Bullivant Media Podcasts Reaching Thousands
Bullivant Media has seen the weekly podcasts for three of their Worcestershire titles – the Redditch Standard, Bromsgrove Standard and the Worcester Observer grow in popularity since launching in March 2018.
Claire Bullivant, a journalist who divides her time between Los Angeles and the UK, started podcasting in 2017 when she launched a weekly podcast in Los Angeles called ‘Brits in the Wood’ with former Capital and Radio 1 broadcaster Caroline Feraday.
Claire said: “I grew up on the newspaper office floor and have a passion for local news. It’s so important we keep our regional newspapers alive. Without them important stories aren’t told, council meetings go uncovered and communities are left without a voice.
“With so much ‘fake news’ and unchecked rumour pervading social media and unregulated websites nowadays too, it’s more important than ever for our communities to have voices they can trust – and we all know, regional newspapers are the most trusted source of news.”
Each podcast is about 30-40 minutes in length and includes the newspaper editor chatting about that week’s main news stories. Sometimes a special guest or interview will take place as well as a list of events that are taking place locally.
Tristan Harris, editor of Bullivant Media’s Bromsgrove Standard title said: “The podcasts offer something completely different to the newspapers and websites. When I’ve been out and about I have had quite a few people say they have listened to them and everyone seems to like them.
“I’m hoping to get the main parties on ahead of May’s local elections which will be good for people as they will be able to listen to each one and get some information about which each party is standing for, what they want to do in the district and their priorities for governing.”
Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, appeared on one episode of the Worcester Observer podcast following his visit to the city. Rob George, the Worcester Observer editor recorded an interview with Mr Corbyn and it was immediately incorporated into the weekly podcast which was released that night.
Other popular podcast guests have included local councillors, sporting team managers, local sports stars, and high- profile members of the local community.
Ross Crawford, editor of Bullivant Media’s Redditch Standard adds: “We’ve reached the stage where we’ve now got people and organisations asking to come on the podcasts. They offer a more relaxed and informal way to not only deliver the news but discuss the burning issues facing the town.
“They, like us, have recognised that we’re hitting a different audience with the podcast and want to get their message out there.”
The podcasts have been such a success that Bullivant Media have also started filming them which they then post on their social media channels.
