iHeartMedia

The New Series Puts a Light Touch on a Heavy Subject with Firsthand Accounts of Survivorship, Hosted by Survivors Themselves

Listen to the podcast HERE

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 14, 2021 – Tyler Measom, award-winning documentarian and director of Netflix’s hit series, Murder Among The Mormons, and Liz Iacuzzi, writer and comedian, announced today that their new weekly docu-style iHeartRadio original podcast series “Was I In A Cult?” has reached over one million downloads in the first two months. The binge-worthy show explores real-life stories of survivorship told firsthand by individuals who unwittingly found themselves in a cult, and ultimately successfully escaped.

Each episode features a different guest who shares their journey with Measom and Iacuzzi - both cult survivors themselves. A takeoff from the traditionally dark cult narrative, “Was I In A Cult?” weaves Measom’s documentary storytelling background with Iacuzzi’s introspective comedy chops resulting in a show that brings levity to a sobering subject in order to humanize the cultic experience. The podcast chronicles each guests personal journey from cult victim to thriving survivor with dramatic, sometimes comedic, inspirationally empowering stories that celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.

“The retelling of a cult experience can often be so darkly serious, because of course cults are incredibly dark and serious, but it almost becomes somewhat of an illusive anecdote - like it’s something that could never happen to you,” says Iacuzzi. “We want to bring this topic back down to earth with insightful interviews and a good dose of humor to create a more approachable conversation surrounding cults.”

Season One has a 20-episode slate and welcomes cult survivors from both well-known and lesser-known cults, including: Mormonism, NXIVM, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Children of God, The Mel Lyman Family, Apostolic Brethren, The Black Israelites, Enthusiastic Sobriety, family cults, MLM cults, and more. Hosts Tyler Measom and Liz Iacuzzi also share their personal cult experiences - 24 years in the Mormon church for Measom, and a dangerously dogmatic acting class in Los Angeles for Iacuzzi.

“No one ever signs up for a cult, but almost everyone is vulnerable enough to be manipulated into joining one because it generally starts with love and acceptance - something we all strive for,” says Measom. “While our show digs into a wide variety of cults, we always see this common thread woven into the tapestry of abuse. It may even leave some or our audience members asking themselves, ‘wait...was I in a cult?’”

“Was I In A Cult?” is available now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.

Use the below html code to embed the audio player directly into your story or website:

<iframe allow="autoplay" width="100%" height="300" src="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/ 1119-was-i-in-a-cult-86443370/?embed=true" frameborder=“0"></iframe>

Click here to download approved host headshots, biographies and cover art for the podcast. 

About "Was I In A Cult?"

Hosted by filmmaker Tyler Measom and comedian/writer Liz Iacuzzi, Was I In A Cult? is a documentary-style podcast showcasing individuals who have been in, and most importantly, successfully left a cult. Told first-hand by the experiencer themself, these are raw, riveting and inspirational tales of what it means to be a survivor. Using levity and info-tainment, the show humanizes the cultic experience and may leave listeners asking themselves...“Wait... Was I In A Cult?”

About iHeartMedia

iHeartMedia, Inc. [Nasdaq: IHRT] is the leading audio media company in America, reaching over 250 million people each month. It is number one in broadcast and streaming radio as well as podcasting and audio ad tech, and includes three segments: The iHeartMedia Multiplatform Group; the iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group; and the Audio and Media Services Group. Visit iHeartMedia.com for more company information.

With New Agreement Kicking Off in 2022, Long-Running Partnership Extends Into Second Decade

The CW Closes Out This Year with The Exclusive Broadcast of the “2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Presented by Capital One” Tonight with Performances by Ed Sheeran, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Saweetie, AJR and more 

December 15, 2021 (New York, NY) – iHeartMedia and The CW announced today a new multi-year agreement for The CW to remain the exclusive television broadcast and video streaming partner for both the star-studded two-day iHeartRadio Music Festival and the annual holiday iHeartRadio Jingle Ball event. The CW and iHeartMedia have been partners on these events since 2012. 

“The CW is thrilled to continue our partnership with iHeartMedia to bring today's most dynamic performers and groundbreaking artists directly to fans and viewers,” said Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and CEO, The CW Network. “As we enter into a new decade of collaboration, The CW is looking forward to serving as the exclusive TV broadcast and video streaming partner of both of these can't-miss events for years to come.”

“From the beginning, we have been attracted to The CW’s young audience reach, and this new agreement will extend our partnership with the Network into a second decade,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “Each year, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour attract the biggest superstars in music, and this partnership extends the reach of these iconic events into to the homes of millions of viewers around the country.” 

Since their inception, the iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball have featured performances from over 400 artists including Paul McCartney, Jay Z, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Elton John, Drake, U2, Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Rihanna, Keith Urban, Fleetwood Mac, Ariana Grande, Justin Timberlake, Sean “Puffy” Combs, Billie Eilish, Luke Bryan, Usher, The Weeknd, Journey and Olivia Rodrigo. 

The national 2021 iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour across 10 U.S. cities will culminate with The CW Network’s television special on Wednesday, December 15 at 8 p.m. EST/PST featuring performances from Ed Sheeran, BTS, Jonas Brothers, Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Saweetie, AJR and more, as well as a special appearance from Jimmy Fallon and more. The special will re-air on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25 at 8 p.m. EST/PST.

More information about the 2022 iHeartRadio Music Festival and iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, including dates and performance line-ups, will be announced at a later date.

About The CW:

THE CW TELEVISION NETWORK launched in 2006 as America’s fifth broadcast network, with programming targeting younger viewers, a demographic highly sought after by advertisers. The CW, a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, now broadcasts across the week, offering fourteen-hours of primetime programming, Monday through Sunday, beginning in Fall 2021. The CW’s primetime programming is also available to stream for free, without authentication, on the ad-supported CWTV.com and The CW app, now available on every major OTT platform. Additionally, The CW broadcasts a three-hour Saturday morning kids block. The CW’s digital network CW Seed launched in 2013 and offers original short-form digital content as well as past seasons of fan-favorite television series. For more information about the network and its programming, visit www.cwtvpr.com.

LOS ANGELES – December 15, 2021 – iHeartMedia announced today that Don Martin has been named Executive Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia Sports, effective immediately. 

iHeartMedia Sports is the largest sports audio network in the U.S., with products across broadcast, streaming, digital, podcast and experiential. The portfolio includes the iHeartSports Network, which provides customized local, regional and national sports content and updates across more than 490 stations, reaching more than 75 million people monthly; the Fox Sports Network which features the largest nationally syndicated shows on more than 600 stations with the biggest names in the industry like Dan Patrick and Colin Cowherd; and 78 dedicated sports stations nationwide with 150+ NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and NCAA teams. Additionally, it features the iHeartPodcast Network, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, with more than 40 national and 100 local sports podcasts and 11 of the top 30 most listened to sports podcasts -- plus exclusive podcast agreements with the NFL and NBA.

In his new role, Martin will lead Sports radio operations and oversee recruiting for on-air talent, program directors and board operators for the iHeartMedia Markets Group and Premiere Networks. In addition, Martin will identify opportunities to expand iHeartMedia Sports partnerships – including leagues, teams, podcasting and broadcast. He will continue to oversee the programming, promotions, operations and sales for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Chargers, UCLA and others. Martin will also continue his operational, programming and sales responsibilities for KLAC-AM/Los Angeles.

“The iHeartMedia Sports Network would not be what it is today without Don’s years of experience and innovation,” said Kevin LeGrett, President of iHeartMedia Sports and iHeartMedia Los Angeles. “He is the perfect choice to lead our ever-expanding network, bringing us the most exciting new partnerships and team members.” 

“In life, you are only as good as the family around you,” said Martin. “I have had the privilege of working with three of the most incredible families in the business – from KOA in Denver to AM 570 and FOX Sports Radio in LA, and now the family just gets bigger! Thank you, Greg Ashlock, Kevin LeGrett, Julie Talbott, and Tom Poleman for your belief and trust in me. I am a blessed man!”

A 26-year veteran of iHeartMedia, Martin most recently served as Senior Vice President of Programming for FOX Sports Radio and Senior Vice President of KLAC-AM/Los Angeles. Previously, Martin oversaw the merger of AM 690/1150 and was responsible for moving XTRA Sports 690/1150 to 570. Martin also served as Program Director of 850 KOA/Denver. Under his supervision, the station was recognized with Marconi Awards and was named “Station of the Year” five years in a row by the NAB. 

ATLANTA - December 6, 2021 – Bamfer Productions and iHeartMedia, the No.1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announced the upcoming launch of “Magmell,” a new iHeartRadio Original Podcast created by Jeff Heimbuch and Lyndsie Scoggin, the team behind the smash-hit thriller, “Light House” – a chart-topping fictional podcast for two years running. The first episode of “Magmell” will debut December 13, with subsequent episodes airing every Monday for the duration of its ten episodes. “Magmell” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network and can be heard on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are available. Listeners can hear the official trailer now – here.

The podcast follows Captain Cydney Owens and Captain Jana Prescott, as they embark on an important scientific mission aboard the USS Magmell. Along with Proteus, the on-board AI, their mission is to visit the Helix Nebula and study it up close to widen our knowledge of outer space. However, their mission takes a turn when an anomaly throws the ship off-course, stranding them trillions of miles from Earth with no way home. Will they be able to return to their loved ones? Why do they both seem to remember things that never happened? And just what else is lurking in the cold, dark reaches of outer space, waiting for them?

Throughout its ten episodes, “Magmell” will answer these questions, and take you on the sci-fi horror thrill ride you’ve been waiting for. Each episode is approximately 30 minutes long, making it the perfect, bite-sized, weekly escape from everyday life.

“I’ve been obsessed with space travel since I was a kid, especially with how little we know about what’s out there,” said writer / director Jeff Heimbuch. “Something about the vast isolation of it terrifies me, especially with what could be lurking out there.”

“I have been a fan of sci-fi since I was a kid, so getting a front-row seat to watch this podcast develop and unfold has been a delight,” said Holly Frey, Managing Executive Producer for The iHeartPodcast Network. “Jeff and his team have outdone themselves in bringing an original, tense and deeply compelling story to life, one that’s anchored in a premise of space travel, but is really about human connection.”

Follow “Magmell” today on iHeartRadio, the iHeartRadio app and anywhere else podcasts are available.

About Bamfer Productions

Bamfer Productions has been producing entertainment from coast to coast in various forms for over 15 years. From films to live entertainment to podcasting, they have done it all. They also produce the long-running fiction podcast, Return Home, which just reached six million downloads, and recently worked with iHeartMedia to produce the hit thriller fiction podcast, Light House.

Los Angeles, December 6, 2021 – Imagine Entertainment Chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard announced the launch of their new podcast division, Imagine Audio, fueled by an exclusive slate deal with iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally. The deal will include a slate of co-produced, unscripted podcasts, further expanding Imagine’s IP verticals beyond the traditional screens. The partnership will collaborate to launch six new series over the next two years distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network. The division will be overseen by Imagine’s Chief Strategy Officer, Justin Wilkes and led by producer, Kara Welker.

"We couldn’t be more excited to have iHeart as our partner as we launch the Imagine brand into the audio space,” said Imagine’s Justin Wilkes. “Audio has proven to be a fantastic incubator and engine for IP development and between our connectivity to talent and storytellers, as well as our ability to create high-quality content, we’re incredibly well positioned to enter the category.”

Imagine Audio will take a 360 approach to content across the Imagine brand by not only creating podcasts, but fully immersive experiences that will extend into TV, film, live events and tours and merchandise, while leveraging all of Imagine’s divisions and vast library of memorable IP. Imagine Audio will differentiate itself in the marketplace by producing premium scripted and non-scripted content that’s sonically rich and benefits from the highest level of production value. The division is currently working with established talent as well as new voices across a slate audio productions in development and production which will be announced in the new year.

Welker, who is also a talent manager and producer, brings years of expertise of spotting talent and stories, and developing her clients and their projects into multi-platform revenue generators. Summer Sagansky has also joined the division as a Creative Executive.

“Imagine stands for the very highest quality content – behind some of the greatest film, TV and digital content the world has seen,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia Digital Audio Group. “As the largest podcast network in the world, our goal is simple and consistent: We want to work with the most innovative, passionate storytellers in the world – producers who don’t just work in mediums, but who pioneer them. That’s Imagine.”

iHeartMedia’s iHeartPodcast Network is home to more than 750 iHeartRadio Original Podcasts which see more than 321 million downloads each month globally. These podcasts span every category from business, sports, spirituality and technology to entertainment, family, comedy and true crime – and everything in between – making iHeartMedia the largest publisher of podcast content in the world.

About Imagine Entertainment

Founded in 1986 by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Imagine Entertainment is an award-wining global entertainment company telling stories that inspire and empower, and create unforgettable entertainment experiences across all genres across Imagine Features, Imagine Television Studios, Imagine Documentaries, Imagine Kids+Family, and Imagine Brands as well as award-winning Jax Media and Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. Imagine’s productions have been honored with more than 60 prestigious awards including 45 Academy Award nominations and 202 Emmy® award nominations. Past productions include the Academy Award Best Picture winner A Beautiful Mind, as well as Grammy Award Best Film winner The Beatles: Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years. Additional films include Get on Up, Rush, J. Edgar, Frost/Nixon, American Gangster, The Da Vinci Code, Apollo 13, 8 Mile, Liar, Liar, Backdraft and Parenthood to name a few. Recent films include tick, tick, …Boom! directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda and the critically acclaimed documentaries Rebuilding Paradise, Dads, Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band, D.Wade: Life Unexpected, and Pavarotti. Current film productions include Thirteen Lives directed by Ron Howard; a documentary on chef José Andrés and his World Central Kitchen; Curious George based on the beloved children’s character; and a re-imaging of the hit Imagine films Friday Night Lights and Fear. Current television projects include Genius: Aretha (NatGeo); Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu); Swagger (Apple); Why Women Kill (CBS All Access); Supervillain: The Rise of Tekashi 6ix9ine (Showtime); the Crime Scene anthology docuseries (Netflix); Jax Media’s Emily in Paris (Netflix) and Jigsaw’s Tiger documentary (HBO). Additional television productions include Fox’s Empire, Shots Fired and the 24 franchise; NatGeo’s Genius anthology series; NBC’s Parenthood and Friday Night Lights; Fox’s and Netflix’s Arrested Development; The Astronauts (Nickelodeon); and HBO's From the Earth to the Moon, for which Howard and Grazer won the Emmy® for Outstanding Mini-Series. Grazer and Howard began their collaboration in the early 80’s with the hit comedies Night Shift and Splash, and continue to run Imagine Entertainment as executive chairmen. www.imagine-entertainment.com

LOS ANGELES – December 1, 2021 – iHeartMedia announced today that John Ivey has been named President of CHR (Contemporary Hits Radio) Content Development and Strategy, effective immediately. 

In his new role as President of CHR Content Development and Strategy, Ivey will focus on the recruitment, training, deployment and career growth of talent across all of iHeart’s CHR stations. Ivey will work closely with Dennis Clark, the Executive Vice President of Talent Development to coach and develop talent.  He will continue to report to Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer and President of the National Programming Group for iHeartMedia.

“For over 20 years, John has been a key part of our successful Los Angeles market and our CHR stations across the country,” said Poleman. “Now he will step into another integral role within iHeart – a role which represents that iHeart is a talent-first company dedicated to building the skills, capacity and drive of our nationally-recognized on-air personalities. John’s extensive experience in programming and his credibility within the industry are perfect for leading and elevating this initiative.”

Ivey has served as President of CHR Programming Strategy since 2017.  Additionally, Ivey has held the role of Program Director for iHeartMedia’s iconic CHR powerhouse station KIIS FM in Los Angeles for the past 20 years and will pass the torch to his successor, which will be announced tomorrow. Since Ivey joined KIIS FM as its Program Director, the station has been consistently one of the nation’s highest cuming station in key demos, features some of the most popular programming lineups including the hit morning show On Air with Ryan Seacrest, has won multiple Marconi Awards for station of the year, and is home to nationally-recognized events including iHeartRadio’s KIIS FM Jingle Ball and Wango Tango.  Ivey will remain a strong presence and supporter for the KIIS FM team to ensure a smooth transition.

“My mother took me to a radio station for the first time on my 6th Birthday. The PD of that station, Mrs. Potter was my first mentor.  Next was my first PD, Steve Hagen and later the legendary Steve Rivers. Now it’s my turn to focus on TALENT FIRST at iHeart,” said Ivey. “Thanks to Bob Pittman for always supporting me and allowing me to pitch a dream and turn it into a job. I love supporting talent, watching them grow and achieve their goals. Let’s GO!”

Ivey, a 40-plus year radio veteran and the longest running Program Director for KIIS FM, began his radio career as an on-air personality and Music Director in his hometown of Owensboro, Kentucky and later led programming efforts for stations in Rochester, New York; Nashville, Tennessee; and Boston. He joined iHeartMedia Los Angeles in 2001 and throughout his tenure has served as Vice President of Programming for the market, Program Director of KYSR FM and KHHT FM, Senior Vice President of Programming and CHR Brand Manager for iHeartMedia, and has co-produced marque events and television specials including iHeartRadio’s KIIS FM Jingle Ball and Wango Tango.  Additionally Ivey was named on Billboard Magazine’s Inaugural Power List. 

GEDI partners with iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher in the world, to translate and distribute hit podcasts for Italian audiences. 

A larger selection of podcasts created by La Repubblica and La Stampa will be made available, in addition to new original entertainment series featuring the personalities most loved by Italian listeners, produced under the artistic direction of Linus.

November 29, 2021 --- GEDI is progressing rapidly in the digital audio market,  now aiming for the podcasting segment. There are over 120 million podcast listeners every month in the USA alone, with more than one billion downloads. Interest is also growing in Italy for this rapidly expanding market, which already reaches 10 million users each month, skewing toward younger demographics. 

To take advantage of these new opportunities, GEDI announces the launch of  One Podcast, the GEDI digital audio initiative dedicated to creating original entertainment series and news, offering daily programming live and via streaming, which can be accessed at any time of the day from all devices.  

Maurizio Scanavino, GEDI Chief Executive Officer, said: “GEDI’s digital development is forging ahead and embracing new market segments in response to an international phenomenon around audio that presents great potential: In addition to news and videos, we want to create an important offering of digital audio products in Italy. The production of news and in-depth podcasts by La Repubblica and La Stampa will be increased, and will combine with an extensive range of original audio entertainment series, created under the leadership of Linus.” 

In reaffirming its commitment to the sector, GEDI has signed an agreement for Italy with iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher in the world, home to more than 750 iHeartRadio Original Podcasts which see more than 320 million downloads each month globally. The agreement includes the translation and distribution of thousands of popular titles across multiple genres to Italian listeners, which will also be available in their original languages. 

“In response to the ever-growing global demand for audio entertainment, iHeart is proud to partner with GEDI, Italy’s premiere media company,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group.  “One Podcast is poised to be the leading digital content and programming offering in Italy, and as the leader in the audio space iHeart can offer GEDI’s audience access to wildly successful podcasts, all featuring stories that transcend borders.”

“This agreement brings together the world audio leader iHeart, with our journalists’ commitment to news – to provide a unique and widely distributed offering, accessible to all,” continued Scanavino. “To reach a broader audience, our podcasts will be distributed via all GEDI publications and digital brands, and everywhere podcasts are heard including the new dedicated app, One Podcast.”

The One Podcast app will distribute all of GEDI’s audio content, including live broadcasts from Radio Deejay, Radio Capital and m2o, in addition to 25 themed music channels with regularly updated playlists, from the latest hits to Italian music, to the hits of the past, to ’90s dance music, from pop to rock, from classics to jazz. The new One Podcast App will be available on Apple Store/Google Play Store in January 2022.

An end-to-end dedicated production team will be created to develop the initiative: “We are setting up a dedicated podcast Production Studio, which will support communications for the main brands, each of which will launch its own branded podcasts,” added Scanavino.

GEDI 

GEDI Gruppo Editoriale is the first media company in Italy, leader in both the hard-copy and digital formats, with publications including La Repubblica, La Stampa, ten local newspapers, l’Espresso and other periodicals. GEDI is also one of the primary national radio hubs, with the top-level brand Radio Deejay, as well as Radio Capital and m2o. GEDI operates further in the multi-platform advertising segment, through the concessionaire A. Manzoni & C. Spa.

Weekly Series Provides an Insider’s Look at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park as well as Global Conservation Efforts

Listen to the official trailer, here

NEW YORK AND SAN DIEGO (Nov. 16, 2021) – iHeartMedia, the number one podcast publisher globally according to podtrac, and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA), an international nonprofit conservation organization that oversees the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, today announced the debut of a weekly podcast series, “Amazing Wildlife.” The 52-episode podcast series, hosted by SDZWA staff, highlights unique wildlife stories from around the world, as well as the conservation efforts happening on site at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park. Listeners can hear the official trailer now on iHeartRadio, and everywhere podcasts are heard. New 15-minute episodes will post each Friday, beginning Nov. 19.

The podcast is hosted by Rick Schwartz, an experienced wildlife care specialist and ambassador for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and Ebone Monet, a senior editor at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Together, they will take listeners around the world as they discuss and explore animals from across the globe—from elephants on the African savanna to polar bears in the Arctic tundra and koalas in Australia.

“I’ve dedicated my life to conservation and professional wildlife care, and my hope with this podcast is to inspire the younger generations to be active in conservation efforts,” said Rick Schwartz, ambassador, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “I’m honored to be hosting the ‘Amazing Wildlife’ podcast alongside Ebone Monet, and to share my passion and what I have learned throughout my years working at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. And we’re fortunate to work with iHeartMedia on this podcast.”

The “Amazing Wildlife” podcast encourages group listening for family members as it explores fascinating animal facts and shares recommendations on how best to help save precious wildlife. The show will bring families together as they learn about conservation efforts, and will inspire future generations to protect our planet. Additionally, the “Amazing Wildlife” series will answer questions from inquisitive young people—and lend advice about how we can live in harmony with wildlife, including animals big and small.

“We are excited to expand iHeart’s educational and entertaining podcast offerings for families and kids of all ages with ‘Amazing Wildlife,’” said Will Pearson, chief operating officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “We have so much to learn around wildlife and conservation efforts, especially when it comes to how we can all be helpful in ways big and small. We’re excited to work alongside the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to continue to provide these educational resources.”

“San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has been doing amazing conservation work for decades, and this podcast is the latest opportunity for us to share the impact this organization has had on conserving wildlife and wild spaces,” said David Miller, chief marketing officer, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. “The family friendly nature of the show is yet another way we’re working to inspire the next generation of conservationists.”

“Amazing Wildlife” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen on their favorite device, anywhere.

About San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. The Alliance empowers people from around the globe to support their mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance supports cutting-edge conservation and brings the stories of their work back to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park—giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The work of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance extends from San Diego to strategic and regional conservation “hubs” across the globe, where their strengths—via their “Conservation Toolbox,” including the renowned Wildlife Biodiversity Bank—are able to effectively align with hundreds of regional partners to improve outcomes for wildlife in more coordinated efforts. By leveraging these tools in wildlife care and conservation science, and through collaboration with hundreds of partners, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has reintroduced more than 44 endangered species to native habitats. Each year, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s work reaches over 1 billion people in 150 countries via news media, social media, their websites, educational resources and the San Diego Zoo Kids channel, which is in children’s hospitals in 13 countries. Success is made possible by the support of members, donors and guests to the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, who are Wildlife Allies committed to ensuring All Life Thrives.

From Emmy®-Nominated Executive Producers Robert and Michelle King and Written and Executive Produced by Jennifer Cacicio

The Series Is Inspired by the “Happy Face” Podcast by iHeartMedia and Melissa Jesperson-Moore and Produced by CBS Studios, in Association with King Size Productions and iHeartMedia

Nov. 10, 2021 – Paramount+, the streaming service from ViacomCBS, today announced a new series order for HAPPY FACE, written and executive produced by Jennifer Cacicio (“Your Honor”) and executive produced by Emmy®-nominated Robert and Michelle King. King Size Productions’ Liz Glotzer, Melissa Jesperson-Moore, and iHeartMedia’s Bob Pittman and Conal Byrne will also serve as executive producers.

The series is inspired by the highly rated and critically acclaimed podcast “HAPPY FACE” from iHeartMedia and Melissa Jesperson-Moore, the book Shattered Silence written by Melissa with M. Bridget Cook, and Melissa’s true-life story At age 15, Melissa discovered her father, whom she loved dearly, was the prolific serial killer known as “HAPPY FACE.” As an adult, Melissa changed her name, guarded her secret, and cut off all ties to her father, who is currently serving life in prison.

Jumping off from Melissa’s true-life story, in the series for Paramount+, her father contacts her to take credit for another victim, and Melissa gets pulled into an extraordinary investigation of her father and his crimes. The series follows her as she discovers the impact her father’s crimes had on the families of his victims, which ultimately leads to a reckoning of her own identity.

“We’re obsessed with true-crime podcasts, and ‘HAPPY FACE’ is the best we’ve heard,” said Robert and Michelle King. “Melissa’s story screams out to be dramatized, and Jen is exactly the showrunner to do it.”

“Melissa’s unique, deeply personal and utterly shocking story has captivated listeners around the world. We couldn’t be more excited to have Jennifer at the helm of this project for Paramount+ alongside the incomparable Robert and Michelle King,” said Nicole Clemens, President, Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “THE GOOD FIGHT and more recently EVIL are two of the most successful series on our service, and we look forward to bringing our subscribers yet another series for fans to love.”

“Melissa’s experience – and her bravery in sharing it with world – was one of the most remarkable partnerships we’ve been able to support here at iHeart,” said Conal Byrne, CEO of iHeartMedia’s Digital Audio Group. “And we know that audiences will be just as moved by the on-screen adaptation of ‘HAPPY FACE’ as they were with the hugely successful podcast. Paramount+ has quickly built a fantastic reputation, with some of today’s most exciting content. It’s the perfect home for this incredible story.”

“It’s been an incredible journey that I couldn’t have ever foreseen – how I’ve transcended being raised by a serial killer and now am helping survivors tell their stories,” said Melissa Jesperson-Moore, Executive Producer and CEO of Redletter Media. “HAPPY FACE gives me the chance to share the intense internal conflict, fear and peril felt by those affected by true crime. It also inspires me to share the strength that has allowed me to step up in front of the camera so that other survivors will not feel alone in their experience.”

HAPPY FACE, produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions and iHeartMedia, is the third series from Robert and Michelle King to land at Paramount+.

HAPPY FACE joins Paramount+’s growing lineup of prestige dramas, which includes Robert and Michelle King’s current hit series THE GOOD FIGHT and EVIL, as well STAR TREK: DISCOVERY and STAR TREK: PICARD, plus the upcoming revival of THE GAME and the highly anticipated Taylor Sheridan series MAYOR OF KINGSTOWN and 1883.

About Paramount+

Paramount+, a direct-to-consumer digital subscription video on-demand and live streaming service from ViacomCBS, combines live sports, breaking news, and a mountain of entertainment. The premium streaming service features an expansive library of original series, hit shows and popular movies across every genre from world-renowned brands and production studios, including BET, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures and the Smithsonian Channel. The service is also the streaming home to unmatched sports programming, including every CBS Sports event, from golf to football to basketball and more, plus exclusive streaming rights for major sports properties, including some of the world’s biggest and most popular soccer leagues. Paramount+ also enables subscribers to stream local CBS stations live across the U.S. in addition to the ability to stream ViacomCBS Streaming’s other live channels: CBSN for 24/7 news, CBS Sports HQ for sports news and analysis, and ET Live for entertainment coverage.

For more information about Paramount+, please visit www.paramountplus.com and follow @ParamountPlus on social platforms.

About CBS Studios

CBS Studios is one of the world’s leading suppliers of entertainment programming, with more than 70 series currently in production for broadcast and cable networks, streaming services and other emerging platforms. The Studio’s expansive portfolio spans a diverse slate of commercially successful and critically acclaimed scripted programming, which includes genre-defining franchises such as “NCIS,” “CSI” and the ever-growing “Star Trek” universe, award-winning late night and daytime talk shows, as well as an extensive library of iconic intellectual property. The Studio also develops and produces local language and international content originating outside of the U.S. with series in the U.K., Europe, the Middle East, Australia and Asia.

Journalist and Author Mike Sielski will host the podcast series

featuring interviews from people who knew young Kobe best

Episodes 1 & 2 will premiere on November 16, 2021

Listen to the I AM KOBE Trailer HERE

NEW YORK, NY (November 9, 2021) -- Diversion Podcasts, a division of Diversion Media, and iHeartRadio, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, today announce the launch of I AM KOBE distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. This remarkable 12-episode series reveals intimate, never-before-heard tapes of Kobe Bryant as a teenager, exploring his thoughts, his dreams, and his goals. Hosted by Philadelphia journalist and author Mike Sielski, I AM KOBE tells the story of Kobe Bryant’s early years, weaving together these lost audio tapes with interviews from Kobe's high school coaches, friends, family, and the figures who knew him in his youth, to paint an enthralling documentary portrait of the making of an icon.

Before he was a 5-time NBA champion, an 18-time All-Star, an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, a children’s book author, a husband, and a father, Kobe Bryant was a kid from Philadelphia. With the goal of writing a book together, teenage Kobe sat with family friend and high school basketball coach Jeremy Treatman between 1995-1996 to record interviews about his life at the time. The tapes would eventually be lost, only to be found in a crawl space nearly 30 years later. Treatman, who is a featured insider on the podcast, connected with Sielski to help bring these tapes to life in I AM KOBE, and through hearing them, listeners will find a rare, first-hand view on how the seeds of greatness were sown.

In conjunction with the podcast release, Sielski also drew from the tapes for the basis of his upcoming book, The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality, which traces Kobe’s career and life at Lower Merion to the run-up to the 1996 NBA draft, where Kobe’s dream of playing pro basketball culminated in his acquisition by the Los Angeles Lakers. The book goes on sale January 11, 2022 from St. Martin's Press.

"I am grateful to have the opportunity to present this rare inside look into Kobe Bryant's formative years and tell his story through these never-before-heard tapes," Sielski says. "I AM KOBE gives fans the chance to hear Kobe's voice in a way they never have before, as we explore the making of an icon."

“I AM KOBE is a truly compelling portrait of one of our most dynamic and fascinating sports icons,” says Diversion CEO Scott Waxman. “Diversion is incredibly excited to be collaborating with iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast network, to bring this show to the world."

"We are thrilled to team up with Diversion again to bring listeners this untold story of Kobe Bryant's formative years,” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer, iHeartPodcast Network. “To have access to this rare audio from Kobe himself makes this podcast unlike anything else out there, and we are excited to share ‘I AM KOBE’ with millions of fans across the iHeartPodcast Network."

Episodes 1 and 2 of I AM KOBE from Diversion Podcasts and iHeartMedia will be available on iHeartRadio and all major podcasts platforms on Tuesday, November 16, 2021.

ASSETS: High-resolution artwork is available HERE  

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About Mike Sielski | Headshot:                                                   

Mike Sielski is a journalist at the Philadelphia Inquirer and was named the top sports columnist in America by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He is the author of The Rise: Kobe Bryant and the Pursuit of Immortality (Jan 2022, St. Martin’s Press) and the co-author of How to Be Like Jackie Robinson: Life Lessons from Baseball's Greatest Hero. Mike holds degrees from La Salle University and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

About Diversion Podcasts                                                                   

Diversion Podcasts creates immersive non-fiction audio stories that engage and amaze listeners. Through rare primary source interviews, elegant sound design, and author perspectives unavailable anywhere else, Diversion’s informative and entertaining productions take you deep into worlds and introduce you to characters you’ll never forget. From sports to spies, from true crime to true adventure, across history, music, and even war, Diversion brings real stories to life. For more information visit DiversionPodcasts.com