New year, new job, more Internet
With the new year comes a whole new list of responsibilities for me at RTV6.
For the past three years I’ve worked at WRTV as Promotion Editor, producing and editing topical news promotion and special programming, while working to develop new online ventures.
As of January 1, 2009, I have been officially promoted to Manager of Digital Media. Not sure what that means? You’re not alone. I’m still figuring out what I’m supposed to be doing.
Here is what was sent out in the all-staff e-mail:
In addition to daily news and station marketing, he will work to develop and implement new e-business opportunities, particularly implementing new sales ventures on the web and in other media.
Basically my focus will shift away from cranking out topical promotion. I’ll handle some online promotion and viewer relations (to steal a title from a blog I’ll link to in a minute, “chief conversation officer”), research and development of new products for the Web, as well as managing those brands.
A big portion of the new job will be keeping up with blogs, Twitter and other social media, reading journals, and taking a lot of tutorials and courses. I won’t have anything to do with content on TheIndyChannel.com, but I will be working to market the site effectively.
As I’ve met more and more people on Twitter, I’ve started following more and more people who work at TV stations and those station’s websites. I stumbled upon a great article about how TV stations are “still in the dark ages” (oddly enough, that saying is used in both blogs to which I’m about to link).
I personally have a huge problem with a lack of engagement from companies on social media platforms. Some department head has seen a story ab0ut how Comcast is using Twitter and they think, “hey, we need to be doing that, too.” But they don’t follow through. They put up a Twitter account that only posts their RSS feed, or just publishes their sales every day. They don’t engage the audience. And that’s pointless and useless.
Here’s what Sheryl had to say about the issue on her blog:
All these news people, brands, etc pretending to engage with ‘us’ in social media like [T]witter, might as well not bother rather than throw up a site that isn’t engaging, or putting up a dummy account on twitter where no engagement happens at all.
Another issue TV stations need to deal with is new technology, especially the kinds spreading like wildfire within a certain niche. Too often, we start catching up too late in the game. This can be attributed to cost or lack of knowledge, but it is an issue. As iPhones and other smartphones become more commonplace, TV stations need to re-evaluate the presentation they provide.
On Random Gemini’s blog, she talks about iPhone compatibility with TV station websites:
[T]hen you get to watch your iPhone load the full bore web version of the news site, complete with video links that do not work and interactive screens that will not load because guess what folks? The iPhone doesn’t support [F]lash. In fact, these sites are so heavily encumbered with [F]lash that browsing them from an iPhone is not easily accomplished and I got so frustrated with one of the sites that I put my iPhone down and went to my laptop.
I completely agree with her frustration. For some stations, they’re stuck with what they have. This is thanks to big companies controlling styling for numerous sites; some don’t see the potential of having to develop different layouts for different devices.
Hopefully I can start addressing issues like these to improve the audience’s perception of 6 News and RTV6’s products.
Oh, and I hope to be able to improve our use of proper terminology. Since one time we had a story talking about “M3P players.” No joke.
Thanks for the link! I find it really amusing that you found me because you’re in my old stomping grounds!
Is Bob Gregory still with WTHR, or did he finally retire? That man was a fixture of my childhood, especially in the spring when we watched tornadoes roll in. Odd how much you miss that weather when you move away…
All reminiscing aside, if you can do something to change the attitude that local stations don’t have to keep up with national outlets on the web, I am behind you 100%. If I can offer any assistance or feedback for you that might help you with your efforts, just ask.
I really believe that mobile browsing is where the world is headed and I believe that phones like the iPhone and the Android phone are going to change the way that we use the internet and computers. Having the internet in your pocket is simply too useful for it to just be a fad.
@RandomGemini You’re quite welcome (for the link)!
Bob Gregory did retire from WTHR, though he still makes appearances for “Coats for Kids” and some other station events. You’ve missed an incredibly windy winter so far.
I’m working on getting our view to change, but you have to get so many people on board that it looks to be a daunting challenge.
I will definitely be soliciting advice from viewers and users, especially mobile users. Features like we have for TheIndyChannel.com, 6 News On The Go (a service of LSN), had their time. Now people want more from the media available on their phone, that’s hopefully what I’ll be working toward.
-sk