Ollie Thomson is a Social Media Producer at Audio Always, the MediaCity-based audio company which works with leading broadcasters and delivers campaigns for a range of agencies and brands.
Thomson is part of a growing team of audio professionals, and works on bringing audio projects to life visually. He joined Audio Always in April 2021 having previously been a Senior Video Producer at Social Chain.
Audio Always has recently launched a new visual podcast studio, and produces shows including Help I Sexted My Boss hosted by Jordan North and William Hanson, and How Do You Cope with Elis James and John Robins. Radio shows they produce include Amy Lamé on 6 Music and Dr Rangan Chatterjee on Radio 2.
We found out how a recent week in Ollie’s life looked.
Monday
One of the best things about working at Audio Always as a social media producer is getting to work on a number of different audio projects every single week, and this week is definitely no exception!
My week starts by preparing our brand new visual studio – a traditional studio space which, for the last few months, we’ve been transforming into our own dedicated visual podcast studio. It’s now fitted out with top mics, lighting and cameras that automatically switch depending on who’s speaking.
One of our first clients to use this space is The TT Podcast, which we’re producing on behalf of the Isle of Man Government celebrating the famous motorcycle races that take place on the island. While the hosts of the podcast, Steve Plater and Chris Pritchard get comfortable, I check the cameras and lighting are ready for the first press of the big red record button.
With my fellow colleagues Cal Monaghan project managing and Matt Tasker on the desk, I film some extra cutaway shots and capture some behind the scenes photos before we start recording the episode. The rest of the day includes meeting a true TT (and reality TV!) legend and, as ever with a big day of filming, safely backing up all recorded footage.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, I’m back at MediaCity to help set up for two more episode recordings of The TT Podcast. With one main guest being recorded in the morning and a double act in the afternoon, it’s important to change the setup of the room each session.
With the TT recordings underway, and Matt keeping an eye on everything in the studio, I start work on another project – this time an animation.
Tasked with creating a short video celebrating BBC radio, I edit together some images, graphics and text – all in time to an audio mix representing all of the great radio shows produced outside London.
Later, I attend a virtual weekly meeting with our social team to discuss our Audio Always Original podcasts and what new exciting content we could be producing across their social media accounts. This week, we’re finalising the designs for our brand new Sexted My Boss newsletter – which launched on the 15th February – as well as discussing new creative ideas for our podcast Doctor Next Door.
Wednesday
A little different to the TT interviews but just as interesting, today is dedicated to recording content for Magic Radio’s Menopause Month – a series of radio features with women having discussions about menopause with presenters Michelle Ackerely and Dr Zoe Williams.
We’re back in the new visual studio again and I’m on hand to capture visual content alongside the audio recording. Working alongside the project team of Ailsa Rochester, Becky Green and Becky Bond, we split the day into three main sessions, each with a different group and a powerful theme.
It’s a privilege to listen to such open conversations and I look forward to creating some short social-first teaser videos to promote the series which will be airing throughout March.
Dr Zoe has even brought her very cute new baby up from London – his first work outing – so Becky Green also has the big responsibility of looking after him during recording, while his mum speaks eloquently about the responsibility of a doctor diagnosing menopause. He sleeps like a dream in the room next door!
