Student Project Template: Build a Campaign to Promote a New Podcast or Doc Series

Hook: Your project will fail without a clear timeline and press plan. Here is a classroom-ready scaffold that fixes that

Students and teachers, if you struggle to turn creativity into measurable results under tight deadlines, this project template is built for you. Use the real-world launch of The Secret World of Roald Dahl, a 2026 doc podcast from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment, as the case study to learn how to craft a full podcast campaign, from promotion timeline to press outreach and multimedia repurposing.

Why this matters in 2026

Audio-first storytelling and doc podcasts remain a prime opportunity for storytelling, licensing, and student learning projects in 2026. Industry releases in late 2025 and early 2026, including the Roald Dahl doc podcast debut on January 19, 2026, show studios pairing strong archives and narrative hooks with aggressive multimedia campaigns. Meanwhile, AI learning tools like Gemini Guided Learning have matured into practical assistants for marketers and educators, enabling rapid iteration on campaign assets and custom lesson scaffolds. Students who can plan a data-driven podcast campaign are preparing for journalism, PR, and multimedia roles employers want now.

What you will build

This scaffold guides a team-sized student project to design and execute a promotion campaign for a new podcast or doc series. Use Roald Dahl as the model: an established IP, rich archival material, and a narrative hook that appeals to fans, cultural critics, and general audiences.

Learning goals

• Create a professional promotion timeline and marketing plan
• Write press outreach materials and measure earned media
• Design multimedia repurposing strategies for social, email, and classroom use
• Use AI tools such as Gemini for campaign planning, auditing, and content generation

Project overview and scope

Class format: 4 to 8 weeks, flexible. Team size: 4 to 6 students. Deliverables: promotion timeline, press list and outreach emails, social plan and content calendar, trailers and clips, metrics dashboard, final reflection report.

Role breakdown

• Project lead: timeline and stakeholder liaison
• Press lead: media list, pitch writing, embargo coordination
• Creative lead: audio trailer, visuals, short-form video edits
• Distribution lead: social calendar, newsletter strategy, partnerships
• Analytics lead: KPI tracking, dashboard, post-launch analysis

Promotion timeline template: modelled on a real 2026 podcast launch

Use this week-by-week scaffold. Adjust for semester dates. The template assumes a Monday launch day, mirroring how major podcasts schedule drops to maximize week-long coverage.

Week -8 to -6: Research and strategy

• Audit primary assets: episode list, host bios, archival audio, rights and clearances.
• Identify core audiences: fans of the IP, true crime and history listeners, educators and libraries.
• Set KPIs: downloads first week, press mentions, social engagement, newsletter CTRs.
• Use Gemini Guided Learning to build a baseline marketing plan and a competitor analysis. Ask for a one-page SWOT and three prioritized tactics.

Week -5 to -4: Creative production

• Produce a 60-90 second trailer and 15-30 second social clips. Create a 30-second radio spot for local stations if budget allows.
• Design key art and social templates that scale to landscape, vertical, and audio waveform visuals.
• Create episode soundbites and captions. Export SRT and plain transcript for accessibility and SEO.

Week -3 to -2: Press and partner outreach

• Build a prioritized press list: national outlets, trade press, fan blogs, local newspapers, education publications, and library newsletters.
• Prepare multimedia press kit: trailer, one-sheet, host bio, embargo details, and sample clips.
• Start embargoed outreach to top-tier press with at least a two-week lead. Offer exclusives to increase pickup.

Week -1: Amplification setup

• Upload episodes to host and set metadata, show notes, and chapter markers optimized for search using show keywords: podcast campaign, Roald Dahl, doc podcast, multimedia.
• Schedule social posts and newsletter sends for launch week. Prepare follow-up outreach templates for press.
• Set metrics dashboard: tracking downloads, Apple and Spotify placements, social reach, and media mentions.

Launch week (Week 0)

• Publish trailer and first episode. Send newsletter blast to subscribers and partners.
• Run social ads if budget allows, focused on lookalike audiences and interests tied to Roald Dahl and documentary listeners.
• Pitch follow-up stories: interviews, behind-the-scenes features, or educator guides for classroom use.

Post-launch Weeks +1 to +4

• Monitor press hits and social trends. Pivot content based on what resonates: clips, quotes, guest interviews.
• Release episodic deep dives, transcripts, and study guides for educational use. Pitch library and school partners using curriculum angles.
• Collect data for the postmortem: downloads, retention, placement, and press ROI.

Press outreach playbook: practical templates and tactics

Press outreach is the highest leverage activity for earned visibility. Use the Roald Dahl doc as an example: a recognizable subject plus a surprising angle became pressworthy because it suggested new revelations and cultural context. Treat your subject the same way.

Press list building

• Categorize contacts by priority: top-tier national, trade, local, and niche fan communities.
• Include beat reporters who cover culture, books, history, or audio storytelling. Also include education reporters for classroom angles.
• Track contact history and preferred channels in a shared sheet.

Embargo strategy

• Offer a timed embargo to top-tier outlets: usually 48 to 72 hours before release, but extend to two weeks for exclusive features.
• Always include clear embargo instructions in the press kit and confirm acceptance in writing.

Pitch template for outreach

Subject line: Exclusive look at a new doc podcast about a beloved author Hello NAME, I wanted to share an exclusive preview of a new doc podcast that reveals a surprising chapter in the life of a famous author. The series combines archival reporting, new interviews, and original production to explore how one period shaped the work we all know. We have an embargoed trailer and press kit available for early review. Would you like an interview with the host or access to exclusive clips? Best, TEAM NAME

Customize the pitch to each reporter. Reference their past work and why this story fits their audience.

Multimedia promotion strategies: repurposing for maximum reach

In 2026, repurposing content across formats multiplies reach. The Roald Dahl doc campaign exemplified a cross-platform approach: audio trailers, documentary-style video shorts, social-first clips, and educational resources. Students should practice the same mix.

Trailer and clip production tips

• Make a 60 to 90 second trailer that answers the hook, stakes, and what listeners will learn.
• Create 15-30 second vertical clips optimized for Shorts and Reels. Add captions and an attention-grabbing first 3 seconds.
• Export waveform videos with static key art and captions for platforms where native audio is less discoverable.

Transcripts and SEO

• Publish full episode transcripts in show notes to improve search visibility and accessibility.
• Use timestamps and headings in transcripts to enable chapter links and featured snippet opportunities.

Educational repackaging

• Create a classroom guide with discussion questions, primary source timelines, and an assignment prompt.
• Offer a teaching packet to schools and libraries. Frame the podcast as a resource for history, literature, or media studies units.

Using Gemini and other AI tools in the project

AI tools are now standard in campaign planning. Since mid 2025, tools like Gemini Guided Learning have shown they can accelerate skill acquisition and content iteration. Use AI to prototype assets, generate pitch variants, and create teaching aids, then apply human editing for quality and sensitivity.

Practical AI workflows

1. Input: give Gemini a one-paragraph brief about the podcast, target audiences, and timeline.
2. Output: request a 4-week social calendar, three headline options for press, and a one-page classroom worksheet.
3. Refine: edit outputs for voice, accuracy, and attribution. Ask Gemini to generate multiple variations to A B test with small groups.

Reference: Android Authority coverage in June 2025 documented how Gemini improved marketer learning workflows and prototyping speed. Apply the same concept to class projects to encourage iteration without wasting time on first drafts.

Distribution checklist and channels

• Podcast directories: submit RSS and verify Apple, Spotify, Google, and other directories before launch.
• Social: schedule vertical video, waveform clips, host Q A, and countdown posts.
• Email: segmented newsletter sends to fan lists, educators, and press contacts.
• Paid: small social ad tests to measure creative performance and audience fit.
• Partnerships: book publishers, fan communities, libraries, and university departments for co-promotion.

KPIs and measurement: what to track and why

Focus on leading and lagging indicators. Leading metrics tell you whether your campaign tactics are working before downloads show up.

Leading indicators

• Trailer completes and replays
• Press replies and interview requests
• Social saves, shares, and CTRs on link posts
• Email open rates and signups from partner lists

Lagging indicators

• Downloads and stream counts per episode
• Retention rate across episodes
• Media mentions and qualitative coverage tone
• Number of educational institutions using the materials

Case study notes from the Roald Dahl doc release

The 2026 Roald Dahl release from iHeartPodcasts and Imagine Entertainment shows a few repeatable strategies: leverage a cultural hook, secure exclusive interviews, and supply rich press assets. The series used host-led reporting and archival revelations to create newsworthy angles, which students should emulate by finding one strong narrative hook in their project.

Risk management and ethics

Doc podcasts often touch sensitive topics. Educate students about source verification, privacy, and licensing. When working with historical material, confirm rights for archival audio and images. Include an ethics checklist in your lesson plan and require signoff before outreach.

Templates to copy into your project

One page marketing plan

• Objective: Launch and reach X downloads in first week
• Audience: Fans of IP, history listeners, educators
• Key message: Reveal a lesser-known chapter with cultural context
• Tactics: Trailer, press embargo, social clips, educator packet
• KPIs: Trailer plays, press pickup, downloads, retention

Press kit checklist

• Trailer and three clips
• Episode list and show notes
• Host and producer bios
• High-res key art and social images
• Embargo and contact instructions

Assessment rubric for teachers

• Strategy and research: 30 percent. Quality of audience definition, motif, and plan.
• Execution: 30 percent. Production quality of assets and timeliness.
• Press and outreach: 20 percent. Number and quality of placements and replies.
• Reflection and data analysis: 20 percent. Use of metrics and learning takeaways.

Advanced strategies and future-facing tips for 2026

• Use short-form generative audio tools to prototype ad read variations for A B tests.
• Experiment with interactive transcripts and clips that allow users to jump to scenes for social sharing.
• Plan for modular licensing: design classroom packets and public domain-friendly clips for libraries to promote the series.
• Apply Gemini and similar AI tools to generate personalized outreach variants and classroom learning pathways, then validate with human review.

Actionable takeaways

• Start eight weeks before launch and lock major deliverables by week four.
• Build an embargoed press kit and offer exclusives to increase pickup.
• Repurpose audio into vertical video with captions and transcripts for SEO and accessibility.
• Use AI for drafts and iteration, but always include editorial and ethical review.
• Measure leading indicators to pivot quickly during launch week.

Next steps for teachers and students

Copy the timeline and role matrix into your learning management system. Assign roles, set checkpoints, and schedule a mid-project review. Use Gemini Guided Learning to accelerate skill building and to generate first-draft assets, then finalize them with instructor feedback. Reference industry launches from late 2025 and January 2026 as examples of how narrative hook plus multimedia planning creates press momentum.

Call to action

Ready to run this project in your class or study group? Start by downloading the one-page marketing plan and press kit checklist, assign roles, and schedule your first strategy meeting. Try using Gemini to produce a two-week social calendar and bring your first trailer script to the next class. Share your launch plan with us and we will review it and send improvement notes you can use before you go live.

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