Sunday, January 30, 2011

NAPTE 2011 || Content First

NAPTE is the National Association of Television Program Executives.
This organization serves exactly who you think- those working as executives within television. Their current tagline is, “Content First”, which in incredibly encouraging. In a day when much of television is as solid in content as a jet-puffed marshmallow, NAPTE truly is working toward partnering with and training leaders in the television sector to produce excellent content in programming.

When sifting through the NAPTE website one can find many helpful resources. One resource I was drawn to immediately was the annual conference, which just took place in Miami over the 3rd weekend in January. It was event full of executives in every facet of business from: marketing, to finance, and technology. The NAPTE conference is chock full of networking and learning opportunities for both the seasoned exec, as well as the fresh-out-of-the-gates execs.

According to their website, the conference is the one of its kind in America that reaches out to a very broad international market as well. It’s said that they were 76 countries represented at last weeks conference.  From what I can see on the NAPTE site, this is THE place to be in January if you are in the television industry. They state that their organization is here to be a catalyst for new opportunities, and provide excellent networking opportunities with executives from around the world. The website is a gold mine of resources that are available at any time and place around the world. They feature the latest news in industry trends and connect members with global opportunities.

Judging from these comments, I know where I should be in future years come the month of January…NAPTE convention here I come!

 “Everything we are talking about doesn’t work, unless you engage in great content.”

“It’s a place where you can look a few years ahead.”

“It’s all about meeting people.” 

Click here to watch the NAPTE conference preview. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EEHmXnhp-wo

Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk | Video on TED.com

Naomi Klein: Addicted to risk | Video on TED.com

In this lecture titled, "Addicted to Risk", journalist Naomi Klein takes us through a really interesting lecture dealing with risk and how much is too much when it comes to the way we handle our countries resources. I was fascinated by her examples of ways that your country has taken full-blown 5-alarm risks in the name financial gain. She talks quite a bit about the BP oil leak and how some of those closely involved in the leak responded. She quotes Tony Hayward, the CEO of B.P. as saying this in regards to the spill “The Gulf of Mexico is a very large ocean. The amount of oil and dispersant we are putting into it is tiny in relation to the total water volume.” It is incredible to hear a comment like this that seems to reduce the implications of this environmental atrocity. What rings true in my ears about this comment is wildly risky behavior; making poor choices and minimizing the outrageous outcomes.

Klein goes into more detail regarding the risks our government takes to run our country especially regarding finances. Their decisions sometimes reflect the belief that somehow, someday everything will work itself out, so let’s take this monumental financial risk and see what happens. She also makes a bold statement in equating many of these decisions with men at the forefront, and women there to clean up the mess afterward. I am not sure to what extent this comment truly is accurate, but it was interesting to ponder. Women seem to approach large risky decisions with a more level approach, thinking about the far-reaching effects and consequences, whereas men are focusing more on how this decision help them right now.

Though Klein talks more about taking environmental risks than anything in this lecture, the same concepts and principals can be applied to any aspect of life; but since this is an entertainment blog, we’ll look at from the entertainment perspective. What she is presenting here is some great advice for those in the entertainment industry. I am currently in a master’s program for entertainment business through Full Sail University, and we are all working on creating our own entertainment companies. Klein’s advice about assessing the risks and being proactive about the consequences of those risks is imperative for my fellow upcoming business owners and me.

We need to take a serious look at how feasible our business ideas are, do incredible amounts of market research, and then do some more, and also make wise decisions about the funding of these companies. I have seen the ideas of my classmates over the past couple of months, and have been so encouraged and motivated by their ideas, that I would not want to see them any of them fail because of making risky decisions that end up doing more harm in the long run.

Moral of the story, get some great mentors and business advisers to surround and give you sound advice as you start up your new venture. Just because it’s your dream and passion, doesn’t mean it will be a cakewalk. The more wise counsel you receive, the more likely you will not be dealing with a business catastrophe the size of the B.P. gas leak! Good luck, everyone!