback has carefully selected presenters that are not only diehard fans, but also professional and naturally entertaining. Sony Broadcaster of the Year, Eddie Nestor takes time from his daily BBC London drivetime show to anchor the Manchester United 'ManYoo Redcast' with co-host, comedian Paul Tonkinson. This chemistry of decorated BBC broadcaster meets stand-up comic is enhanced when a celebrity fan is brought into the mix, such as last week's guest ABC front-man Martin Fry and actor / comedian Michael Smiley.
Each week celebrity guests are invited to share their passion and anecdotes for their team in an environment that gives them a creative freehand. Playback Media's podcasts include comedians, actors and broadcasters such as Paul Whitehouse, Phill Jupitus, Paul Hawksbee, Daniel Peacock, Sam Delaney and Matthew Norman.
The Liverpool FC podcast is hosted by television presenter Iain Coyle, and co-hosted by Little Britain producer and Anfield statistics savant Ashley Blaker. The show takes it name 'Not Just a Matter of Life and Death' from the legendary Bill Shankly quote.
The West Ham United podcast, ‘Stop! Hammer Time’, hosted by Phil Whelans is the most downloaded West Ham podcast on iTunes.
Each podcast is supported across social media such as Twitter and Facebook, giving fans a chance to discuss topics and become involved. Beyond this, the podcasts will also get their own iPhone applications created by BAPPZ - another company owned by Paul Myers. The Spurs Show will be the first with its own iPhone application, allowing fans to listen to the latest shows, archives and browse the latest news.
Myers says, “It's not enough to just 'be on the internet' these days and offer a weekly download. We must use all latest forms of communication and utilise the best technology available to us. We have no radio transmission towers or public funding, so we have to use guerrilla tactics. These podcasts are not merely 21st Century fanzines, they're topical and entertaining, have enormous reach and a circulation that can make some specialist sports media owners weep!”
The podcasts are supported by advertising and sponsorship, from brands seeking to connect with the predominantly male match-day audience. Playback Media has appointed London-based sports media agency Sports Revolution, which specialises in sports stadia media, to sell the space.
Sports Revolution Managing Director, Antony Marcou says: “Playback's podcasts offer an unrivalled opportunity to directly connect with men on match-days. It is a compelling model, reaching the audience directly through headphones, via a media that they have requested, and is about a subject they have a real passion for and pay close attention too. This isn't wallpaper radio or generic sports media - it is super-targeted, super relevant and generates a high response rate. With seven popular titles available before the end of the year, reaching a similar demographic with no overlap, Playback Media’s strategy could just be a winner.
All the links;
Not Just a Matter of Life and Death - The Liverpool Podcast
iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/liverpoolpodcast
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71850444954
Twitter: http://twitter.com/lfclifeanddeath
Presented by Iain Coyle and Ashley Blaker
ManYoo Redcast
iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/manyoo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=134731772131
Twitter: http://twitter.com/manyooredcast
Presented by Eddie Nestor and Paul Tonkinson
Stop! Hammer Time
iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/westhapodcast
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7950250447
Twitter: http://twitter.com/westhampodcast
Presented by Phil Whelans and Jim Grant
Spurs Show
iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/spursitunes
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4883028678
Twitter: http://twitter.com/spursshow
Presented by Phil Cornwell and Mike Leigh