WMG FIRES UP A PODCAST PLATFORM

Warner Music Group is creating a podcast network, Interval Presents, as a platform for artists and cultural movers to explore the impact of music from diverse perspectives.

WMG Senior Vice President of Digital Strategy & Business Development Allan Coye (pictured) will oversee Interval Presents in the role of General Manager.

“Interval Presents allows us to develop and share podcast content that propels fresh, engaging conversations around trending topics and issues that matter to diverse communities—all through a culture-forward lens,” Coye said. “This is just the beginning and as we grow, we hope to stay true to our roots in music while also using audio artistry as a vehicle for exploring new terrain in storytelling and ultimately, connect deeply with our audience.”

Said WMG Chief Digital Officer & EVP of Business Development Oana Ruxandra, “There’s a hunger for more inclusive and authentic podcast content and, with Allan leading the charge, we’re thrilled to launch an audio platform that will connect with this growing audience and spotlight a breadth of voices and perspectives.”

The podcasts will roll out throughout the year and will include talk shows and narrative-driven episodic programming. Jason Derulo will headline a podcast series that uses vocal performances to convey a fictional, noir-inflected romance; Billy Mann will challenge the stigma around failure in a show featuring some of the world’s biggest stars and their stories about confronting adversity.

Interval Presents has partnered with production companies Awfully Nice (Idris and Sabrina Elba’s Coupledom) and Double Elvis (Disgraceland, About a Girl, Dear Young Rocker). Awfully Nice will produce a docuseries that explores thought-provoking questions; season one asks, "What if California seceded from the United States?" Double Elvis will produce two shows. One podcast franchise will tell the stories of Warner artists who've defied expectations, defined major cultural moments and redefined themselves; the first season will cover the life of Aretha Franklin. The other will explore the history of media and the role communities of color have played in radio, print and television.

Snap Judgment, the production company behind the podcast/radio show Snap Judgment, will also produce a slew of content for Interval Presents.