Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo: Instagram.com/sussexroyal
Since leaving royal life behind them, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have branched out into many new ventures; from a production deal with Netflix to their work with an ethical investment firm. So it’s no wonder that one of their projects seems to have fallen to the wayside, amid reports that Spotify is forging ahead with the couple’s podcast by recruiting some new hires.
Prince Harry and Meghan’s partnership with Spotify is one of the core components of their three-pronged Archewell organization, which encompasses a charitable foundation, Archewell Productions, and Archewell Audio (which are joint ventures with Netflix and Spotify, respectively).
In December 2020, the couple released their first (and only) podcast episode to date, an Archewell Audio Holiday Special, which featured a starry roster of guests including Sir Elton John, James Corden, Naomi Osaka and George the Poet. And while the podcast’s page remains listed on the Spotify website and app, with its ‘About’ section instructing listeners to “follow for updates”, further episodes have yet to be forthcoming. Now, however, things appear to be in motion once again, with the Times reporting that Spotify has posted job listings for producers to work on the project. The audio streaming behemoth, which reportedly paid the duke and duchess £18 million for the partnership, is advertising for three producers through Gimlet Projects, dubbed ‘a creative production team that develops new shows for Spotify Studios.’
The announcement reads: “We’re currently putting together а show teаm thаt will work with Archewell to creаte аnd lаunch а new originаl show with the voices of high-profile women.” Among the roles is a producer job involving booking guests and helping the host prepare for recording sessions. The advertisement adds that an “ideаl cаndidаte hаs experience working with high-profile tаlent, аnd аn interest in the intersection of sociаl аctivism аnd populаr culture.” Based in Los Angeles but with the option of remote working, the three available positions are full-time for a six-month period.
Back in February last year, Harry and Meghan appeared in a video as part of a livestreamed promotional event for Spotify. They said in the appearance that they’re “using podcasting to drive powerful conversations’ and to ‘inspire, challenge and educate.” The duchess explained that they “created Archewell Audio to… elevate voices that maybe aren’t being heard,” with Harry adding: “And the biggest part of this is trying to create this community where you can share, that will encourage everyone else to share their own vulnerabilities within that safe space.”
