The History of Podcasting

The History of Podcasting

by AdvertisingMarketingPublic RelationsSocial Media

The History of Podcasting

The history of podcasting is celebrated each year on International Podcast Day. Each September 30th, over the past two decades we recognize a valuable opportunity for podcasters and their listeners to connect online.

There are various reasons for creating and distributing a podcast, with emphasis on entertaining, educating, and promoting. But whatever a podcaster’s purpose, creating and deploying a podcast can hold significant value for a brand, company/organization, or individual.

At SCG Advertising + Public Relations, I’ve had firsthand experience producing two separate podcasts, and I’ve learned much about crafting quality content that engages listeners while sounding as smooth as possible. Each episode I produce provides a learning opportunity for both my client and me.

Podcasts can be a powerful tool to help amplify messaging efforts and drive a conversation; they connect people with an audience that finds value in what the host is discussing.

Some fun historical facts about podcasting, according to InternationalPodcastDay.com :

  • The first modern podcast went live 20 years ago
  • The term “podcasting” was pioneered in a 2004 Guardian newspaper article
  • George W. Bush was the first president to have his weekly address delivered as a podcast
  • And … SCG can help you create your next podcast

 

I’m beginning to work on a brand-new project with the social media team to produce an official SCG podcast titled Coffee and Tea with SCG. We are looking to launch the podcast in early fall, and you’ll be able to listen to it on our website.

International Podcast Day

by MarketingPublic Relations

A lot has changed, and quickly, in terms of the media that we create and consume. We went from radio and TV, CDs, vinyl records and so on, to being able to stream every medium possible in the palm of our hands. One new media that’s continues to grow in popularity is podcasting. So we’re all clear, a podcast – per thepodcasthost.com – is “an audio program, just like Talk Radio, but you subscribe to it on your smartphone and listen to it whenever you like.”

Many of my friends have podcasts. Two of these are “Bopcast” and “Ayoochill Podcast,” both of which focus on interviewing a variety of individuals, from entrepreneurs, event hosts, musicians, emcees, and others. I’m always fascinated by my friends’ podcasts because they bring unexpected perspectives and interview styles, and ask thought-provoking questions.

Other podcasts I enjoy listening to are Barstool Sports’ “Call Her Daddy,” hosted by Alex Cooper, and “The Daily Stoic,” hosted by Ryan Holiday. “Call Her Daddy” focuses on issues facing women, and also offers celebrity interviews. Within these celebrity interviews, many issues are spoken on including feminism, the real life of a Hollywood star and so much more. Podcasts are used for entertainment from time to time but most importantly can be used for educating others.

“The Daily Stoic” is a definite departure from the other podcasts I listen to. My wise and wonderful boss Mike got me into it, and I’d say it has actually changed my life. Holiday focuses on many historical figures, many of them Stoics,  and provides easily digestible insights. Many perspectives pioneered by Stoic philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, form the basis for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Each episode is eye-opening, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for something to make you pause and think.

Along with listening to podcasts, I’ve actually produced several myself – though nothing I plan on releasing publicly. I’ve just been practicing and honing my skills. And with this in mind, I’m now working with my colleague Kurt to develop a podcast series for our agency that will serve to inform about public relations, advertising, recruitment, and communications overall. In past SCG has done post production and creative slates for several podcasts for our client Rutgers University. You can see some of this work on our SCG YouTube page here.  The quality that we give to our clients is superb, we are great listeners and enjoy collaborating with creative people. We would love to produce your next podcast!

Happy International Podcast Day!