Martyn Blunt's Podcasts

The event industry – Accessibility – insight from Phab The charity, Phab, inspires and supports disabled and non-disabled children, young people and adults to make more of life together.  @Martyn recently caught up with Mik Scarlet – Co-CEO of the charity – to get his thoughts on best practice, whether the event industry does enough to support accessibility, and the importance of changing how we think and achieving a consistent approach.  Need practical support to help create accessible events?  Phab offer access audits, consultancy and training. www.phab.org.uk 

Bringing us full circle, episode 4 of our sustainability podcast series is all about how Event Cycle are identifying recycling, repurposing and redistribution routes for leftover event materials with charities, community groups and social enterprises.Working with agencies, suppliers, and clients and engaging at any stage of the event process with a view to repurposing everything from stationery to scaffolding, their experience is diverse to say the least. Hear more about how their practical solutions and how you can get involved! Listen to earlier podcasts within the series here. Visit www.eventcycle.org if you’re a charity or community group wishing to sign-up with Event Cycle or email: eventcycleuk@gmail.com to discuss placing items or to explore how Event Cycle can support you with social integration into your policies

We head to the home of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix for episode 3 of our sustainability podcast series.   As Silverstone's Head of Business Sustainability & Partnerships, Stephane Bazire talks to us about the home of British motorsport’s Shift to Zero strategy as they work to embed sustainability into every aspect of the supply chain and the business’ diversification beyond motorsport. We cover the importance of executive team buy-in and some examples of quick wins that have helped to ensure stakeholder commitment. Have a listen! For episode 1 of our short series of podcasts on sustainability in the events industry we talked about the importance of measurement with isla (catch-up here), and for episode 2 we caught up with Creative Technology on how it’s the people rather than the tech who make the difference (catch-up here).

For episode 1 of our short series of podcasts on sustainability in the events industry we talked about the importance of measurement with isla (catch-up here).  For episode 2, we caught up with Marc Butterworth who is Director of Operations at Creative Technology here in the UK. From the strategic to the practical, we explore how, as industry pioneers, it’s actually the people rather than the tech who make the difference. By investing in people coming into the industry, CT are able to not only stay dynamic, but are also seeing a cultural shift with younger people keen to make a difference. We also discuss the simple, practical measures they take in their day-to-day operations too – good for the planet but also good for the business.Organisations referenced in the podcast include:https://crisppacketproject.comhttps://www.upcycledmedical.comhttps://www.eventcycle.org

We check in again with isla - The organisation that works with event agencies and brands, organisers and suppliers providing practical guidance and support on environmental issues.This time Martyn talks with Ellie Ashton-Melia,  Community Lead  at isla who explains the progress made since the last podcast two years ago and looks to the future.  Ellie explains why measurement is a crucial tool as we create more sustainable events and brings us up to date with the latest solutions  that isla have to support the industry.This is the first in a short series of podcasts featuring  sustainability in the event industry.  Further episodes with an event suppliers, venues and others follow later in September 2023.

 I started my broadcast career at Radio Mercury in the south of England in the mid 80's.   My former colleagues at Radio Mercury, others working in Radio in the 80’s and 90’s and any listeners from that era and those interested in Independent Local Radio of the 80's  may like to listen here to a recording of an April Fool that was broadcast with the help of Richard Branson on Mercury - 1st April 1987.  I re-post it 35 years on as a nostalgic look back to a very happy time with many friends.

Martyn meets Will Kinder, former BBC Radio One Breakfast Producer and TV director.  As virtual and hybrid events continue to have an important role to play since the redefinition of our industry in the last two years, we explore how to bring a broadcast edge to virtual events with Will as he talks to Martyn Blunt about dealing with competition for attention and the importance of deciding early on whether the ambition is to televise a live event or produce a broadcast with the virtual audience as the primary focus. Tune in to the latest podcast for some great insight from a voice of experience..

Martyn asks: "In a virtual or hybrid world does a presenter have to adapt or learn new skills? "  The guests invited to discuss this are : Chris Elmitt – Managing director of https://crystalinteractive.net/ whose new platform JAM is proving very successful.  Dave Austin - A former BBC presenter, now a freelance presenter, actor, voice artist and  presentation  coach The discussion looks at the changes both the presenter and the event planner have to make as we continue to embrace the virtual and hybrid event world.

Martyn talks to Anna Abdelnoor Co-Founder of https://weareisla.co.uk, a new organisation launched in September 2020 that works with event agencies and brands, organisers and suppliers providing practical guidance and support on environmental issues. We also hear from Becca Whittles, project co-ordinator at Goose Live Events, Becca  used the ISLA protocols to measure carbon emissions at a recent event and gives some direct hands on feedback.

We are deeply saddened by the news that the legendary Murray Walker OBE died yesterday. He was a huge fan of The Classic event at Silverstone which Goose organise each year and was always so generous with his time. He joined us for many events over the years.  In this podcast hear comment from Goose CEO Nick Wigley and a conversation I was honoured to record with Murray for the Classic.

Martyn continues to consider the implications of Brexit  by talking  with Michelle Tudor - Senior Associate at Moore Barlow Solicitors who specialises in employment and business immigration matters. Topics include EU citizens working in the UK and UK citizens working in the EU, both freelance and fulltime.  Martyn also asks the question: "When traveling to the EU what is considered business  and when does  business become work ?"

Philippa Donn - Partner, DPN AssociatesA series of short podcasts looking at the implications of Brexit in the Event Industry, hosted by  Martyn Blunt In this series we will be meeting experts in Haulage, Tax, HR and  more .  More episodes will be released in the near future. In this episode we talk with Philippa Donn - Partner, DPN Associates on the subject of GDPR

Stuart McPherson – Managing Director @ KB Event – who provide trucking to the music and event industry A series of short podcasts looking at the implications of Brexit in the Event Industry, hosted by  Martyn Blunt.In this series we will be meeting experts in Haulage, Tax, HR and GDPR and more .  More episodes will be released in the near future.In this episode we talk with Stuart McPherson - Managing Director @ KB Event – who provide trucking to the music and event industry 

Tracy Jacobs of Essential Entertainment was there at the birth of corporate entertainment. @Martyn and Tracy go way back and the latest in his podcast series looks at Tracy’s insight on the importance of research and asking questions so that the right tone is achieved with an event’s personality, vibrancy and engagement. Booking entertainment direct online without doing the due diligence is a recipe for disaster. Agents like Tracy are worth their weight in gold. Hear more about why!www.essential-entertainment.com