Enliven Fukuoka with podcasts! Podcast Lab. Fukuoka is born
*View in browser* *RKB Mainichi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.*
Press release: December 19, 2023
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Enliven Fukuoka with podcasts! Podcast Lab. Fukuoka is born
*“Japan’s No. 1 Podcaster” Seinori Higuchi x RKB Mainichi Broadcasting has started a 100 podcast project! *
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On December 19, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting (Headquarters, Fukuoka City) and BOOK Co., Ltd. (Headquarters, Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture) announced the launch of “Podcast,” a company that supports the planning, production, and distribution of podcast programs.
Lab. Fukuoka” announced the launch of the 100-piece project. * * Making audio content more familiar *
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Podcasts are a service that distributes audio content such as talk shows over the Internet, and the number of users is rapidly increasing due to the spread of smartphones and wireless earphones. (*1)*
(*1) “PODCAST REPORT IN”, a survey conducted by Otonal, a digital audio advertising/audio media support company, and Asahi Shimbun, According to the Japan Podcast Domestic Usage Survey 2022, the podcast usage rate among Japanese internet users was 15.7%. If we allocate this to the population ratio in Japan, the number of monthly active podcast users in Japan is 16.8 million. Additionally, over 45% of podcast users say they started listening to podcasts within the past year.
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RKB began distributing podcasts in 2005, and as of December 2023, the number of programs is approximately 40 per week. With the goal of distributing 100 programs in the future, we are recruiting
“podcasters” who will be responsible for producing and distributing a wide range of podcast programs, and starting an audio distribution movement from Fukuoka. Utilizing the resources and know-how unique to a broadcasting station, we will support production and distribution, and coordinate guest appearances and collaboration projects between RKB announcers, talents and podcasters. *
* Advisor is CEO of BOOK Co., Ltd., and JAPAN PODCAST with “COTEN RADIO” where you can learn history in an interesting way.
AWARDS2019 Grand Prize, 2022 ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY
Masanori Higuchi, who is active as “Japan’s best podcaster” and has won the Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award/ACC Grand Prix, has been appointed. We will be responsible for providing advice on how to improve the appeal of individual programs, as well as introducing and promoting them on curation programs. *
* [Profile of Seinori Higuchi] *
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Born on August 20, 1981. An entrepreneur and businessman from Kawasaki-cho, Tagawa-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture. Representative director of BOOK Co., Ltd. Currently, he supports creators and entrepreneurs through the management of Iikane Palette (formerly Inokane Elementary School), a complex facility that utilizes an abandoned school in his hometown of Tagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Former comedian, former music producer. In 2018, we started the podcast program “Koten Radio, an interesting way to learn history.” JAPAN
PODCAST AWARDS
In addition to winning the Grand Prize in 2019, they also won the “Spotify Award” selected by the sponsor Spotify. In 2021, Spotify’s next-generation podcast creator training program “Sound
Appointed as a facilitator for “Up”. Received the 2022 ACC TOKYO CREATIVITY AWARDS Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications Award/ACC Grand Prix. *
* Recruiting startup members *
* Podcast Lab. Fukuoka is looking for people who want to plan, produce, and distribute podcast programs according to the following guidelines.
In addition, those who apply by the end of January 2024 will become “startup members” and will participate in the creation of future management policies and regulations for this project. *
*Participation conditions*
*1.
People who want to liven up Fukuoka with audio content. (Anyone can participate, not only if they live or work in Fukuoka Prefecture, but also if they are from Fukuoka or have a deep love for Fukuoka.)* * 2. For those who want to distribute new podcast programs, or those who want to develop existing programs and increase listeners. * * 3. Program content, titles, key visuals, etc. must be original (do not infringe on third party copyrights). *
* 4. Those who can post the “Podcast Lab. Fukuoka” logotype or logo mark on the key visual (thumbnail). *
* 5. If the content of the program violates public order or morals, etc., “Podcast Lab.
Fukuoka may refuse to participate in the project if it is determined that it is not suitable for distribution. *
* 6. If monetized through advertising, publicity, etc., the podcaster and Podcast Lab.
Those who can agree to the distribution with Fukuoka. (Terms and conditions will be determined at the time of contract)*
*Participation benefits*
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You can collaborate with Seinori Higuchi, other podcasters and RKB announcers, and participate in seminars, study sessions, and exchange events with fellow podcasters and listeners. (Online delivery or real event in Fukuoka City)*
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We may be featured on RKB Podcast’s curation program (starring Seinori Higuchi/RKB announcer Hayae Takeda) and RKB Radio programs. You can also insert program announcements into the postroll (at the end) of other programs. (There are conditions such as inserting a program announcement in your own program and specifying the distribution platform) *
・ * Podcast Lab.
By using the distribution platform specified by Fukuoka, you will be able to receive revenue from audio advertisements obtained by RKB and others. *
* [Comment from RKB Mainichi Broadcasting Audio Content Center Director Etsuji Yamada] *
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We are pleased to welcome Seinori Higuchi, Japan’s number one podcaster, as an advisor. As audio media continues to diversify, RKB Mainichi Broadcasting, the fourth private broadcasting station in Japan to begin radio broadcasting, has teamed up with Mr. Higuchi, who has deep knowledge of podcasts in addition to his previous know-how as a broadcasting station. I hope that we can start a completely new audio content movement here in Fukuoka. We aim to become a leader in audio media by collaborating with various companies, organizations, and individuals, and discovering talent who will be active in the podcast industry. *
* [Comment from Seinori Higuchi] *
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We are now in an era where individuals can communicate what they want to convey in a variety of ways. However, the field of audio media is still in its development stage. Up until now, based on the philosophy of “creating a free world,” I have been working through my business to eliminate the boundaries between the stage and the audience seats, and to create a world where everyone can freely express themselves and receive it. I’ve been doing it. I am very happy to have this opportunity in Fukuoka, where I was born and raised. I hope to explore new ways to take advantage of Fukuoka’s geographical advantages and community, and give back to society the knowledge and research results I have gained here. *
* ☆Podcast Lab. Fukuoka official website is currently being prepared for launch on RKB Online*
* ☆Podcast Lab. Fukuoka Official X (SNS) * * https://twitter.com/podlab_fukuoka*