Athlete Podcasting: A New Avenue for Brand Marketing
David Andrews on his podcast, “The Quick Snap Pod”
Podcasting is becoming an increasingly popular way for athletes to get their unfiltered views out to their fanbases. While podcasting has been around for decades, the 2020s have seen sharp spikes in the popularity and profitability of podcasting in the sporting world. This new wave of opportunity has opened the door for brands to market in sports.
Athlete Media History
Athletes and those associated with professional sports have been trying to find new ways to express themselves as individuals and comment on the latest sports news. This used to generally consist of radio interviews, television interviews, and writing books about their life and behind-the-scenes experiences. These gave athletes the chance to speak their mind, but their appearances were irregular and one-time opportunities for the most part.
The emergence of social media in the early 2010s handed athletes significant and consistent exposure to the public for the first time. This access gave sports figures the opportunity to develop a more comprehensive brand outside of the game. The world of social media has since been evolving, resulting in the emergence of podcasting.
Blue Sky’s clients have been quick to move into the podcasting realm. It took David Andrews just under a year for his podcast, The Quick Snap Pod, with Brian Hoyer to be picked up as a regularly scheduled program on NBC Sports Boston. Other clients, such as Tom Caron with 310 to Left and Rob Ninkovich with the Dan and Ninko Show, regularly attract tens of thousands of deeply invested fans to their podcasts. Clients such as Noelle Lambert, Thomas Smith, and Jonathan Papelbon through strategic appearances on popular podcasts, have created unparalleled levels of potential brand exposure.
The Rise of Video Podcasts
Even podcasts themselves have evolved significantly in the past ten years. While they used to purely be audio shows, it has become very common for podcasts to be posted as full video episodes on YouTube. Spotify and Apple Podcast are also joining the ranks by implementing video podcast capabilities. This format is now consumed on a more regular basis than audio only, enhancing opportunities for strategic brand placements.
The Opportunity for Brands
Podcasts, a relaxed environment by nature, create a setting for athletes to connect with highly engaged fans and listeners, therefore, everything from an athlete’s outfit to what they are drinking is an opportunity for a brand to be seen by thousands. Strategically aligning yourself or your brand with Blue Sky’s podcasting clients creates a can’t-miss opportunity for brands to have authentic exposure to thousands of potential customers. Podcasts are the newest gold mine for marketers to take advantage of.
Elevate Yourself with Blue Sky Sports & Entertainment
Blue Sky Sports & Entertainment is New England’s leading sports marketing and event management agency. We focus on athlete partnerships, brand activations, and NIL opportunities to help brands connect with New England’s top talent. Our personalized approach ensures every partnership is strategic, meaningful, and designed to strengthen your brand presence in the sports world.