iHeartMedia

Expanded Studio Named Ruby to Launch New and Renewed Shows in 2023 in Collaboration with Brands including IBM, Intuit QuickBooks, Mattress Firm, T-Mobile and more

NEW YORK, NY – May 11, 2023 - iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally with more downloads than the next two podcast publishers combined according to Podtrac, today announced the launch of Ruby, the first dedicated team of its kind from a major media company committed entirely to the production, sales and marketing of branded podcasts.

iHeartMedia has built one of the fastest-growing slate of branded podcasts globally with 30 original series from major brands such as T-Mobile, IBM, Intuit QuickBooks and Mattress Firm. The launch of Ruby represents an expanded commitment to one of iHeartMedia’s most premium products allowing advertisers to engage audiences with creative, long-form native content.

Ruby creates holistic podcast concepts that resonate with targeted audiences. The audio studio has partnered with a distinguished catalog of host talent–– both big and small across all industries including ‘Saturday Night Live’ cast member and co-host of the hit “Las Culturistas,” Bowen Yang, ‘Good Morning America’ co-host Robin Roberts, Malcolm Gladwell, Betty Who and Adam Devine of “Pitch Perfect” and “Workaholics'' fame.

Ruby’s branded podcasts allow advertisers and their brand partners to spend upwards of 30-45 minutes with their target audience in a unique environment, with opportunities for storytelling that are not possible anywhere else in their media mix including social video. With distribution across the iHeartRadio app and all other major platforms, native podcasts from Ruby connect brands to audiences by translating brand messaging, products and services into original and engaging stories that audiences love.

“Audio creates a relationship with consumers that no other marketing medium can compete with. When speaking directly to listeners, brands command a level of intimacy and authenticity that shifts perceptions and changes what’s possible,” said Gayle Troberman, CMO of iHeartMedia. “According to Magna, podcasting ad spending is on track to grow 16 percent this year, 4x the overall market. And with over 80 percent of our branded podcast clients renewing for multiple seasons, it’s evident the advertisers and audience’s appetite continues to grow. Ruby will ensure that current and future clients will be able to harness iHeartMedia’s powerful platform, scale and proven expertise to tell meaningful stories.”

iHeartMedia’s Ruby studio kicked off this year by collaborating with Intuit Quickbooks on “Mind The Business: Small Business Success Stories”. Hosted by Jannese Torres (Yo Quiero Dinero) and Austin Hankwitz (Rate of Return), the podcast reveals the stories of small business owners managing the ups and downs of starting and growing their businesses. Already charting in multiple categories, the podcast debuts alongside renewed seasons of popular podcasts from T-Mobile, Salesforce, IBM, and Mattress Firm.

“iHeartMedia’s Ruby team is creative, collaborative and delivers a turnkey audio product that enables new avenues for us to connect consumers with our brand,” said Mickey Mericle, Mattress Firm’s Chief Marketing and Experience Officer.

iHeartMedia has developed, produced, and distributed 30 podcasts including the award-winning IBM podcast “Smart Talks with IBM” hosted by Malcolm Gladwell, and “The Official Game of Thrones Podcast: House of the Dragon,” an original podcast that reached No. 1 on the Apple podcast charts in 2022.

Podcasts have become one of the fastest-growing mediums, reaching almost half of the US population every month. iHeartMedia produces more than 750 iHeartPodcasts which span every category from business, sports, spirituality, and technology to entertainment, family, comedy, and true crime, with more top ten shows on Podtrac than the next three podcast networks combined and twice as many podcasts with one million monthly downloads than the next largest podcast publisher. iHeartMedia is also the only podcast publisher with shows in all content categories ranking on Podtrac.

Ruby podcasts have landed the number one spots on the Apple and iHeartRadio podcasts charts with publications such as Vanity Fair describing the podcast “Humans Growing Stuff” - an ode to the new, modern gardener - as an “essential” listen. For more information on Ruby, please visit www.Ruby.iHeart.com.

Each week, Nedra will advise influential guests and callers on healthy ways to navigate the turbulent waters of life and relationships

Listen to the trailer HERE

WHAT: Today iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and New York Times best-selling author, relationship expert, and licensed therapist Nedra Glover Tawwab announce new health and relationship podcast “You Need to Hear This,” launching May 11.

Face it, relationships are hard, but they don’t have to be. In “You Need to Hear This,” Tawwab guides influential guests and callers alike on healthy ways to set boundaries, improve interconnections, and find peace of mind in their daily lives. Each week, through actionable plans and emotional support, Tawwab outlines simple steps that lead to big changes.

WHO: Every day, Nedra Glover Tawwab, MSW, LCSW, strives to help people create healthy relationships by teaching them how to implement boundaries. Tawwab is a licensed therapist and highly sought-after relationship expert. She has practiced relationship therapy for 15 years and is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Kaleidoscope Counseling. Her philosophy is that a lack of boundaries and assertiveness underlie most relationship issues. Tawwab has appeared as an expert on Red Table Talk, The Breakfast Club, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and CBS This Morning. Tawwab’s gift is helping people create healthy boundaries and relationships with themselves and others. “You Need To Hear This” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

WHEN: “You Need To Hear This” premieres Thursday, May 11 with new episodes launching every Thursday.

WHERE: Listen to “You Need To Hear This” on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

COVER ART: Download the official podcast cover art HERE.

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The weekly interview series was named the 2023 iHeartPodcast Awards winner for ‘Best TV & Film Podcast’ following its win in 2022 for ‘Best Emerging Podcast’

Listen now HERE

WHAT: iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players Network welcomed Brett Goldstein’s “Films To Be Buried With” to the podcast network today. Listeners will join comedian, actor, writer and swimmer Brett Goldstein and an extra special weekly guest as they go all the way into life and death by way of movies that have shaped who they are today, to ultimately pick their “Films To Be Buried With.”

WHO: Hosted by Emmy-winning actor, producer, and writer Brett Goldstein (full bio below). Upcoming guests will include Edgar Wright, Neal Brennan, Wendy Wason, Hannah Waddingham, Lolly Adefope and Himesh Patel. 

WHERE: “Films To Be Buried With” is now part of the Big Money Players Network and is distributed by iHeartPodcasts. Fans can listen on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

WHEN: Binge the entire series now, with new episodes airing weekly on Wednesdays.

SHOW PAGE: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-films-to-be-buried-with-wi-31077271/

EMBED PLAYER: <iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/256-films-to-be-buried-with-wi-31077271/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

ASSETS: Show art is available for download HERE

ABOUT BRETT GOLDSTEIN 

Brett Goldstein – a breakthrough British creative force on and offscreen – has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after multihyphenates. He is the co-executive producer, writer, and star of the Peabody-winning Apple TV+ series, “Ted Lasso.” Hailed by fans and critics alike, season one made waves as the most-nominated freshman comedy in Emmy history, and this year matched its record-breaking haul with an equally recognized season two. His scene-stealing performance as the brash yet lovable Roy Kent has earned him numerous accolades including two Primetime Emmy Awards for ‘Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy,’ making him the category’s first back-to-back winner in almost 15 years. He additionally received a 2022 WGA Award nomination as part of the show’s writing team, having scored two wins the year prior. Goldstein is the creator and executive producer of the beloved new comedy from Apple TV+, “Shrinking,” alongside Jason Segel and Bill Lawrence. This follows the success of his critically acclaimed AMC limited anthology series, “Soulmates,” which he created and executive produced with Will Bridges. He is the host of the iHeartRadio award-winning podcast, Films To Be Buried With, which finds him in candid conversation with special guests as they discuss the films that have shaped them.

ABOUT BIG MONEY PLAYERS

Founded by Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia, Big Money Players Network (BMP) is the premiere destination for comedy podcasts and home to top comedic talent across a variety of formats and styles. In addition to audio’s No. 1 comedy “The Ron Burgundy Podcast,” BMP features award-winning hits like “Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang,” “The Nikki Glaser Podcast," "Poog," and "Straightiolab." All BMP podcasts are executive produced by Will Ferrell and iHeartMedia and are distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network.

iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 global podcast publisher, according to Podtrac, and KT Studios, a Los Angeles-based full-service documentary, scripted and podcast production company and leader in the true-crime space, today announced a new slate of true-crime podcasts.

The news follows the recent chart-topping success of KT Studio’s launch of “Death Island with Conor Powell,” which soared to No. 1 on iHeart since its launch, and the fourth season of the returnable “The Piketon Massacre,” which, to date, has garnered more than 40 million downloads and remains on the top-10 chart.  KT Studios is currently shopping “Death Island” as a documentary and scripted series, as well as its upcoming slate.

Continuing its robust 140-plus-hour slate deal with iHeartPodcasts, the upcoming lineup with KT Studios includes the following:

The Moscow Massacre (Summer 2023): On November 13, 2022, four students from the University of Idaho were brutally stabbed to death in an off-campus house. After a lengthy investigation and cross-country manhunt, a Ph.D. student from a neighboring university was charged with the crimes. As it turns out, the 28-year-old was majoring in criminology, studying the behavior of killers, like the ones he would later be accused of becoming. Did he use his skills to become a real-life Dexter Morgan? Were the Idaho victims his first, or was a serial killer hiding in the midst? The Moscow Massacre is executive produced by KT Studios, Stephanie Lydecker, Courtney Armstrong, Jeff Shane, and Chris Spargo.

True Crimes (Winter 2023): In 2019, Netflix’s true-crime docuseries Don’t F**k With Cats became a sensation, when two amateur sleuths, Deanna Thompson (also known as Baudi Moovan) and John Green tracked down a cat killer who turned to human murder. With millions of views, crime fans propelled the series to become one of the year’s most-streamed shows. In True Crimes, the duo is tackling new unsolved crimes, including the 2022 unsolved murder of Microsoft executive Jared Bridegan, whose suspected killer was just arrested. Over the course of each season, Deanna and John flex their investigative prowess, working with victims’ loved ones, law enforcement, forensic specialists, and other experts, to uncover the truth in true crimes. True Crimes is executive produced by Stephanie Lydecker, Deanna Thompson, John Green, Courtney Armstrong, Jeff Shane, and Andrew Aronow.

Murder 101 (Early 2024): In a small Tennessee town, a local serial killer was caught by the most unlikely investigators: A group of high school students, led by their teacher, Alex Campbell. Throughout the course of one school semester, the class pieced together a 30-year-old mystery and identified the killer behind at least six brutal murders. Shockingly, while the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations publicly agrees with their theory, no charges have been filed against the murderer. While some sleuthing students already have graduated, they, along with a fresh crop of current high schoolers, still want to finish the assignment, once and for all. Murder 101 is executive produced by Stephanie Lydecker, Andrew Aronow, Jeff Shane, Alex Campbell and Conor Powell.

The full slate of co-produced shows is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will be available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

“All our podcast programming shares the same distinct DNA that uniquely makes them KT Studio titles,” says Stephanie Lydecker, Founder, and CEO of KT Studios. “We strive to create important and timely IP that can quickly reach different audiences through television/streaming adaptations.  The team and I at KT Studios are committed to developing and producing ethical and compelling content for all platforms. We’re proud to give voice to the victims’ families and bring much-needed heat to active investigations that risk going cold.”

It's been a busy year for KT Studios. The company is receiving critical acclaim for their fourth season of its true crime podcast The Piketon Massacre, which revisits the most notorious mass murder in Ohio’s history that left eight family members dead in their homes, and an impressive first season of Death Island, which investigates a mysterious island where dozens of tourists have allegedly been murdered since 2006 without explanation. Additional successful podcasts include The Dougherty Gang and Crazy in Love; the company’s slate also boasts several recent television projects, such as Murdered and Missing in Montana (Peacock) and Injustice with Nancy Grace (Oxygen).

About KT Studios
Founded in 2018 by veteran development and production executive and CEO Stephanie Lydecker, KT Studios is an LA-based, full-service production company that specializes in creating and producing ambitious and diverse unscripted and scripted television, podcasts, and documentary films. Under Lydecker’s leadership, the team has built the company into a true-crime powerhouse with titles such as Murdered and Missing in Montana (Peacock), Injustice with Nancy Grace (Oxygen), and The Piketon Family Murders (Oxygen). KT Studios, a leader in the podcast space, has a 140-plus-hour slate deal with iHeartPodcasts that includes The Dougherty Gang, Crazy in Love, and the hit series The Piketon Massacre, now in its fourth season. Having become the #1 podcast in the country in its second season, The Piketon Massacre has amassed over 40 million downloads to date and is being adapted for television. The company also produced The Masked Singer, a companion to the hit competition format on FOX.

From Klassic Studios, “Daily Dad Jokes” is on a mission to deliver a daily dose of laughs and of course, groans

Listen Now Here

What: “Daily Dad Jokes,” an AI powered stand-up comedy podcast from Klassic Studios, announced today it has joined iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac. The popular “Daily Dad Jokes” podcast delivers jokes that are guaranteed to make listeners laugh as their family and friends groan. All jokes are sourced from the Dad Jokes subreddit on Reddit and are curated and produced into a daily show utilizing Klassic Studios’ proprietary Auto Podcast Technology. This state-of-the-art technology produces new content every day, including jokes generated by algorithms that adapt and evolve over time.  

The podcast, started in late 2020 by Klassic Studios and believed to be the first AI-produced show, has surpassed 10 million downloads and consistently ranks in the top Comedy (Stand Up) podcast charts. And, according to a recent article published by BBC Psychological Society, “The power of Dad jokes,” research shows dad jokes empower kids to become better adults.

Who: Bob Jeffey, the podcast's AI-generated host, is the creation of Graeme Klass, founder of Klassic Studios and a 30-year technology industry veteran who has been coding since he was 16. Klass and the team at Klassic Studios have built the tools, processes and know-how to bring AI-generated audio to the podcast world, combining his love of comedy, coding and podcasts. Klass is a husband and father of three children who enjoys making his family groan (and rarely laugh) with his dad jokes.

“We are excited to explore where this fascinating world of AI will take us and we relish the opportunity to grow not only ‘Daily Dad Jokes’ with iHeartPodcasts but other AI-produced shows as well,” said Graeme Klass.

Where: “Daily Dad Jokes” is now distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is available on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. Listen now here.

About Klassic Studios

Klassic Studios creates Automated, AI-generated podcasts that produce high-quality and consistent content. Its flagship program, Daily Dad Jokes, has taken the comedy podcast genre by storm, consistently in the Top 20 Comedy (Stand-up) podcast charts. Visit klassicstudios.com for more info.

Transporting listeners back to 1990s Miami, the series re-examines the unsolved assassinations of three radio journalists in Little Haiti, linked to pro-democracy broadcasts

Listen now HERE

NEW YORK – April 27, 2023 – Kaleidoscope and iHeartPodcasts, in collaboration with the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), today announced the launch of a new eight-part series, “Silenced,” that re-examines the murders of radio broadcasters in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood in the early 1990s. The murders were never solved, leaving a wound in Little Haiti that is still open to this day. One of the detectives involved in the investigation declared, “These men were killed for words they spoke on the airwaves.” The new podcast debuts today, at a time when the rights of journalists reporting abroad continue to be violated in record numbers, with the shocking detention of Evan Gershkovich in Russia the latest example.

Co-hosted by Oz Woloshyn, Kaleidoscope co-founder, and Ana Arana, an award-winning veteran investigative journalist, “Silenced: The Radio Murders” investigates the Haitian broadcasters’ assassinations during a period of extraordinary hope for the establishment of democracy in Haiti. Arana first reported on these murders in the early 1990s for CPJ and is returning to the investigation in hopes of finding the masterminds behind the murders and have them held accountable. Woloshyn investigated the serial murders of hundreds of women along the U.S.-Mexico border in his previous podcast series, “Forgotten: Women of Juarez,” and hopes to deliver a similarly far-reaching impact with “Silenced: The Radio Murders.”

To illuminate the context and possible motive for the murders, Woloshyn and Arana will speak with DEA agents who shed light on rampant cocaine trafficking among the Haitian military, which enjoyed strong support in certain quarters in the US. Throughout the series, the two will uncover elements that show missteps and mysteries, perhaps politically motivated, that remain unaccounted for decades later.

Ana Arana remarked, “When we began this podcast we wanted to tell a story about impunity and the impact it has on immigrant communities. However, as the series developed, we realized the need to have federal authorities re-examine the cases because they encroached on the First Amendment and the essential right to free speech. With their murders, these voices and the ideas that those broadcasters held were silenced.”

Gypsy Guillén Kaiser, Advocacy and Communications Director at CPJ, commented, “We are proud to collaborate with Kaleidoscope and iHeartPodcasts to bring ‘Silenced’ to a global audience. Nearly 30 years after Ana first reported on these cases, the fight for justice persists. We look forward to digging into the new evidence they've uncovered and continuing our pursuit of full accountability for the murders of these Haitian journalists, which have never received the attention they deserve.”

“We are proud to collaborate with Kaleidoscope on their impressive slate of scripted podcasts, “said Will Pearson, President iHeartPodcasts. “Listeners everywhere have been drawn to these real-life stories of wild chocolate hunters, unsuspected astrologists and Russian cosmonauts, and we know ‘Silenced’ will do the same – hopefully leading to some answers as to who was behind these unsolved murders.”

“Silenced: The Radio Murders” is Kaleidoscope’s fourth series release with iHeartPodcasts following “Obsessions: Wild Chocolate,” “Skyline Drive” and “The Last Soviet.”

Kate Osborn, EVP & Head of Podcast Development, Kaleidoscope, stated, “‘Silenced’ is the latest example of Kaleidoscope’s unrivaled ability to bring to life international non-fiction stories that resonate with US audiences and move the conversation forward. We hope that ‘Silenced’ will bring a new focus to a story that deserves far greater attention.”

“Silenced: The Radio Murders” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and will release a new episode every Thursday beginning today with the final episode dropping June 22, 2023. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or wherever you get your podcasts.

About Ana Arana
Ana Arana is a veteran investigative journalist who has received several awards for outstanding journalism, including a team award from the Online News Association, a Third Coast Audio Festival Silver Award, a Peabody and two Overseas Press Club awards, among others. She is a former U.S. foreign correspondent who reported from Central America and Colombia for CBS News and The Miami Herald. Most recently she has reported as a freelance journalist and editor.

About the Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes press freedom worldwide. We defend the right of journalists to report the news safely and without fear of reprisal.

About Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope is a New York-based podcast company founded by Oz Woloshyn, host of Forgotten: Women of Juarez and Sleepwalkers, and Mangesh Hattikudur, co-founder of Mental Floss and former Senior Vice President of Podcast Development at iHeartMedia. Our mission is to create compelling narrative podcasts from around the world that take listeners to places they’ve never been and introduces them to a cast of unforgettable real-life characters. Kaleidoscope has secured sizable funding from investors like former MTV head Tom Freston and former Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post editor-in-chief Marcus Brauchli, and is in advanced talks with Hollywood studios, TV networks, and major book publishers about selling adaptations of its podcasts. It has the backing of media deal brokers The Raine Group and is represented by talent agency WME. Visit www.kaleidoscope.nyc for more information.

Fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ Community Celebrating Visibility and Inclusivity For All

WHAT: iHeartMedia and P&G will once again join forces during Pride Month for the return of Can’t Cancel Pride 2023 – The Future Starts Now. An evening recognizing the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating organizations creating a more inclusive and equal world. The special event will feature performances from some of today’s hottest artists and appearances from influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community June 15 at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and remote locations across the country.

Can’t Cancel Pride was started during the COVID-19 pandemic when so many Pride events were forced to cancel around the world. Now in its fourth year, the event will focus on the achievements of the past, the urgency of the present moment, and the hope for the future of the LGBTQ+ community. The show will explore how leaders of the past addressed LGBTQ issues and provided the foundation for change; how advocates are expanding opportunities today; and how the next generation is building the groundwork for a safe, equitable and joyous future.

Stay tuned for full details including the performance lineup for the 2023 “Can’t Cancel Pride” in the coming weeks.

WHEN: “Can’t Cancel Pride” will return on June 15 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The event will be available on-demand throughout Pride Month until Friday, June 30.

WHERE: The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook pages as well as iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com, Revry, The Roku Channel and The Advocate Channel on June 15 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

MORE: In its first three years, “Can’t Cancel Pride” has raised over $11.4 million for six diverse LGBTQ+ charitable organizations, GLAAD, The Trevor Project, National Black Justice Coalition, SAGE, Centerlink, OutRight International. In 2022 alone, Can’t Cancel Pride reached nearly 20 million viewers and listeners.

Since its inception, the annual benefit special has brought together some of the biggest names in culture and entertainment and included performances from Adam Lambert, Ben Platt, Bebe Rexha, Brothers Osborne, Hayley Kiyoko, JoJo Siwa, Katy Perry, Kylie Minogue, Leslie Odom Jr., Melissa Etheridge, P!NK, Ricky Martin and Carla Morrison, Sia and Troye Sivan, as well as Neil Patrick Harris, Darren Criss, Andrew Rannells and more with special appearances from Billy Porter, Brandi Carlile, Cara Delevingne, Ciara, Dan Levy, Demi Lovato, Dolly Parton, Elton John, Gus Kenworthy, Jennifer Hudson, Karamo Brown and Tan France from “Queer Eye”, Kermit The Frog, Lena Waithe, Lil Nas X, Marshmello, Matt Bomer, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Nico Tortorella, Pete and Chasten Buttigieg, Tituss Burgess and more.

NEW YORK, N.Y. – April 21, 2023 – iHeartMedia celebrated new music and artists recently with World Premiere debuts and more. Staind’s “Lowest in Me” had a World Premiere debut on April 19 across all iHeartRadio Rock stations and optional Alt stations. The Weeknd’s new song featuring Future “Double Fantasy” had a World Premiere debut on April 21 across all iHeartRadio Rhythm CHR stations and optional Hip Hop stations. The song was also featured in “New Music Friday” spots on iHeartRadio CHR stations.

This weekend, Chlöe takes over iHeartLand for two days only to celebrate her debut album “In Pieces,” starting April 21 at 7pm ET/4pm PT. During her exclusive show, Chlöe will perform her new music and discuss the album and more during a special Q&A hosted by iHeartRadio's Shay Diddy. Fans can visit iHeartLand on Roblox for some exclusive Chlöe content and snap a selfie with her NPC (non-player character) on the iHeartLand Pink Carpet presented by NYX Professional Makeup. Visit iHeartLand for more.

For the latest news, music fans can follow iHeartRadio on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and visit iHeartRadio.com.

NEW YORK – April 10, 2023 – iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) announced today that Jon Kurland has been named Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Entertainment Counsel, effective today. 

In his new role, Kurland will lead iHeartMedia’s Business Affairs team and focus on strategic deals and relationships with the company’s podcast, music, entertainment and new media partners. He will be responsible for business and legal affairs across the company’s divisions including multiplatform assets, digital audio and tentpole events. In addition, Kurland will oversee the company’s entertainment legal functions across podcasts, live events, and new media initiatives as well as its music licensing strategy, including maintaining and renewing all music industry licenses for iHeartRadio’s digital services and performance licenses through PRO agencies.  He will be based in New York City and report to Jordan Fasbender, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of iHeartMedia, Inc.

“Jon’s vast experience and dealmaking skills in the audio industry will be incredibly valuable as we continue to innovate and expand our partnerships and opportunities that leverage and enhance iHeartMedia’s position as the leading audio company in the U.S.” said Fasbender.

“As the top audio company in America, iHeartMedia is uniquely positioned at the convergence of music, podcasting, live events, television and all manner of innovative digital media,” said Kurland.  “I’m thrilled to leverage my legal and dealmaking expertise across a wide range of formats and platforms to unlock value for the company, while also empowering artists and creators and serving iHeartMedia’s millions of listeners.”

Kurland brings more than a decade of legal and entertainment industry experience to his new role. He joins iHeartMedia from Amazon, where he served as Senior Corporate Counsel in the Global Media & Entertainment group and primarily focused on podcasting, music licensing, original content initiatives and technology transactions for Amazon’s Audible. Prior to this, Kurland worked in private practice at entertainment firms Sloss Eckhouse and Carroll Guido & Groffman, where he represented music performing artists including Dave Matthews, Pearl Jam, Tiesto, Nick Jonas and Demi Lovato, and filmmakers including Justin Lin and Richard Linklater. He also regularly advised on media transactions with technology platforms including Netflix, Amazon, Facebook, and Hulu. Kurland was named to “The Hollywood Reporter” 35 Under 35 List in 2020 and serves on the board of PCI Media and the National Advisory Council for Creative Capital.

Kurland began his career as an associate at Schulte Roth & Zabel, where he represented hedge funds and private equity firms including in connection with media transactions. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard Law School, Kurland currently teaches Media Law at the Columbia Journalism School.

New series reveals the story of Damon Lawner and his journey founding SNCTM, the “most elite sex party in the world"

Listen to Episode 1 HERE

WHAT: iHeartPodcasts and School of Humans today debut “Sanctum Unmasked,” a new 8-part podcast series that explores the secretive sex empire known as SNCTM.

In 2013, Damon Lawner founded what became known as the most elite sex club in the world. He called it SNCTM. When he conceived of the club, he was a million dollars in debt, struggling to keep his family afloat. And just a few years later, people were paying him hundreds of thousands of dollars to get into his exclusive, debaucherous masquerade parties. 

“Sanctum Unmasked” is a podcast that follows that journey. It takes a nuanced, fun and comedic look into money, power and sex, set in the backdrop of Hollywood. Along the way, we dive into Damon’s own personal exploration of sexuality and taboo — one that reflected the experiences of his guests and performers — and how it would ultimately turn his life upside down.

What really happens when you shed societal expectations and unapologetically pursue personal sexual freedom?

WHO: “Sanctum Unmasked” is hosted by American writer, television host and producer Karley Sciortino. Sciortino is the founder of Slutever, a website that focuses on sex and sexuality, and executive producer and host of the Viceland documentary series of the same name. Sciortino also writes Vogue's online sex and relationships column, Breathless. “Sanctum Unmasked” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts.

WHERE: Listen to “Sanctum Unmasked” on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard.

COVER ART:  Download the official podcast cover art HERE.

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About School of Humans
School of Humans is a multi-platform production company producing series for television (Dirty Jobs, Six Degrees with Mike Rowe, Stuff You Should Know). The company launched its audio division with the hit true crime podcast “Hell and Gone”. The perennial top ten podcast is now in its fourth season, with over 16 million downloads to date. School of Humans Audio now boasts a slate of successful non-fiction titles distributed under a multi-year deal with iHeartMedia. Among them, “Unreformed: The Story of the Alabama Industrial School for Negro Children” (#1 Apple and Spotify History Podcast charts) ; “Red Elvis” (with Curiosity Stream); “Astray” (debuted at #15 on national podcast charts); and “Racket” (A Vulture “Best New True Crime Podcasts” pick). School of Humans’ first scripted podcast, Sisters of The Underground starring Dania Ramirez (X-Men, Sweet Tooth) and Judy Reyes (Succession, Scrubs) was produced in conjunction with My Cultura and Eva Longoria.