Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable have announced new speakers, keynotes, and platform programming for Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW, scheduled for March 13-15 at the Sky Box in downtown Austin, Texas.
Penn Badgley, known for his roles in “You” and “Gossip Girl,” will appear at the event for a conversation as part of “Companion Presents: In Good Company,” a live performance and storytelling evening scheduled for Saturday, March 14. The event also features an acoustic set by multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer, along with appearances by “Science and the City,” “We Love You,” and “In The Hyphen,” and performances by Ayana Butterfly and JJ & The Mood.
Sean Astin, known for “The Lord of the Rings,” “Stranger Things,” “Rudy,” and “The Goonies,” will deliver the Sunday keynote. Astin currently serves as President of SAG-AFTRA, a role the organizers note brings a perspective on creators, labor, and media.
Previously announced talent Maya Hawke will appear as a special guest for a live recording of “Broken Record.”
Apple Podcasts Announces Video Podcast Experience
Apple will use its slot at the event to spotlight a new video podcast experience on Apple Podcasts. The platform is powered by HLS and includes what Apple describes as industry-first creator-controlled dynamic video advertising, developed in partnership with hosting providers and ad platforms. Creators retain control over distribution and monetization within the dedicated podcast app.
Platform and Industry Programming
The event opens Friday with a keynote from Steve McLendon, Product Lead for YouTube’s podcasting initiatives, which reports over one billion monthly active podcast viewers. McLendon oversees podcasting across the YouTube ecosystem, with a focus on discovery, listener engagement, and creator tools.
Tom Fox, founder of The Compliance Podcast Network and founder of Podcast Movement Evolutions’ honorarium program, will open Friday’s programming before McLendon’s keynote.
Additional confirmed speakers include MrBallen (John Allen), host of “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories”; Emmy-nominated Kensington Tallman; Allison Dunbar; and Shaan Sharma.
Independent Creator Awards Close the Weekend
The event closes Sunday evening with “The Independent Creator Awards Show” from Oxford Road, hosted by podcaster and rapper Killer Mike.
Nominees include Steven Bartlett (“The Diary of a CEO”), Theo Von (“This Past Weekend”), Tim Ferriss (“The Tim Ferriss Show”), Caleb Hearon (“So True With Caleb Hearon”), Kendall Rae (“True Crime with Kendall Rae”), and Hala Taha (“Young and Profiting”).
“Podcasting is evolving faster than ever across audio, video, live experiences, and creator-led media,” said Bryan Barletta, Partner at Sounds Profitable and President at Podcast Movement. “Bringing together voices from media giants like Apple and YouTube alongside beloved entertainers like Sean Astin, Penn Badgley, and Maya Hawke, as well as the content creators like MrBallen shaping culture today, reflects exactly where this industry is headed.”
Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW is free to attend. The full schedule is available on the Podcast Movement website. Register here.
Dragomir is a Serbian freelance blog writer and translator. He is passionate about covering insightful stories and exploring topics such as influencer marketing, the creator economy, technology, business, and cyber fraud.
Podcast Movement and Sounds Profitable have announced new speakers, keynotes, and platform programming for Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW, scheduled for March 13-15 at the Sky Box in downtown Austin, Texas.
Penn Badgley, known for his roles in “You” and “Gossip Girl,” will appear at the event for a conversation as part of “Companion Presents: In Good Company,” a live performance and storytelling evening scheduled for Saturday, March 14. The event also features an acoustic set by multi-platinum artist Andy Grammer, along with appearances by “Science and the City,” “We Love You,” and “In The Hyphen,” and performances by Ayana Butterfly and JJ & The Mood.
Sean Astin, known for “The Lord of the Rings,” “Stranger Things,” “Rudy,” and “The Goonies,” will deliver the Sunday keynote. Astin currently serves as President of SAG-AFTRA, a role the organizers note brings a perspective on creators, labor, and media.
Previously announced talent Maya Hawke will appear as a special guest for a live recording of “Broken Record.”
Apple Podcasts Announces Video Podcast Experience
Apple will use its slot at the event to spotlight a new video podcast experience on Apple Podcasts. The platform is powered by HLS and includes what Apple describes as industry-first creator-controlled dynamic video advertising, developed in partnership with hosting providers and ad platforms. Creators retain control over distribution and monetization within the dedicated podcast app.
Platform and Industry Programming
The event opens Friday with a keynote from Steve McLendon, Product Lead for YouTube’s podcasting initiatives, which reports over one billion monthly active podcast viewers. McLendon oversees podcasting across the YouTube ecosystem, with a focus on discovery, listener engagement, and creator tools.
Tom Fox, founder of The Compliance Podcast Network and founder of Podcast Movement Evolutions’ honorarium program, will open Friday’s programming before McLendon’s keynote.
Additional confirmed speakers include MrBallen (John Allen), host of “The MrBallen Podcast: Strange, Dark & Mysterious Stories”; Emmy-nominated Kensington Tallman; Allison Dunbar; and Shaan Sharma.
Independent Creator Awards Close the Weekend
The event closes Sunday evening with “The Independent Creator Awards Show” from Oxford Road, hosted by podcaster and rapper Killer Mike.
Nominees include Steven Bartlett (“The Diary of a CEO”), Theo Von (“This Past Weekend”), Tim Ferriss (“The Tim Ferriss Show”), Caleb Hearon (“So True With Caleb Hearon”), Kendall Rae (“True Crime with Kendall Rae”), and Hala Taha (“Young and Profiting”).
“Podcasting is evolving faster than ever across audio, video, live experiences, and creator-led media,” said Bryan Barletta, Partner at Sounds Profitable and President at Podcast Movement. “Bringing together voices from media giants like Apple and YouTube alongside beloved entertainers like Sean Astin, Penn Badgley, and Maya Hawke, as well as the content creators like MrBallen shaping culture today, reflects exactly where this industry is headed.”
Podcast Movement Evolutions at SXSW is free to attend.
The full schedule is available on the Podcast Movement website.
Register here.
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