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By Chris Davison davison@intellcap.com
The Junior HRTS (JHRTS) is the junior membership division of the HRTS and continues the tradition of community-building by nurturing those young professionals at the assistant through manager level, working in the television, radio, film, new media and advertising industries. I recently had a chance to interview the two rising stars JHRTS Co-Presidents, Malene Sam and Kris Warren. Malene is Content Producer, CBS Mobile and Kris is Director TV Development, Wonderland Sound and Vision.
Malene Sam Kris Warren
Views: What sort of activities does the JHRTS undertake?
It is our mission to educate and provide an outlet for assistants and young executives to network and meet colleagues and peers across the industry. Our signature lecture series mirrors our parents’ "Newsmaker Luncheons" where lecture panels comprised of industry leaders address an audience of 100-150 JHRTS members. These sessions afford members and non-members a chance to network with their peers and learn how industry professionals rise through the ranks and speak about the issues facing entertainment today. Additionally, we've introduced a smaller Roundtable Series where 10-15 members participate in a more intimate workshop setting with an executive, agent, producer, etc, as more of a Q&A session.
JHRTS also coordinates multiple social events throughout the year, facilitating networking and building relationships among our constituents. In addition to our annual charity holiday party and mixers, we recently introduced structured networking where we borrowed the speed-dating concept for our first Speed Networking Event. Entertaining and different from what we've done in the past, it allowed introductions to be made with individuals who under normal circumstances would not have met.
Views: As digital natives, how do you see the next 5-10 years of the industry?
MALENE: Contrary to popular belief, I don't think television programming will die at the hands of digital media. I believe that digital media provides additional outlets for the user to choose how to consume media. Tech companies are smarter in predicting our needs and are making it easier for us to get our information, thus programming and services need to become multi-platform. We will have more choices in how we want to obtain our news, entertainment, traffic reports, etc. The shift we will see is how advertising will be sold and how marketing strategies will change.
Views: Are the viewing habits of today's kids and teens really that different than Gen-Xers or Boomers?
KRIS: Absolutely. Technology has changed the way the majority of people watch television, with the most drastic change being in the Gen-Y demographic. Where Gen-X and Baby Boomers may know how to use their TiVo or DVR, Gen-Y can get online, download any television program (sometimes before it even airs) and transfer it between their phones, iPods, PS3's, and computers, to watch whenever they'd like. I don't know that today's youth sits down and watches a block of television like earlier generations did. They don't have to be at home Monday nights to watch “Heroes” anymore, they can TiVo it, or download it to watch whenever and wherever they want. There's definitely an evolving mentality to the way people watch television and it's evolving the fastest in younger viewers. If there's a screen, Gen-Y can watch a television program on it.
Views: What are your thoughts on the Viacom v Google case?
MALENE: It's a love/hate relationship. User generated content sites really should do a better job of monitoring and regulating their sites, however, as much as I hate to say it, we need Google/YouTube. They have the buzz, the audience, the reach. I happen to think that clips of shows that make it onto these types of sites generate more interest and loyalty, thus prolonging the longevity of a show.
Any thoughts on the HRTS during its historic 60th Anniversary year?
We feel privileged to be part of an organization that was inspired by HRTS and to be able to work with them in executing JHRTS' initiatives. We’re continually impressed by how cognizant HRTS is of the evolving climate of entertainment and its willingness to adapt to the changing environment.
For more information on the Jr. HRTS, please visit www.JHRTS.Com
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