Throughout the semester, you are reading about and analyzing the functions of media, the history, the technology and the practices that lead to successful operation as a media entity. People who run a media business successfully need a plan, an identity, a clear presentation, a target audience and reason that their potential audience will choose to read, view or listen to the content that is being provided. There are times in which a lack of planning about exactly who comprises the potential audience results in an organization transmitting information to nobody in particular because the purpose and intended audience are not clearly defined. Whether you are running a newspaper, a radio station, a television station (broadcast or cable) or a web-based platform, people need to understand what you are providing and they must see the value in devoting their valuable time to paying attention to what you are doing. What is your media entitys identity? Does the public understand it?
Your assignment is to think about a particular audience and what type of programming you would provide to serve that audience. Your target demographic might be under-served now or you may feel that you can provide a better version of what is available to people now via the various media. What types of voids exist in media now? How do YOU feel about current media offerings? What do you think would be a strategic move to create a successful media programming entity? THIS IS THE GATEWAY TO YOUR DEEPER THINKING ABOUT A MODEL THAT COULD ACTUALLY WORK. WE WILL BE ASKING YOU TO GO FORWARD AND DEVELOP A MORE REFINED VERSION OF THIS CONCEPT LATER IN THE SEMESTER.
THOUGHTS FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION AS YOU PREPARE THIS ASSIGNMENT:
-Who would you serve?
-Analyze that potential demographic: What do they want? Please give this some thought. Try to avoid clichs or unfair assumptions.
-What would you do?
-How would your service be different? For example, nobody wants a business proposal that begins with We would be sort of like Z100. Z100 is an established brand and it makes money. Im sure you would agree that thoughtful planning is always better than cheap imitation. Regardless of how your service would be delivered, there should be some type of programming flow. If you create something that is web-based, remember that this should not simply be a website that has links to click and read. The idea should be a plan to deliver some audio and/or visual content that streams. While youre not actually creating the programming, the IDEAS are part of this plan as well as the more advanced form of it later this semester.
Please develop a preliminary idea for a media service that you think would be worthwhile.
Other key considerations:
-How would it be delivered?
-What would be its mission?
-What would you call it?
-How would you make money?
-What types of sponsors would you seek?
_How much do you understand your audience?
-Where would this service be? (Remember, a surfing shop in Middle America or a heavy metal radio format in a retirement community makes no sense.)
-Is somebody already doing this, but you could do it better?
-What types of challenges would you face? (What if somebody else is doing a great job with this type of service? Why should anybody give YOU a chance?)
-What will you do and why will you do it? Please avoid general statements such as We will discuss important issues without giving specific examples. Do not be vague. Also, remember that a media service that tries to be everything to everyone usually winds up being nothing for nobody in particular.
Think about serving a local market instead of a national audience because that will allow you to connect your mission with the identity and characteristics of the area served. National programming can be very difficult because you lose the opportunity to connect with a local identity such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami or even regions that contain multiple communities.
THIS CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED IN APPROXIMATELY 4 PAGES. REMEMBER, PROOFREADING IS EXPECTED BY ANYONE WHO EXPERIENCES ONES WORK. ITS ESSENTIAL IN MEDIA TOO. PLEASE BE YOUR BEST.
