Sydney, 22 November 2023: Today marks the launch of BlakCast, showcasing and supporting podcasts proudly platforming the stories of First Nations Peoples and people of colour.
Launching in partnership with ARN’s iHeart, BlakCast empowers First Nations Peoples and people of colour to reclaim their narratives, strengthen cultural identity and contribute to a more inclusive Australia, by showcasing exciting, emerging talent from Indigenous communities and other Australians from minority backgrounds.
BlakCast is thrilled to announce the network will launch with podcasts including Black Magic Woman, Yarning Up, Curtain the Podcast, Unapologetically Blak, Meet the Mob and Coming Out Blak, and is proud to partner with iHeart to drive revenue and audiences for new and diverse talent. iHeart is the number one podcast publisher, with more podcast hits than any other publisher.
Mundanara Bayles was awarded Supply Nation’s Indigenous Businesswoman of the Year award in August this year and is the driving force behind BlakCast. Mundanara is a proud Aboriginal woman raised in Redfern, Sydney, and the daughter of the legendary Tiga Bayles, a pioneer in Indigenous media, activist, and used his platform as inaugural chair of the NSWALC to advance the rights of Aboriginal people across NSW in the 80’s. As a successful entrepreneur, educator, and speaker, Mundanara launched the groundbreaking podcast Black Magic Woman in 2020 and joined ARN’s iHeart in 2023. BlakCast is a natural evolution of Mundanara’s own experience, rich family history and award-winning consultancy and cultural training organisation BlackCard.
Speaking of the launch, Mundanara said, “BlakCast is paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future where all voices are heard, and the stories of the First Nations peoples are celebrated. Through diverse storytelling, we seek to foster a deeper connection to the rich tapestry of our nation's history and culture for audiences and content makers alike.”
Corey Layton, Head of Digital Audio added, “We’re proud to support Mundanara as she builds on her family legacy in broadcast, guiding, amplifying, and monetising a large array of Australia’s best Indigenous podcasts. This presents an exciting evolution in the iHeart network which we’re committed to grow”.
Mundanara is supported by a team of likeminded people who are bringing her vision to life, including Producer and long-time family friend Clint Curtis, and Network Advisor Jamila Rizvi.
To find your new favourite podcast on the BlakCast Network, visit www.blakcast.com.au
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About us:
About BlakCast:
BlakCast is an Australian podcast network owned and led by First Nations Peoples. Our podcasts are conceived, developed by, and proudly platform First Nations Peoples, black and people of colour. We hold space for the celebration of Indigenous knowledge and diverse perspectives. BlakCast tells stories for all Australians, building community and sharing culture on our journey to a stronger, more inclusive future. We aspire to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia through empathy, connection, and meaningful conversations. We invite you to walk with us.
About iHeart
iHeart, the world's fastest-growing digital audio service, was launched by ARN to the Australian market in 2013. ARN's iHeart is a free, all-in-one radio, music streaming, podcast and live events platform available to Australians in every state. In addition to being able to access their favourite music from around the globe, audiences can access their favourite stations in Australia from ARN, the ABC, SBS, and stations from New Zealand and the USA. In 2020, ARN launched iHeartPodcast Network Australia, providing advertisers with access to significant scale across local, global and catchup podcasts. The network quickly became Australia's number #1 podcast publisher.
Contact details:
For more information about BlakCast, please contact:
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PR inquiries: Brigitte Sardelic, brigitte.sardelic@edelman.com; +61434387497
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Business inquiries: Leila Georges, leila@blakcast.com.au; +61423237368
For more information about iHeart, please contact:
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black and white publicity: Kelly Black, Kelly@blackandwhitepublicity.com.au; 0422 991 600
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black and white publicity: Jo White, joanna@blackandwhitepublicity.com.au; 0457 905 312