Global Online Content Series lined up for catch-up

RedTech’s Global Online Content Series has ended for this year. It means all five episodes are now available to catch up — to enjoy when and where you want. And they’re free to do so.

With the Global Online Content Series, we set out to shake things up a little; the audio broadcasting industry needs it. We know that because it’s what the industry tells us. It also gave us an opportunity to put some RayBans on the office cat.

RedTech’s Omar Essack moderated the series, which convenes industry experts to explore crucial topics and emerging trends. What makes it so relevant is that the industry steers it. By discussing what decision-makers say is not talked about enough, we hope to secure strategic insights.

The inaugural session on March 6, “Content and Programming Innovation,” kicked off the series by addressing the anxieties that haunt today’s programmers: the specter of fundamental change from multiple angles. The discussion featured Sharon Dastur, vice president of Radio Intelligence, Jim Receveur, CEO of Bauer Media Denmark/Norway, and Jeff Sottolano, executive vice president and head of programming at Audacy.

Continuing the momentum, the second episode, “Audience Engagement and Growth,” held on April 3, focused on redefining audience engagement against shifting listener habits. This episode brought together Carolyn Gilbert, founder and president of NuVoodoo Media Services, Tapas Sen, former chief programming officer at Mirchi and now chief content officer for Platonix, and Ross Winters, director of programming at Canada’s Pattison Media.

Strategies, trends and challenging current models

The third episode, “Strategies for Attracting and Retaining Elite Talent,” aired on May 1, addressed attracting and retaining elite talent, especially given that AI is taking over traditional human roles in broadcasting. The panel included Ricki Sanchez, the vibrant morning host at 107.5 The River in Nashville, Tennessee; Ravi Nair, director of programs for Radio Mango, a leading Indian radio station based in Kochi; Jennifer Leimgruber, executive vice president of programming at U.S.-based Premiere Networks; and Stefano Fallaha, CEO and co-founder of Podeo, the Arab World’s largest podcasting platform.

Episode 4, “Global Trends in Content Creation for Radio and Audio,” aired on Nov. 6. It asked how the content strategy for radio and audio should evolve in a world of content overload and limited audience attention. The panel featured Sarah van Mosel, senior vice president of podcast strategy for SiriusXM; award-winning radio and podcast host Geoff Lloyd; and Michael S Fischer, vice president of business development for audio-as-a-service platform SoundStack.

The final episode, “Coaching and Developing Today’s Radio and Audio Program Director,” aired on Dec. 4 and critically examined whether past and present program management models are fit for purpose in an evolving broadcast sector. Steven Goldstein, CEO of Amplifi Media and adjunct professor at New York University, J Mark Gillman, founder of Turn The Radio Up and Rock The Radio, and Patrick Davis, former S.V.P. Programming at iHeartMedia Dallas/Fort Worth, joined Essack for this session.

You can view any or all of these episodes here.