Heritage Radio Network (HRN), a food podcast and storytelling
non-profit founded in 2009, announces a dynamic new direction aimed
at developing and cultivating the next generation of audio and
video storytellers.
NEW
YORK, June 26, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Heritage Radio Network (HRN), a food podcast and storytelling
non-profit founded in 2009, announces a dynamic new direction aimed
at developing and cultivating the next generation of audio and
video storytellers. This new strategy moves HRN out of an
exceptionally crowded general food media marketplace and into a
more impactful, educational, food industry podcasting area. Through
this shift, HRN aims to strengthen its current programming lineup
and attract new, captivating voices who want support in developing
shows that align with HRN's mission.
"We realized HRN needed to clarify and
shift its position in a very crowded field in order to grow. We
worked to devise a new strategy that made HRN's purpose more clear
and created a market segment that facilitated listenership and
funding expansion."
"With the explosion of podcasting during the pandemic, we
realized HRN needed to clarify and shift its position in a very
crowded field in order to grow," said Liza
Hamm, Chair of HRN's Board of Directors. "For the last 18
months, the Board has been working with education and food systems
consultants to assess the marketplace and devise a new strategy
that made HRN's purpose more clear and created a market segment
that facilitated listenership and funding expansion," Hamm
explained.
The first priority emanating from this strategy was to hire an
Executive Director with substantial experience in the podcast
landscape, and someone who had a proven track record for building
successful media brands. After an extensive national search, HRN
hired RJ Bee, a veteran media executive with experience developing
podcast entities into successful ventures, in October 2023. Bee co-founded Osiris Media, the
largest independent podcast network focused on music, and served as
Senior Vice President at Hattaway Communications, managing
partnerships with City Year, the Ford Foundation, Gates Foundation,
Rockefeller Foundation and USAID.
"We are enthusiastic about HRN's future with RJ at the helm,"
said Hamm. "His considerable level of expertise and passion
enriches what HRN offers and allows us to better work with
foundations, brands, and other funding partners to drive a new wave
of growth and impact for HRN and the broader food system," said
Hamm.
For more than a decade, HRN has offered fellowships and
internships that provide hands-on audio engineering and production
training. Now, with the organization's new direction and
leadership, these programs are expanding to also include a more
diverse range of voices advocating for food systems and celebrating
food culture. These initiatives will complement HRN's food-centric
content and establish the organization as a hub for food systems
advocates and enthusiasts.
This Summer, HRN is launching a refreshed website to clarify the
mission and path forward—and introducing new podcasts and programs,
including:
Progressive Hedonist: Hosted by Dana
Cowin, former editor-in-chief of Food & Wine, this
podcast explores informed food choices in the modern era and
innovators in climate-friendly practices, such as zero food waste,
upcycling, plant-based cooking and sustainable agriculture.
HRN Storyteller Academy: A full suite of educational programs
designed to support diverse individuals from high school to
post-college and beyond. Key programs include:
- Research and Radio Fellowship: Continuing this summer, interns
will learn the art of storytelling and produce seasons of Meat +
Three, HRN's flagship podcast that provides a deep dive into the
latest food trends, the socio-cultural impact of food, and personal
narratives about our relationships with what we eat and drink.
- Food Systems Fellowship Program: Supported by the Julia Child
Foundation, this program focuses on food writing and storytelling,
expanding to support additional fellows working on narrative
podcasts. Future fellowships will be centered on BIPOC and LGBTQ+
participants.
- Innovative Ideas Fellowship Cohort: This new initiative brings
together BIPOC fellows to develop transformative projects that help
us look at food systems in a new way.
- Radio Scholars Program: High school students from diverse
backgrounds learn to create and produce food stories from their
communities.
- Storytelling Fellowship Program: Offers foundational experience
in media and food storytelling to high school seniors and
undergraduate students.
- Nonprofit Podcast Storytelling Workshops: These workshops aim
to empower and amplify the voices of diverse groups of food system
advocates.
- HRN Events: Bringing together food, conversation, and
entertainment in cities across the U.S.
HRN has utilized educational storytelling to tackle real issues
in the global food system since 2009. It has produced more than 100
podcasts that have reached millions of listeners. For more
information on HRN, its community, impact, and funding
opportunities, go to www.heritageradionetwork.org.
Media Contact
Kelsey
Juntwait, Heritage Radio Network, 1 929.337.8805,
kelsey@heritageradionetwork.org,
https://heritageradionetwork.org/
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SOURCE Heritage Radio Network