Podcast advertising agency Oxford Road is launching the Independent Podcast and Creator Awards, a new show recognizing independent podcasters and creators who operate outside major audio platforms. Rapper and podcaster Killer Mike will host the inaugural ceremony at SXSW in Austin on March 15.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

To qualify, nominees must hold IP ownership and full editorial control of their podcast, and cannot receive a minimum guarantee or upfront payment from a major audio platform. Projects that primarily serve as promotional vehicles for top-tier celebrities are also excluded. Applying these criteria narrowed the eligible pool to approximately 6,500 shows.

Submissions were evaluated using Oxford Road’s advertiser ROI data from ad placements on eligible shows, along with brand safety metrics and a minimum ad spend threshold.

Nominees and Categories

Nominees include established names such as Steven Bartlett (“The Diary of a CEO”), Theo Von (“This Past Weekend”), and Tim Ferriss (“The Tim Ferriss Show”), alongside breakout creators Caleb Hearon (“So True With Caleb Hearon”), Kendall Rae (“True Crime with Kendall Rae”), and Hala Taha (“Young and Profiting”).

The show features 10 jury-judged categories, including best independent interview show, comedy, and business and entrepreneurship show. Three data-driven awards (highest impact, highest volume, and breakout performer) will be determined by Oxford Road’s proprietary data. 

The ceremony will also present Patron Awards recognizing brands that invest in independent creators, and a lifetime achievement award.

Jury and Sponsorship

Featured jurors include Ashley Flowers, founder of “Crime Junkie” and audiochuck; James Cridland, editor of Podnews; Hernan Lopez, founder of Wondery and The Podcast Academy; and Gladwell Mwangi, paid media enablement lead at Whole Foods. Libsyn serves as the founding sponsor.

“Independent creators tore down the gates,” Oxford Road CEO Dan Granger said in a statement. “They proved you don’t need a network, a studio, or anyone’s permission to build an audience that trusts you.”

More information is available here.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter