Boston tech just added a new media outlet to its portfolio. And this time, it’s in the form of a podcast.
Dave Gerhardt, Head of Accounts at Downtown Crossing marketing company Privy, kicked off the first episode in his podcast series last Friday. The outlet will provide techies in Boston a weekly dish of news straight from local innovators, which, at the very least, will give them something to do while stuck on the MBTA, jokes Gerdhardt.
In all seriousness, though, the new program, which will be available on iTunes and via RSS feed, will serve to spotlight Boston leaders, from investors to entrepreneurs to media kin.
But we’d expect nothing less from the Privy crew. This is yet another local initiative launched by the MassChallenge and 500 Startups alumnus.
Ben Jabbawy, the startup’s co-founder and chief executive (and the podcast’s first interview, as it so happens), began TechTuesdays at Kingston Station, a monthly meetup designed to bring together the members of the tech community living and working in Downtown Boston, last fall.
We had the chance to catch up with Gerhardt and hear his plans for the new podcast. Take a look at his answers and catch the podcast below!
How did you get the idea for the podcast?
I was inspired by Jason Calacanis' "This Week in Startups" and Kevin Rose's "Foundation." They interview a lot of really interesting founders, entrepreneurs, startup people, etc. but focus more on Silicon Valley and the really big names. Companies like Uber, Nest and people like Paul Graham from Y Combinator and Mark Cuban.
I thought it would be really interesting to put a Boston twist on this, and do a podcast that was hyper-local and focus on the Boston technology & startup community.
I bounced the ideas of a few people, and they all had the same reaction: "Why hasn't someone done this already?"
Have you ever done something like this before? College radio show, etc.
Nope, this is the first time.
So are you nervous at all about hosting?
No! Not nervous about hosting – this will be fun. Just need to get over the awkwardness of hearing your own voice played back!
What do you hope to do with the new show?
Mainly give people a vehicle to make the MBTA less miserable... Kidding ... kind of.
I'm hoping that people will learn more about some of the people and companies doing interesting things in the Boston tech and startup community, and get people excited about the amazing work that is being done right here in our backyard.
A podcast allows for a much more conversational approach, so really just want to make people feel like they hanging out having a beer with the guest.
So you already interviewed your boss, Ben. Anyone else we can look forward to hearing?
Yes. Over the next few weeks you'll hear from Meghan Anderson, Director, Product Marketing at HubSpot, Josh Mendelsohn, VP of Marketing at DreamFund and Dennis Keohane, Boston Globe.
Still confirming dates for a lot of people, but have a good lineup, including a few well-know founders and VCs heading into the summer.
What gets you the most excited about producing the podcast?
Getting to hang out and have a beer with someone who knows a lot more than I do and getting the chance to show off the awesome new Privy office to everyone.
