Podcast production | Croncast - Life is Show Prep

Kris, what the hell do you do?

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:24:25 -0500

Many of you guys have asked this question over the last few years and I finally found the perfect answer today when I was looking for a phone number.

This is what the hell I do, besides the show. I forgot that I had put this together a few months ago.

I do those things for my employers and I do them for fun. My current role encompasses everything that I have skills in . . . and then some. So that is what I do.

Tags: Nokia N95 Croncast Betsy Smith RSS expert podcast production

Back for Friday

Wed, 20 Feb 2008 20:46:59 -0600

Hey guys, sorry to leave you hanging this week - new job, new schedule.

We've gotten used to recording shows on MWF during the day but that isn't turning out to be good option now that I am working for BlogTalkRadio.

We need to get back into recording shows on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday nights.

That said, we're looking forward to Friday's show as we've now got about 7 days worth of show prep.

Tags: Croncast Palegroove Studios podcast production Kris Smith Betsy Smith

Kris Smith - New Media Expert For Hire

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:16:39 -0600

Time to plug myself like I have no shame!

Thus, in the true spirit of being shameless, I will create this unabashed self-promoting bit of text to tell you about the Kris Smith that many of you don't know.

Planet earth had just escaped the Y2k bug so we bought our first computer since they didn't destroy the world they must be okay. So in early 2000 I taught myself how to use Wavelab to edit audio and later that same year I took my first programming class to learn HTML. The rest is history, as they say in the biz.

In the last seven years, I've accomplished more things in digital media and web development than I could have ever anticipated:

1. Developed and coded the first version of Castlock a New Media and metrics platform
2. Founded the world's first company dedicated to podcast production
3. Worked with and produced for Fortune 500 companies
4. Spoken at conferences and universities across the United States about RSS, New Media and podcasting
5. Developed moderated media RSS feeds (mmRSS) for episodic and archived content delivery via RSS
6. Gained a network of professional colleagues across the globe
7. Interviewed celebrities and professional athletes
8. Became certified in DVD authoring software used for major motion pictures

If you have the hankering to check out my full repertoire and could use a self-starter with innovative skills, you can visit my Linkedin page, download my resume or search "Kris Smith" in your favorite search engine.

Tags: RSS guru Podcasting professional PHP Castlock New Media expert RSS expert

Stepping out of Room 214 into the hallway

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:49:34 -0500

In January of this year I took the position, VP, New Media with Room 214, an internet and search engine marketing company. I brought with me Castlock, the podcasting and rss metrics platform that I developed in early 2006.

This was an exciting opportunity. I had built a solid relationship with the founders of the company over the previous year working closely with them to produce podcasting and new media campaigns for the Alltel Racing podcast (NASCAR driver Ryan Newman), four podcasts for NFL Pro Bowl players during 2006 season and many other client podcasts; all the while holding a position as Associate Director, e-Learning for another company. Many of you might remember us talking about this last January.

The last ten months working for Room 214 have been great, but the time has come for all of us to move on.

What will I do now?

I'm not sure. But I do have quite a few options . . . probably more than I realize. There are a couple that leading the pack right now.

My first option is to make sure my resume is up to the task of assisting me gain new full-time employment. It is pretty amazing how over the last three years podcasting and rss have transitioned to "new media" and are being welcomed into the corporate structure. All that bickering about every company being a media company seems to be coming true!

My second option is to put more energy into my podcast production company, Palegroove Studios, and get back in the saddle for podcast production, consulting and licensing of Castlock. When I started with Room 214 I put it on the back burner since I was doing the same work as my "day job".

My third option, and least viable as a solution, is to go all out Croncast. I would love nothing more than to be doing the show full time and bring video into the mix but this doesn't seem to be the right time.

That's it, that is what's been up around here.

Like any time of transition this is an interesting and exciting time. I am already wondering which path I will end up going down and where the choice(s) that I make will lead my family next.

If you've got any thoughts send them to me from the contact page, email kris[at]croncast.com or send them the old fashioned way and give me a call on my GrandCentral line (thanks Rick!) at 630.445.1719.

Update: I should have added this the first time around (it was in the show notes from Monday!)

Feel freed to check out my Linkedin Profile

Tags: Kris Smith Room 214 VP, New Media Palegroove Castlock

Kris Smith - New Media, RSS and Podcast Expert

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:43:14 -0500

Kristopher Smith
http://linkedin.com/in/ksmith
Naperville, IL 60565 (630) 445-1719 ● kris[at]palegroove.com

Career Objective

A leadership position with a company interested in benefiting from the opportunities presented by leading edge new media technologies where a commitment to innovative ideas and entrepreneurial spirit is recognized and rewarded.

Qualifications Summary:

Accomplished entrepreneur and strategist with a demonstrated history of success integrating new media technologies into existing platforms and campaigns for Fortune 500 companies.
Combined expertise in RSS and podcast development with an extended network of relationships with independent, corporate and mainstream media.
Developed and licensed Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform that enables users to manage large libraries of content and maintain statistics privately.

Professional Experience

Room 214, Boulder, Colorado ● 1/2007-11/2007

Vice President, New Media

Leadership force for product development within an organization that integrates new media, public relations efforts, web marketing methodologies and technologies under cohesive systems that drive measurable calls to action via the Internet. Company services were solicited from some of the most recognized PR firms and creative agencies to positively impact corporate sales, brand awareness and communications.

Major Contributions:

Developed moderated media RSS feeds (mmRSS) for episodic and archived content delivery via RSS

Orchestrated product development and integration of emerging technologies such as Twitter and other social media APIs into Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform

Created and delivered new products from the Castlock code base, RSSignite and Episodr

Spearheaded integration of new media including podcasting and RSS into new client product offerings and marketing campaigns

Invigorated existing client marketing campaigns with new media elements

Directed digital media production from concept to final deliverable

Initiated research and development for RSS strategies and effective RSS search engine optimization

Served as company spokesperson at industry and new media events around the country

Career Note: As a representative of Room 214 and respected authority in the new media field I delivered the following presentations:

Podcast & New Media Expo (Sept. 2007) Ontario, CA.Compression Killed the Video Star

PodCamp NYC (Apr. 2007) New York, New York. Panel Podcast Open Metrics Initiative.

eLearning 2007 (Mar. 2007) Chicago, IL. Using RSS Feeds, Podcasts to Deliver Distance Education

Podcast Academy 5 (Feb. 2007) Duke University. Understanding Authenticated & Personalized RSS Feeds

Joint Commission Resources/Joint Commission, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois ● 5/2005-12/2006

Associate Director, eLearning

Promoted to direct eLearning digital product development for Joint Commission Resources. Led innovations in delivery of information required to comply with the accreditation standards of the Joint Commission on Accredited Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). JCAHO accreditation and certification is the standard of excellence in health care organizations.

Major Contributions:

Identified opportunities for new revenue streams utilizing innovative content delivery systems

Evangelized blogging and podcast initiatives to integrate new media technologies within the enterprise

Directed a division to develop digital products and manage legacy products focusing on increasing sales

Engineered courseware implementation, software, coding and course development for field cadre and central office employees

Disseminated educational training information to 400 global field staff via a custom RSS application

Palegroove Studios, Naperville, Illinois ● 2/2005-Present

Founder/CEO

Pioneered the start-up and development of the world's first podcast production company. Advised Fortune 500 clients on utilizing this medium to extend their brands. Developed podcasts from conception to deliverables which includes consulting with client on: show content, format, script writing, transcripts and creation of royalty free musical intros,outros and sweepers. Developed and licensed Castlock, a robust new media management and RSS metrics platform. Produced over 700 podcasts since 2005.

Podcasts Produced:

MasterCard, The Home Depot, Abbot Laboratories (2007)

Nascar Alltel Racing Podcast (2006 & 2007) produced podcasts in conjunction with XM Satellite Radio

NFL Alltel My Circle Podcast (2006 season) produced with nationally recognized radio talent from official team media outlets

Nascar Coors Light Racing Podcast for Coors Light (2006)

Fab 5 Summer '05 Podcasts produced for MTV Networks Affiliate Marketing (2005)

Developed and independently produced Croncast (2004-Present) delivered 3 times a week since November of 2004 and recognized by a number of media outlets including: The New York Times, Detroit Free Press, FOX News, and NBC (Chicago)

Career Note: As a successful entrepreneur and recognized expert in the podcast industry I delivered the following presentations:

PodCamp West (Nov. 2006) San Francisco, CA. Keynote panel The Future of New Media

Portable Media Expo (Sep. 2006) Ontario, CA. Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Podcasting Consultant

Podcast Academy 4 (Sep. 2006) Ontario, CA. Web Design for Corporate Podcasting

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois ● 5/2000-5/2005

Distance Learning Technical Support Specialist

Trained and supported university and college faculty throughout Illinois on the integration of technology into the classroom as part of ILLCO, a state funded initiative

Designed and developed all graphics, wrote code, recorded, edited and encoded all audio for a Flash virtual tour of the college campus for use online, CD-ROM and hybrid DVD

Recognized as innovator within organization promoted four times in five years

Languages

PHP, MySQL, RSS, XML, HTML

Audio/Video

Sound Forge, Acid Pro, WaveLab, Vegas, Waves, Fruity Loops

Blogware/Podcasting

Castlock and WordPress

Design/Interactive

Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator

Courseware

WebCT, aTutor, Scenario Studio, and HorizonLive

Education

BFA Visual Communication with an emphasis in Digital Design 2005

American InterContinental University, Hoffman Estates, Illinois

Associates of Arts Degree December 2000

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, Illinois

August 1993 December 1994

Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois

Tags: RSS guru Podcasting professional PHP Castlock New Media expert RSS expert

My session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 is on GigaVox

Mon, 28 May 2007 12:16:08 -0500
My session from the Portable Media Expo 2006 (renamed for 2007 to New Media Expo), "Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant" is up now over at GigVox.

So if you want to hear about the fun stuff I was doing in 2006 and the state of podcast consulting and production head on over.

This is what Mark had to say about my session:
"Kris with Palegroove Studios gave the most honest, non sales pitch presentation on podcast consulting. He shared real world numbers, which is rare in this day and age. More power to you."
Mark is a good guy and I didn't even have to pay him or beg for the review last year. Maybe this year ;-).

Tags: New Media Expo Portble Media Expo 2007 Kris Smith Podcast Consulting Podcast production GigaVox

WE HIT 300 - Way to go Mel!

Fri, 27 Oct 2006 11:08:23 -0500
Ok, this took me longer than 10 minutes to write but I got a whole lot of good news.

Congratulations to new listener winner Adam Martin and Handle owner Melanie Sullivan! You have both won the first of the two sets of 30 GB video iPods. The video iPods are presented by Palegroove Studios (my podcast production company).

Don't forget that we are still giving away 2 MORE 30 GB VIDEO iPods when the contest ends on November 9th at 11:59 p.m.. The winners will be announced on our Friday November 10th show. Keep those new listeners coming.

Also, Tom from Webfeed Central had a great idea to shoot for 400 by the 300th on November 10th. Will will give away iPod Shuffles for the 400th new listener and the handle owner! Sweet.

Tags: 300 by 300th iPod Contest Croncast Kris Smith Betsy Smith

Portable Media Expo audio released

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:14:46 -0500
Wanted to let those of you who were interested in my session from the Portable Media Expo a couple weeks ago that the audio from the Expo is now available. The audio is bundled so you can't get individual sessions (like mine) without picking up the entire set for $99.00 for now. GigaVox will be releasing some of them later . . . if my session makes the cut I'll let you know and point you to the podcast.

My recommendation is that if you are interested in podcasting this is a steal. And look at it this way, you didn't have to see the painted gals and you can hear all the good information that was shared.

Some of the other highlights include (from the GigaVox site):

Keynote - Leo Laporte, Host of TWiT and Tech Guy on KFI 640

Keynote - Ron Moore, Executive Producer Battlestar Galactica

Kris Smith - Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Podcasting Consultant

Dave Slusher - "Amateur Means You Do It For Love"

Panel - For Musicians Only: Promoting Your Music with Podcasting

Paul Figgiani - Planning and Building a Podcast Production Studio/li>
Michael Geoghegan - Solving The Corporate Dilemma

Paul Colligan - 7 Proven Strategies to Monetize Your Podcast

Panel - Monetize with Ads and Sponsorship

Jason Van Orden - Promoting Your Podcast: Cost-Effective Strategies

Panel - Podcast Metrics: Gauging Success With Different Audience Segments

Keynote - Andrew Baron, Rocketboom

Peter Levitan - Podcasting: Marketing's New Change-Agent

Panel - Successful Podcasting in Education at the University Level

Tags: Portable Media Expo PME Kris Smith Palegroove Studios GigaVox

Betsy and her husband Kris May 24, 2006

Wed, 24 May 2006 06:40:47 -0500

Croncast - 2006-05-24.mp3

Show: #230
Length: 36:30
Size: 25.0mb
Format: mp3

Betsy and her husband Kris May 24, 2006
Short notes today.

Betsy's intro throws of passion
I was a happy camper
Is that a vintage hippie flap
Elliot finds Goodwill to be just like home
Developing relationships
Kris should quit whining about vasectomy
Why don't I just buy a car? Why don't you?
How about this one (see the eBay auction)
Betsy shall call it Slowsky . . . yes, like the commercial

Kris's smelly car
Betsy reads Bill Leffler's smelly car story, not much can top it

Kris will be speaking at the Portable Media Expo in September!
My session is: Leveraging Your Knowledge as a Successful Podcasting Consultant If you want to a meet and greet there let us know - it's in Ontario, CA east of LA

Tags: slowsky conversion van podcast production throw's of passion goodwill