Will Packer Media

Kelsey Grammer narrates the neo-noir-esque mystery, which kicks off iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media’s production and content partnership

Listen to the official trailer here 

NEW YORK – July 13, 2021 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to podtrac, and Will Packer Media, a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company led by record-breaking Hollywood producer Will Packer, today debuted “The Lower Bottoms,” a new scripted and shadowy podcast series told through the voices that make-up a quickly gentrifying neighborhood in West Oakland, California. The ten-episode series is the first production from the recently-announced partnership between the two companies, which will introduce a slate of original scripted and unscripted podcasts to the iHeartPodcast Network. The official trailer for “The Lower Bottoms” is available today, with the first episode launching July 20 on iHeartRadio and all major podcast platforms.

Narrated by legendary actor Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, Frasier), the new series centers on intensifying tensions in the Bay Area’s Lower Bottoms, where newcomers and natives clash amid a troubling rise of vandalism and arson. Each episode of the narrative podcast inches closer to revealing the perpetrator of these crimes, though discovering their identity turns out to be anything but simple. Along the way, listeners will be enveloped by the sounds that define West Oakland: the call of train horns and ships arriving at the port, iconic jazz music and the words of outspoken activists. The show was created and written by Dominique Mouton, and produced by Will Packer, James Lopez, Joelle Monique for iHeartRadio and Jack Levy, who also directed the series.

The iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media partnership builds on the success of the true crime podcast “Fight Night,” which launched October 2020. Now, with “The Lower Bottoms,” the two companies are bringing listeners into a whole new world of conspiracies, mystery and intrigue.

"When writer/creator Dominique Mouton and director/producer Jack Levy sent me the pitch materials and proof of concept audio for ‘The Lower Bottoms’ I was hooked,” said James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions. “Dominique's writing is vivid and colorful and easily translated to the audio format. The amazing cast we were able to put together was a testament to the material. We are fortunate to have found this great piece as our first narrative podcast and are excited to partner with iHeartMedia to introduce it to listeners everywhere."

“I can’t think of a better show to kick off our partnership with Will Packer Media than ‘The Lower Bottoms,’” said Will Pearson, Chief Operating Officer for the iHeartPodcast Network. “The series offers a little bit of everything: compelling characters, surprising twists, dark comedy and, of course, the legendary talents of Kelsey Grammer guiding us through the unmistakable atmosphere of the Bay Area. We’re excited for listeners to experience this richly-realized world and hear the stories its characters have to tell.”

In addition to Grammer’s narration, the cast of “The Lower Bottoms” includes a number of other well-known Hollywood performers. Ryan Destiny (Star, Flint Strong, Oracle) plays Rebecca, an outspoken social justice activist with a secret backstory; Theo Rossi (Army of the Dead, Sons of Anarchy, Luke Cage) is Lenny, a boisterous cafe owner with a chip on his shoulder; Annie Ilonzeh (Peppermint, Person of Interest, Chicago Fire) lends her voice to Beulah, a confident but reserved young woman looking to find her way; and Omar Dorsey (Queen Sugar, Genius) is Pastor Green, a Baptist minister with connections across the community. These characters — and more — cross paths in sudden and unexpected ways as the story of “The Lower Bottoms'' unfolds.

“The Lower Bottoms” is distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network. Listeners can visit iHeart.com/apps to download iHeartRadio and listen to the official trailer today on their favorite device.

About Will Packer Media

Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.

NEW YORK (March 24, 2021) -- iHeartMedia, the No. 1 podcast publisher globally according to Podtrac, and Will Packer Media, a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company led by record-breaking Hollywood producer Will Packer, today announced a partnership to bring a slate of original scripted and unscripted podcasts to the iHeartPodcast Network. The podcasts will focus on a variety of topics that will appeal to diverse audiences and attract new listeners to the iHeartMedia platform.

The new partnership builds on the success of the true crime podcast “Fight Night,” which launched on the iHeartMedia platform in October 2020 and was co-produced by Will Packer and James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions. “Fight Night” examined one of Atlanta’s most infamous armed robberies from the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 return to boxing.

All of the podcasts from Will Packer Media and iHeartMedia will be distributed by the iHeartPodcast Network, which is home to more than 750 original podcasts with over 253 million downloads each month. The first project is an urban drama scripted series centered in present-day Oakland, California. It is set to launch in the second quarter of 2021.

Will Packer Media was founded by Will Packer, one of Hollywood’s leading producers. The company has produced and/or developed a wide range of scripted programming for networks and streaming platforms such as OWN, ABC, Amazon, CBS, FX, Nickelodeon, NBC, BET, Lifetime and Fox.

“We are excited to partner with iHeartMedia to provide innovative and entertaining content to the fast-growing podcast space,” said Alix Baudin, President of Will Packer Media. “Bringing captivating audio stories to diverse audiences allows us to expand our focus across different media platforms.”

“Will Packer is one of the most groundbreaking storytellers working today and he and his team are exactly the kind of innovative partners we love to support long-term in the podcast medium,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “He has such an incredible track record across film, television and digital media - and we cannot wait to see what sort of stories he creates for the more than 100MM Americans now listening to podcasts every month.”

About Will Packer Media

Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.

Host Jeff Keating Examines Atlanta’s Infamous Armed Robbery from the Night of Muhammad Ali’s Historic 1970 Comeback Fight

New York – October 19, 2020 – iHeartMedia, the No. 1 commercial podcast publisher globally, Georgia-based production company Doghouse Pictures and Will Packer Media today announced the launch of “Fight Night,” a new iHeartRadio Original true crime podcast. The podcast, hosted by Jeff Keating and co-produced by record-breaking producer Will Packer and James Lopez, President of Will Packer Productions, examines one of Atlanta’s most infamous armed robbery from the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 return after being banned from boxing for refusing to enter the military draft.

“Fight Night” will debut Monday, October 26, the 50th anniversary of Ali’s historic fight when he defeated Jerry Quarry, with new episodes airing weekly each Monday. Listeners can hear the official audio trailer now on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

In “Fight Night,” host Jeff Keating unravels the story of an after-party celebrating Ali’s victory that turned horribly wrong. After the fight, hundreds of wealthy guests headed to a private party and according to police reports robbers met them at the front door and herded the guests into the basement forcing them to hand over their money and jewelry. “Fight Night” takes a deeper dive into that notorious night, examining the private party that quickly turned into one of the largest armed robberies the country has ever seen.

“What happened in Atlanta shortly after heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali made his celebrated return to the ring is a true crime mystery that will keep listeners craving more, especially with the 50th anniversary of the fight and horrendous crime so near,” said Conal Byrne, President of the iHeartPodcast Network. “Will Packer Media and Doghouse Pictures are known for their groundbreaking and innovative content. Partnering with them on this show will bring the highest level of storytelling to this layered podcast.”

“We’re excited to partner with iHeartMedia and Will Packer Media to finally share with the world this riveting crimewhich reflects race and relationships from the early 1970’s,” said producer Jeff Keating of Doghouse Pictures. “The friendship between the hustler, Gordon ‘Chicken Man’ Williams and cop, JD Hudson, comes to life through their fascinating interviews, which span five decades and have never been heard before.”

“This is the type of project that is perfect for the podcasting space: captivating, high stakes, suspenseful - all against the backdrop of a historic moment in the great Muhammad Ali’s career,” said Will Packer. “True crime aficionados and those new to the genre will be enthralled by this piece.”

Executive Produced by Dan Bush, Lars Jacobson, and Kenny Burns and co-written by Jeff Keating and Jim Roberts, all episodes of “Fight Night” will be distributed through the iHeartPodcast Network and available on iHeartRadio and everywhere podcasts are heard.

About Will Packer Media

Led by Hollywood producer Will Packer, Will Packer Media is a first-of-its-kind production and branded content company focused on the New American Mainstream audience, with an urban millennial core. In partnership with Discovery, Inc. and Universal Pictures, the company produces episodic scripted and unscripted series across television and digital platforms, compelling content for brand clients, and short-form digital content for millennial audiences. Will Packer’s films have earned more than $1 billion, with ten opening at number one at the box office.

About Doghouse Pictures

Doghouse Pictures (DHP) is a film and podcast content production company, founded by CEO Jeff Keating. DHP produced the feature documentary LIVING IS WINNING, which won the audience award during the 2009 Atlanta Film Festival and received U.S. distribution from Passion River Films in 2011. DHP has optioned the critically acclaimed short story FOLLOW ME by Paul Griner and is developing the script into a feature film. Keating will begin production in November on his second season as an iHeartMedia host with a true crime series entitled PEE WEE GASKIN WAS NOT MY FRIEND.