We’re excited to welcome Spencer Brown, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gemini XIII, to our Judging Academy! Brown carries extensive experience in the audio industry, successfully transforming Dial Global into the nation’s largest independent creator and distributor of radio content in his 9-year tenure as CEO. Prior to merging with Westwood One, Brown made Dial Global the radio home for leading brands The Grammys, The Masters and The Olympics. At Gemini XIII, he’s steered notable podcast projects Bad Influencer, The Morning Show Podcast, You Are What You Read and Speaking of Psychology among many others.
With the Final Entry Deadline for the 28th Annual Webby Awards approaching Friday, December 15, we spoke with him to learn what he’s expecting to see in this year’s competition. Read on to discover what he has on his rubric for audio creatives and teams.
For those who don’t know, tell us a little about your background.
I am the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gemini XIII, a provider of premium audio content, production and marketing services. Prior to forming Gemini, I founded Cadence13 an early entrant in the podcast space and a leading creator, distributor and marketer of podcasts and digital audio products.
Before founding Cadence13, I was the Chief Executive Officer of Dial Global (currently operating as Westwood One). There, I developed and executed the corporate strategy that resulted in Dial Global becoming the nation’s largest independent creator and distributor of national broadcast radio programming through its merger with Westwood One.
I hold a BA from the University of Michigan, a JD from Boston University School of Law and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. I reside in Westport, CT with my wife and two children.
What particular expertise are you bringing to the Academy?
Having been in the audio segment of media for the past 20+ years, I have seen a lot. My experience in building three separate podcast and network radio companies has taught me many things. I’ll summarize with one of my favorite sayings: “Overpromise and then work your ass off and deliver.”
What are you most looking forward to about the 28th Annual Webby Awards? What are some new or fresh ways you’re excited to see entrants harness the Internet and technology?
With the rise of AI this year, as well as the other digital tools we have at our fingertips, I’m really excited to see how people find ways to be creative and stand apart from the crowd. It’s very easy to leverage these tools to foster creativity, and I am eager to see how entrants are able to use this technology, coupled with their innate creative abilities, to make cutting-edge digital experiences.
What’s on your rubric for this year’s competition? What are you looking for among entries?
Production quality, execution, listener engagement and overall experience. There is so much content out there and many ways to consume it, digital media pieces stand out by providing the viewer/user/listener with an exceptional experience, from branding to content and quality.
This Friday, December 15th is the Final Entry Deadline for the 28th Annual Webby Awards!
When you enter, your work gains exposure from the top creatives leading innovation on the Internet. Work entered into the Webby Awards is reviewed by the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS), our presenting judging body.
Esteemed jurors include: Joanna Popper, Chief Metaverse Officer, Creative Artists Agency; Law Roach, Image Architect; Marian Croak, VP of Engineering, Responsible AI & Human Centered Technology, Google; Natalie Guzman, Co-President & CMO, Savage X Fenty; Noam Bardin, Founder, Post.News; Sarah Harden, CEO, Hello Sunshine, and Shigetaka Kurita, Artist and father of Emojis.
Don’t miss your chance to put your work in front of the most brilliant minds in the industry! Enter the 28th Annual Webby Awards before the Final Entry Deadline this Friday, December 15th.
