May 28, 2021
Should Zoom/Microsoft-Teams virtual meetings/events continue out of the pandemic period, and what are the pros of keeping them in the plan?
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Buster Satterfield, WIOQ: Yes. There most beneficial for client meetings as it can save a lot of time traveling to them. It just makes the day more productive. Rick Vaughn, KENZ: I think there are benefits and a time and a place where Zoom is perfect. I also think the value of in-person contact, whether it’s a face-to-face meeting or an opportunity for listeners to meet an artist, can never be replaced. I’d hate for people to think that everything’s just going to be a Zoom from now on because everything is just going to be less meaningful. Joey Brooks, WKSS: I think they’re very useful, not having to have everyone in the office adds a level of flexibility and makes it easier to assemble people quickly. We’ve also had a lot of success with artists in doing those experiences and I’d like to see them continue. They just need to be special and unique and give people a real benefit to the experience.
Toby Knapp, WASH: Really depends. If it gives us access to artist interviews while those artists are on tour or abroad, sure. If these vents connect fans with artists they love, and give something exclusive to the fans, why not. If people use the tech – like I hear Don Coddington does – to break new music and intro new artists and such to programmers, so be it. But if it used as a ‘convenience crutch’ that brings forth a different story. Java Joel, Javajoelmurphy@gmail.com: Zoom will continue to be an option, but… how about less meetings in general? Zoom or otherwise. Less meetings, more time to be creative. Only so many hours in the day. Do we really need to hear the market president yammer on for another hour talking about how “audio is hot!” and “content is key!”. Get out of the meetings and start creating. Your station and its listeners will thank you.
Josh Wolff, WAEB: Whenever possible, nothing beats face-to-face meetings and listeners’ engagement with artists. With meetings, I think we need to be fluid. Whatever works best for the circumstances, virtual meetings are still valuable in a sense. Kobe, WZNE: I think any time a listener can connect with their favorite artist is a win, if in person, Zoom, or Instagram. |
Jammer, WEZB: Yes, it’s a good thing that’s become a part of everyday life and pop culture.
Valentine, WBHT: It needs to remain but in moderation. A little bit of the old-school and some of the new, they need to meet in the middle. The advantage is you get to cover more ground in less time. You’re getting a lot more ears and in front of a lot more people, you might not reach because of the time factor. I would not want to lose the human connection though. Nothing beats seeing an artist for the first time with all that passion in person. You can’t duplicate that over Zoom. Adam Rivers, WKCI: In some situations – yes. In most situations – no. Bartel, WKTU: Should keep it in the mix as long as we don’t get zoom burnout. Obviously, it’s a money-saving option when it comes to travel but in-person visits and interactions always proud more productive results.
Matt Johnson, WPLW: It’s terrible because they’re in mono, and this isn’t AM radio. We need to demand and embrace sound quality in this industry at all times. R Dub! Z90: Dear God no! Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: I think everyone wants “live” events back for the full experience. A community of fans for the artist, feeling “alive” celebrating together, especially now as we can safely get back to a new normal. Perhaps Zoom can be an overflow way to attend when an event is sold out, so the venue, artist, and management don’t lose revenue.
Lee Abrams MediaVisions: They will continue as a newly discovered means of communication, but in addition to live face-to-face events, not at the expense of. Yet another communication platform in the mix. |
Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: They’re really good station experiences relative to label promotions, and especially effective when exposing new artists to a group of programmers as well as listeners. However, we need to get live shows back from core artists, that’s what the listeners truly want. But there’s definitely a place for virtual going forward. They’re great tools for labels and could be fun experiences for listeners done the right way. Heather Deluca, WSJO: I do think the option should be there. I definitely think it’s become a new, convenient way to connect with artists, and artists to our listeners, who may not be out on the road or quite ready for live events yet.
Jana Sutter, WXXL: They should definitely remain part of the mix. They’ve been an incredible way to bring artists, listeners, and programmers together. I think it’s a fantastic tool.
Chris Michaels, FM100: I’m pretty sure virtual meetings will be around post-pandemic. It’s easier, faster, and in some cases, more cost-effective to reach several people at once with a Zoom meeting. Last week Republic had a new Jonas Brothers song they wanted to set up quickly for a Monday add date, and they were able to play it over Zoom quickly to several programmers. However, I do believe listeners have Zoom fatigue when it comes to virtual concerts. We’ve all seen the listener interaction on those decrease. |
Tommy Chuck, WFLZ: Yes, I think any access we can provide to artists and our personalities is a good thing! In-person hangs are better, but the virtual stuff should absolutely stay part of the mix.
Nick Wize, WFLZ: Yes on virtual meetings, less time consuming and more convenient. No on virtual shows. Not entertaining or compelling.
Mike McVay, McVay Media: The familiarity and convenience we’ve all become used to with video conferencing makes the ability to be exposed to an artist, be it a performance or a virtual meet and greet, desirable. These one-dimensional meetings will never replace the thrill of an in-person event, but if you want time impoverished content creators and Program Directors to hear a song or see a performance, the virtual meetings should continue. They’re one more tool for the music industry to use to promote an act or a song.
Jagger, KCHZ: Going forward it’s going to be all about flexibility for both artist experiences and meetings. It will be great to have artists back in the building, but if they’re unable to do so, you can always plug in a Zoom interview or performance and get listeners involved. It’s an advantage to have this valuable tool in our mix of options.
Frankie V, KSSX / KHTS: I’m ready for in-person meetings and events however, when it makes sense, a balance of in-person and virtual can work! Not every meeting needs to have an in-person aspect if it can save time on zoom. I do want to see more artists back in studio, but if they can’t make it in, we should do the virtual artist zoom interviews vs phoners! It has a better social media presence. A solid balance of “in person” and “zoom” as the transition back to “normalcy” will help lead to success!
Orlando, WLLD: Everyone is doing stuff, they shouldn’t be doing in meetings. Paying bills, gambling, other work projects. No one is paying attention except when they speak on Zoom or Teams. Get back to work, Weirdos. Love, Florida!
Rich Davis, KDWB: There are certainly benefits of doing meetings, especially in lieu of the time and expense of traveling logistics. However, it’s nice to finally start to feel like it’s safe to get back to normal. Our KDWB Virtual Star Party was HUGE this year but I’m ready to get back to doing my big shows like that and Jingle Ball live!
Justin Chase: I believe they will remain a part of what we do long into the future. It allows us to have more of a personal connection for meetings than just a phone call. Also, we could travel less and be more efficient about staff meetings. Regarding artists, it gives us access to bigger artists to engage with our audience where we wouldn’t have an opportunity otherwise because of schedule and expense restrictions. However, I do feel that nothing will ever replace the power of a face-to-face meeting and that connection you can only have in person. If you’re thinking all-virtual still, you’re going to lose. At Beasley, we’re all back in our offices with creative collaboration and the like, things you can’t do on Zoom. You need to have a hybrid approach.
Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Definitely! We should never go back to regular conference calls. The people in the room are part of the meeting but the people on the phone aren’t. Meetings should either be in person or through Teams or Zoom.Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
Summer favs: song, film, pastime?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@deanemediasolutions.com or bburke@deanemediasolutions.com
