From All Access

CUMULUS PODCAST NETWORK has pulled its sponsorship support of PODCAST MOVEMENT in response to the conference’s apology for BEN SHAPIRO’s surprise appearance at this year’s event in DALLAS. CUMULUS is the advertising sales representative for THE DAILY WIRE, SHAPIRO’s content platform, and distributes “THE BEN SHAPIRO SHOW” through its WESTWOOD ONE subsidiary.

In a statement released TODAY by CUMULUS, the company said, “At CUMULUS MEDIA, our tenet is that Every Voice Matters and we support conferences and trade events where differing political viewpoints can be expressed and received with respect. As such, we were dismayed and disappointed by PODCAST MOVEMENT’s handling of the reaction to our partner, top podcaster, and conservative talk leader BEN SHAPIRO’s mere presence at PODCAST MOVEMENT. After giving the leaders of PODCAST MOVEMENT sufficient time to appropriately address their misstep, we are disassociating from PODCAST MOVEMENT, including canceling our 2023 sponsorship plans.”

SHAIPRO’s unannounced arrival at THE DAILY WIRE’s booth in the main lobby area of the SHERATON DALLAS convention facility on AUGUST 25th was met with objections by attendees  who objected to SHAPIRO’s views on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights, and Muslims. 

The organizers subsequently tweeted an apology, saying in part, “we owe you an apology…  Yesterday afternoon, BEN SHAPIRO briefly visited the PM22 expo area near THE DAILY WIRE booth. Though he was not registered or expected, we take full responsibility for the harm done by his presence. There’s no way around it: We agreed to sell THE DAILY WIRE a first-time booth based on the company’s large presence in podcasting. The weight of that decision is now painfully clear. SHAPIRO is a co-founder. A drop-in, however unlikely, should have been considered a possibility. Many in our community are appalled not just by this incident, but by our choice to take money from TDW in the first place. As @amahnke (“LORE” creator AARON MAHNKE) said, ‘this was signed off on by a human.’ Yes. During event planning, the dangerous nature of the company’s messaging was overlooked. Those of you who called this ‘unacceptable’ are right. In 9 wonderful years growing and celebrating this medium, PM has made mistakes. The pain caused by this one will always stick with us. We promise that sponsors will be more carefully considered moving forward.”

ALL ACCESS has reached out to PODCAST MOVEMENT for comment.

SOURCE: ALL ACCESS