Westwood One, Imperative Form Partnership for Podcasts

RADIO ONLINE | Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Westwood One and Imperative Entertaiment

Cumulus Media's Westwood One Podcast Network has announced a partnership with Imperative Entertainment's podcast division to monetize, market and distribute all Imperative Entertainment's existing and forthcoming podcasts. The first three episodes of Imperative Entertainment's new series "American Skyjacker: The Final Flight of Martin McNally" debuts on Tuesday.

"American Skyjacker," hosted by Riverfront Times journalist Danny Wicentowski, was written, created and produced by Eli Kooris and Joshua Shaffer of Pegalo Pictures, and executive-produced by Jason Hoch, President of Imperative Entertainment's Podcast Division. The new 10-part series is available on all major platforms.

Following "American Skyjacker," Imperative Entertainment and Foxtopus Ink will premiere "The Syndicate" on August 11. It follows a group of college friends that took advantage of Colorado's medical marijuana laws to create one of the longest, most lucrative smuggling runs in U.S. history. Freelance journalist Chris Walker (The Atlantic, Playboy, VICE, NPR, Forbes, LA Weekly, etc.) is the series creator and host. Jason Hoch is an executive producer; Laura Krantz (formerly with public radio) and author Scott Carney ("What Doesn't Kill Us") of Foxtopus Ink produced and edited the series.

Imperative Entertainment's podcast division launched in 2019 with true-crime podcast, "Gangster House," followed by "Boomtown," which tells the story of the biggest oil boom in history, and "The Baron of Botox," the true story of late "dermatologist to the stars" Dr. Fredric Brandt.

"We're excited to partner with Cumulus Media and Westwood One, and for the opportunity it gives us to connect with their extensive audience," said Imperative Entertainment Podcast Division President Jason Hoch. "American Skyjacker and The Syndicate are the first of nine new original narrative series podcasts set to launch in 2020. We can't wait for listeners to experience a full range of stories and emotions, from thrillers and wild adventures to stories of triumph and tragedy."

"We look for best-in-class content for our podcast portfolio, and certainly Imperative Entertainment hits that mark with their evocative and dramatic storytelling," added Cumulus Media EVP Marketing and Westwood One President Suzanne Grimes. "Their scripted shows, with incredible Hollywood production values, will entertain and engage our listeners in a bold new way."