(L-R) Adrienne K. Elrod with Rebecca Bustamante, WIFV President, at TheWrap‘s inaugural #PowerWomen breakfast in Washington DC.
From children who grow up with a smartphone in their hands to adults who prefer “smart” cars, the internet has changed how people consume media and entertainment. Every day, technology continues to integrate more into our daily lives, both physically and virtually. All of this translates into different supply chains, distribution outlets, and pricing tiers for media and entertainment. Although Americans are already heavily dependent on internet access today, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel believes Wi-Fi is key to managing the ever-increasing demand for online consumption. According to the Huffington Post, Rosenworcel told attendees at the recent SXSW Interactive conference in Austin, Texas, “It is time to supersize Wi-Fi.”
Rosenworcel also voiced her views at TheWrap‘s inaugural Power Women Breakfast for 100 of the top women influencers in media, politics, and digital in Washington, DC, last month. Sharon Waxman, CEO and Founder of TheWrap, hosted discussion panels with Senator Amy Klobuchar, Pulitzer-Prize writer Maureen Dowd, New York Times DC Bureau Chief Elisabeth Blumiller, Communications Strategist Adrienne Elrod, CreativeFuture CEO Ruth Vitale, and FTC Commissioner Julie Brill that covered topics from the future of digital content to life on the campaign trail. Conversations included legal, consumer, and political views on the changing face of media and entertainment.
As traditional television usage declines and internet usage increases, entertainment companies are working hard to find ways to monetize the 10+ hours the average Josephine spends online each day. How likely are you to pay a little extra on your monthly bill to watch the latest blockbuster in the privacy of your own home on the same day it releases in theaters nationwide? How is the government protecting consumer privacy concerns as global security becomes a rationale for accessing any and all information on devices? The recent Apple security debate has been closely watched as a landmark case for technology and cyber-security. Piracy, and the economic impact of unauthorized distribution, is also a concern as the marketplace prepares to absorb younger generations of consumers.
Media and entertainment companies are also trying to predict the next big thing. Virtual reality is one of the expanding horizons in the tech landscape (think Arnold Schwarzenegger’s TERMINATOR vision). In 2014, Mark Zuckerberg announced that Facebook was acquiring Occulas VR, a virtual reality technology that utilizes a headset to immerse the user in an augmented reality experience. According to Zuckerberg’s Facebook post, enhanced gaming experiences are just the beginning. “Virtual reality was once the dream of science fiction. But the internet was also once a dream, and so were computers and smartphones. The future is coming and we have a chance to build it together.” With Google’s competitively-priced $15 cardboard version of the VR headset, it remains to be seen if Occulas will be the game-changer Zuckerberg predicted. (Pun intended.) For the near future, make it a point to attend these two upcoming WIFV events, either physically or virtually.
What’s the Next Big Thing for WIFV?
- On Saturday, April 2, the 19th Annual Media Job Fair gives you an opportunity to meet with prospective employers including Interface Media Group, Team People, Henninger Media Services, PBS, and WHUT, among others. Register here to take action on your media career.
- WIFV is proud to be launching its first # GalsNGear Live! event on April 19th at NABShow 2016 in Las Vegas. #GalsNGear is a pop-up event that brings professional women in the technical fields of video, film and digital media together with the tools, skills and community to succeed in their chosen craft. Can’t be there in person? The event will be live-streamed by Broadcast Beat Magazine. Special thanks to Past President and WIFV Advisory Committee Member Amy De Louise for “connecting women working in the trenches of media production to the best creative tools for filmmaking”.
Changing media one story at a time,
Rebecca
Help Grow a Film! Applications for the Seed Fund Sprout in April. There will be two $2,500 grants this year as early money in for a documentary film project. Donate and learn more at WIFV.org.
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