Media Entrepreneurs: Martin Andanar’s plans to turn a teenage dream into a podcasting empire in Southeast Asia

I first heard about Martin Andanar’s Podcast.ph when he reached out for an interview with Splice a couple of weeks back. I’m a fan of podcasts myself and I didn’t expect to find a sophisticated set up in Southeast Asia - and in Manila. I was intrigued.

Martin Marfori Andanar has over 20 years of experience in TV and radio. He is currently a TV and radio news anchor, host and news executive of TV5 Philippines. As a senior manager of News, Martin heads News5 Everywhere, the online news video and audio platform of the network. Martin graduated with Bachelor of Arts in Social and Political Studies & Film and Media Studies at the Federation University in Australia. Martin became a Senior Executive Fellow at the Kennedy School of Government in Harvard University in 2010. During his free time he crosstrains, swims, writes for his own online publication, Audio.Ph, hosts Martin’s Mancave Podcast on Podcast.Ph and dry ages his own steak and cooks! Martin lives with his wife, Alelee, and 2 kids, Alexa and Vince in Manila. Martin can be reached at mandanar_1@hotmail.com.

When did you start Podcast.ph?

Martin: I started Podcast.Ph with my show Martin’s Mancave on August 2, 2014 and it wasn’t until October 2014 that I added more content on Podcast.Ph. 

What made you decide to do it?

Three things.

First, I was always fascinated by long form radio documentaries and interviews when I was studying in Australia. I think immortalizing people in audio format is still one of best ways. There’s always enough time for important details to be explained with space left for the listener’s imagination to work.

Immortalizing people in audio format is still one of best ways. There’s always enough time for important details to be explained with space left for the listener’s imagination to work.

Second, my fascination was coupled with my frustration that radio documentary format is not a common practice or widely accepted in Manila.

Third, being a radio buff and audiophile since 13, I’ve always dreamed of owning my own radio station before I reach 40. All of these plus the fact that I was turning 40 last year led to podcast.ph. 

What is its mission?

The first mission of podcast.ph is to help “independent” content creators or those who want to become one produce professional sounding podcasts. The second mission is to produce alternative audio content. 

Where do you want to see this go, say a year from now?

I would like to see podcast.ph contributing to the overall improvement of audio production, in both podcast and broadcast, in the Philippines and the ASEAN Region (of Southeast Asia). I also want podcast.ph in the forefront of “indy” news and general information podcasting in the Philippines and in the ASEAN.

You will notice an ASEAN Podcast Network page on the website that’s dedicated to podcasts about the ASEAN Region. It is one of our advocacies that’s gaining quite a lot of interest from our audience. So we decided that by month’s end we will give it its own independent platform, http://aseanpodcast.net.

Anyway, last May 2 we celebrated our 9th month with 1 million plays on SoundCloud and a growing audience in other platforms (iTunes, Stitcher, Clammer, etc.). I believe this is an indication that we are on the right track. 

How did you go about piecing all the hardware and software together to do this?

I started buying serious podcast equipment since 2013. As a radio buff, my extensive research and readings about different consoles, automation and recording softwares and microphones helped heaps.

But the best teacher of all is practical application and, let me add, that yes I’ve bought equipment, subscribed to online platforms that shouldn’t have been purchased or subscribed to. So if you ask me now, I can tell you what and what not to buy straight forward.

 What lessons would you have for anyone looking to get into podcasting?

Ask yourself more than 10 times in a year if you really want to podcast and what it is you want to podcast. Once you’ve decided that you really want to podcast, do your equipment research and listen and learn from existing podcasters and podcasts.

Podcasting is not as complicated as it seems. But if you want to cut the learning curve and produce quality podcasts, you can email me and I’ll be more than willing to help you set up, produce and distribute. The works, from A to Z!