Another new podcast ('The Leading Edge') has been added to the stable of "always-on" monthly industry-specific thought-leadership podcasts made by Bwlb.

Rachael Bliss, the CEO of The Guild of Architectural Ironmongers approached Bwlb to see if we would develop, launch, edit and exec produce a new podcast for them, having seen the success of our other podcasts, particularly Planet Possible.

I was so happy to get an approach like this. When new customers come to you because of the quality of your existing work, that's a real sign that you're doing something right. We believe that if you can make podcasting accessible to new starters (in terms of process and budget) then it's possible to grow together. 

Rachael was looking to get started quickly and that is fine by us. We're a small flexible company and if we can see the mutual benefits of a project going forward, then we can get stuck in straight away, which is what we did. After investing some creative time together, 'The Leading Edge' was born. 

A real key part of the initial set up work we do is getting the core values and aims of the podcast in place. I always ask prospective customers the same 2 questions:

1. Who are you trying to reach?
2. How do you want them to react?

Answering these questions properly saves everyone from making a podcast just for the sake of it. It ensures you know who your audience is and that you deliver value for them. 

This groundwork gets the whole project off to a strong start... plus gives you a compass to go back to if you ever get stuck for a decision on format / guest / theme / promotion strategy. Just go back to your original answers to those two foundational questions. Does what you are contemplating doing work for the people you want to reach? Is it likely to generate the reaction you want?

Often in thought leadership podcasts made for membership organisations like this, the aim is to be useful, trusted and top-of-mind for members and industry colleagues... i.e. establish a position of thought leadership in the industry (from which a whole load of reputational, operational and, yes, commercial benefits can come).

'The Leading Edge' could not have got off to a better start. One of the biggest hitters in the industry came on as a guest on the first episode, which itself gave vital analysis on a huge upcoming new bit of legislation in the sector. The numbers - for a debut episode - have been brilliant. And the feedback to Rachael and her team from the industry has been extremely positive.

A very satisfying project from the very start, and one we look forward to building in the long-term. 

Andy - Founder, Bwlb

Absolutely fantastic to see Planet Possible win at the NYC Podcast Awards. Host Niki Roach and I went over for the ceremony (and to record a New York City based episode - which we had wanted to do for a while).

It wasn't an easy decision to go. As an environmental podcast we avoid flying where possible. We talked about it and felt it was a rare opportunity. As long as we could mitigate the flights with offsetting / donating to climate charities (neither is perfect, but better than nothing) AND make an episode whilst out there, then on balance, we felt it was the right thing to go. So that was our plan, and the trip was well worth it.

The episode we recorded will be out soon (likely April) and is all about how a city like New York is adapting to the ever-growing pressures on water, nature and climate. We spoke to two big hitters in the local environmental space who shared their insights from massive projects they had worked on dealing with climate change, reducing pollution and increasing nature on Manhattan. 

The best way to get around Manhattan is a combination of walking and the Subway. In the process of moving between interview locations, visiting project examples and seeing as much of the city as we could... Niki and I walked well over 20 miles in 2 days!

A real highlight was visiting The High Line - an old elevated railway section that has been converted into an urban park in the sky, with trees growing through the old tracks and plenty of public art (like a huge pigeon - pictured below).

It was brilliant to share the trip and award with host of Planet Possible Niki Roach, who has been an absolute powerhouse of passion, effort and skill over the years. Together we have grown this podcast from Day 1. Five and a bit years in, this was a good time to celebrate and commit to keeping going. We totally believe in this podcast and want it to keep improving, growing, having more influence and - hopefully - affecting more positive change.

The award and the trip to New York were an important reminder to me of how far this little company Bwlb has come. We will keep on aiming to be creative, make great stuff and be a positive voice - it has served us pretty well so far.

Andy - Founder, Bwlb Ltd

This is the first in a series of blog posts going into a bit more detail about the regular podcasts that Bwlb edits and exec produces.

First up is Arts & Culture which was developed by Bwlb for Tom Dawson at The Association for Cultural Enterprises.

Arts and Culture debuted in October 2023 and has been "always on", publishing monthly episodes ever since.

Hosted by Tom Dawson (Director of Digital & Interim Chief Operating Officer at the Association for Cultural Enterprises), Arts & Culture seeks out innovation, best practice and excellence behind the scenes at the UK's museums, galleries and heritage sites, helping some of the UK's most valued cultural venues survive and thrive.

​Tom is pictured below alongside Florence Schechter (Founder of The Vagina Museum, London) at one of the at-venue interview recordings made for this podcast.

As funding for arts and culture shrinks and culturally significant sites have to find ways to generate revenue to survive... this podcast provides vital inspiration and support. It lets anyone in the sector (however small their venue or organisation) learn from the best minds in the business, all of whom are happy to share their wisdom and hard-earned insights.

This podcast is growing impressively and has built up a loyal following in the UK  sector. Many people in the sector joined via their passion for arts and culture. They often face the same challenges and are keen to pass on their ideas so that all can benefit. 

You can find all Arts and Culture episodes here.

A couple of recent  examples of episodes that have been particularly valued by the audience are:

'The Crooked House' - How couple Alex and Oli have turned a tiny (and famously wonky) 600 year old building into  a cultural enterprise innovation success story, by embracing a new style of experiential offering.

'AI in Culture' - What opportunities, pitfalls, challenges and possibilities does Artificial Intelligence present to the cultural sector? A 4 strong expert panel (that only host Tom could have got together via his industry contacts) addressed all the questions that Tom had been hearing from the sector grassroots.

You can see video clips from these episodes below...

If you have a blog on your website, make sure you update it. That's the golden rule. And one, clearly that I have not followed well enough since 2 years ago! Sorry. Lesson learnt, I have diarised a quarterly update from here forwards. The reason/excuse is a good one though - we have been incredibly busy making brilliant podcasts for fascinating customers!

Last blog post (back in October 2023, eek!) I wrote about having 4 regular podcasts on our slate. Well, we still have 4 but it's a different 4!

'The 17' came to a natural pause point having featured  all of the seventeen UN Sustainability Goals in some way, but the episodes remain as an evergreen knowledge archive that continues to pick up listens and spreads the word on sustainability. That podcast achieved its objectives which is satisfying.

The Crack On Podcast - having been through its re-format and re-launch with us - decided to maintain on that path with a different level of production support, becoming a bit more self-reliant, which is great to see. We're proud that the new format and strategy live on and that our work enabled that podcast to grow to the point at which it could become sponsor-funded instead of self-funded as it was before we got involved. 

We like to maintain a small podcast stable so that I can edit every single one and don't need to sub-contract out (as many of the larger podcast production companies do). I think if a client has decided to come on board based on my skills and experience, then I should be the one doing the work, not farming it out to someone else (and putting the price up to take a cut). Keeping a consistently high level of output is critical. Doing the work myself means I can guarantee that.

Now Bwlb is proud to produce, edit and exec produce two other podcasts - 'Beneath The Surface' and 'Groundwater Rising'. Both fascinating, both a joy to work on and both growing very well and delivering massive thought leadership wins for their parent organisations. These join long-term clients 'Planet Possible' and 'Arts & Culture' to make up our regular stable of 'always-on' monthly podcasts.

It's worth adding that the success of Planet Possible has led to a sister podcast being launched (which Bwlb also produces, edits and exec produces) called 'Planet Possible Spotlight' which provides a platform for innovative planet-positive projects and organisations to showcase their work via a commercial partnership. This is an occasional podcast that enables companies to have a professional quality audio documentary style presentation of their work - immensely useful for outreach and growth.

Thought leadership has become our niche. If you want to be considered by your peers as the company/organisation in your sector that sets the agenda, reacts first to changing conditions, debuts new research, statistics and insights... plus is the first choice for the big names within the industry to share their thoughts... then come and talk to us. We can help you build a podcast that will establish - and maintain - that thought leadership position (and deliver you all the influence, revenue increase and reputational growth that come with it).

A note on video in podcasting. It's essential. We have long known this and were one of the first podcast production companies to recommend to (and enable) all our clients to film everything. The engaging social media content that video clips produce have helped all our podcasts exceed their growth targets. As the industry and sector evolve, so do we... and we take our clients on that journey with us.

Andy - Founder, Bwlb Ltd

When I started Bwlb back in 2019 I remember feeling the "zero clients" situation very strongly. As a new business, you have to go and create your own market and find your own customers. No one is doing that for you. It's really hard. 

You hope that one customer brings two, then three, four and so on. That's why your first customer is so crucial. As Peter Thiel would say, going from zero to one is the hardest step. That's why in the 'Work' section of this website I've written the full story on how I met and worked with Bwlb's first client (Alex from FinCo Coffee) - it was a key moment.

Writing this post now, it's a special day for Bwlb. The newest addition to the stable of ongoing podcasts I make for clients has tipped over from 3 to 4. The first episode of 'Arts & Culture' (a podcast for The Association for Cultural Enterprises) went live today. Host Tom and I are having great fun making it and we've had to be patient - for a whole load of reasons it has taken a while to go from initial chats to published first episode. That patience has paid off today. Only a few hours in to launch and the episode is getting some lovely comments.

I can genuinely say that I really enjoy making all 4 of Bwlb's regular podcasts - Planet Possible, The 17, the Crack On Podcast and Arts & Culture. I learn a lot, I still love the process of audio editing (even after 20 years!) and the people I work with to make them (Niki, Al, Kate, Jonathan, Jon and Tom) are all people who I like, respect and look forward to working with.

I feel very grateful for this little company Bwlb. I've put a lot of work into it - sure - but it continues to give me so much back. Work I enjoy, a living and, crucially, the chance to live my day-to-day professional life according to values I have chosen and believe in:

Be creative. Make high quality stuff. Try to be a positive voice.

Monday 21st November, Cardiff, Wales, UK

Welsh tech startup Accordion Innovation Ltd (a new company spun out of Bwlb Ltd) has made a leap forward in audience convenience technology with the creation of Accordion Video.

Accordion Video is an evolution of the original audio Accordion technology developed by Bwlb to solve the problem of "too many podcasts, not enough time". It lets users control the duration of visual media to make it fit their available viewing time without losing the structure, tone or feel of the original.

This means content like online lectures (Education), keynote speeches (Conferences), all-staff updates (Corporate Internal Comms) and video podcasts (exploding as both Spotify and YouTube compete to own the space) can now be presented to the users with never-before-seen levels of control and convenience.

At the moment, viewers with less time than the original content length need to either speed the video up (unnatural and un-engaging), pick snippets or highlights (loss of context) stop before the end (unsatisfying and less likely to return) or not watch the content at all (loss of revenue).

With Accordion, content can fit the users time perfectly. The tech works by dynamically re-versioning the original so that the structure remains but the level of detail becomes controllable, using a slider bar beneath the video.

Shortest versions (usually around a third or a quarter of original duration) still have a beginning, middle and end... plus all the best / essential parts (as chosen either by the content producer, Accordion itself via automation or an adjustable mix of both). Further up the slider bar, the versions get longer (moving toward the original duration) and the detail gets added back in.

The result is a barely-believable seamless experience that leaves viewers feeling as if they have watched the original content in full... just in the perfect amount of time to suit them. As one user tester put it:

"I don't know how this is possible, but I want it on all of my podcasts from now on, please."

Accordion Video is currently being trialled in higher education in the UK and in the multinational corporate context as a way to increase staff engagement with internal comms messaging.

CEO of Accordion Innovation Ltd, Andy Taylor said:

"The possibilities that Accordion Video opens up are virtually endless. Anywhere there is video content and users or audiences under time pressure, Accordion comes into its own. People have decreasing amounts of time. Meanwhile their desire for convenience increases, as do the demands on their time. Accordion can get your company's message / product / content to your ideal consumer in a more efficient way that makes your customer feel valued. With the technology so new, there is an opportunity to create a distinct competitive advantage and increase revenues."

For more information, or to discuss a trial, collaboration or customer relationship, contact Andy Taylor - [email protected]

​Accordion and Accordion Video are protected via the International Patent Process

ENDS

Bwlb, a tech startup from Cardiff, Wales, UK has invented a new piece of software that gives users the ability to adjust the length of content to fit the time they have available.

Accordion doesn't speed content up, instead it dynamically re-versions audio and video to deliver the exact amount of detail wanted by each individual listener, watcher, customer, student, work colleague or audience member.

Originally developed with podcast listeners in mind (to solve the ever-increasing issue of "too many podcasts, not enough time") Accordion is now picking up customers, trials, collaborations and buzz across multiple sectors including:

Education - as a way of addressing new pedagogic challenges raised by the rise in hybrid learning.

Internal communications - to make meetings and staff briefings more accessible, time-efficient and increase engagement and understanding. 

Audio editing - as part of a totally re-imagined workflow that can deliver a broadcast-ready edit in a third less time than traditional methods.

Conferences - as a way for delegates to absorb the essential content of keynotes and panel sessions in as little as a quarter of the original session duration.

Audience Research - to assess the impact of a campaign or series by giving testers a quicker way to get across content while still accessing the tone and feel of the original full-length versions.

Accordion's sector of origin - Podcasting - is waking up to the scale of innovation and  transformative potential of this new technology.

Journalist, Podcast critic and influencer Nick Hilton said this about Accordion:

“As someone who now has about ten thousand unheard episodes of Red Box and Coffee House Shots, I would definitely use this functionality… this tech will be ubiquitous in podcasting within a few years.”

"Every time I see a new podcast company emerge, it’s simply reworking an old idea: a new spin on ad-placement, a new spin on paywalling, a new spin on networks, a new spin on just making a good ol’ fashioned podcast. Companies like Accordion which challenge the idea of what a podcast is are vanishingly rare."

As the pace of change in the media sector increases, new tech like Accordion can play an important role in helping long-established and traditional media organisations and platforms futureproof themselves and reach new young audiences in a way that gives them the control and convenience they want.

​To see Accordion in action on the current season of one of the UK's most listened-to climate podcasts 'Planet Possible' go to www.accordion.live/planetpossible

The recent conference 'Flood and Coast' used Accordion to make keynotes and panel sessions deliver extra impact and be more accessible to press and wider industry members who weren't in the room. Go to www.accordion.live/floodandcoast to have a look.

For more information on Accordion, to discuss a trial, collaboration or to get started as a new customer, contact Andy Taylor - [email protected]

August 10th 2022, Cardiff, Wales, UK.

There's a word that is absolutely key to startups. Momentum. Bwlb has plenty of it at the moment, and the trick is to maintain it. That can be challenging when you're a one-person operation, but, really, we/I wouldn't have it any other way. Plus, Bwlb is not really a one-person operation...

We have Matt, our lead developer, who, though freelance, has worked on Accordion ever since it was an early prototype. And I've been very grateful recently for the input of Nick Hilton, a podcaster and podcast journalist who has been working for Bwlb in a consultancy capacity recently. As a solopreneur, it is so useful to have someone objective with good knowledge and a sharp mind to bounce off.

Choosing who to work with is one of the best things about founding your own company. I recently re-connected with a former BBC colleague who has just started their own business, and I'm honoured to be their first client as they lead some timely user testing on Accordion.

Connecting is something I am putting time and effort into. I've never felt myself to be a natural networker but I see how crucial it is to giving Accordion the platform(s) it needs to develop and shine. I'm at the stage now where I need to show its potential to the world. That means talking to people. Being open. Going for it. Knocking on doors. Picking up the phone. 

With a bit of luck, we could have Accordion appearing in some pretty cool places in the next few weeks and months. But no chickens are being counted yet. The good thing is that I have complete belief in its potential, and I think I'm able to get that across to potential partners.

When I explain Accordion to people, the most common reaction I get is... "Sounds great - I'd use it", and that's a massive encouragement. The encouragement fires the rocket, and what helps me point the rocket in the right direction is the support, coaching and resources I'm accessing via Business Wales' Accelerated Growth Programme (another thing I am very grateful for).

These are exciting times. That's a phrase I find myself using in every one of these blog posts. And that has to be good sign... 

So much to update on in the world of Bwlb. Research & Development has become a key part of what this company does. With the support of Clwstwr, Bwlb has created a new product for the podcast industry - Accordion.

Accordion enables manipulation of podcast duration whilst maintaining structure, tone and listenability. For listeners, that means any and every podcast episode can perfectly fit the time they have available to listen. No more incomplete listens. No more missing the funny bit everyone else is talking about because you didn't have the time to reach that part. The ability to catch up on the back catalogue of your new favourite pod in good time.

For producers, Accordion effectively makes automation of re-versioning possible. But - and this is crucial - this isn't another step away from the art of audio production and a step towards A.I. at all costs. I'm an audio person through and through. I want this tool to help people make great audio, and help listeners better enjoy great audio, not replace the art of the the Producer.

Accordion is about to be introduced to the world via its first real-life application, in a  collaboration with Belgium-based podcast company Bulle Media, supported by  Stars4Media, a European initiative to boost continent-wide media innovation.

Bulle Media's upcoming podcast series about Angela Merkel will be available to listen to using Accordion functionality - listeners will be able to manipulate the duration of every one of the 10 x 20 min episodes as they are released. We're super keen to get people using Accordion, collect data and feedback, learn and improve.

We're in the engine room of this project now. Designing landing pages, enjoying great logo design, employing new freelancers, firing up our old friend Accordion and getting her to flex her muscles by working on some original audio against the clock.

And, in the background, the international patent process is ongoing. This is an innovative product with, hopefully, vast potential, so everything is being done properly to protect it.

I'm passionate about Bwlb being a home-grown Welsh company, operating in Cardiff, my home. I'm excited about what the future can bring. I'm sure there will be highs and lows, but we're going to enjoy the ride.

Pob lwc pawb!

Andy

This is the last of my three blogs about my Clwstwr-funded seed project ‘SMART Podcasts’. It has been an eventful month.

First things first. Black Lives Matter. Recent events, protests and debate have made me think, learn and grow. I want things to improve, starting with me, then my company, my industry, my country and beyond. Bwlb currently only has one person working for it (me). I’m hoping I will have the chance to grow the business, create jobs, create a team and create a company ethos. I want to make the right choices. Bwlb has signed up to the Equality In Audio Pact.

In the context of my Research & Development project, here are 5 things I’ve learnt this month:

ONE - Candescent Cardiff

Ok, I may have searched “positive words beginning with C”. One definition of candescent is “illuminating or reflecting light”. I moved to Wales 3 years ago now and I can’t say enough good things about this country and its capital city, Cardiff. As a place to work and live, it’s brilliant. The fact that a scheme like Clwstwr even exists, giving freelancers and micro-businesses the chance and resources to innovate, is impressive enough. The extra level of good stuff comes from the people involved. During this whole process I have had the chance to meet, collaborate with and learn from a huge variety of people in Cardiff, Wales and beyond. Without fail they have been positive, forward-thinking, encouraging, knowledgeable and fun. I’ve worked in the media industry for nearly 20 years now, most of that time living in London. I’ve never felt in a better environment to succeed than right here right now, in Cardiff in 2020. The people I have worked with during this project have either illuminated me with knowledge or inspiration, or reflected back encouragement and support. So, there you go, candescent, my new favourite word to describe my much-loved home city of Cardiff.
Photo by Ryan Everett on Unsplash

 TWO - Deadlines need re-branding

​Deadline is such a horrible word. It makes me think of essays being due in, time running out, panic and impending doom should a project not be completed and handed in by a certain time. The ‘line’ part feels immovable and inflexible and ‘dead’ is obviously not very cheerful. We need to come up with something better because a deadline can be a positive as I was reminded of this month.

As part of my project I wanted to deliver some kind of prototype of an accordion podcast (one that could expand and contract to the listener’s available time). Now I am not a coder or a developer, so I was struggling to take the crucial leap from the concept in my head to a bit of tech that did what I wanted. The nominal mid-June deadline for the end of this Clwstwr funded project made me take action. I asked for help from my project mentors and got it. Gavin Johnson from Clwstwr suggested I speak to Matt Brealey, a talented young web developer, and after an illuminating chat, I commissioned him to make one of my pilots. The BBC’s Robin Moore suggested I talk to Ian Forrester in BBC R&D and he kindly put me in touch with a great young coder called Rebecca Saw. After another illuminating chat I commissioned her to make the other one of my pilots (there are two pilots because they each demonstrate a different key part of accordion functionality). Things got going because of the deadline.

​Due to Rebecca and Matt's quick and quality work, I had two working prototypes in place on Friday June 12th. To have gone from not knowing what to do next, to having two working prototypes, in a matter of a few weeks, was exhilarating. I’ve never used that word to describe a deadline before. I decided to make a quick podcast with Matt and Rebecca, to capture the energy of that "It works!" moment with both of them. If you want to find out more about the prototypes and what they are capable of, just get in touch with me by clicking on the 'Contact' link at the top of this page.