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FarPoint Media, LLC is a podcast production and distribution network headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Founded by Michael R. Mennenga in 2006, it quickly became a leading producer and distributor of broadcast, podcast, downloadable media and quality entertainment.

FarPoint Media (FPM) is a family of podcasts, whose independent programmers retain creative freedom and content rights. Shows cover diverse interests and topics that bring together the old staples of radio and television into the new technologies of downloadable media. With diverse content to fit any listener’s taste and interests, FarPoint Media showcases quality audio dramas, specialized sports news and information shows, comedy and variety shows, and shows with experienced advice that can help sharpen listener skills. FarPoint Media shows have been broadcast on terrestrial radio, such as KVON-FM in Napa Valley, CA, as well as XM Satellite Radio on the Sonic Theater Channel and continues to be broadcast through Sirius XM Book Radio.

FPM Beginnings

FarPoint Media’s roots branch back to February of 2002, when Michael R. Mennenga was producing audio content for distribution on the internet through Book Crazy Radio as well as through terrestrial radio stations. The show soon added co-host Evo Terra. Recording at Mennenga’s Draco Vista Studios, “The Dragon Page” was their first show which brought the best in sci-fi and fantasy with two weekly talk shows and in-depth coverage of the best in modern literature and media. The content of the show was unique, and it soon proved difficult to establish a niche within terrestrial radio. Radio was then dropped in favor of a more optimal way to reach the target audience—podcasting.

This change in medium proved to have drastic consequences. Through podcasting, thousands of listeners could reach the broadcasted shows. Rather than the occasional calls and emails from the radio shows, shows received many calls, e-mails, and web comments of listeners. Listeners were more engaged and more personally invested in what they were listening to, and as such, were much more vocal about their thoughts, opinions, criticisms, and suggestions.

FarPoint Media grew quickly in many aspects. As the number of downloads increased, so did the number of fans. New podcasts were added to the lineup. Most were related to the speculative fiction genre in some form. “Slice of SciFi” covered news, media and on air interviews with such celebrities as Samuel L. Jackson, Brad Dourif, Michael Hogan, Katee Sackhoff, and many more; while “Wingin’ It!” provided more humorous content. “The Dragon Page” continued to handle books and authors, featuring guests like Arthur C. Clarke, Ray Bradbury, Kevin J. Anderson, Terry Brooks, Charles de Lint, Octavia Butler and many more.

FPM Today

In recent years, FarPoint Media has continued to grow and expand. In 2007, FarPoint Media teamed up with Podango, an online video and audio network in order to host the influx of podcasts. FarPoint Media also continued to foster growth in their original podcasts; “The Dragon Page” is now one of the oldest running programs online, surpassing 350 episodes in 2009 and "Slice of SciFi" and "Babylon Podcast" make their presence known in Second Life where the shows are streamed live weekly . FarPoint Media has broken away from being genre-specific and now produces and manages a wide variety of programming designed to meet almost anyone’s audio entertainment needs. Networked podcasts range in topic from books & writing, the environment, politics, fandom, spirituality, music, sports & recreation, technology, to television & film.

In November 2009, the FarPoint Media Network expanded their online presence with a new website . and logo design . With the new organization of grouping similar podcasts into programming channels, the podcasts withing the FarPoint Media Network share audience with one another. Often podcasts will swap promotional clips for sister podcasts, in the same spirit of other podcasting networks.

The network also interacts with authors like Science Fiction and Horror writer Scott Sigler, who released his book Ancestor to subscribers of several podcasts belonging to the FarPoint Media Network.

In past years, FarPoint Media has reached out to the community at many conventions and expos including the Online Media, Marketing, and Advertising Conference and Expo in Hollywood, CA in 2007 and many times at the New Media Expo in Las Vegas, NV where content creators, advertisers, members, and fans renewed relations and announced upcoming shows.

FPM Original Podcasts

The Dragon Page Cover to Cover
Slice of SciFi
Teacher’s Lounge
The Babylon Podcast
Wingin' It! 3D
Freshly Green

Parsec Awards

To encourage speculative fiction podcasting, as well as recognize those individuals who have made outstanding achievements in the field, Dragon*Con and FarPoint Media teamed up with fellow authors and podcasters Mur Lafferty and Tracy Hickman (under the FarPoint Media Flag) to create the Parsec Awards. These awards celebrate speculative fiction podcasting and are dedicated to rewarding excellence under several different categories:

• Best Speculative Fiction Story (Short Form)
• Best Speculative Fiction Story (Novella Form)
• Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Short Form including Independents)
• Best Speculative Fiction Audio Drama (Long Form including Independents)
• Best Speculative Fiction Video Podcast
• Best Speculative Fiction Magazine or Anthology Podcast
• Best Speculative Fiction Comedy/Parody Podcast
• Best Speculative Fiction Fan Podcast
• Best Speculative Fiction News Podcast
• Best Writing-related Podcast
• Best “Infotainment” Cast
• Best Gaming Podcast

The inaugural Parsec Awards were handed out at Dragon*Con 2006 which ran from September 1-4, 2006 in Atlanta, GA. The awards were well received and have continued each year during Dragon*Con. Podcast shows are nominated online by fans, and finalists are chosen by a yearly steering committee. Those finalists are then voted on by an independent panel of judges from outside of podcasting. In 2007, the Joe Murphy Memorial Award was added to the Parsec Awards. This honor is awarded to podcasters who excel in social awareness and extend their own responsibilities above and beyond the demands of the podcasts they produce.

People

Michael R. Mennenga
Michael Mennenga founded FarPoint Media and currently serves as its President, COO, and primary audio engineer. In addition, Michael is a co-host of the “Slice of SciFi” and “The Dragon Page Cover to Cover” podcasts. Read more.

Summer Brooks
Summer Brooks is a Vice President, Executive Producer, and Webmistress for FarPoint Media. She also co-hosts “Slice of SciFi,” “The Babylon Podcast,” and “The Dragon Page,” as well as the lead host for “The Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas.”

Jeffrey Willerth
Jeffrey Willerth is a Vice President of FarPoint Media and the Producer/co-host of “The Babylon Podcast.” He also sits as the Managing Director of FarPoint Media’s West Coast office and is the Production Coordinator for Video and Visual Media Projects.

Brian Brown
Brian Brown is FarPoint Media’s Director of Programming. He currently co-hosts “The Dragon Page,” “Slice of SciFi,” and “The Kick-Ass Mystic Ninjas” podcasts.

Bob Pankratz
Bob Pankratz is FarPoint Media’s Vice President Chief Technology Officer.

Michael Hickerson
Michael Hickerson is FarPoint Media’s News Director.

Kyle Restoule
Kyle Restoule is FarPoint Media’s Director of Business Development.

See Also

• Farpoint Media Homepage
• Podcast Alley Directory for Podcasts
• Parsec Awards
• Everybody's Talking About Podcasting
• Expert Podcasting Practices for Dummies Tee Morris, et al, December 2007 ISBN: 978-0-470-14926-3