In early 2025, the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA) set out to expand its mission of advocating for the American mariner by creating a platform where those stories could be told in their own words.
While OMSA’s advocacy work was well-known within policy and industry circles, the human stories behind the industry often remained unseen. Maritime in America was designed to change that by bringing the voices of captains, crew, and industry leaders directly to the public.
Podcast Description:
Step into the virtual chartroom as we dive into the stories shaping American maritime today. From breaking news to big-picture insights, we’re charting a course through the issues that matter most with voices from our American crews.
Tagline: Charting America’s Offshore Stories
Our shared goal: Launch a podcast that captures the heart and impact of the maritime profession, complemented by a robust social media presence, and create an ongoing touchpoint for OMSA members and industry stakeholders.
Ascent Strategic Communications partnered with OMSA to design and launch Maritime in America, a weekly podcast featuring authentic conversations with the people shaping America’s offshore maritime industry and timely updates impacting their work.
The strategy called for:
Before the first episode aired, we developed a complete verbal and visual identity for Maritime in America to ensure the podcast launched with a strong, recognizable presence across all channels.
We produced brand guidelines outlining logo usage, typography, color palette, and application examples for digital, print, and promotional materials.
The logo conveys a patriotic sense of duty while signaling the new horizons ahead. The overarching arch represents a sunset: a nod to both the start of a day’s work offshore and the forward-looking vision of the industry.
The vessel depicted is both practical and technical, reflecting the range, expertise, and innovation of offshore vessels. This choice intentionally reinforces OMSA’s dual focus: the hands-on skill of American mariners and the advanced capabilities that make the U.S. offshore fleet world-class.
From podcast cover art to social media graphics, YouTube thumbnails, and swag design, the brand identity was applied consistently to build familiarity and recognition. Custom drink koozies and other merchandise extended the brand into in-person events and member gatherings.
The first few months featured a diverse lineup of voices from the deck to the C-suite:
Each conversation offered a window into life at sea (and at home), the challenges and rewards of the profession, and the industry’s role in national security, commerce, and energy production.
The weekly Friday Offshore Briefing episodes delivered quick, relevant updates for members while building a consistent, valued touchpoint with OMSA’s core audience.
The podcast launch was supported by a coordinated content campaign:
In the initial launch period, the podcast reached nearly 2,000 listeners with strong repeat listenership emerging quickly.
The Friday Offshore Briefing became a staple for OMSA members, delivering timely updates and strengthening member engagement.
Positive feedback poured in from listeners, guests, and industry partners. One listener wrote, “I’ve enjoyed listening to all the shows. The topics and guests are excellent.”
By pairing the podcast with active social, video, and email channels, OMSA built a connected ecosystem that keeps the American mariner front and center in the conversation about offshore energy, workforce, and national security.
The Maritime in America podcast is a living record of an industry often out of sight but never out of importance.
Through consistent storytelling and building on our media relations support, OMSA has strengthened its advocacy, increased member engagement, and expanded public understanding of the American mariner’s vital role.
From the deck of a vessel to the earbuds of a policymaker, these stories are now part of the national conversation, exactly where they belong.
