Podcast agency Earworm has launched a new competition for creators to pitch new ideas for shows, with the chance to win a prize package of podcast services worth £5,000.
The ‘Turn Up’ competition will give the winning creator the opportunity to bring their idea to life and broadcast a fully-branded podcast series. Additionally, three runner-ups of the competition will also receive a smaller prize package consisting of a consultancy session with a podcast industry expert worth £499 to help them develop their ideas further.
“We’re a high-octane, cheeky, and boundary-pushing team that dares to be different,” said Earworm chief of sounds Ben Farley. “We live for audio adventures and strive to create content that gets an audience hooked like a catchy tune stuck in their heads, so this is a great chance for podcasters anywhere across the UK to join us.”
“Our talented squad of creative rebels are looking for a one-of-a-kind podcast concept that we can partner with to develop into chart topping series. From conceptualising to production and beyond, this is an opportunity to launch a new podcast career or catapult a series beyond your wildest podcasting dreams.”
Earworm’s goal with the competition, the company said, is to find the next podcast that “has the potential to top the charts”. All UK creators are eligible to put themselves forward in the competition and pitch a podcast idea from any genre, with stories from underrepresented communities being especially encouraged.
To apply, entrants will have to upload a one minute short video to Instagram introducing themselves, their podcast or their podcast idea, and why they think they should win, publish the reel to Instagram with the #Earworm500 hashtag, and then paste the link to the reel in the entry box on the website. The applications are open from now until 31 May and the winner will be announced on 15 June.
Other recent podcast funding opportunities that have been recently announced include the Acast Amplifier podcast incubator programme, which launched in Ireland last month and is now open for application. The three winning applicants of the competition will receive benefits worth a maximum of €100,000, which includes a €2,000 cash grant.
