Productivity Puzzles

Why does the UK lag behind peer nations in output, and how can policy and business practice close the gap? In partnership with The Productivity Institute, Cue Productions produced Productivity Puzzles. Hosted by Professor Bart van Ark, the show translates complex economic research into clear, practical strategies to drive business performance, regional growth, and national prosperity.

The Brief

The Productivity Institute is a UK-wide research organisation funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, uniting academic bodies, regional forums, and business leaders. UK productivity has stagnated for years, and the Institute needed a flagship media channel to share evidence-based solutions with business executives, economists, and government policymakers.  

Hosted by internationally acclaimed economist Professor Bart van Ark, the series required a polished, broadcast-standard audio finish. Featuring guests ranging from Bank of England decision-makers to regional business leaders, every episode needed to sound cohesive, authoritative, and accessible.  

How We Made It Work: Bridging Academic Rigour and Audio Excellence

To turn complex economic data into a compelling weekly listen, Cue established a seamless remote recording pipeline.

We focused on:

• Remote Studio Quality: Because guests joined from universities, think tanks, and policy offices across the globe, raw audio setups varied. We implemented remote audio engineering to remove ambient noise, fix room reflections, and keep vocal levels consistent.  
• Structured Narrative Pacing: Economic discussions can easily become overly technical. Our editing team worked closely with the Institute to ensure episodes maintained a clear flow, bridging theoretical research with real-world applications for firms and regions.
• Sophisticated Sonic Branding: We designed a clean, modern audio Identity with subtle transitions that matched the academic authority of the Institute while keeping the tone warm and inviting.
• Full Production Management: Cue took charge of the technical process, handling track assembly, precision editing, audio mastering, and distribution setups so the Institute could focus on research and guest curation.  

The Results

Productivity Puzzles established itself as a leading economic podcast in the UK, building a dedicated audience of policymakers, academics, and executives.  

• Chart Performance: Reached No. 3 in the Apple Podcasts Government category during Season 1, earning widespread praise across the economics community.  
• High Sector Reach: Created a direct channel for the Institute to inform national debate on regional inequality, skills development, and workplace innovation.
• Broadcast-Standard Consistency: Maintained a crisp audio standard across multi-speaker episodes, ensuring complex discussions remained easy to follow.  

What Listeners Love

Listeners value the breadth of perspective. Rather than looking at productivity purely through numbers, the show connects macroeconomic policy with human factors like workplace wellbeing, digital adoption, and regional investment.

Turning Research into Real-World Impact

Translating academic research into accessible audio helps good ideas reach decision-makers faster. Managing production for The Productivity Institute allowed their team to focus on shaping the national conversation on economic growth.

– Niall Killeney-Taylor, Head of Production at Cue

🎧 Listen to Productivity Puzzles on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

🎤 Audio Production by Cue Productions for The Productivity Institute