How do you capture the attention of a busy professional in under sixty seconds? Through Cue Around The Block, we stepped out of the studio and onto the streets to bridge the gap between industry experts and what’s in their headphones. By blending high-end video production with TikTok-style pacing, we’ve created a series that talks about podcasting while enjoying a stroll and a brew.

The Brief

As a production agency, Cue is constantly evolving. We wanted an internal project that could act as both a test lab for new video formats and a way to connect with the wider professional community.

The goal was to move away from long-winded corporate interviews and create something built for the scroll era. The brief was clear:

• Create high-energy, short-format video podcasts.
• Feature diverse voices from different fields—from tech and art to finance and hospitality.
• Uncover the "why" behind their listening habits (What do they listen to? When? Why does it stick?).
• Prioritise retention through fast-paced editing and visual hooks.

How We Made It Work

To ensure Cue Around The Block felt different from a standard interview, we treated the production like a social-first digital series.

We focused on:

• The Street-Style Aesthetic: Using high-quality portable rigs to capture guests in their natural environments, giving the series an authentic, on-the-go feel.
• Aggressive Editing for Retention: We stripped away the extras. Using quick cuts, on-screen captions, and pop-up graphics, we ensured the viewer’s attention never had a chance to drift.
• Human-Centric Storytelling: Instead of asking about business strategies, we asked about personal habits. By focusing on what people actually listen to in their downtime, we created a more relatable and snack-bite content.
• Multi-Platform Optimisation: Each episode was designed from the ground up for LinkedIn and social platforms—optimising framing and pacing.

The Results

What started as an internal experiment has become a signature example of Cue’s ability to produce high-retention video content.

• Boosted Engagement: Social media metrics showed a significant increase in average watch time compared to traditional video clips.
• Industry Insight: Created a data bank of real-world listener habits that helps inform our strategy for client shows.
• Brand Personality: Humanised the Cue team and demonstrated our video-first approach to modern podcasting.
• Lead Generation: The series has sparked conversations with potential partners who were impressed by the snappy, professional delivery of the short-form episodes.

What Viewers Love

The standout moment of every episode is our signature segment: Skip, Save, Share. After our guests reveal their top three podcast picks, we put them on the spot with a high-stakes choice that reveals their true listening priorities. They have to decide:

• Skip: Which show gets the axe when their queue is full?
• Save: Which must-listen series is archived for life?
• Share: Which episode is so good they’d send it to everyone in their contact list?

This gamified approach has become a hit with our audience because it moves beyond surface-level recommendations. It forces a raw, honest look at content value, sparking debates in the comments and giving viewers a curated best-of list in every short-form episode. It’s fast, it’s ruthless, and it’s the ultimate test of podcast loyalty.

A Creative Laboratory

Cue Around The Block allows our production team to stay sharp. We use it to test new caption styles, color grading techniques, and audio processing—all while building a community of podcast enthusiasts.

Cue Around The Block is our way of keeping the cogs turning. It proves that you don't need an hour to tell a great story. Sometimes you just need three minutes and a very sharp edit.

‍ — Niall Killeney-Taylor, Head of Production

🎧 Watch Cue Around The Block on our LinkedIn and Instagram.
🎤 by Cue Productions

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