Connecticut East This Week Podcast Wins Multiple Awards

The new Connecticut East This Week podcast has been recognized with two industry awards.

The podcast earned a Communicator Awards distinction from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts and a gold dotCOMM award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

“It’s amazing to be recognized for your work, but even more so when it’s not one but two awards almost back-to-back in the same year,” said podcaster Brian Scott-Smith. 

Scott-Smith started the podcast in 2020 as an alternate news source for Connecticut residents. 

“I just wanted to provide some longer format audio stories about topics and interesting stories about this part of the state where I live myself,” said Scott-Smith.

“Being an active journalist and reporter that covers stories here anyway, it just made sense and I had all the contacts already established from local mayors and police stations to the sub base and more.”

Educate, Inform

Scott-Smith lives in Waterford and works as a freelance journalist for WSHU in Fairfield.

His podcast is broadcast over the six Hall Communication owned radio stations in Eastern Connecticut as well as on his YouTube channel. 

The podcast is funded by sponsors, but has also had support from local organizations and nonprofits, including UConn Health, which did a series during Mental Health Awareness Month.

“It’s amazing to see people and organizations ready to climb on board and be part of the podcast and its ability to reach out to people to not only entertain them, but also to educate and inform as well,” said Scott-Smith.

In the past year, Scott-Smith has highlighted the work of Pfizer’s Groton research hub, which played a central role in COVID-19 vaccine development, and The Arc Eastern Connecticut, which helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities join the workforce.