30 for 30 Podcasts to Launch with MINI USA as Presenting Sponsor

When the first episode in ESPN Films' and ESPN Audio's much-anticipated new series 30 FOR 30 Podcasts debuts on Tuesday, June 27, MINI USA will serve as the presenting sponsor. Blue Moon, Citi, Delta Air Lines, Blue Apron and ZipRecruiter have also signed on to be a part of the series. ESPN, through its CreativeWorks division, worked with each of the sponsors to create customized spots that are unique to the brands and contextually relevant, which will be weaved throughout the series. Host and senior producer Jody Avirgan voices each of the integrations.

"The marquee brands that signed on for this project are a testament to the 30 FOR 30 brand and the growing importance of podcasts as part of a media mix," said Eric Johnson, Executive Vice President Global Ad Revenue and Sales Operations. "Podcasts lend themselves to a distinctive kind of advertising integration, and we'll be taking advantage of that for each of our sponsors."

Added Patrick McKenna, Department Head, Brand Communications, MINI USA, "The new MINI Countryman is an adventurer, a vehicle that helps everyday people get out and experience new things, make memories and add stories to their life. The integration of the MINI Countryman into the 30 FOR 30 Podcasts series complements the power of storytelling for both the MINI and ESPN brands."

Said Libby Geist, Vice President and Executive Producer, ESPN Films and Original Content, "We know our fans crave more stories and storytelling from 30 FOR 30 and moving to podcasts is a natural extension of the brand. The early response has been tremendous and we look forward to finding more stories to tell in this way."

The podcast feed launched on June 6 and fans can subscribe wherever podcasts are available as well as listen to an audio trailer for the series. In its first week in the Apple Podcast store, 30 FOR 30 climbed to the number one spot.

30 for 30 Podcasts will tell original, high-quality sports stories in the likeness of the acclaimed 30 FOR 30 documentaries, but made exclusively for audio. Each episode will explore and report on a new sports story that will be a combination of original interviews and archival sound. The first season will include a total of five installments, with one debuting every Tuesday from June 27 through July 25. Complete episode summaries can be found here.

Rollout schedule:

Tues., June 27 - 30 FOR 30 Podcasts "The Trials of Dan and Dave"
Tues., July 4 - 30 FOR 30 Podcasts "Yankees Suck"
Tues., July 11 - 30 FOR 30 Podcasts "On the Ice"
Tues., July 18 - 30 FOR 30 Podcasts "A Queen of Sorts"
Tues., July 25 - 30 FOR 30 Podcasts "The Fighter Inside"

The group previously announced that the signature 30 FOR 30 theme music is being re-worked for 30 FOR 30 Podcasts by Hrishikesh Hirway, musician, composer and host of the Song Exploder podcast. More information on the series can be found at 30for30podcasts.com.