Audible signs $1M deal with 1Huddle; Newark-based community organizations will accelerate skill development

1Huddle, the Newark-based workforce tech company that onboards, upskills and develops employees through the use quick-burst mobile games, closed a $1 million deal with Audible, according to a Monday announcement.

Both companies are based in Newark.

The partnership said 1Huddle’s offerings will be available to Audible employees through onboarding and continued corporate learning and development. This new contract will also provide select community organizations in Newark access to 1Huddle.

Statistics show that 87% of what employees learn is forgotten within 30 days. Not with 1Huddle. It said its gamified approach will help Audible launch new ways to train and develop its employees and move beyond traditional learning methods. 1Huddle will connect Audible employees to Audible’s mission, history and distinctive culture through unique and creative storytelling models, launching listening-based experiences and enlisting renowned creative talent to guide employees through their journey.

The deal builds on the success of Audible’s existing partnership with 1Huddle focused on customer care onboarding, bringing it to the entire Audible community, as well as creating new content focused on educating staff about Audible’s distinctive culture of “Activate Caring.”

“Audible is the leading creator and provider of premium spoken word audio content and we are very excited to deepen our relationship with a company that stands for so many of the values we hold near and dear to our mission,” said Sam Caucci, founder and CEO of 1Huddle. “Since arriving in Newark six years ago, thanks to Audible founder and Executive Chairman Don Katz, we have been honored to drive meaningful impact in this great American city. We hope that, by opening up 1Huddle to deserving organizations across the city, we can continue to help fuel innovation in Newark for decades to come.”

“It’s critical for companies to invest in out-of-box ways to ensure their workforce retains the information, skills and knowledge they need to be primed for success,” Anne Erni, chief people officer at Audible, said. “Through this partnership, in concert with a robust list of other recent workforce initiatives, we are confident we can create a best-in-class company onboarding and engagement model for organizations around the world.”

A key investment of Newark Venture Partners, the early-stage venture capital fund launched by Katz, 1Huddle joined Audible in Newark to leverage NVP’s founder support resources. NVP’s investment in 1Huddle included strategic introductions to executives within the Audible C-suite, which led to the initial pilot project and a long-term partnership between the companies.

As a reflection of both companies’ deep commitment to the city, Audible will also provide access to 1Huddle for a variety of Newark community organizations and nonprofits to accelerate skill development. These organizations include Covenant House New Jersey, New Jersey Reentry Corp., All Stars Project of New Jersey and more.