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Introducing the voice of rail preservation advocacy: AHEAD OF THE TORCH.

Launching in 2021, AHEAD OF THE TORCH is one part trade exposé, one part public radio journalist, and one part industry malcontent – delivered in an engaging new podcast and digital platform for railroad preservation.

With dedicated audio and video content produced by industry professionals and a re-invigorated digital presence with regularly published essays, studies, and articles, AHEAD OF THE TORCH is committed to providing meaningful content and influential dialogue that will not shy away from tackling pressing issues facing railroad preservation. You can help ignite the firebrand voice for railroad preservation this year.

HELP US CARRY THE TORCH

The industry is eager for entertaining and engaging content. AHEAD OF THE TORCH will be the only podcast and online journal dedicated to railroad preservation. Your sponsorship will help cover hosting fees, advertising, and podcast production for 2021.

Your logo, product, or brand can appear in dedicated 30-60 second commercials and sponsored content on aheadofthetorch.com and reach a broad spectrum of audience members and listeners in North America.

Will people watch, listen and engage? Absolutely. AHEAD OF THE TORCH will celebrate guiding lights, failures, and controversial topics; invitee listener feedback, participation, and industry guests; and break down generational, cultural, and industry divides, to cut through the din of hearsay to provide perspective, guidance, and insight.

Helmed by rail preservation and marketing professionals and joined by a cast of diverse, revolving guests and contributors that represent the many different perspectives and demographics within the industry, AHEAD OF THE TORCH will explore failures and rally around successes to expound and extract detailed information, assert guidance, and evangelize ways to bring the rail preservation industry into the 21st Century.

UPCOMING EPISODES

  • WHO KILLED RAILROAD PRESERVATION?
  • HOW TO SURVIVE AFTER COVID
  • BEFORE YOU START THAT GO FUND ME
  • STOP FIRING UP! STEAM LOCOMOTIVES
  • GATEKEEPING & HERO WORSHIP
  • WHAT TO DO IF YOUR MUSEUM IS A JUNKYARD
  • LESSONS FROM ACROSS THE POND
  • DIGITAL RELATIONSHIPS & SOCIAL MEDIA
  • FUNDRAISING, DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
  • CAN AMERICA BUILD ANYTHING ANYMORE?
  • WHERE HAVE ALL THE LEADERS GONE?
  • NOT EVERYTHING IS ON FIRE

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

TITLE SPONSOR – pre-roll ad (60), sponsored posts, banner ad on website, episode segment/interview

SUSTAINING SPONSORS – mid-roll ad (30), footer-logo

CONTRIBUTING SPONSORS – footer-logo

AUDIENCE POTENTIAL

Railroad and railroad preservation transcend demographics, boundaries and even gender. AHEAD OF THE TORCH’s dedicated Facebook group has blossomed to over 3,000 members. A recent post met over 9,000 people, earned over 10,092 individual engagements, and net over 500 comments.

Your brand could be a part of this outreach.

AUDIENCE INSIGHTS

  • 35% of members are aged 25-44
  • 45% of members are 45+
  • 248 are women, 3,318 are men

TOP TEN CITIES

  • Port Huron, MI
  • New York, NY
  • Indianapolis, IN
  • Chicago, IL
  • Philadelphia, PA
  • Pittsburgh, PA
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Noblesville, IN
  • Owosso, MI