All round

Harry, Meghan Markle Hire award-winning podcast producer as Head of Audio

Via

411 HQ

Updated on June 16, 2023

See more articles on:Meghan Markle, Oprah Winfrey

get top stories via email

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hired Rebecca Sananes as their new head of audio, indicating that they intend to take their podcasting seriously once their maternity leave expires. Archewell Audio, their podcast division, struck a partnership with streaming behemoth Spotify last year to create unique content.

Sananes was most recently the main producer for New York Magazine’s “Pivot” tech, media, and business podcast, presented by Recode founders Kara Swisher and NYU professor Scott Galloway.

Archewell is set to broadcast its first complete podcast series this year, although no particular programs or projects have been announced as of yet. According to a statement on Archewell’s website, the Sussexes went on parental leave from Archewell in June, after the birth of their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana, but the organization will continue to publish stories on its site in their absence.

The podcast initiative has gotten off to a slow start, with Meghan, 39, and Harry, 36, producing just one program so far, in December.

Sananes reports to Archewell’s head of content Ben Browning, a former producer whose credits include “Promising Young Woman,” “The Big Sick,” “Arrival,” and “Room.” In August, she will join the Archewell team to manage the company’s podcast collaboration with Spotify.

Sananes has almost a decade of podcasting and journalistic experience. She worked as a reporter for Vermont Public Radio and as a producer for Boston’s WBUR public radio station before joining Vox Media in 2018. She graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in English and cinema studies and a master’s degree in broadcast journalism.

Other significant agreements with the Sussexes include a multiyear overall contract with Netflix, with the first production being a docuseries about contestants in The Invictus Games. The project, titled Heart of Invictus, will star and be executive produced by Prince Harry.

Archie appeared on their debut podcast in December, a Christmas special starring James Corden, Elton John, and Stacey Abrams, but the toddler is unlikely to be a frequent guest on his parents’ program.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s vehicle was seen driving to the airport the day after he and his brother William dedicated a monument of the late Princess Diana.

He looked relaxed in the company of Prince William, only months after telling Oprah Winfrey that their relationship is of “space” at teh moment.

The Duke of Sussex arrived at Terminal 5 in a VW MiniBus with two security officers in the front seats.