In anticipation of On Air Fest next week, Bryan Barletta interviewed work x work creator Scott Newman and On Air Fest Executive Director Jeff Weiner about the event’s place in the podcasting industry, how it got started, and the process behind keeping innovation rolling each year.
On Air Fest passes are still available, including a discount for Sounds Profitable partners, get in touch to learn more. And Sounds Profitable will be in Brooklyn next week to cover several talks and panels.
On Air Fest fills a massive hole in the podcast industry. It’s consistently the place that makes the most space for the creative leadership of podcasting to come together, not only to share with each other but to share with fans of the medium. How did the two of you identify that gap and create this fantastic solution to it?
On Air Fest has always been about reflecting this moment in media and culture. Whether in the podcast industry, marketing landscape or creative culture more broadly, we believe in amplifying the people, projects and conversations that are relevant today. Our logo is a riff on the iconic on air box which represents “live” “on” “broadcast” “performance.” We simply turn the light and the mic on this moment. Our programming is designed to explore where we are as an industry today, post election with blurred lines between audio, video and social podcasts, and with an open road of creative potential. For creators and publishers, we seek to expand the world of possibilities rather than confine success by guardrails. The biggest innovations in media happened by risk-takers. Come to On Air Fest with open ears to hear what’s possible, or say there it yourself.
Every event I go to that’s even remotely related to podcasting, both of you are there. What have you learned from other events and how have you applied it to your event?
People love events, including us. There are so many fun and important gatherings throughout the year and we just try to show up. We’re fortunate because as an agency we’re producing activations with clients, traveling a lot, and getting exposed to all sorts of trends, insights and problems within the media industry but also tech, lifestyle, hospitality, and more. The best way for us to stay in the loop is to participate so that means being at the events, meeting people, and truly listening. That’s helped us shape our programming and the event plan for On Air Fest.
I feel like each year, On Air Fest is a new experience. Can you share with us how it all started, the creative swings you’ve taken, and what led you to the current iteration of the event?
On Air Fest started in 2017 as a live-streaming pirate radio station called WXWONAIR (named after our agency work x work). Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn invited us to host radio producers, DJs and artists for conversations and performances. We did a Listening Party with Radiotopia, a series of live podcasts with Vice, and performances in hotel rooms with storytellers. We realized quickly there was a creative undercurrent where podcasters are artists so we renamed the event series, On Air Fest, to harness that movement.
Since then we try to push the boundary every year in some way. Whether dropping surprise guests or popping up an immersive audio experience. From recreating Alana’s bedroom set in Tenderfoot TV’s award-winning Dear Alana to stepping into the universe via our Radiolab exhibition. In Brooklyn to LA we present intimate talks, performances, parties, exhibitions and live podcasts. You can trust that you will experience something that challenges you and inspires you each time.
This year we’re expanding the event to include a 15,000 sq ft gallery space we’re calling our Creator Hall. There is all day stage programming, creative workshops, audio art installations, live streaming radio with KCRWWW – our on site internet radio cafe -, and the world’s first ASM(R)BAR.
The events prioritized by the more business side of podcasting tend to be….dry. On Air Fest this year, like every other, is jam-packed with the top names in podcasting on all sides, but especially on the talent side. With a week before the event, what’s your message to those on the business side who haven’t attended yet? How can they get the most out of your event?
On Air Fest reflects the trends of the industry with audio, video and creator programming across multiple spaces and multiple days. We have stage sessions about creative processes and media trends, luminaries on the growth of video, and influencers on the power of voices. Content executives are seeking storytelling trends and marketers and finding audience insights. Plus, there are plenty of networking events and parties which I encourage folks to attend.
On the business side, there is no business without creative innovation. Come see what’s resonating and participate yourself. In the crowd you may find a publishing leader looking for the next big thing, a brand marketer seeking to connect to culture and production companies looking for collaborations. From content trends and audience insights, to being on the pulse of culture, there’s your business case for On Air Fest.
If people wanted to learn more about each of you and work x work, where should they go?
Reach out and let’s have a conversation. work x work is a full service storytelling and brand development agency based in Brooklyn. We exist to help brands express themselves through true storytelling and to engage with their target audiences in meaningful ways. From original content series to cross channel campaigns, from branding to events, our name is based on collaboration: your work + ours with 1+1=3. Say hi at hello@workxwork.com or visit workxwork.com.
