KX FM Radio founder launches short-form podcast venture

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Tyler Russell McCusker, founder and CEO of Snippet. Photo by Candice Dartez.Photo by Candice Dartez.

The founder of Laguna Beach’s KX FM 104.7 recently launched Snippet, a new podcast platform focused on producing shows consisting of episodes that are 20 minutes or less.

Snippet CEO Tyler Russell McCusker collaborated with Steph Weaver-Weinberg, a Laguna Beach resident and former music director at the Laguna Beach radio station, and Jeff Roach, a Laguna local and president at the Irvine-based marketing agency SCS.

Amid the proliferation of podcasts in recent years, McCusker said there was an opportunity for shorter-form shows. Snippet presents new weekly music, lifestyle, and scripted shows, with an added focus on hosts representing diverse backgrounds.

“Listeners tend to consume podcasts while they are doing something else, like driving, cleaning or working, and it’s unreasonable to think that they’ll have the time and the willingness to commit to a lengthy show,” McCusker said in a press release. “Snippet is the solution to this, and we are excited to share our quality podcasts with our audience.”

In 2020, 37% of Americans ages 12 and older listen to at least one podcast each month, up from 32% in 2019, Forbes reports.

Snippet is looking for previously unheard hosts with unique stories who captivate audiences in short episodes. The monetization model is 50% to the host and 50% to Snippet along with additional revenue opportunities in paid sponsorships, testimonials, and brand integrations.

Among the original podcasts already hosted on Snippet are Rockabilly Confidential from Stray Cats drummer Slim Jim Phantom, scripted mystery/drama The Conundrum of Cora Bay, Closet Space hosted by Vick Ravindran features coming-out stories from LGBTQIA+ individuals, and In the Cockpit with Ariel Tweto features the Discovery Channel personality and Alaskan aviator virtually travels with a weekly special guest to a global destination on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020.

McCusker also hosts Boy Meets 90s, a deep dive into the culture and music of the 1990s.

“In radio, sometimes you only have twelve seconds to talk over the intro of a song and yet say something meaningful that keeps a listener’s attention,” he said in a press release. “I wanted to bring that same attitude and style to podcast form, where often hosts get carried away with idle chatter, long-windedness, and meandering interview skills.”

In April, KX FM 104.7 announced McCusker would step away from the station’s daily operations after a nine-year run to launch his podcast venture. Former KX FM music director Alyssa Hayek assumed the general manager role after McCusker, who continues to serve on the nonprofit’s Board of Directors.

Snippet’s shows are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, SoundCloud and other popular podcast platforms. To learn more visit snippet.fm.

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