HRTS eNews - 10/30/2007 (Plain Text Version)
In this issue:
HRTS News and Features
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Network Chiefs Summit 2007
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From The Executive Director
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Profile: Reginald Hudlin
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Profile: Eric Steinberg
Member News
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HRTS Members in action
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HRTS Fall Mixer a hit!
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Welcome new HRTS Members
Jr. HRTS
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JHRTS News & Announcements
About The HRTS
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Officers, Board of Directors, Staff
From The Executive Director
Who says size doesn't matter?
The truthful answer, and I know it will sound kinda like a car salesman when I say it, is how big do we think it needs to grow to? HRTS was founded to provide a forum for those involved in our business to gather and share information that potentially could help us be a better industry. What started in 1947 as the Hollywood Advertising Club with 40’ish members from the ad community has grown over the past sixty one years into the one gathering place in our business that brings together leaders from all aspects of the industry under one roof, multiple times a year, to meet and discuss topics relevant to the ongoing success of our industry. The popularity of our newsmaker luncheons attests to the ongoing need for a forum like ours. Since it has become glaringly obvious that the face of our industry is rapidly expanding into new areas heretofore undreamed of, and the definition of television has morphed into so much more than it was only ten years ago, the new answer to that old question has to be…HRTS will grow to as big as it needs to be! It used to be broadcast television and talent agencies made up the majority of our members. As cable developed into the force it is today, our membership followed suit with now a large percentage coming from the cable side of the aisle. As the industry expands into new media we are seeing steady growth in members from that arena, with companies like AOL, Yahoo and Microsoft represented. And of course, we are helping to nurture and develop the next generation of industry leaders through our Junior HRTS membership that is now over 300 strong! What kind of companies will this next generation of execs represent as they grow into the ranks of industry leaders? (hint: if you want to find out more…just text them or visit their Facebook page!) What all this means is that as long as there exists an industry dedicated to creating, developing and distributing entertainment content on whatever platform the future of television and new media holds for us, HRTS will be there to provide the industry’s leading information and networking forum for the people that make it happen. It also means that the intention of the original founders of the Hollywood Ad Club so many years ago will be realized. HRTS will be THE PLACE that the leaders of the industry, no matter what that industry looks like at the time, will gather throughout the year to stay connected and informed. And if I’m ever asked again how many members is the ideal size for HRTS…well…I’ll just smile knowingly and shrug! See you at the next luncheon! Dave Ferrara
By Dave Ferrara, HRTS Executive Director
A few years back, shortly after being named Executive Director of the HRTS, I was asked a simple question. How many members did I feel was “the right” number for HRTS to grow to? At the time I looked at the existing membership base, approximately 500, and estimated that we would likely grow to 600 or so in the coming years, as we planned for slow and steady expansion as the industry broadened. Today, as our membership approaches the 700 mark, (blasting my humble projections out of the water!) and our Corporate Membership ranks have swelled to 43 top companies, with more on the way, I think it’s time to revisit that simple question from years back.