ACCENT Partners with Say It Now to Empower Smart Speaker Creativity | Interactive Audio Innovation 2025
In a major leap for the global audio and podcasting industry, ACCENT, a leading name in radio and podcast production, has announced a groundbreaking partnership with Say It Now, a voice technology pioneer specializing in smart speaker innovation.
This collaboration marks a turning point in how creators — from emerging podcasters to established broadcasters — can merge storytelling with interactive voice experiences, reshaping the way audiences engage with content across smart devices.
A Partnership That Aims to Revolutionize Audio Creation
Merging Storytelling with Smart Technology
The collaboration between ACCENT Academy and Say It Now represents a bold vision: to empower creators to harness the rapidly expanding potential of smart speakers and AI-driven interaction.
Through this partnership, participants in the ACCENT Academy’s year-long programme will gain exclusive access to voice technology tools, enabling them to make their shows not only heard but experienced.
“Conversation technology is now as common in households as a kettle,” — James Brownlow, Founder of ACCENT
Brownlow emphasized that smart speakers have become integral to modern life, transforming from simple voice assistants into essential platforms for entertainment, news, and creativity.
By joining forces with Say It Now, ACCENT is taking a forward-thinking step — giving creators a world-class platform and the technical capability to produce interactive audio formats that captivate audiences in new and meaningful ways.
About ACCENT and Its Groundbreaking Academy
A Free, Year-Long Training for Audio Talent
Launched in September 2025, the ACCENT Academy has already positioned itself as a transformative initiative for creators in the podcast and radio space.
It offers twelve months of comprehensive training covering:
Smarter audio formats designed for multi-platform listening
Advanced storytelling techniques tailored for voice-first platforms
Creative development sessions to enhance originality and structure
Business and rights ownership training so creators maintain full control of their IP
In an industry where creators often struggle to balance creativity with ownership, ACCENT’s approach is refreshingly equitable. Participants not only receive mentorship from industry veterans but also retain complete rights to their intellectual property — a rare model in media training.
Say It Now: The Voice Tech Innovator Behind the Partnership
Bringing AI and Smart Speaker Engagement to the Mainstream
Founded by Charlie Cadbury, Say It Now has built a reputation as one of the UK’s most innovative companies in interactive audio advertising and smart speaker integration.
Its technology enables brands and creators to design two-way voice experiences, allowing audiences to respond to podcasts, ads, or shows using simple voice commands such as “Alexa, tell me more” or “Google, play the next episode.”
“The next generation of audio storytelling will be interactive,” — Charlie Cadbury, CEO of Say It Now
Cadbury envisions a future where AI and smart speakers are not just passive listening devices but interactive gateways to immersive experiences.
He adds,
“Just as web and mobile brought print to life, AI and smart speakers are transforming audio. We’re thrilled to partner with ACCENT and can’t wait to see how the academy blossoms.”
The Future of Audio Storytelling: From Passive Listening to Active Participation
Smart Speakers: The New Frontier
Smart speakers such as Amazon Echo, Google Nest, and Apple HomePod have become as ubiquitous as smartphones, reshaping how people consume audio content. According to market research, more than 55% of UK households now own at least one smart speaker, and the number continues to grow globally.
This presents a unique opportunity for podcasters, broadcasters, and brands to build interactive storytelling ecosystems, where users can:
Ask questions in real-time during a show
Vote or respond to prompts using voice commands
Receive personalized recommendations
Interact directly with creators through smart speaker apps
ACCENT and Say It Now’s partnership aims to democratize access to this technology, giving independent creators the same level of innovation previously reserved for major networks.
How the Collaboration Works
Empowering Creators Through Technology and Mentorship
Participants in the ACCENT Academy programme will receive:
Exclusive access to Say It Now’s voice technology tools
Workshops on smart speaker design and development
Guidance on building interactive show formats
Support in integrating AI-driven audience feedback
Networking opportunities with industry leaders and innovators
This hands-on, year-long journey is designed not only to train creators but to launch commercially viable, future-ready audio brands.
Why This Partnership Matters
A Shift Toward Human-Centered Audio
In an age dominated by visual media, the resurgence of audio storytelling is undeniable. Yet, what makes this partnership remarkable is its focus on listener interactivity.
By blending storytelling with real-time response, ACCENT and Say It Now are ushering in a new era of “Conversational Audio.”
This shift represents a broader trend across industries — where AI, voice assistants, and human creativity converge to produce authentic, personalized listener experiences.
ACCENT’s Vision for 2026 and Beyond
ACCENT has already hinted that future cohorts of its academy will expand globally, incorporating creators from North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Planned future modules include:
Voice commerce integration for podcasts
Immersive audio production techniques
AI-assisted editing and scriptwriting tools
Partnerships with global streaming platforms
By building a global network of voice-first creators, ACCENT hopes to redefine the creative economy for audio professionals everywhere.
Applications Open: How to Join the Next ACCENT Academy Cohort
Aspiring podcasters, audio journalists, and storytellers can now apply for the next ACCENT Academy intake.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:
A strong creative concept for an audio show or podcast
Interest in voice interaction and smart speaker innovation
Commitment to learning and community collaboration
The academy is open to creators worldwide, regardless of background or experience level.
Industry Reactions: A Positive Step for the Audio Community
Industry experts have praised the move as a milestone in creative empowerment.
Media analyst Rachel Donnelly comments:
“This partnership is what the industry needs — practical training, inclusive access, and a clear focus on ownership. Interactive voice is the future, and ACCENT is ahead of the curve.”
Podcast networks, advertisers, and independent studios alike are watching closely, as this collaboration may redefine how audio storytelling and audience engagement evolve in the next decade.
Key Takeaways
ACCENT and Say It Now have launched a partnership to empower creators through smart speaker innovation.
The ACCENT Academy provides free, year-long training in audio storytelling, business skills, and voice technology.
Participants retain full intellectual property rights to their content.
The initiative aims to make interactive audio accessible to creators worldwide.
Applications are open globally via thataccent.com.
Conclusion: The Dawn of Interactive Audio Storytelling
As the boundaries between human conversation and digital interaction blur, the partnership between ACCENT and Say It Now signals a new chapter in creative evolution.
Audio is no longer a one-way medium — it’s a living, breathing dialogue between creator and listener.
Through innovation, education, and collaboration, this alliance promises to turn every smart speaker into a stage, and every listener into an active participant in the story.
The future of storytelling is not just spoken — it’s interactive.
