Employees of Los Angeles-based podcast studio Parcast voted to join the Writers Guild of America, East on Sept. 2, making Parcast the third Spotify-owned podcast team to unionize.
Parcast was founded in 2016 in Woodland Hills by Max Cutler, owner of Cutler Media, and is now based in downtown Los Angeles. Spotify bought the company for around $103 million in March 2019, according to funding tracker PitchBook Data Inc. Spotify now owns three subsidiary studios represented by WGA East, including Gimlet Media and Bill Simmons’ The Ringer.
In one tweet wednesday morning the Parcast Union said: “Delighted to stand alongside our sister networks @RingerUnion (and) @GimletUnion. Thank you for leading the way in the digital media podcasting space.
Writers Guild of America, East executive director Lowell Peterson said in a statement that the organization is “thrilled” to have Parcast join the guild.
“Podcasting has grown tremendously and the people who work in this medium deserve workplace protections and a voice at work. By joining the WGAE and bargaining collectively, these talented individuals will join a growing community of creative professionals dedicated to podcasting. improving their rights at work and in their work.
Parcast staff listed several reasons for unionizing in a letter posted on Parcast Union’s newly created Twitter account – among them renegotiation of contracts with Spotify and “reasonable” workloads and overtime.
Parcast’s lineup of original shows is generally in the true crime genre – it has several hosted by Ashley Flowers, including “Supernatural” and the recent “Very Presidential With Ashley Flowers”, which examines little-known facts about historic presidencies. . .
Proud to announce the formation of our union with the @WGAEast. We love doing podcasts and are confident that our union will help ensure a sustainable and fair future in our rapidly changing industry. pic.twitter.com/sQ0X4XH3Ju
10 stars who just need an Emmy for EGOT, from Elton John to Stephen Sondheim (Photos)
The EGOT – an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – is one of entertainment’s greatest and most elusive honors. These stars are (or were) on the verge of achieving it.
Elton John, composer and musician (1947-) Grammies: Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group, “That’s What Friends Are For” (1986); Best Instrumental Composition, “Basque” (1991); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” (1994); Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, “Candle in the Wind” (1997); Best Show Album, “Aida” (2000) Oscar: Best Original Son, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from “The Lion King” (1994) Tony: Best Score, “Aida” (2000)
Stephen Sondheim, composer and lyricist (1930-) Grammies: Best Show Album, “Company” (1970); Best Show Album, “A Little Night Music” (1973); Song of the Year, “Send in the Clowns” (1975); Best Show Album, “Sweeney Todd” (1979); Best Show Album, “Sunday in the Park With George” (1984); Best Cast Album, “Into the Woods” (1988); Best Show Album, “Passion” (1994); Oscar: Best Original Song, “Sooner or Later (I Always Get My Man)” from “Dick Tracy” (1990) Tony: Best Musical, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” (1963); Best Score and Best Lyrics, “Company” (1971); Best Score, “Follies” (1972); Best Score, “A Little Night Music” (1973); Best Score, “Sweeney Todd” (1979); Best Score, “Into the Woods” (1988); Best Score, “Passion” (1994)
Joel Grey, actor (1932 – )
Grammies (2): Best Musical Theater Album, “Cabaret” (1968) and “Chicago” (1998)
Oscar: Supporting Actor, “Cabaret” (1972)
Tony: Featured Actor in a Musical, “Cabaret” (1967)
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Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, composers (both 1985 – ) Grammies: Best Musical Theater Album, “Dear Evan Hansen” (2018) Oscar: Best Original Song, “La La Land” (2017) Tony: Best Original Score, “Dear Evan Hansen” (2017)
Henry Fonda, actor (1905-82) Grammies: Best Spoken Word Album, “Great Documents” (1977) Oscar: Best Actor, “On Golden Pond” (1981) Tony: Best Actor, “Mister Roberts” (1948); Best Actor, “Clarence Darrow” (1975)
Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist and producer (1895-1960) Grammies: Best Original Cast Album, “The Sound of Music” (1960) Oscar: Best Original Song, “The Last Time I Saw Paris” from “Lady Be Good” (1941); “It Might as Well Be Spring” from “State Fair” (1945) Tony: Three awards for “South Pacific” (1950); Best Musical, “The King and I” (1952); Best Musical, “The Sound of Music” (1960)
Alan Jay Lernerlyricist and writer (1918-86) Grammies: Best Original Cast Album, “On a Clear Day” (1965) Oscar: Best Original Screenplay, “An American in Paris” (1951); Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Song, “Gigi” (1958) Tony: Best Musical, “My Fair Lady” (1957); Best Original Score, “Gigi” (1974)
Frank Loesser, composer (1910-69) Grammies: Best Cast Album, “How to Succeed…” (1961) Oscar: Best Song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” from “Neptune’s Daughter” (1949) Tony: Best Musical, “Guys and Dolls” (1951); Best Musical, “How to Succeed…” (1962)
Jule Styne, composer and songwriter (1905-94) Grammies: Best Cast Album, “Funny Girl” (1964) Oscar: Best Song, “Three Coins in the Fountain” (1954) Tony: Best Musical and Best Score, “Hallelujah Baby” (1968)
A select group of performers can complete their trophies with a competitive Television Academy win
The EGOT – an acronym for Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony – is one of entertainment’s greatest and most elusive honors. These stars are (or were) on the verge of achieving it.
