iHeartRadio and Salesforce.org’s “Force Multiplier” Podcast Returns for Season Two, Addressing the Power of Coming Together to Tackle the Most Pertinent World Issues

Download Cover Art HERE 

WHAT: What if we could help change the world one relationship at a time? iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Salesforce.org are joining together to explore the power of connection and technology in season two of “Force Multiplier,” a podcast that addresses the exponential impact we can have on the world by working together. Whether we’re talking about health inequity, nutrition insecurity or the opportunity gap in education, we are facing unprecedented challenges that require unprecedented collaboration across disciplines, cultures and sectors. 

Join host Baratunde Thurston as he sits with leaders from across the public, private, education and nonprofit world who are forging partnerships to tackle some of the toughest challenges facing us today. To make it more hyper-focused on important issues, the six-episode season will be split into three themes, each getting two episodes to explore the topic. 

The first two episodes will focus on “Climate Action” and feature captivating and informative roundtable discussions and interviews with leading activists in the space. As with all the themes, “Force Multiplier” will examine these issues at every level. Along with leading organizations, the episodes will also feature stories from local community members who are taking personal actions to address these global and cultural issues. 

Later in the season, the show will cover “Education Access” and “Global Health” as the highlighted themes.

WHO: Host Baratunde Thurston, a writer, comedian and political commentator and host of  “How to Citizen” podcast, will talk with a variety of leaders, activists, forward-thinkers and organizations who are doing the work to combat the most pertinent issues we’re facing. The first episode will see Thurston tackle climate change with Australian environmental leader Amanda McKenzie, founder and CEO of The Climate Council, and Derrick Emsley, CEO of Tentree, a company that plants 10 trees for every purchase of their sustainably-made clothing and outdoor essentials. 

WHEN: The season two first episode launches on Thursday, May 12, with new episodes released every two weeks. 

WHERE: Listen to “Force Multiplier” on iHeartRadio and all other platforms. “Force Multiplier” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.

PODCAST EMBED WIDGET: 

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About Salesforce.org

Salesforce.org is a dedicated social impact team within Salesforce that provides free and deeply discounted technology to the nonprofit and education sectors. Our solutions are designed to help our customers leverage technology to power their purpose so they can meet the changing demands of those they serve. Whether it’s fundraising, student engagement, or connecting people with causes they care about, we innovate for — and with — our community to address its unique needs, deepen its impact, and build more meaningful relationships. Visit salesforce.org for more information.

 

 

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PRISA Media Breaks into the US Media Market in Partnership with Audio Leader iHeartMedia

  • Strategic agreement to integrate the streaming services of PRISA Media's spoken-word radio networks into the iHeartRadio catalog.
  • iHeartRadio has more than 3 billion downloads and 159 million registered users and is available on more than 250 platforms.
  • iHeartMedia reaches 90 percent of Americans each month, offering PRISA Media the opportunity to reach the US Spanish-language market at scale.

 

New York, NY May 11, 2022 - PRISA Media and iHeartMedia, the leading audio company in the United States, have reached an agreement to integrate the streaming services of PRISA Media's spoken-word radio networks into the iHeartRadio catalog. With iHeartMedia’s more than a quarter of a billion monthly listeners through its broadcast radio stations across the country and its more than 3 billion downloads, 159 million registered users on the iHeartRadio app, this partnership will help PRISA Media build massive awareness in the U.S., further validating it position as the leading media group in the Spanish-speaking world.

According to Carlos Núñez, executive chair of PRISA Media, “the agreement allows us to make a significant leap forward in the Group's commitment to the Spanish-language market in the United States, solidifying our position as media leader in the Spanish-speaking world, while scaling up our content and opening new lines of business.”

For María Jesús Espinosa de los Monteros, managing director of PRISA Audio, “iHeart has set the gold standard as a platform when it comes to user-centered usability and customization. Signing a deal with a partner with this level of specialization and this position in the US market is testament to our firm commitment to the development of digital audio.”

“We are excited to partner with PRISA Media to help expand their reach, offering their content and programming to a wider audience,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of the iHeart Digital Audio Group. “iHeartMedia reaches 9 out of 10 Americans monthly and collaborating with PRISA also gives us the opportunity to offer even more diverse content to our hundreds of millions of listeners.”

PRISA Media’s programming will be available to listeners via iHeartRadio on June, with a second phase of this partnership to include PRISA Media's podcasts joining the iHeartPodcast Network.

 

About PRISA Media

PRISA Media is the business unit that brings together all the company’s news and entertainment media. With a clear international vocation, it is the number one media company in the Spanish-speaking world. The group operates leading brands and titles in its sector such as El País, AS, Cinco Días, Cadena SER, LOS40, Cadena DIAL, Radio Caracol, W Radio, ADN Radio and HuffPost, among others.

In May 2021, and as part of the company's commitment to digital transformation and new formats, the company created PRISA Audio, the transversal platform that integrates all of the Group's non-linear audio content as well as Podium Podcast.

PRISA Audio is now the world's leading producer of audio in Spanish. At the end of 2021, it had clocked up 412 million downloads and around 800 million listening hours, according to internal data measured by Triton Digital, the leading firm for metrics in the digital audio industry.

When it comes to streaming services, PRISA Audio is the second-ranking media company in the world – only behind iHeartRadio – and the first in Latin America.

 

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Elton John, Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Anitta, Dove Cameron, Betty Who, Kim Petras and More Join P&G and iHeartMedia’s “Can’t Cancel Pride 2022: Proud AND Together" Hosted by JoJo Siwa on June 14

The Event Will Honor Icon Elton John with First-Ever Impact Award For His Humanitarian Work Through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Marking its 30Year History

Can’t Cancel Pride Will Stream on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook pages, PrideRadio.com and Revry

Benefit Will Raise Visibility And Funds for GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink and OutRight Action International

New York – May 11, 2022 – This June, Procter & Gamble® (P&G) and iHeartMedia invite people everywhere to join “Can’t Cancel Pride – Proud AND Together,” a fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ community celebrating visibility and inclusivity for all. The event will feature performances and appearances from some of the most influential voices in the community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment, including Elton John, Katy Perry, Sam Smith, Lizzo, Anitta, Dove Cameron, Betty Who, Kim Petras and more from the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and remote locations across the country. This year, the event will be hosted by singer, actress and social media phenom JoJo Siwa, who received a special honor at last year’s event for being a young trailblazer in the community.

The third annual event will focus on the challenges and celebrations of being “Proud AND Together,” showcasing the activism and the issues that continue to impact the LGBTQ+ community in 2022, as well as intersectional messages of spirit and strength.

This year, Elton John will be honored with the first-ever Impact Award for his humanitarian work through the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which is celebrating its 30th year. The event will recognize the history and incredible impact his organization has made to overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.

As we’ve proven over the past two years, you Can’t Cancel Pride. Even with a global pandemic raging, we’ve been able to bring the community together with the most influential artists to celebrate Pride and raise consciousness and funds for some heroic organizations while working to support the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in communities around the nation,” said Gayle Troberman, Chief Marketing Officer for iHeartMedia. “This year is a big moment as we emerge from lockdown to celebrate diversity and inclusion while continuing to champion the LGBTQ organizations that create a more equal and welcoming world for all.”

With support from brands including P&G, Chevrolet, Bounty®, Braun, Charmin®, Dawn®, Downy®, GilletteLabs®, Metamucil®, Pampers®, Pantene, Tide®, Venus and VÖOST Vitamins, the one-hour benefit special, produced by iHeartMedia and P&G, will stream on June 14 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on iHeartRadio’s TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, pages, iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com and Revry. The event will later be available on-demand until June 30 on iHeartRadio’s YouTube, Facebook and Revry.

“Can’t Cancel Pride” will distribute financial support raised by the event to LGBTQ+ organizations with a track record of positive impact and support of the LGBTQ+ community including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink, and OutRight Action International. In its first two years, “Can’t Cancel Pride” has raised over $8.3 million for these organizations. In 2021 alone, the event reached 6.3 million viewers and listeners.

The event will kick off a month-long Pride celebration throughout June. iHeartMedia radio stations will air spots encouraging listeners to tune into the livestream on June 14 and watch the event on demand. Follow along on social media using the hashtag #Can’tCancelPride and support the participating nonprofits by visiting cantcancelpride.com or texting “RAINBOW” to 513-654-2622.

Additional proud partners of “Can’t Cancel Pride” include Crest®, Gain Dish Soap, GIANT®, Giant®, Harris Teeter, OLAY® and Stop & Shop™, with more to be announced.

Executive Producers for “Can’t Cancel Pride” are John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Bart Peters and Gayle Troberman of iHeartMedia; Can’t Cancel Pride Co-Founder Brent Miller of P&G; Casey Patterson for Casey Patterson Entertainment, Eric Conte and Aaron Cooke. Austin Reading serves as Co-EP and Grant Greeley is Supervising Producer for Casey Patterson Entertainment.

About P&G

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at www.pg.com/new.

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New iHeartRadio Original Podcast "The Unimaginable with James Brown," Delves Into Life’s Many Pivotal Lessons

WHAT: “The Unimaginable” is a show about phenomenal encounters and the life altering decisions people make because of them. Join Belfast born host and musician James Brown as he investigates unusual perspectives born out of the unimaginable. Each episode starts with a guest’s unimaginable event followed by a conversation between James and his guest as they unpack (sometimes while laughing and crying) stories that touch on the unknown, loss, spirituality, resilience, power, life, presence, empathy and acceptance. Take a music driven ride with a group of unheard and unknown experts in the unimaginable to heal a little, feel less alone and to learn from those that have been to hell and back - sometimes more than once. Regarding the musical aspect of the podcast, James says, “There’s music in The Unimaginable podcast because sometimes music helps us understand things that words can’t.” A few songs featured in the podcast can be found HERE.

WHO: James Brown has lived a life that is often described as unimaginable. Not just for the tragedy but for the good moments as well. Born in Belfast at the tail end of a civil war he escaped the troubled streets by traveling the world as a missionary working with underprivileged children. At 23, James emigrated to the United States and settled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. Sooner after, he met a deeply evangelical hipster family who lived in nearby Charlotte, NC. They started playing music together and James quickly fell in love with the youngest daughter, Ashlee. They started a band called “Matrimony,” for the union of music and words. A few years later, James and Ashlee's daughter, Cecelia was born. At 2 years old, Cecelia suddenly died from what doctors deemed “unexplained causes.” James created “The Unimaginable” podcast to talk to other people about their unimaginable experiences including love, loss, the supernatural, music, movies, the human condition, mental health, family, war and culture.

WHEN: “The Unimaginable” premieres today, Tuesday, May 10th, with new episodes released weekly on Tuesdays. 

ASSETS: Hi-res logos for “The Unimaginable”, and a full bio & headshot for James Brown can be found HERE

EMBED CODE: <iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-the-unimaginable-96343335/?embed=true" frameborder="0"></iframe>

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The Ninth Annual ‘iHeartCountry Festival Presented By Capital One’ Celebrated The Biggest Names in Country Music On May 7 at Moody Center in Austin, Texas  

The Event Featured Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Jimmie Allen, Scotty McCreery, Cody Johnson, Plus Surprise Guest Dierks Bentley

The Daytime Village at the iHeartCountry Festival Featured Performances from Jimmie Allen, Lainey Wilson, Ryan Hurd, Ingrid Andress, Caroline Jones and Conner Smith

eMusic Live Exclusively Streamed the iHeartCountry Festival For Fans Across The Country. 

New York, NY – May 8, 2022 – The ninth annual iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One celebrated Country music’s hottest artists including Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Zac Brown Band, Maren Morris, Dustin Lynch, Jimmie Allen, Scotty McCreery, Cody Johnson and surprise guest Dierks Bentley on May 7 at the new state-of-the-art venue Moody Center in Austin, Texas. Hosted by iHeartMedia's nationally syndicated top on-air Country personality, Bobby Bones, the star-studded event exclusively streamed globally for fans on eMusic Live and Country music radio stations broadcasted the event live in their local markets and on iHeartRadio.com.

The Daytime Village at iHeartCountry Festival featured performances from Jimmie Allen, Lainey Wilson, Ryan Hurd, Ingrid Andress, Caroline Jones and Conner Smith.

The music of the iHeartRadio app came to life with an extraordinary lineup and these special moments:

  • Thomas Rhett opened the 2022 iHeartCountry Festival with an acoustic performance of songs from his new album, Where It Started, as well as some of his biggest hits. Joined by just one other guitarist, he kicked off his set with "What's Your Country Song," before moving into his new single, "Slow Down Summer.” During his set, he performed "Sixteen,” “Die a Happy Man,” "Half Of Me” and "Look What God Gave Her.
  • Carrie Underwood dressed in denim and rhinestones – an ode to her upcoming new album – as she took over the stage for an incredible performance of several of her biggest hits and fan favorites, including "Church Bells," "Good Girl," "Ghost Story," "Jesus Take The Wheel," "How Great Thou Art," "Last Name" and "Before He Cheats.”
  • Maren Morris returned to her home state to perform some of her biggest hits and opened her set with "Circles Around This Town,” before trading in her guitar for a tambourine to perform "I Can't Love You Anymore," the duet she penned with husband Ryan Hurd. She then took the crowd to church with a performance of "My Church" and one of her biggest hits, “The Bones.”
  • Jimmie Allen made his debut at the 2022 iHeartCountry Festival and kicked off his set with an energetic performance of “Make Me Want To,” while dancing around stage before grabbing his guitar for an acoustic performance of “Down Home,” a song he wrote for his late father. He also performed “Best Shot,” and closed his set with “Freedom Was A Highway,” his feel-good anthem with Brad Paisley.
  • Texas native, Cody Johnson took the stage to perform three of his biggest hits, starting with "Dear Rodeo," his duet with country legend Reba McEntire. He then moved into his next song "Human," which will serve as his next single off his new album, and closed his set with "Till You Can't.”
  • Dustin Lynch had everyone at this year's iHeartCountry Festival in "Party Mode" throughout his entire performance. He made a memorable entrance to the iconic Beastie Boys song “Fight For Your Right (To Party),” while chugging a beer with his bandmates. During his set, he also handed out a beer helmet and sombreros to nearby audience members who later participated in an on-stage game of beer pong. He set the perfect tone for his unforgettable country anthems including “Small Town Boy,” “Where It's At” and his perfect-for-summer song, “Tequila On A Boat.”
  • Surprise guest Dierks Bentley joined Maren Morris and Daytime Village performer, Lainey Wilson for the "We're All Country" Guitar Pull powered by RAM Trucks. Joining forces for an unforgettable performance, Maren Morris and Lainey Wilson kicked off the set, each performing two songs — Morris sang "Rich" and "The Middle," while Wilson performed "Never Say Never" and "Things A Man "Oughta Know." Lainey then introduced the third star of the guitar pull: Dierks Bentley and helped him perform "Burning Man," before he continued with "Beers On Me" and "I Hold On."
  • Scotty McCreery opened up his set with "In Between," and “Damn Strait," while paying tribute to one of the biggest country stars ever to come from Texas, George Strait. He also performed "Five More Minutes," and concluded with “You Time.”
  • Zac Brown Band pulled out all the stops for their iHeartCountry Festival set, performing some of their biggest hits, and a few incredible covers. The band kicked off with "Homegrown" and "Out in the Middle" before performing a mashup of "Colder Weather" and the Eagles' "Take It To The Limit." Then, the group performed a cover of Rage Against the Machine's "Bulls On Parade" and finished the entire show with fan favorite, "Chicken Fried."

The iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One is an iHeartMedia Production. Proud partners of this year’s event include presenting partner Capital One; and Altrua Healthshare, BioNTech & Pfizer, Progressive® Insurance, Ram Trucks, Stetson Original, Stetson Spirit and Dolly: Scent From Above, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, W Austin and Nurtec® ODT (rimegepant) 75 mg.

iHeartCountry has more than 150 Country stations across the U.S. reaching more than 110 million Country music listeners per month on broadcast alone, making it the largest Country broadcast radio group in America. The iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One is a part of iHeartMedia’s roster of nationally recognized events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, iHeartRadio Music Awards, the nationwide iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour Presented by Capital One, iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, iHeartRadio ALTer Ego Presented by Capital One, iHeartRadio Wango Tango and iHeartRadio Podcast Awards.

About Capital One

At Capital One we’re on a mission for our customers – bringing them great products, rewards, service, and access to unique and unforgettable experiences they are passionate about. Capital One is a diversified bank that offers products and services to individuals, small businesses and commercial clients. We use technology, innovation and interaction to provide consumers with products and services to meet their needs. Learn more at capitalone.com/access.

About Moody Center  

Moody Center will provide the nation’s 11th largest city with a premier venue to host the biggest artists and acts on the planet. Designed specifically for concerts, the new arena will replace the 45-year-old Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center at The University of Texas and will be the home to the University of Texas women’s and men’s basketball games as well as other sports and community events. Moody Center is privately financed by Oak View Group, Live Nation/C3 Presents, University of Texas, and Matthew McConaughey and is set to open April 2022. Also, follow along on social media on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter at @moodycenteratx. 

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iHeartMedia and Teleforce Productions ​​Launch New Original Scripted Podcast “Wheel Woman” Exploring the Life of Iconic Former Model, Stuntwoman and Mafia Getaway Driver Georgia Durante

DOWNLOAD COVER ART HERE

WHAT: iHeartMedia, the No.1 Podcast Publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Teleforce Productions announced today the launch of “Wheel Woman,” a new iHeartRadio Original podcast that tells the true story of Georgia Durante, an all-American beauty, who moves to New York and becomes a Mob wife and getaway driver for the Gambino crime family. Then, as a means to save her daughter and escape her abusive marriage and criminal ties, she moves to Los Angeles with $7 in her pocket and reinvents herself as Hollywood’s first female stunt driver. It’s a story that’s as wildly entertaining as it is powerful and poignant, addressing contemporary issues through the incredible experiences of a beautiful, smart, tough, dynamic, badass woman.

WHO:  The scripted podcast is written by Lars Jacobson and Sabrina Jaglom, and directed by Sabrina Jaglom. It will be brought to life by an ensemble cast of characters voiced by Lelia Symington as Georgia, with additional performances by: Tanner Beard, Zachary Webber, Simon Jaglom, Chase Mullins, Nick Williams, Gabe Greenspan, Dylan McCollum, Garrett Baer, Nora Garrett, Ducan Calladine, Victoria Foyt, Max Giorgi, Mariah Bess, and Max Jacoby.

“Wheel Woman” gives listeners the inside scoop, sharing Georgia's lifetime of hardship and the lessons she picked up along the way. Those who have known her for the last twenty years as one of Hollywood's most successful female commercial stunt drivers have been shocked by the truth of her past. To those in Hollywood, Georgia Durante was always the steely-nerved stuntwoman with the skill to handle a three-ton high-performance vehicle in high-speed precision maneuvers; and the beautiful model and actress– who was once named “Kodak Girl” for being the most photographed model in the world.  Now, Georgia reveals the incredible details of her past and relives her experiences as both a wheel woman and wife in the Gambino crime family. Listeners will be captivated as each episode exposes the many layers of this dynamic woman.

WHEN: The first episode launches Thursday, May 5, with new episodes released every Thursday. Listen to the first episode HERE.

WHERE: “Wheel Woman” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and is available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are available.  

QUOTE: “My life has taken me down many unexpected turns, each more incredible and far-fetched than the last. I’m so excited to share my story and let listeners in on the hard-won lessons I’ve learned and the resilience it takes to persevere in this world as a woman. You’ll never see the next twist coming,” said Georgia Durante.

PODCAST EMBED PLAYER:

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About Teleforce Productions

Teleforce Productions Inc. is a multi media production company focused on finding innovative ways to entertain an audience through compelling stories. Working across genres and mediums, Teleforce partners with corporate and creative leaders to produce and publish high-level entertainment for an international market. Teleforce is currently in production on podcasts, television series, feature films, graphic novels, and young adult fiction.

 

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“Queen of the Con,” Hit Podcast from AYR Media and iHeartMedia, Returns for Season 2; Spotlights Laguna Beach Swindler Who Cost Her Victims Millions

“Queen of the Con: The OC Savior” Debuts Thursday, May 5 on iHeartRadio and All Podcasting Platforms

Listen to the Trailer HERE

  • Queen of the Con, the hit original podcast produced by Aliza Rosen’s AYR Media for iHeartMedia (the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to podtrac) is returning to spotlight another twisted story of deception and betrayal on a colossal scale.
  • Debuting Thursday, May 5, “Queen of the Con: The OC Savior” will unravel the story of Lizzie Mulder, a Laguna Beach resident who created and impersonated a stable of compelling characters, posing as a CPA and swindling each of her clients – many of whom considered Lizzie a close friend – out of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Taking on a winery, a local salon and a luxury travel business, among other victims, Lizzie had scammed her way to more than $1.5M, when an extramarital affair with a local cowboy put her on the radar of an enterprising Laguna Beach detective.
  • The first two episodes (of the 10-episode season) will premiere Thursday, May 5, with new episodes dropping weekly, every Thursday on iHeartRadio and all major podcasting platforms.
  • The series is narrated and executive produced by TV producer and “con hunter” Johnathan Walton. Aliza Rosen executive produces for AYR Media. The series is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network.
  • Queen of the Con Season 1, billed “The Irish Heiress,” debuted September 2021 and told the story of Mair Smyth, a serial con artist who scammed her way through Hollywood from 2013 to 2017. The series was an immediate hit, garnering millions of downloads and quickly climbing the podcast charts and becoming one of the top 25 podcasts in the U.S.

About AYR Media

AYR Media is a full-service production company focused on premium unscripted and documentary content, encompassing podcasts, television and film. Founded in 2020 by veteran producer and development executive Aliza Rosen, AYR podcasts include iHeart Media’s Queen of the Con and The Real Killer, as well as Bitter Blood: Kasem vs. Kasem, The First Wife: John Meehan’s Reign of Terror and The Murder of Robert Wone, all for Audible, among numerous other series set to launch in 2022. Other AYR projects include additional series for both Audible, iHeart Media and Crown Media, as well as other IP currently in development for television and streaming. For more information, please visit AYR Media’s website.

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L.A. Comic Con Announces "Comic Con Meta*Pod"— A New Nerd Podcast Launching in Partnership with iHeartRadio

The Weekly Show Debuts with a Stars Wars Special Theme in Honor of May the 4th— Featuring Mandalorian Star Giancarlo Esposito as the Show's First Guest

LOS ANGELES – MAY 04, 2022 - Los Angeles Comic Con, LA’s largest event for comics, gaming, sci-fi and pop culture, is excited to announce a new weekly podcast for the nerd community, “Comic Con Meta*Pod,” in partnership with iHeartRadio. The show kicks off today in full force with a May the 4th Star Wars special featuring Mandalorian actor Giancarlo Esposito, Clone Wars and Bad Batch composer Kevin Kiner, and an epic trivia battle between The Droid Builders and The Mandalorian Mercs. Hosted by Hector Navarro (podcast host for Nerdist Book Club! SpongeBob BingePants and Heroes Reforged!) and art/culture critic Joelle Monique (writer for Teen Vogue, Playboy, and Vulture and executive producer for the iHeartPodcast Network), “Comic Con Meta*Pod” brings fans around the world the hottest nerd news headlines, celebrity interviews, fiery trivia battles between their favorite fan clubs, detailed fandom deep dives, spirited nerd debates, and music spotlights with celebrities and themed bands.

"We couldn’t be happier that our podcast has launched on an epic day for the nerd community - May the fourth,” said Chris DeMoulin, CEO at Comikaze Entertainment, L.A. Comic Con’s parent company. “Our show hosts, Hector and Joelle, have great chemistry and will be an awesome duo for listeners, who will be able to hear from some of the most beloved names in comic books, video games, anime, film, television, and more. This will also be a sure way to keep the community informed about the latest breaking news in the industry each week— giving L.A. Comic Con a strong foothold in the digital world as new media becomes the dominant form of sharing information and connecting with the expanding nerd audience."

Each week, “Comic Con Meta*Pod” will feature an eclectic mix of interviews with celebrities, comic book creators, and the entertainment professionals that breathe life into your favorite pop culture media, discussing all your favorite genres from sci-fi, video games, anime, comic books, film and television. Confirmed guests for future episodes include renowned actors such as Donald Faison (Scrubs, Clueless), Seth Green (Family Guy, Robot Chicken, Austin Powers), and Sarah Chalke (Rick and Morty); along with the brilliant minds behind some of the most celebrated comic creations such as Trina Robbins (Wonder Woman), Peter David (The Incredible Hulk), and Jim Krueger (Justice).

"When iHeart teamed up with Los Angeles Comic Con, I was ecstatic. To be able to work with such an incredible team including Los Angeles Comic Con’s Chris Riley and the wildly talented Hector Navarro was an honor,” said Monique. “We can’t wait to hear back from the global convention community. We're honored to present our show to the incredible people who make pop culture conventions so special. “

Each show will consist of a rundown of the latest nerd news headlines, where Joelle and Hector recap the top pop culture stories of the week. This will be followed by guest interviews featuring actors, showrunners, comic book creators, content creators, influencers, and other entertainment industry professionals. Lastly, each episode will end with a lively rotating segment, including but not limited to: trivia battles, nerd debates, expert fandom deep dives, music spotlights with celebs and themed bands, and comic book reading recommendations.

"Comic Con Meta*Pod” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and new episodes will drop every Wednesday on iHeartRadio and all other platforms. You can listen to the first episode of the podcast here: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-comic-con-metapod-96144484/

Podcast Embed Widget:

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Podcast Logo: https://www.dropbox.com/s/is99df6fg7fhjx4/LA%20Comic%20Con%20Meta%20Pod%201200x628%20iHR.jpg?dl=0

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P&G And iHeartMedia Announce Third Annual “Can’t Cancel Pride 2022 – Proud AND Together” on June 14

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

WHAT:          

This June, P&G and iHeartMedia will once again join forces during Pride Month for the return of “Can’t Cancel Pride 2022 – Proud AND Together, a fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ community celebrating visibility and inclusivity for all.  The special event will feature performances and appearances from the most influential voices in the LGBTQ+ community as well as the biggest names in culture and entertainment at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and remote locations across the country.

The third annual event will focus on the challenges and celebrations of “The Year in Pride,” showcasing twelve months of community and activism and the issues that continue to impact the LGBTQ+ community in 2022 as well as intersectional messages of spirit and strength. 

Stay tuned for full details including the performance lineup for the 2022 “Can’t Cancel Pride” in the coming weeks.

WHEN:           

“Can’t Cancel Pride” will return on June 14 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The event will be available on-demand throughout Pride Month until Thursday, June 30.

WHERE:       

The event will stream on iHeartRadio’s YouTube, Facebook and TikTok pages as well as iHeartRadio’s PrideRadio.com on June 14 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT.

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In its first two years, “Can’t Cancel Pride” has raised over $8.3 million for six diverse LGBTQ+ charitable organizations, including GLAAD, SAGE, The Trevor Project, the National Black Justice Coalition, CenterLink and OutRight Action International. In 2021 alone, Can’t Cancel Pride reached 6.3 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.

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iHeartMedia Welcomes Sarah Van Mosel As Executive Vice President of The iHeart Audience Network

NEW YORK, NY – May 2, 2022 – iHeartMedia, Inc. (NASDAQ:  IHRT), the leading audio company in America, today announced that it has named Sarah van Mosel as Executive Vice President of the iHeart Audience Network (iAN). 

The iHeart Audience Network – the next evolution of audience-based buying – is a new service from iHeart that simplifies audio advertising. With inventory sourced from the expansive iHeartRadio database and other premium publishers across streaming and podcasting, the iHeart Audience Network is the leading service brands can rely on to reach addressable audiences in premium audio inventory at scale. Each network campaign will allow brands to unlock access to multiple services, including advanced targeting that looks across channels, devices and behaviors to pinpoint the right audience; and an upcoming one-of-a-kind brand safety tech tool, developed by Sounder in partnership with iHeartMedia, called Audio Data Cloud, using AI and machine learning to check content against the IAB and GARM’s standards for brand safety. Today, the iHeart Audience Network spans streaming and podcasting - with the added reach of broadcast radio available too. 

As Executive Vice President for the iHeart Audience Network, van Mosel will additionally assist with iAN sales operations, publisher development and podcast slate partnerships for iHeartPodcasts, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac.  With her experience as a force in the podcasting business, van Mosel will work closely with Carter Brokaw, President of Digital Revenue Strategy to bolster iHeart’s continued growth in the space.  She will report to Conal Byrne, Chief Executive Officer of the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group.

“The iHeart Audience Network is the first and only audio marketplace that seamlessly unifies all forms of audio with one common set of audiences, and we’re thrilled Sarah is bringing her expertise, vision and talent to take these unique capabilities to their full potential for advertisers and publishers,” said Byrne. “She’s been at the forefront of innovation in podcasting from the very beginning and her unique perspective on the rapidly growing medium will ensure this venture becomes the premier service for all brands. The team is looking forward to seeing where she takes iAN next.”

A long-time champion of the industry and creator community, van Mosel most recently served as the Chief Revenue Officer at Stitcher, where she led podcast revenue strategy across SiriusXM, Pandora and Stitcher. Van Mosel was part of the leadership team that oversaw Stitcher’s acquisition by SiriusXM in October 2020. Following the acquisition, she was responsible for integrating Stitcher’s sales organization, setting direction for revenue growth and scaling opportunities for podcast monetization.

Van Mosel has also held multiple executive roles within the podcast space. As Chief Podcast Sales and Strategy Officer at Market Enginuity, van Mosel built the monetization engine for podcasts from PRX, Radiotopia, The Moth and TED Talks Daily. In addition to overseeing revenue generation, van Mosel drove content acquisition and business development across 13 public media stations in the top 10 U.S. markets. Prior to Market Enginuity, van Mosel has also held senior positions at Acast and WNYC. Additionally, she’s a founding member of the IAB Podcast Working Group.

“My path to iHeart has been a long one, but each step of the way has equipped me with the exact set of skills I need to lock arms with this outstanding team,” says van Mosel. “Anyone who knows me knows I love to build. I love to push the industry forward. The team at iHeart is poised to completely transform the audio industry and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

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