Airborne creates narrative podcast for Damen Shipyards
Behind the scenes of a family of shipbuilders
From June 2023, the first episodes of "On Course" can be listened to. This podcast provides insight into the extraordinary history of Damen Shipyards Group. Once just a wooden shed on the banks of the Merwede River, now one of the world's largest shipbuilders. Numerous people involved reconstruct the path the company has taken, including the founder of the current Group - Kommer Damen himself - who looks back for the first time in such detail.
The six-part podcast 'On Course' shows how the family business was created almost by accident a century ago and has great adaptability in the face of major social developments. When young Kommer Damen joins the company in the 1960s, he quickly sees that there are many more opportunities.
Unorthodox vision
From a then unorthodox vision, he manages to expand the shipyard at a considerable pace. In the Netherlands, but especially also abroad. This enables the family business to withstand global economic headwinds, such as the oil crisis in the 1970s. In the decades that follow, Damen Shipyards grows into an internationally operating company active in various types of shipbuilding - from naval vessels to luxury yachts.
Shipbuilding history
In "On Course," Damen's genesis is placed in a broader context of global economic and historical events to give listeners a good understanding of the circumstances under which business decisions were made.
Arnout Damen, CEO of Damen Shipyards Group said, "With 'On Course' we are giving color to an important chapter in Dutch shipbuilding history. With the podcast we hope to inspire listeners by showing what you can get done when you stay true to a stated vision - no matter how big the setbacks sometimes are."
Jitte Milder, Marketing Communications Manager Damen Shipyards: "With this podcast we are adding a new form of storytelling to our existing resource mix: more comprehensive and personal. In doing so, we have managed to capture the rich history of our company in a distinctive way."
About 'On Course'
'On Course' consists of six episodes of approximately 30 minutes, to be released in June 2023. The podcast can be listened to via all mainstream listening platforms such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The podcast is available in both Dutch and English. 'On Course' was developed by audio agency Airborne.
More information can be found at podcast.damen.com.