The KICPod and KICBump podcasts will shift to Shameless Media from LiSTNR after signing a multi-year partnership which will commence in September.
This licensing deal between KIC podcasts hosts and entrepreneurs Laura Henshaw and Steph Claire Smith also marks the launch of Shameless Media Studios.
Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews’s Shameless Media has achieved 155 million listens and 1.8 million social media followers since it launched in 2018. The latest Triton Australian Podcast Ranker had KICPod at #71 (+5), KICBump at #116 (+7) while Shameless Media podcasts vanished from the ranker late last year.
Shameless Media co-founder Zara McDonald said:
“What Steph and Laura have done in the podcasting space is exceptional. They have incredible chemistry, a loyal listenership, and are deeply committed to the next era of their shows. We’re all very excited to see what the ‘Shameless Media take’ of KICPod is.”
“Up until this point, we’ve been firmly focused on launching original products,” co-founder Michelle Andrews added. “By the end of the year, when we launch our original parenting podcast, we will have five, always-on original shows. Which means we’re now officially in a place to turn our minds to the best licensing opportunities in the country – KICPod and KICBump are the perfect additions to our roster.”
Laura Henshaw said:
“This is a really special moment in time for KICPod and KICBump. We’re so grateful to the team at LiSTNR for everything we achieved together. Now, it’s an absolute honour to become the first licensed podcast for Shameless Media Studios – an empire which we’ve had the privilege to watch the incredibly talented Michelle and Zara build from the ground up. As an independent, women-founded media company, we couldn’t be prouder to be working together.”
Steph Claire Smith added:
“Being female founders and friends, we’ve often turned to Michelle and Zara and connected on challenges, or exciting opportunities. Laura and I have always been inspired by the empire that they have created. We have really enjoyed watching and supporting them from the sidelines, and now joining forces is truly exciting.”
This deal is the company’s tilt into the parenting space with Shameless Media’s own original parenting podcast launching in October.
Zara said:
“We have been working on our original parenting podcast for almost a year now. The prospect of having two complementary, parent-focused podcasts under our network is a real strength, given the depth of that space.”
Michelle added:
“We have a lot of announcements to make later this year. We’ve never been more excited about the direction of Shameless Media.”
Pictured L-R: Steph Claire Smith, Laura Henshaw, Zara McDonald and Michelle Andrews – image supplied.