ANN Celebrates Our 500th Aero-Cast Today!

We still can't believe it, but the numbers don't lie. While perusing through our vast server network at ANN's World Headquarters (and Tanning Salon) in Florida, Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell discovered last week that we were fast approaching our 500th daily Aero-Cast... a pinnacle we reached today, with our ANN Special Feature with X Prize founder Dr. Peter Diamandis (below).

Whew...

That number includes our earliest forays into the realm of podcasting at Oshkosh in 2005 -- when much of our time was spent learning to work the extremely finicky early recorders, with at-best limited success.

It also includes our tentative first steps into feature audio reporting... and on through to today's far more polished daily Aero-Cast segments, consisting of a Touch-And-Go, a more in-depth Daily News Briefing and our ANN Special Features -- five days per week (and even more during special event coverage). Best of all, this effort represents thousands of stories, hundreds of interviews, and the insights we've gained from working with amazing folks who are truly the heart and soul of the aviation and aerospace world.

ANN Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, commented on this milestone, "Frankly... this is just the leading edge of a whole new family of news products and features that we're in the process of bringing to the aviation community. ANN has made an extraordinary investment in promising new technologies and methodologies, and using them to keep the aviation world up-to-date on all manner of topics making sure that we remain a pivotal source of news and information to the aviation world. While we're pleased at the success we've had, we're not remotely satisfied with what we've done -- because we're looking to do so much more... aviation is at a critical crossroads right now and ANN is working hard to be a positive part of the solutions we'll need to meet the difficult challenges that await us all."

Truth be told... if we'd known then what we know now, we might have started out a bit more slowly... but what can we say? We hit the ground running, and you -- our listeners -- responded. And we're grateful.

Of course, the ANN staff is also VERY grateful for the team that makes all this happen. Pete Combs brings 30 years of experience in print, radio, and television journalism to the microphone each and every evening. Many of our listeners (it's still VERY cool to be able to say that... our listeners) have commented on the professionalism Pete exudes behind the mike... no doubt helped, in part, by the dulcet baritone of a voice that was made for radio (which is fortunate... as, alas, his face was also made for radio.)

We've also recently added the expertise of Toni Wolfe, who works behind-the scenes to help produce the aero-casts, as well as providing vocal talent on those days Pete is unavailable. And she also classes up the joint, to boot (OK... so its not THAT hard... but every effort helps).

ANN Associate Editor Rob Finfrock often lends a hand with writing the daily briefing scripts, as well as lending a hand on the production side and lining up interviews for our daily ANN Special Features. Rob says he's fascinated by this aero-casting gig... which means we will soon be asking him to help out A LOT more.

Yes, we have quite a team... and we're looking for more members. ANN is currently taking resumes for future positions with our Aero-Casting News Team. If you think you have the credentials to be a part of this effort, we'd love to hear from you. We're looking for knowledgeable aviators with strong news and audio/podcasting skills. Please send your resume to the boss if you would like to be considered... 

FMI: www.aero-news.net/podcasts