Audio production company Listen Entertainment has today emerged from the Wisebuddah operation.
The senior management team are departing Wisebuddah to launch Listen. It will be led by Adam Uytman as director of content and Josh Adley as director of commercial and client relations. Uytman and Adley will be joined by executive director Tim Hammond.
Wisebuddah founder, Mark Goodier, becomes chair of the Listen board.
"As the major shareholder, I'm very excited about Listen,” he said. “We have decided to create Listen so that we can use it as a vehicle to focus our assets and energies on what the team is already famous for - world-class audio content. It is exactly the right time to do this."
As well as producing across the full range of audio media and genres - from podcasting and on-demand, to live and recorded radio - Listen will also offer a consultancy service, working with clients on their audio strategy.
As part of the move, Listen is acquiring the content production business of Wisebuddah, including the company’s roster of work. The current production, business development, marketing, operations and production finance teams will also be moving over to Listen.
Wisebuddah’s content team are behind BBC Radio 1’s Indie Show with Jack Saunders, as well as Radio 2 shows The Michael Ball Show, Claudia on Sunday, The Radio 2 Rock Show with Johnnie Walker, Sounds Of The 80s with Gary Davies and Johnnie Walker's Sounds of The Seventies. They also work on BBC 6 Music’s Huey Morgan Show, Panjabi Hit Squad for BBC Asian Network and Highly Rated for Scala Radio, as well as a range of podcasts.
New technologies, including connected cars and smart speakers, have made it much easier for consumers to listen to audio content
Adam Uytman
Uytman said: “The world of audio is on fire right now and, in particular, podcasting is booming. New technologies, including connected cars and smart speakers, have made it much easier for consumers to listen to audio content which, in turn, creates more opportunities for creators. The UK currently lags behind the US in innovation and investment in this space. However, the next three years will see the UK catching up rapidly. Listen will lead the next wave of audio content creation in the UK for consumption by global audiences and the company will help clients navigate the future of this exciting medium.”
Uytman is a former head of content at Wisebuddah. He was previously acting head of production for BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and Asian Network. His roles also included editior, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra, and editor, BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music. He was previously programme director at Xfm and Kerrang! Radio.
Adley said: “Whilst continuing to build on our key relationships with broadcasters, our main focus for growth will be in our podcasting division. The highest possible quality of audio production is a given, but it takes more than that to make a podcast successful. We can guide clients through the whole process - from idea conception to content creation, distribution, monetisation and promotion. We can also advise companies on their wider audio strategy, so that they can maximise commercial opportunities in the burgeoning audio market.”
Hammond added: “Audio’s boom time is happening right now. Big players across the world are moving into audio in a way that was never anticipated five years ago. The growth of the audience, of brands’ involvement, and the transition of audio content into other forms such as live, books and TV, has all helped solidify audio’s reputation as a fantastic platform for IP creation and exploitation. With over 25 years’ knowledge of the sector, we are streets ahead of many other companies in the marketplace in terms of understanding what the growth of audio means. The audio world is accelerating fast and Listen will guide and inspire clients to make the most of the opportunities it offers.”
All other Wisebuddah businesses emain unaffected by the launch of Listen.
PHOTO: (L-R) Josh, Adam and Tim
FOLLOW 
