Acast, the creator-first podcast company, has signed Fearne Cotton’s podcast, Happy Place, to the Acast Creator Network.
Acast will host, distribute and monetise the celebrated broadcaster and best-selling author’s chart-topping podcast, which heads into its 11th series today.
Acast’s partnership with Happy Place aims to amplify the reach of the podcast globally and diversify the podcast’s revenue through premium ad products available through the Acast Marketplace, such as Sponsored Stories and branded content.
The exclusive partnership deal with Acast was delivered by YMU, an integrated representation and management company.
Happy Place will also unlock fan-supported revenue with Acast’s podcast subscriptions service Acast+, creating deeper listener engagement and building on the devoted community Fearne has built.
Cotton’s Happy Place has had 40 million total listens to date.
In the podcast, Cotton sits down with incredible guests to converse about life, love, loss, and everything in-between, delving into what happiness means to them. Sam Smith, Hilary Clinton, Alicia Keys and Tom Daley are just a few of the individuals who have so far appeared on the show.
Cotton, the host of Happy Place, said: “Our commitment to growing the Happy Place podcast and reaching more people has never been more important, as so many people face loneliness and mental health problems.
“And we chose Acast for this exact reason, we want to reach as many people as we can, all around the world.
“Acast’s position at the heart of the open podcasting ecosystem, and its global footprint, will help us continue to grow the Happy Place brand worldwide, giving us the potential to engage with millions of brand new listeners.”
Guy Scott-Wilson, Acast’s content director, Australia and New Zealand, said: “While Happy Place is the UK’s most-listened-to wellness podcast, it is also a much loved and listened to podcast here in Australia.
“Audience numbers are strong and there is, huge growth potential for Happy Place within the Australian and New Zealand markets.
“Working with Fearne and the team at YMU, we have plans in place to supercharge the show’s growth locally and monetise the brand on Fearne’s terms.”
Holly Bott, managing director of YMU Entertainment, said: “Working with Acast signals the next evolution of the Happy Place podcast.
“Our mission, from day one, has been to connect with as wide an audience as possible and include them in enlightening, challenging and hopefully positive conversations.
“Acast’s ability to authentically connect with a global audience will only help us to achieve that goal quicker and more effectively, and so we look forward to welcoming new listeners.”
