Friday Five: Ben Cartwright, Executive Producer of Comedy at Audio Always

Answering the #FridayFive today is Ben Cartwright, Executive Producer of Comedy at Audio Always.

Tell us a bit about your job?

My role at Audio Always is now Executive Producer of Comedy, with a particular focus on podcasts. I’ve been involved with Help I Sexted My Boss since it began almost five years ago, and now work on other Original titles like Sofa Cinema Club and Nip Tuck. There’s also time for commissioned series like our recent work for Audible on Jack Whitehall’s Safe Space.

What are the key ingredients for success?

Communication! In some ways it’s never been easier to get in touch with anyone and everyone, but I think it’s also become easier to be bad at communicating. Slack channels, Google Meets, Zoom or Teams calls, and WhatsApp messages pinging all day – there’s lots going on. So focus time in person or on a call is a must for success.

Could you describe a normal day?

I spend a lot of my day supporting the members of my team working across our Audio Always Original podcasts and commissions. That might be one-on-one calls, reviewing the next release of one of our podcasts or getting creative for the next big idea. For Help I Sexted My Boss, a lot of my time has been spent bringing about the announcement of our first ever book, which will be available later this year! Pre-order your copy now!

For those trying to break into the industry, could you explain how you got to where you are today?

To get my ‘in’, I spoke to as many people as I could, tried my best to be nice and show willingness – that got me my break at Audio Always where I’ve worked ever since. To become an Exec Producer, I think I threw myself into everything that was brought to me to do. Hopefully I still do that and hopefully I’m still nice!

What are you reading, watching and listening to right now?

The Last Of Us is a brilliant TV show, but also has a fantastic companion podcast. I love how big American TV is thinking about their companion podcasts. I find hearing the directors, creators and actors take you through why and what is happening on screen fascinating. Chernobyl and For All Mankind are other great examples. I’m reading Noma’s fermentation book – as in line with all East London clichés, I love kombucha.