We're so pleased to see Meet a Mentor alumni, Antonia, Juliana and Malik taking part in a discussion celebrating new talent in the podcasting industry!
When: 25th May 2022
What: Panel discussion chaired by Producer, DJ, Broadcaster Antonia Odunlami with upcoming creatives currently smashing it in the audio/podcast space, on the skills, ideas and stories they are looking for when hiring & commissioning new talent.
Panellists:
Nicole Logan (Founder Dutchie Studios, Podcaster, Producer)
Vanessa Maria (Podcast Host, DJ, Broadcaster & Digital Marketer)
Juliana Ogechi (Podcast Host, Writer, Junior Creative - The Brooklyn Brothers)
Malik Fields (DJ, Producer BBC Radio 1Xtra, Content Producer London College of Fashion)
Chair:
Antonia Odunlami (Podcaster, DJ, Radio Host)
Antonia will be talking to rising talent in the audio podcast space about the importance of good storytelling, how to make quality content that stands out in a world with so much choice & most importantly, identifying a range of career paths and giving tips on how to land those dream roles.
Questions & Themes for the panel:
- The current state of the podcasting / storytelling industry.
- What and where are the jobs in audio production / podcasting?
- What are the things getting traction and commissioned right now?
- What are the panel’s favourite podcasts, and can they share examples of creative commissioning they would like to see more of.
- The future of audio content- how much has it democratised with technology allowing for DIY culture? Are there still gatekeepers and if so, who are they?
- How much are we opening the industry up to POC and Black communities, working class and LGBTQ+ creatives?
- What are tangible ways of ensuring the full scope of British talent is heard?
Notes for speakers:
This panel discussion is part of the first day of The Podcast Show, the new international festival for Podcasting to be held at London’s Business Design Centre. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend talks, panel discussions, masterclasses, insights, activations from leaders in the global podcasting field as well as opportunities for networking and for new upcoming talent advice, guidance and 1:1 speed mentoring support.
Panellist Bios:
Antonia Odunlami (Chair)
Antonia Odunlami was a founding member and former music editor at gal-dem. She has also worked as a producer across BBC Radio 1Xtra (DJ Edu, Jamz Supernova) and Apple Music 1 (Formerly Beats 1) on Africa Now and Blackout Radio. She has moderated conversations at Black Girl Fest, BBC Introducing Festival and on Worldwide FM - along with her monthly show Diaspora Distins (where she showcased talent from the African continent and the global Black diaspora). She is now a freelance podcast producer, DJ and music creative.
Nicole Logan
Nicole spent her early career working across Television and Theatre for some of the UK’s well-known production companies and networks, before specialising in audio production. Nicole has worked with some of the UK's leading arts institutions including; ATG, BBC 1, ITV, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Sounds, Spotify and Roundhouse London. Breaking down cultural and institutional barriers has always been a part of Nicole’s professional journey and she is currently serving on the boards of diversity and inclusion media charity, Multitrack and Bloomsbury Arts Festival. She is currently Development Executive for multi-award-winning production company Reduced Listening.
Vanessa Maria
Vanessa Maria champions music & mental health as a DJ, Broadcaster at Foundation FM, Host at Resident Advisor, Digital Marketer at Sony for Black Butter Records and member of Don’t Keep Hush. Named as one of the most important young people in music, she made her mark on the dancefloor by showcasing sounds from around the world, infusing high-energy Baile Funk rhythms with everything from Jersey Club to Hard Drum. As a former Mental Health Representative at Bristol University, she executively produced an award-winning documentary around black mental health. Currently, Vanessa hosts an exciting podcast by Resident Advisor in partnership with Black Minds Matter which showcases Black creatives working in electronic music. With future plans to direct a music & mental health documentary, launch a radio show for Black Butter Records, and grow the Don’t Keep Hush community, she is definitely one to watch.
Juliana Ogechi
Juliana Ogechi is a storyteller, writer & podcaster whose work focuses on exploring universal narratives that speak to the human experience. She currently hosts a podcast that celebrates the stories behind names called ‘No Shame in My Name Podcast’. Juliana took part in the A New Direction’s Creativity Works: Rushes Programme in 2019, and subsequently; the Meet a Mentor Programme which followed. For her day job Juliana works as a Junior Creative at The Brooklyn Brothers Agency.
Malik Fields
Malik Fields is a 26-year-old Digital Producer, specialising in video and audio editing. He currently works as a Content Producer at London College of Fashion while freelancing at BBC Radio 1xtra. Through the Shared Training Employment Programme STEP run by the Employment & Skills Team at A New Direction Malik's internship at London College of Fashion and Worldwide FM laid the foundations for the roles he fulfils today. He was a part of the radio station's production team and DJ'd at the inaugural We Out Here festival. His next role was at Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) as an Audiovisual Production Intern, where his focus was on reporting the humanitarian work that the organisation undertakes in crisis zones around the world.
As a beneficiary of the Meet-a-Mentor programme, Malik met David Akosim Account Director, Fuse Omicron. David's connections to BBC Radio 1Xtra eventually helped Malik discover a role at the station, where he provided an application that ultimately proved successful. Malik also DJs under the name BAME DASH and has made mixes and radio shows for Worldwide FM and Westside Radio.