Radio Host Bob Knorpp Makes Move, Trades On His Show’s Success

Flashback to early October 2011 in downtown Boston. I’m in the city to present a talk on paid content at Geekend (a smaller tech conference within the much larger DMA).

I see Bob Knorpp on the trade show floor from afar — he pretty much towers above the crowd. As a frequent guest on The BeanCast, his excellent radio program about marketing, we’re expecting to meet so I go introduce myself. We walk down the street to a Geekend gathering. I start quaffing margs and free apps at the high end tequila bar, but Bob says save room for dinner, we’re going big.

John Wall, a local and a marketing podcaster joins us. An hour or more later, we pick up Joseph Jaffe at his hotel and the four of us dine out in style. We also decide at the table to retire the phrase “social media douche bag,” at least among ourselves.

The next night, Bob Knorpp lends me his 48L sport coat and I wear it to the annual DMA award show where the majority of people are in evening gowns and tuxedos. Bob insists that I–an important editor–sit at the head table. Not everyone is so sure that’s a good idea, but I manage to pull it off with a huge assist from Mr. Knorpp.

When it’s time to head home, Bob’s on my flight to Kennedy. The man knows everyone and he’s omnipresent! Ergo, am I at all surprised that TheBeanCast has been acquired by Jaffe’s new firm, Evol8tion?

Surprised no, jealous maybe a little.

As part of the deal, show host Bob Knorpp will join the Evol8tion team as SVP, Chief Analyst for BrandWatch, a subscription-based insight product designed to help brands understand, prioritize and evaluate their innovation needs.

“As one of the earliest podcasters, I remain extremely bullish on the potential and future for “the spoken work” in an increasingly digital, social and connected world,” says Jaffe about the move.

“My vision for The BeanCast was always to provide the best possible insights and education to the marketing community,” said Knorpp. “Heading up Evol8tion’s BrandWatch product allows me to greatly enhance the quality of The BeanCast content, while more fully exploring my passion for informing and training the brand world.”