Media is obviously a people-business. Personalities on-air, on-line and in social media create content that attracts audiences.
But many more people are involved in our daily operations than just the voices you hear, the faces you see or the authors you read. Without these behind-the-scenes roles, sponsorship fulfillment to our audiences wouldn’t happen.
Today, Radio Indiana introduces you to more members of our digital team; Maddie Koss, Michael VanSchoyck, and Megan Young.
Maddie Koss is the WIBC Digital Content Manager and joined Emmis in September 2017. Fun fact: She grew up in Wisconsin but attended college here in Indianapolis at Butler University.
Michael VanSchoyck is the Digital Content Producer/Videographer across all four of our stations here at Emmis. He joined our team in December of 2017. Fun fact: He grew up having a very close relationship with music. In the fourth grade he began playing drums and ever since then he has been involved in music one way or another. He also enjoys soccer. GO MANCHESTER UNITED!
Megan Young is the Digital Project Coordinator for all of our Emmis stations. She started here at Emmis in November of 2017. Fun Fact: She has played guitar since she was 10 years old and through college. She spent time as an intern for the Publicity Department at Warner Music Nashville.
- Digital and social media has an ever growing presence in the radio industry. How have you seen these elements help radio continue to grow?
MK: Digital and social media are extremely important when it comes to helping the radio industry’s growth. Radio isn’t just something people listen to on the way to and from work, it’s something that thrives off of engagement. Listeners tend to crave that connection with the hosts they listen to and look towards social media to do so. I’ve seen social media platforms play a big part in that. Listeners comment on posts, watch videos of the talent and download podcasts of previous shows to listen to again and again. The whole idea of radio has really transformed in this digital age to become more than just a listening platform. It’s become more of a visual/engaging aspect, where listeners can get and see a different side to the voices they listen to a on a day-to-day basis.
MV: When most people think of radio they usually think about their cars. With music on demand so easily accessible radio has to strive to be more interactive than ever before. Now with the implementation of social media and digital content we can bring listeners and viewers closer to the station, the music, and the artists than ever before. This has helped radio continue to grow by making people more excited to be involved with the industry
MY: Social media is infiltrating all forms of media these days. Personally, I’ve seen social media revitalize radio’s relevancy in the market and with its audience. It also has created a new way for audiences to interact with their favorite stations, whether it is through event marketing or the ability to contact a personality at the touch of a button and have their opinions heard. Social media has given radio a breath of new life by making it more modern, interactive, and fun for listeners of all demographics.
- How do you see the future of radio changing with implementation of new digital technology?
MK: I think we’ve already seen a change in radio throughout the last couple of years, and a lot of that has to do with new digital technology. The radio isn’t just listening to the stereo in your car anymore, it’s also tuning in to podcasts if you missed a show or engaging with your favorite radio host on social media – it’s definitely a more interactive platform than it was in the past, and I think radio and digital media go so hand-in-hand that they both thrive off of each other and really need each other to survive.
MV: With the implementation of new digital technology radio has the opportunity to grow to much larger audiences. Live video streaming is one of the first big things I see coming into play. Radio will not only be able to use video to show more of their events but also to bring the audience closer with who they are listening to on air. This gives on air talents the opportunity to continue to connect with their community when they aren’t in the studio and it also helps us become more human and relatable.
MY: Radio has an opportunity to evolve and grow alongside the constant evolution of digital technology. Radio’s future obviously depends on a variety of factors but I see this new digital technology providing radio with methods of keeping up with what people are interested in and most importantly, what they want to hear. Radio thrives on listenership and the changing digital landscape provides radio with endless new options of how to strengthen that connection between station and listener.
- Why does a digital medium work so cohesively with the radio industry?
MK: I think radio and digital media work so well together because they both are meant to entertain, and not only that but they both are so easily accessible and mobile that people can literally listen anywhere they go. But one thing I will mention, is that a digital medium can and will take radio to new heights and we’ve seen that with podcasts and social media platforms. Radio was the first social media where people tuned in to listen to news, music, weather, sports and anything under the sun. But when you add digital elements to that, such as videos, photos, radio hosts interacting with listeners on social media, the concept of what radio has to offer is really endless.
MV: In a world of viral videos and social media, digital brings a lot of value to radio. Before radio had a digital medium, it was hard to put a face with who you were listening to. Now we can follow our favorite on air talents and get to know them better. Digital also gives the radio industry a whole new outlet of marketing that can reach new and larger audiences. Before we were constricted to just our market but now with digital we are able to reach people all over the world.
MY: Digital and radio complement each other extremely well for a variety of reasons. Their cohesiveness at its most basic level is rooted in the fact that the digital world opens new ways of capturing audience eyes and ears that radio may not have been able to achieve alone. Simply adding social media to a radio campaign increases reach immensely and in an engaging way. Both radio and digital are also people-based industries and their success is driven by engaging audiences and utilizing their platforms. They are working toward a common goal which creates combined success and profitability.