EXCLUSIVE: Audio industry champion Steve Ackerman has joined The Podcast Show as a non-executive director.
The former Executive Vice President and Head of Global Podcasts at Sony Music Entertainment is joining the UK-based podcast festival having already spent three year’s on its international advisory board for the past four years.
Ackerman had joined Sony after it acquired Somethin’ Else, the UK-based audio producer he led alongside Jez Nelson for many years, in 2021.
With The Podcast Show in its fifth year, Ackerman will work with the leadership team on commercial partnerships, UK market strategy and development of the show’s content. His appointment also marks further strategic expansion plans within the UK and globally, the event’s leaders say.
“Steve has a truly first-class reputation across the industry internationally and a proven track record in building successful businesses,” said Jason Carter, co-founder and director of The Podcast Show. “His leadership in the audio space, both in the US and now back in London, will be invaluable to the continued development of The Podcast Show.”
Steve Ackerman called the festival “the most important event in the podcast industry.”
The Podcast Show, taking place this year on May 20-21, will be held at London Business Design Centre and is expected to attract 6,000 attendees from more than 60 countries, with the likes of Acast, Audioboom, Amazon, BBC Studios, YouTube, Spotify, Podimo and Ackerman’s former firm, Sony Music Entertainment, on the ground.
Speakers include Goalhanger co-founders Gary Lineker and Tony Pastor (Goalhanger), iHeartPodcast’s Will Pearson, radio presenters Zoe Ball and Jo Whiley from the Dig It podcast), Acast’s Greg Glenday, Nish Kumar and Coco Khan from Pod Save the UK), Jampot Productions’ Jamie Laing, Dinos Sofos from Persephonica and comedy podcasters Elis James and John Robins,.
