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James Harris
Is Corporate Podcasting on Life Support?
James Harris
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[runtime: 00:37:29, 17.2 mb, recorded 2006-06-21]
In response to an article on valleywag.com, James Harris takes on some criticisms of the podcasting business. Harris claims that the negative points listed in the article can be taken as opportunities (among others: it's already a commodity market, lack of talent and quality, you can't skim podcasts) . With four pertinent points, Harris explains how corporate podcasters can take on the challenge.
The first point of advice concerns community-building. Harris gives concrete and immediate examples of how to connect and promote with fellow podcasters. Harris then suggests opening up and sharing successes and failures, providing engaging examples of his own experience. The third idea for corporate podcasters revolves around finding the right stories through repurposing existing material. Finally, Harris emphasizes a point throughout his presentation: work hard at and get creative promoting your podcast.
One specific example offered by Harris is ListenShare's story of a clever use of Apple's iTunes Music Store for corporate podcasting. Did you know that Tom's of Maine toothpaste tells it's stories in the iTunes store? Applicable as a model for corporate podcast promotion, Harris' tale tells of an intriguing and creative approach, based all the same on ListenShare's pragmatic 4 P's process (planning, producing, publishing and promoting).
James Harris is a founding partner of ListenShare with more than 17 years of experience in the interactive industry. Harris' interest in interactive media was sparked in the multimedia laboratory at Tennessee Technological University while he was working toward a Master's degree in Business Administration. Harris launched his own consulting business and began working with such clients as Turner Broadcasting and BET on new media strategy and converting assets to digital property. He also worked with Floyd Design (which later became IXL) as a programmer and project manager, and with A.D.A.M. Software developing consumer CD-ROMs for retail consumers. James Harris is currently the CEO and co-founder of Atlanta-based Elemental Interactive, a leading interactive communications consulting firm specializing in online and interactive financial, corporate and employee communications.
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