Tag: exclusive partnership

Jemele Hill and Spotify Partner on The Unbothered Network to Elevate Black Female Voices—And Bring Season 3 of ‘Unbothered’ to Listeners

June 25, 2021

In 2019, award-winning journalist, culture critic, and multihyphenate creator Jemele Hill joined the Spotify lineup with her own Spotify Original Podcast, Jemele Hill is Unbothered. Now, she’s expanding her exclusive partnership with Spotify with two big moves: a third season of the critically acclaimed show—and her very own podcast network. 

The Unbothered Network 

Jemele’s new groundbreaking podcast and production company, The Unbothered Network, seeks to elevate the voices, stories, agency, and nuance of Black women, an audience she feels is often chronically underserved across all mediums. Jemele will be working in partnership with Spotify and her longtime representative Evan Dick (Exit 39). Together, this powerhouse team of creatives and executives will create premium content that drives conversations and builds community, all through the power and intimacy of podcasting. Spotify, Jemele, and her production company, Lodge Freeway Media, will identify and develop new exciting series for the Network.

“The Unbothered Network is more than just a content hub—it’s a space where Black women can hopefully see their full selves,” says Jemele. “There’s so much about the lives of Black women that hasn’t been fully explored, and so many of our stories have either been dismissed or overlooked. I’m also proud of this network because it not only centers Black women, but it’s also run by Black women. We can’t empower Black women if we’re not positioning them in leadership roles.”

“We are thrilled to be expanding our partnership with the incomparable Jemele Hill,” says Courtney Holt, Head of Studios and Video, Spotify. “An acclaimed journalist, storyteller, podcaster, and creative—whose bold and authentic takes on social politics, sports, and culture have shined a spotlight on topics that are often overlooked. We can’t wait for her to continue her podcast and bring new and diverse talent to her network that amplifies and strengthens the voices of this important community.”

Jemele’s team of creatives and executives at The Unbothered Network include award-winning journalist Christina M. Tapper as Executive Producer & Head of Content, and Webby award-winning Creator/Producer Rich Boerner as Head of Operations and Production.

“I’m beyond grateful and excited to join Jemele and Spotify in building an audio home where Black women are primary,” says Christina. “I’m energized by the work of creating an expansive portfolio of premium podcasts for Black women listeners and by Black women creators at The Unbothered Network. We’ll tap into a variety of formats and genres to do just that.”

Unbothered Podcast Season 3

To top it off, the third season of Jemele’s podcast Jemele Hill is Unbothered is set to debut June 28. This installment of the critical and thought-provoking show is sure to stand up among its previous seasons. And the first guests? Singer-songwriter-actor Mary J. Blige, singer-songwriter Jill Scott, and actor Michael B. Jordan.

As an arbiter of culture and a storyteller, Jemele is a pioneer in the audio space who has continued to expand her reach and global audience. Whether breaking down difficult conversations about national discourse, racial inequality, gender equity, activism, politics, entertainment, or cancel culture, Jemele isn’t afraid to have an honest, thought-provoking, always-entertaining analysis of American life, discussed in real time as it unfolds.

Tune into Season 3 of Jemele Hill is Unbothered, free on Spotify June 28.

‘Call Her Daddy’ Is Making It Exclusive With Spotify

June 15, 2021

Alex Cooper, host of Call Her Daddy, knows how to shock, entertain, and delight her listeners. And her latest piece of news continues to do just that: As of July 21, Call Her Daddy will call Spotify home.

Soon, all new and existing episodes of the show will be available for free and exclusively on Spotify for new listeners and the “Daddy Gang,” as fans call themselves, to enjoy.

“I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has supported, helped, and been a part of Call Her Daddy,” says Alex. “From its start three years ago, the show has always been about challenging the status quo and manifesting conversations that previously only happened behind closed doors. I can’t wait for this next chapter with Spotify, where I will continue raising the bar with great content and guests for the Daddy Gang.”

Call Her Daddy was the first podcast of its kind and has created a sex-positive space where women control the conversation. During 2020 Wrapped, the podcast proved to be the fifth-most-popular podcast streamed globally on Spotify. Alex’s unique interview style gives iconic guests like Miley Cryus, Mia Khalifa, and Rickey Thompson the opportunity to share their own vulnerable experiences. Episodes cover topics ranging from self-love to sexual fluidity to reclaiming power after trauma. As the show has evolved, Alex’s priority has been to uncover the importance of therapy, self-care, and personal growth by sharing her own mental health journey. She has also invited medical experts like Dr. Orna Guralnik to the show in an effort to debunk stigmas surrounding mental health. 

The show is also the second-most-popular female-created podcast globally on Spotify, according to data released in March 2021 as part of Spotify’s EQUAL campaign. Alex’s direct approach and sense of humor have captivated Gen Z and millennial listeners, who appreciate the show’s risqué topics and entertaining personal stories. And as the Daddy Gang knows, there’s never a dull moment.

The gang’s all here! Start listening to Call Her Daddy episodes below.

Warner Bros Is Bringing the DC Super Heroes and Super Villains to Spotify as an Exclusive Series of Podcasts

June 18, 2020

Take it from your favorite super heroes (or even super villains): The League gets the job done. So in the spirit of Batman and Robin, the JLA, or the Birds of Prey, Spotify is entering into a new multiyear partnership with Warner Bros. and DC to produce and distribute an original slate of narrative scripted podcasts exclusively on Spotify.

The partnership—the first to involve the intellectual property of the entire DC Universe —will leverage iconic characters in new Spotify shows. Additionally, the companies are expected to draw upon Warner Bros. Studio’s broader collection of timeless titles as stand-alone podcast series. This collaborative and innovative effort will further increase the diverse array of premium storytelling content for Spotify listeners around the world.

Warner Bros. Digital Networks (WBDN) will manage the business and strategy related to the partnership. Warner Bros. Television Group’s digital studio, Blue Ribbon Content (BRC), will oversee the creative relationship and will co-develop and produce the programming in collaboration with Spotify, which will be responsible for the marketing, advertising, and distribution of the shows exclusively on its platform.

In addition to producing narratives based on existing characters and franchises from across Warner Bros. and DC, the two entities will also collaborate with Spotify to create new programming from original intellectual property—but more on those crossover events in a future issue.

To be continued . . .