An Idea

The call went out on Geek News Central in early 2005. Todd Cochrane -- host of Geek News Central, author of Podcasting: The Do it Yourself Guide, and founder of both Podcast Connect Inc. and the Tech Podcasts network -- was looking for an elite team to create a podcast news network. Cochrane recognized the need for a nationwide, independent information forum populated by a community of content producers covering all major news categories. The call attracted Brian Yuhnke, an expert in multimedia production, instructional technology, and co-founder of Spaceblue. Successful public administrator and attorney Barry R. Kantz was quick to sign on, bringing to the team experience in business operations, facilities management, telecommunications, security, policy and contract drafting. With the addition of Spaceblue co-founder Angelo Mandato, a web developer and programmer, the groundwork was in place for PodcasterNews.com.

By September 2005, RawVoice was incorporated and on Nov. 9 of that year Podcaster News was launched to the public at the inaugural Portable Media and Podcast Expo (now New Media Expo).

The Team

With the inclusion of Jeff Hinz in 2007, the team assembled by Cochrane boasts some of the top podcasting and technology experts across the country:

  • Creative Director Brian Yunhke is an instructional technology and web media coordinator in Denver. At RawVoice you can find him designing, developing and improving concepts. Brian has been co-hosting the Interstate1002 podcast since early 2005 and recently began the Higher Ed Technology podcast, TechHEds.

  • Chief Information Officer Angelo Mandato brings exceptional knowledge of network software and web development to RawVoice. On top of hosting the Compiled Weekly Podcast, Angelo is also responsible for organizing Podcamp Ohio. He spends his free time with his wife, family, friends and of course his computers.

  • Secretary and General Counsel Barry Kantz, a true geek attorney, combines his love of travel with his love of blogging and podcasting by producing the Home Based Travel Agent podcast, web site and blog.

  • Director of Content Jeff Hinz is a media professional with 20 years of experience. This experience has fueled his interest in new media, technology and social communities on the web. As a music enthusiast, Hinz has produced the Friday Night Dance Party podcast since March of 2006. As an active member of the community, Hinz can be found working with podcasters to help them meet their podcasting goals.


Blubrry

The launch of Blubrry in July of 2006 triggered an evolution in collective podcasting. Blubrry, a social podcasting community, connects podcast producers, advertisers and those looking for great independently produced content. Blubrry enables podcast producers to gain increased exposure for their podcast via a vibrant community. The revolutionary site provides social networking features that ease the process of podcast promotion, custom distribution tools such as the embeddable blubrry player that supports both audio and video content, reliable media statistics, and revenue generating opportunities via advertising deals.

Other RawVoice Highlights:

  • The acquisition of TechPodcasts.com on March 29, 2007. The site is adapted to the RawVoice Generator (the code behind PCN and Blubrry).

  • The beta release of RawVoice Statistics on Aug. 8, 2007, offers reliable statistics for downloadable and streaming media.

  • The RawVoice team joins the Association for Downloadable Media Sept. 12, 2007, to best represent its community of more than 1,800 podcasters. Mandato is elected chair of the Association for Downloadable Media Measurement Committee.

  • June 2007 CIO Angelo Mandato Joins the company Full time

  • Sept 2007 CEO Todd Cochrane joins the company full time

  • December 2007 PodcasterNews.com was revamped gaining shows on the network better exposure to it's already large audience

  • Jan 2008 RawVoice has introduced a new Podcast Publishing system enabling media creators to blog and publish audio or video within an evolutionary streamlined interface.

  • Jan 2008 RawVoice reports a profitable year for the company remaining in the black since day 1

  • August of 2008 RawVoice introduces PowerPress a Podcast Plugin for WordPress that integrates with the Podcast Hosting and Statistic Services we offer.

  • RawVoice in Oct 2008 developed the Podcast Advertising Campaign Management System that intergrates with our Podcast Statistic, Producer Survey and Listener Survey giving us a complete picture of a shows growth and reach allowing us to quickly build advertising campaigns

  • Throught 2008 RawVoice sponsored a variety of PodCamps giving back to the community. While at the same time promoting our full line of products and services.

  • Jan 2009 RawVoice reports its 4th profitable year in business.

'09 and Beyond


  • Feb 2009 RawVoice makes basic Podcast Statistics Available to all users without need for a producer survey to be filled out.

  • Feb 2009 RawVoice parteners with the ProMedNetwork our first vertical partnership. The ProMed Network Launched with a number of world class medical shows and gained immediate sponsorship.