Tartanpodcast And Podshow Have Split
Update: Mark has confirmed he has left Podshow. Reasons in full at the end of this post.
Now this is interesting. One of the flaghsip Podshow music shows, Mark Hunter’s Tartanpodcast (http://www.tartanpodcast.com/) seems to be missing from Podshow’s website.
When the Podsafe Music Network (PMN) launched, they took a number of shows with the rough moniker of PodSquad, that would cover a large number of genres of music and styles. Hunter’s Tartanpodcast was picked up, in part because of the fact that they were looking for ‘something different’ in terms of voice and content. It’s proven to be a popular podcast, so much so that when I was at last year’s Portable Media Expo, everyone decided that as I was in a Kilt I must be Mark. Nobody mistook Mark for me. apart from C. C. Chapman having a little joke across the length of the conference floor.
Mark’s already throttled back on the number of podcasts he does, and I can only assume that this was to keep the homegrown contnet of a high enough quality. There was very little music lifted from the Podsafe Music Network’s catalogue, which, in hindsight, makes me wonder if the Tartanpodcast was a smart choice for Podshow to go for. When the other PodSquad casts relied on PMN for their music feeding back traffic to the main site, Hunter relied on homegrown talent and submissions from Scottish bands to play on his podcast.
As Podshow continued throughout 2005, advertising deals were struck, and money started to roll towards some of the podshow host. Adverts for Absoluut Vodka began appearing. Adverts for Earthlink popped up on the shows. Yet, even though Tartanpodcast was there at launch, a lot of these benefits never seemed to be placed in Hunter’s show. Three podcasts a week is a huge commitment – but there seemed to be no benefit coming from Podshow. I’m not privvy to any of the behind the scenes discussion, but in my mind that smacks of bad management of personel. With a good number of shwos, you’d expect some cross-promotion of not just Tartanpodcast, but the other music shows from Podshow stables such as “Dawn and Drew” and “Madge.”
So last night my RSS Reader starts barfing on the website. Turns out that the Podshow hosted version of The Tartanpodcast is 404’ing (it’s back now) – but all bar the most recent show’s MP3’s are missing. The obvious domain www.tartanpodcast.com is still working. Hmmm. And now this post appears in the show blog…
As you’ll notice, having ended up here rather than my soothing blue themed site, that you need to update your bookmarks; http://www.tartanpodcast.com is the only place to find Scotland’s indie music podcast on the ‘net… Remember, to receive each episode of the (new and improved) tartanpodcast, subscribe to http://feeds.feedburner.com/Tartanpodcast
Link: The Tartan Podcast
Something is up, you don’t just take one of your flagship music shows and excise it from your site. Even when your host has said he’s having to take a break due to a broken computer. In my mind I can see two options… either new features of Podshow including a central hosting solution and targetted advertising don’t fit with Hunter’s vision, or he’s just had enough and walked away from a bad management team. Neither option reflects well on Curry, Bloom and the rest of the team.
It also raises a lot of questions, such as who owns the RSS feeds, who owns the subscribers, even down to who owns the rights to the name “Tartanpodcast.” It appears in Hunter’s case that he’s had a contingency plan, by owning his own domain name and his subscribers through both LibSyn and Feedburner accounts, but can the same be said for other podcasters?
Back in my 2006 Predictions I said: “At least three high profile podcasters will leave Podshow, causing the blogosphere to go crazy and spell the doom of the ‘casters and Podshow (neither of which will happen).” So now Hunter has left, who’s next?
Update: Mark has left Podshow, he’s confirmed it in depth in the comments to this post.
Just wanted to say that I have in fact left podshow, asking in writing for my contract to be terminated with immediate effect. They acted right away on my request and the link to the tartanpodcast was removed from their front page very quickly (altho at the time of writing it was still at the ‘podsquad’ page).
The reasons are simple; I wasn’t happy with the direction the company was moving in, was unable to open a dialogue with them about my concerns, the vibe that was created when I joined last June wasn’t sustained (sadly), and while there are some great, passionate, visionary-types working for the company it would seem that they aren’t the driving force.
I find it interesting that no effort was made to keep on board one of their A-List podcasters, to attempt any sort of reconciliation, and the implication that the ‘Business’ members of the company are able to over-ride the “visionary types.” Mark, good luck with Tartanpodcast in the future.
Adam mentioned something that his delivery network would go online, and that things may be a bit flaky over the next few days. Is it possible that Mark just switched to that…?
Have to be realistic – many of us saw this coming.
This is by no means meant to be a dig at Podshow – after all, a large part of my own job right now is to produce commercially-attractive podcasts for my employer.
While there are no doubt many podcasters that are comfortable with the commercial plans of Podshow, a fair few more, including some that are currently signed to or involved with Podshow, but not part of the inner sanctum, are likely to be less than thrilled with either the plans of the company, or the feeling that they are being short-changed at the expense of the core group of broadcasters.
The answer – a drastic improvement in the way Podshow does talent relations and maybe a rethink of the business plan.
Frank, I don’t think so – not when you consider Mark’s comments on his blog.
Perhaps Mark should join you over at TPN!
Molly
Check out CC’s latest post:
http://accidenthash.podshow.com/?p=178
‘It was a bad day AND a good day. Thus the name of the show.On one hand some events happened that I’m saddened and pissed about.’
I bet he’s referring to the tartanpodcast.
I really think this will benefit Mark in the long run. More freedom. More time.
There needs to be an open debate on podcasting business models. I don’t think podshow is the way to go. Expectations are just too high.
I think the signs have been there for a long time. If he has left, it’s a big blow for Podshow – looking forward to the “new and improved” Tartanpodcast.
Just wanted to say that I have in fact left podshow, asking in writing for my contract to be terminated with immediate effect. They acted right away on my request and the link to the tartanpodcast was removed from their front page very quickly (altho at the time of writing it was still at the ‘podsquad’ page).
The reasons are simple; I wasn’t happy with the direction the company was moving in, was unable to open a dialogue with them about my concerns, the vibe that was created when I joined last June wasn’t sustained (sadly), and while there are some great, passionate, visionary-types working for the company it would seem that they aren’t the driving force.
I’m looking forward greatly for my laptop’s return from being repaired so that I can work on the ‘all new’ tartanpodcast.
To answer some Qs that I’ve noticed elsewhere;
No I wasn’t on a monthly salary, I worked for a % of ad revenue. (Asides from the short-lived Absolut campaign – a company I’ll always have respect for – there were no ad campaigns run on the tartanpodcast)
No my leaving wasn’t anything to do with my usage of PMN.
No my leaving wasn’t to do with not getting a piece of the (appalling) Earthlink campaign.
Good luck to you Mark.
I am sure they will come crawling back soon enough.
Adrian
Good luck Mark!!
I would think the advertisers also have the USA territory to concentrate on. ie: The earthlink ad would mean nothing to us in the UK. Vokda though.. that’s different ;)
I hope to be bale to talk soon about some very interesting stuff I am secretly working on here ;) It should be pretty helpful to all! Cheers!