Podcasting startup can't pay its employees

Podango, a podcast advertising network, acquired GigaVox Media in 2007 and launched several shows including Girls Gone Geek. Michael Arrington had the exclusive report on the news. "Something tells me it's going to do okay," Arrington wrote. That has turned out not to be the case. At least, that's according to one Podango employee who tells us he's had trouble getting paid. "I was a developer for podango.com for 2 years," the tipster writes. "I left Podango 3 weeks ago due to lack of funding." The tale continues:

My last 2 pay checks where paid thanks to home equity loans taken out by [the] CEO and president. I have also had a hard time getting my final pay check from them. They claim they are unable to pay me ( $400 after advance repayment ) until they receive funding. The last few months I was at the company they kept promising funding would be coming "this friday we should have it..." was said at least 4 times. In the 2 years I worked there, I never once heard the term "profitable" mentioned, only the far off idea's of being snapped up by [some] big company

9:00 AM on Thu Mar 27 2008
By Nicholas Carlson
1,378 views
17 comments

Comments

TheFunny at 11:05 AM on 03/27/08
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I find this very disturbing as a current employee of Podango. I have never not been paid, nor had any pay problems. The employee who made these comments wasn't telling the truth. It is sad that someone who leaves on good terms turns to trying to slander a good company.
thekevin at 11:32 AM on 03/27/08
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I guess maybe Scott Bourne spent too much of his money on his Rolex watches, BMWs, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, his SoMa penthouse and all those iPhones.
Dinosaurus at 11:33 AM on 03/27/08
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The president of Podango, Scott Bourne doesn't seem to be doing too bad, he just bought a very nice car.

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IllianaNereus at 12:13 PM on 03/27/08
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Valleywag Comment Interesting post about Podango. Of course it's not true. For those interested in facts, nobody's ever missed a paycheck at Podango - or Podango Productions - which is the separate company that I manage. Nobody. Disgruntled employees often vent their anger via online web sites where no proof is required. If anyone can provide any proof at all that we've missed payroll even once, I'll shave my head. Like all startups - we're constantly seeking additional funding. We've been at this more than two years and done it all with small private equity investments. I am one of the people who's invested in Podango and Podango Productions. If we'd missed payroll I would know about it. I hope the Valleywag editors have the decency to publish my comment. I'll be posting it other places as well. And for the record...I own a Mercedes "thekevin" not a BMW. -- Scott Bourne President - Podango Productions www.podangoproductions.com Executive Producer - Apple Phone Show www.applephoneshow.com Executive Producer - Girls Gone Geek www.girlsgonegeek.tv Executive Producer - The Game Council www.thegamecouncil.com Executive Producer - iLifeZone www.ilifezone.com Co-Host - TWIP www.twipphoto.com Co-Host - MacBreak Weekly www.twit.tv/mbw Co-Host - Gear Media Tech www.pixelcorps.tv/gmt http://www.facebook.com/p/Scott_Bourne/635285959 http://twitter.com/scottbourne http://scottbourne.jaiku.com/
weirdweird at 12:45 PM on 03/27/08
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Am a current employee of Podango, too. Got all my paychecks on time. And with the help of google I leave you with this quote from Will Rodgers:
"Rumor travels faster, but it don't stay put as long as truth."
weirdweird at 01:35 PM on 03/27/08
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Am a current podango employee as well. Got all my paychecks on time.
LeeGibbons at 01:39 PM on 03/27/08
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This Valleywag post concerning Podango is based on an anonymous source with no fact verification. (Must be great to be able to run stories true or not, based only upon entertainment value.)

As CEO and co-founder of Podango, I know the facts. We have never missed a payroll, and don't expect to. Anyone who says we have is lying.

We suspect the anonymous source to be a disgruntled employee (developer) who, due to a programming language change, left because he was no longer productive at our company. Funding had nothing to do with it.

I only have one mortgage. I have no home equity loan or 2nd mortgage. We have secured adequate bridge money to carry us to the closing of our next round.

Look for our new show next month - Home Ec For The Tech!
LianaLehua at 02:41 PM on 03/27/08
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Podango always pays me on time.
LianaLehua at 02:43 PM on 03/27/08
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Podango always pays me on time. And, we are in production on a new show, Home Ec For The Tech. Coming soon!
Orchid84 at 04:01 PM on 03/27/08
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I must say I was entertained by this post...Fiction has always been my favorite. I am a Podango employee and I've been paid every two weeks since I started in 2006. Thanks, Podango! :)
matto at 04:51 PM on 03/27/08
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@LeeGibbons: I know this pair of cute geek girls that would perfect for Girls Gone Geek. They come with a blonde sidekick as part of the packag. I am their exclusive representative, so contact me ASAP to cut a deal.
random_play at 06:16 PM on 03/27/08
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Connectedness Index: 16
Brought to you by Acura TSX

@matto: If the sidekick designs handbags, I'll double whatever Podango offers you.
LeeGibbons at 06:23 PM on 03/27/08
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@matto: lol. Thanks for the chuckle! Please, go with random_play's offer, especially if the girls refuse to learn rails!
WhitneyHoffman at 09:07 AM on 03/28/08
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Every one of my interactions with Doug and Lee from Podango, in person and online, have been professional, honest,and nothing more than sterling - and every one of the employees I have dealt with have been fantastic. They are professional and reliable in the extreme.

I've worked with Doug and Lee both as a podcaster and through organizing various Podcamps on the East Coast, including Podcamp NYC (twice) Podcamp Boston and Podcamp Philly and they have been fantastic and honest in all dealings, as well as generous sponsors of community events.

I have every confidence in Podango's success, and I am sorry that a former employee decided slander was an okay thing. Reputation for honesty and transparency are hard won in real life or on-line, and trying to damage someone's reputation is a very serious and nefarious thing to do.
Chris801 at 10:09 AM on 03/31/08
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From the former VP of Business development at Podango:

[www.chrisknudsen.biz]
Cleatis at 01:01 PM on 03/31/08
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Too bad truth, cloaked inside half truth, won't show the true hero(s) at Podango. They are those who, unlike the CEO, did allow for payroll to continue with personal financial sacrifice through "alternative" funding (probably even the very same the CEO mentioned above) to bridge payroll as Podango continues to await funding. Hopefully funding closes so the hero(s) aren't left holding the CEO's vision in exchange for the hero(s)' own home, credit, or good name. As for Bourne and his new ride, all businesses make stupid decisions--this will likely be Podango's biggest. Technically the CEO told the truth, but technically so did Clinton when describing relationship with Monica. Others know the "full" story--and a blue dress may just be found.
StaciDeGagne at 03:19 PM on 04/03/08
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I have been an employee at Podango for almost a year and have never missed receiving a paycheck.