Podcasting Pioneer Todd Cochrane Remembered as Visionary Leader and Creator Advocate
Todd Cochrane, CEO of Blubrry and a trailblazing figure in the podcasting world, has died at the age of 61, Barrett Media reported.
Blubrry, which serves as CommPRO’s podcast partner, confirmed his death in a statement that described his role as both leader and inspiration. “His leadership, passion, and belief in independent creators guided Blubrry from day one,” said Barry Kantz of the company. “Todd’s impact on our company, our team, and the entire podcasting community is immeasurable.”
Cochrane’s career spanned nearly two decades at the helm of Blubrry and RawVoice. He also hosted The New Media Show with Rob Greenlee for the past 13 years. A special memorial episode of the program featured industry guests Adam Curry, Podcast Hall of Famer, Mike Dell, VP Customer Relations at Blubrry, and Rob Walch, VP Podcaster Relations at Libsyn.
A true podcasting pioneer, Cochrane authored one of the first guides to the medium, Podcasting: The Do-It-Yourself Guide, in 2005. In 2015, he was inducted into the inaugural class of the Podcast Hall of Fame. Before his work in media, he served 25 years in the United States Navy, retiring as a senior chief petty officer.
The industry response has been swift and heartfelt. “Todd was a genuinely good human and a force for creators in our world. I will miss him very much,” said Tom Webster, partner at Sounds Profitable. Podcast Movement founder Jared Easley added, “I’ll miss our run-ins for sure. I wish his family and loved ones the very best. I know how deeply he loved his daughter in Tampa.”
Others recalled Cochrane’s support for newcomers. “Blubrry was a very supportive environment when I first started podcasting, and he was always so available despite being clearly very busy,” said Andrew Johnstone, director of the Seemingly Unrelated podcast. Podcaster E.B. Moss remembered him as “helpful, candid, and smart.”
Jason Cowal, founder of Podstarz, reflected on his legacy: “Todd was more than a podcasting pioneer — he was a visionary entrepreneur who helped shape the foundation of our industry.”
Blubrry released its own tribute, calling Cochrane the “heart and soul” of the company and vowing to carry forward his vision of empowering independent voices.
Paul Kontonis, CMO Advisor at CommPRO, remembered Cochrane’s role in shaping early digital media innovation. “I first met Todd in 2007 when I was co-founder and CEO of For Your Imagination. Todd and Blubrry were instrumental in helping us launch scripted video podcasts in the early days of digital series. His guidance and belief in creators had an enormous impact on our work and the industry’s evolution.”
For communicators, Cochrane’s story underscores the enduring importance of championing creators and preserving independence in emerging media. His advocacy for open RSS feeds and fair monetization models continues to influence how podcasting sustains itself as both a creative and commercial medium. Leaders across communications can draw lessons from his ability to balance innovation with accessibility, building trust and infrastructure that endure beyond any single voice.
