Grazia and Yakult have today announced that they will be partnering to relaunch the Grazia Life Advice Podcast, two years after it originally aired, following Bauer Media’s vast digital audio expansion strategy. Speaking to a variety of accomplished women each week, the podcast will cover every aspect of life faced by modern women, providing listeners with help, advice, wisdom and inspiration. By sponsoring and helping to relaunch a highly successful podcast series, Yakult will be able to reach a loyal and trusted listener base who are all interested in leading a healthier and happier life; directly aligning with its own philosophy of improving health and wellbeing.

Since its launch on 29^th May 2018, the first series of the Grazia Life Advice Podcast has gained over 318,000 downloads and seen an impressive 97% listen through rate. In the week of 15-21 June 2020, Bauer Media recorded a 34% rise in listeners to the podcast compared to the week before, showing that people are still discovering and listening now, with many women seeking advice and information during lockdown. Plus, according to research conducted by Bauer, 11% of people agreed that they had listened to more podcasts since lockdown as it provided escapism, entertainment and companionship.

The return of the series will aim to achieve similar positive results, with Rhiannon Evans, Features and Special Projects Director at Grazia, interviewing extra special guests such as author and blogger Candice Brathwaite, model Charli Howard, author and Editor-in-Chief of Empire Magazine Terri White, and Love Island’s Amy Hart. The episodes will discuss a whole host of topics including race, abuse, mental health, trolling and social media, with each guest sharing intimate stories and learnings that have brought them to where they are today.

Rhiannon Evans said: “I’m so excited to bring the Grazia Life Advice Podcast back and speak to more amazing women about their lives and struggles. Just like Yakult, we believe that a healthy life includes physical, mental, social and cultural wellbeing and want to help our readers and listeners live their lives to the fullest. Yakult is therefore the perfect partner for this podcast, and we can’t wait for our audiences to listen to the new series once it comes out!”

Vicky Foster, Commercial Director, Digital, added: “The nature of the podcast medium allows Rhiannon and all her guests to share their unique and often vulnerable stories in an intimate and undisturbed way, allowing them to speak to listeners in that relatable, authentic tone of voice that Grazia is well known for amongst its readers. Yakult will be able to leverage that connection and communicate with listeners in a compelling way, strengthening its position as part of a balanced lifestyle.”

Reshma Patel, Marketing Manager, Yakult UK & Ireland, added: “We are pleased to support the re-launch of Grazia’s life advice podcast. Not only is it an engaging way of highlighting wellbeing, but it also celebrates inspiring role models. This partnership allows us at Yakult to showcase our unique place within the category, supporting science-based wellbeing, but also helps us tap into more elusive audiences using a growing platform, with a trusted voice to promote our brand.”

The Grazia Life Advice Podcast launches with its first episode on Friday 17th July and will be available every Friday from Apple podcasts, Spotify and all mainstream podcast providers.

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For Further Press Information on Bauer Media, please contact:

Cat Martin (née Macdonald) – Communications Director Bauer Media

E: cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk

T: 07932746363

Odelia Yu – Senior Commercial Communications Executive, Bauer Media

E: odelia.yu@bauermedia.co.uk

T:  07718124791

About Bauer Media UK:

Bauer Media UK reaches over 25 million UK consumers through a portfolio of world-class, multi-platform media and entertainment brands including heat, KISS, Grazia, Empire, Magic, Absolute Radio and the Hits Radio Network. These brands offer commercial partners access to highly engaged audiences, with creative solutions underpinned by insight and instinct. Bauer Media UK is part of the Bauer Media Group, one of the world’s largest privately owned media businesses with media assets all over the globe.

About Yakult:

Yakult was founded 85 years ago by the Japanese scientist Dr Shirota, who in the 1930s selected and cultivated L. casei Shirota, a unique strain of bacteria that is scientifically proven to reach the gut alive. Every little bottle of Yakult contains at least 20 billion L. casei Shirota.

Around the world, more than 40 million Yakult products are consumed every day, in 40 countries and regions. There are two products available in the UK, Yakult Original and Yakult Light – the

reduced sugar and fewer calories version, enriched with vitamin D & E. Both products are gluten free, fat free and suitable for vegetarians.

For more information, please visit www.yakult.co.uk or find us on Facebook (@YakultUKIE) and Instagram (@Yakult_UKIreland).