Yeardley Smith’s Paperclip Ltd. Launches Podcast Network Audio 99
Yeardley Smith, known for her voice work on The Simpsons and her crime-centric audio shows, is launching a new podcast network through her company Paperclip Ltd.
The network, entitled Audio 99, will operate as a subsidiary of Paperclip Ltd., which Smith founded in 2014 with Ben Cornwell. Smith is known for voicing Lisa Simpson on Fox’s long-running animated series The Simpsons, in addition to being a regular presence on her true-crime podcasts Small Town Dicks and The Briefing Room.
Audio 99 is focused on developing and releasing a slate of new shows, with the first one, historical true-crime series Beyond Recognition: The Ruxton Murders, premiering July 19. Based on author Tom Wood’s 2019 forensic-science bestseller Ruxton: The First Modern Murder, the show explores the real-life disappearance of a young mother and her maid in 1935 and the trailblazing forensic techniques that were used at the time.
Also in production for Audio 99 is new talk series Can’t Yeardley Wait! The show will feature Smith sitting down in her living room for forthright and funny conversations with subjects including prominent actors, writers and athletes.
Additionally, there is good news for fans of Paperclip Ltd.’s existing true-crime podcasts. Small Town Dicks, which has now surpassed 50 million downloads, has been renewed for seasons 15 and 16, while The Briefing Room is returning for a third season. Both shows feature Smith and will be released under the Audio 99 banner.
“Audio 99 is about true stories told by the people who lived them,” said Smith in a statement. “With Audio 99, our mission is to continue to bring our listeners the kind of podcasts they want to stay in the car and keep listening to, well after they’ve arrived at their destination because they’re totally hooked.”
Cornwell added that the Audio 99 team is currently open for pitches that are rooted in the brand’s core pillars. “Building on the success of shows like Small Town Dicks and The Briefing Room, Audio 99 projects will continue to be driven by storytellers,” Cornwell said. “We’re drawn to the first-hand accounts of people who have had a wide variety of life experiences.”
Working alongside Smith and Cornwell in overseeing Audio 99 are head of podcasts Gary Scott and head of audience Monika Scott, who both worked previously at Santa Monica-based National Public Radio flagship KCRW. Additionally, podcast consultancy Chapter is helping with strategic guidance.
Audio 99 and Paperclip Ltd. are represented by Verve and Metro Public Relations.
