TV Makers

Ep 31: The Diary of a CEO - Director of Trailers, Anthony Smith — The Playbook That Left TV Behind?

Ashley Golder Season 4 Episode 1

What happens when a podcast refuses to play by podcast rules?

To kick off Series 4 of TV Makers, I sit down with Anthony Smith - Director of Trailers for The Diary Of A CEO - to uncover how a show once told it had “no right” to build a full-scale production has become one of the biggest podcasts in the world.

Anthony takes us inside the trailer strategy that’s helped drive that success - from the must-have ingredients of a killer trailer to the tiny, deliberate beats that make people stop scrolling and lean in. He then shares how data and analytics supercharge that creativity: testing thumbnails, analysing performance, and crafting every moment with purpose.

We talk:

  • Why podcasting has outpaced TV on audience insights and targeting
  • How data and creativity work together to create “must watch” trailers
  • Why trailers are now one of the most powerful storytelling tools in the business
  • And what TV can learn from digital if it wants to catch up.

If you work in TV and want to understand the shift that’s already happened, this one’s for you.


Hit play, and let’s get into it.


Enjoying the new series? Please share, rate, and subscribe. Whether you’re watching on YouTube or listening on your favourite podcast app, drop us a comment, or connect with us on Instagram at @tvmakerspod

Got a question or guest suggestion? Email us at podcast@tvmakers.co.uk



Thank you to our Sponsors:

RIMMS - https://www.rimms.tv

The Kit House - https://www.kithouserental.co.uk

Directed By Good - https://www.directedbygood.com


Recorded and Edited by Ashley Golder - https://ashleygolder.tv/
Instagram @tvmakerspod
Email: Podcast@tvmakers.co.uk

Artwork by Benjamin Leon -
Instagram: @benleondraws
Website: www.benleondraws.com