Digital and broadcast media company Global’s director of podcasts Megan Wastell has announced that she will be leaving the company after nearly nine years.
Wastell’s most recent role was as director of podcasts and strategy for Global Player, which she was appointed to in November 2021, following senior roles at Global as director of product and design. Responsibilities that Wastell took over included overseeing the production of award-winning and commercially successful original shows including The News Agents, My Therapist Ghosted Me, Alien Kidnap Club, Spencer & Vogue, and Big Fish. As part of her role, Wastell also led a team of over 20 commissioners and producers.
In addition to overseeing the podcasts, Wastell also managed Global’s podcast strategy and played a large role in driving the company’s evolution from a radio app to an entertainment product which also includes podcasts, playlists, and video.
“Over the past eight years, I've had the honor of working with an incredibly talented team of people at Global,” Wastell wrote in a post on LinkedIn, “and I'm so proud of everything we accomplished together. From developing innovative digital products to producing chart-topping podcasts, it's been an amazing journey that I'll never forget. Thank you to everyone at Global for the wonderful memories and experiences.”
Wastell has left to start a new role as global creative director at Merlin Entertainment; one of Europe’s largest attraction operators with a global portfolio of brands including Alton Towers, LEGOLAND, and Madame Tussauds. Global has not yet confirmed who will be replacing Wastell in her role.
Global has invested heavily into news and political podcasts with the success of The News Agents which achieved 24 million downloads in just seven months of launching. The brand is also launching a new political memoir series titled Unprecedented tomorrow, which includes an exclusive first-hand account of Guto Harri’s experience as director of communications in Downing Street.
The limited six-part podcast series will be available exclusively on Global Player every Thursday and will launch on other platforms every Friday.
