Former Twitter Indonesia head named as CEO of country’s top podcast network

Podkesmas Asia Network, an Indonesia-based podcast network, has named Roy Simangunsong as its chief executive.

Experience:

• A veteran in the local tech scene, Simangunsong is the former Indonesia country head of Yahoo and Twitter.
• He also served as vice president of Fox Networks Group in Indonesia and vice president of The Walt Disney Company’s operations in the country.

More details:

• Launched in 2019 as a podcast show by four popular celebrities – Ananda Omesh, Imam Darto, Surya Insomnia, and Angga Nggok – Podkesmas has evolved to become a podcast network by acquiring other podcasts. Its episodes dominate Spotify’s top charts in the country.
• The company previously received investment from Absolute Confidence. The venture capital fund is owned by Aryo Ariotedjo, who previously invested via the Grupara fund. The VC counts coffee chain Kopi Kenangan, digital bookkeeper Bukukas, and direct-to-consumer brand Hypefast as its portfolio companies.
• According to research firm KBV Research, the global podcasting market size may reach US$41.8 billion by 2026, and Indonesia has the most podcast listeners in Southeast Asia according to Spotify.
• Podkesmas Asia Network says it currently has 10 podcasts in its network, with an 11x month-on-month play count growth.