As we celebrate the launch of our new Spotlight episode later this month, we’re taking a look back at some of the key learnings and insights from our interviews thus far. Each episode features insightful people at the deep end of TV and film production and distribution, digging deep into the issues and opportunities surrounding financial tech.
Missed an episode?
Catch up with the full series here.
#1 Embrace change
We’re taking a step back to where it all began. Iain Pelling, Managing Director of Arrow International Media, was the first to be interviewed on our podcast – and it’s safe to say we hit the ground running. Iain shared his thoughts on navigating the ever-changing world of TV and film, emphasising the use of technology to gain a competitive edge and “drive the prices down whilst keeping the quality up.’
“What we’ve got to do as a growing business is try and anticipate trends in our broadcasters and our customers, increasingly in the different broadcast platforms.”
One thing Iain made very clear in his interview was the need to act fast to stay ahead of trends – and your competition – and that technology is becoming a big part of enhancing, streamlining and speeding up essential processes. Listen to the full interview here to uncover his top tips and insights.
“I wish I’d moved faster, in everything… I wish we’d have been here, where we are now, in half the time. And if I could push now, that’s what I’ll go for, and I think what everybody should be doing.”
#2 Put the power to your people
Our second episode added to the conversation around how technology is driving the TV and film sector forward, only this time, with a little more focus on the people who make it all happen. Stephen Hole, COO of Vertigo Releasing, joined us to share the secrets to succeeding in the production industry.
“Over years I think I’ve come to realise there’s a real art to delegation and empowering people around you to make decisions or recommend courses of action, and you know, I think that’s about accepting there’s a limit on your own time and unless you get other people involved, you know, things will never get done.”
This episode looks at the benefits of leveraging technology, data, emerging trends, and arguably most important, people, to gain a real competitive advantage within the industry. Give it a listen on Spotify.
#3 Scalability is make or break
With over 25 years of rights and royalties experience in the broadcast and music industries, Ed Hearsey, Managing Director at Lockside Consulting, knows a thing or two about a sector in a constant state of flux. From planning and prioritising to managing expectations and finding the best tech for the job, a lot goes into getting the process right – and luckily for our listeners, Ed was keen to share the dos and don’ts he’s learnt along the way.
“In order to accommodate that increasing volume of clients and volume of work, it was increasingly apparent to me that that tech was going to become absolutely crucial in terms of scalability.”
Listen to Ed’s full interview now.
#4 Don’t get lost in translation
The production industry never stands still. With emerging technologies, new trends and changing consumer preferences at play, it’s safe to say the TV and film industry landscape will never stand still. So, what’s the secret to navigating this ever-changing world?
Having spent over 20 years in the media industry, Julian Freeston has a pretty good understanding of what it takes to keep up. Adaptability is key – but it’s knowing how and when to make your move that really matters.
“It’s absolutely key in small, fast-growing businesses that you are able to take financial information and translate it into a format that’s digestible and understandable and helps those entrepreneurs and CEOs to make quick decisions that are absolutely key in a small, fluid business where things are changing all the time.”
From the questions to ask when investing in new software to how to leverage data and read between the lines, Julian shares his secrets to tech solution success in the fast-paced world of media. Listen to the full interview here.
#5 Seize every opportunity
Whilst the fear of the unknown may hold many people back, for Anthony Christopher, the CEO of Creative Content 1/Give Me Las Vegas, this fast-changing and somewhat chaotic landscape presents a world of opportunity.
Whilst trying to “figure out what’s coming next” is no easy feat, for those who are able to spot new opportunities and know exactly how to address consumers’ needs, there’s a lot of success to be had.
“Wherever there’s chaos, there is always opportunity.”
Change is inevitable. Rather than fight it, get on board with the latest technology, embrace new business models and use change to your advantage. As Anthony says: “Bringing anything new to the market, even if it’s really good, usually has challenges.” It’s how you handle these challenges that will define your success. Listen to our full interview to uncover Anthony’s insights and advice, with examples from organisations that are at the top of their game and learnings from those who haven’t quite made the cut.
Be sure to follow us on Spotify to keep up with the latest from The Spotlight – we’ve got some really exciting guests lined up, so watch this space.
