To Progress . . . or Not
Media programming architects can explore and create with the same urgency as technology
Media and news format architects need to spend some time away from the media hubs to all sectors of Middle America to observe what the REAL America is thinking and you’ll find it’s generally not so good news for the status quo — Forget the business, just observe and connect ( and not by focus group ) You’d find that the timbre, pace, energy and “vibe” may be in harmony with “modern corporate thinking” but way out of sync with the 2023 mainstream thinking. There’s one serious disconnect — seemingly invisible or too complex to execute for many media companies. A lot of mission statements claiming forward thinking, but they are standing still in programming design.
It was tough enough when the country was saner, but more critical now that we’re going through a period of mass craziness, but in programming through todays environment there are decisions to be made at the speed of 2023
There are options: using news as an example, but applies to most major media)
NEWS PROGRAMMING MAKING MONEY WITH FEW VULNERABILITIES: Great to be in that position.
NEWS PROGRAMMING MAKING MONEY WITH CLEAR VULNERABILITIES: Often in denial. Lose that and start planning before those vulnerabilities become tragic.
NEWS PROGRAMMING NOT MAKING MONEY: Time for serious rethink and AFDI*. Snooze ya lose. The world moves too fast, the opportunities to great to remain stagnant.
NEWS, TV, INTERNET AND MEDIA ENTREPRENEURS: The new golden age of information delivery is happening. Point forward with bold, “crazy” new ideas that define the future..now
Laser sharp timing and concentrated execution can be tough for organizations with long history and a lot of moving parts but it’s being accomplished in many non media industries, some more conducive to flexing with the eras than others. A bad time for internal politics or dated thinking to roadblock progress.
And always remember if you adjust or reimagine, it’s all about NOTICEABILITY:
THE NOTICEABILITY THRESHOLD: . In many cases we THINK we’re changing, but it isn’t noticeable and ends up a lot of meetings, labor, effort and concern without results. I’ll guess most companies are moving forward are around a 5, when there’s the opportunity to strive for a 10.
ONE=NO ONE NOTICES…NOT EVEN MANAGEMENT
THREE=TOP MANAGERS & THOSE IN SENIOR MEETINGS NOTICE
FIVE=MOST INTERNAL EMPLOYEES NOTICE, THOUGH NO-ONE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING
SEVEN= THE INDUSTRY STARTS TO NOTICE
NINE=THE TIPPING POINT: THE GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICES
TEN=YOU HAVE CREATED SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND COMPELLING ENOUGH TO CHANGE THE PARADIGM
TV News is notorious. A new set ain’t going to deliver anything near a Ten…Radio is pretty bad too thinking a new slogan will work
Bottom line: media needs to explore and create with the same urgency as technology
*AFDI—Actually F—-ing Doing It