In the spirit of learning, we wanted to share what went well and what we found challenging with hosting WideOrbit TV Client Advisory Committee's spring meeting remotely. As we and our customers navigate taking these kinds of meetings and events virtually, we can all learn from what works well and what might be improved for next time.
The WideOrbit TV Client Advisory Committee (CAC) has a long history, one that has not been without its challenges. What started out as a user group with primarily remote meetings focused on product updates, expanded to include customers providing their wish-lists for product enhancements, then further evolved into a more collaborative and productive advisory committee that meets in-person, twice a year.
This spring's regularly scheduled meeting was due to take place in New York City, in mid-March - just as the COVID-19 crisis began to escalate. When it became clear the New York location would likely be unavailable, we considered the possibility of holding the meeting elsewhere. But in consultation with CAC members, and because both travel and in-person gatherings were becoming ill-advised, with some attendees having already stopped all non-essential travel, the decision was made to hold the meeting virtually, so we could stay connected while staying safe.
In two sessions over two days, March 17-18, we used video conferencing to provide updates on our core traffic and billing software, WO Traffic , including Electronic Material Instructions, WO Analytics , WO Payments Suite, WO Integrations , and a deep dive into the Unified Sales Suite, applicable for both linear and digital ad sales. We kept the focus on providing product information to avoid the sessions devolving into sales pitches.
Despite the fact that our customers were in the midst of making major changes to accommodate remote work for their teams, the sessions were extremely well attended, with participants representing nearly all the major station groups and network Owned and Operated stations who make up the CAC membership. But aside from great attendance, hosting the sessions online had both pros and cons. Meeting virtually made it much easier to maintain the schedule and keep presentations from going overtime, and those presentations were well-received, particularly the Unified Sales Suite update.
On the con side, Arden Adair, Senior Director of Product Management for WO Traffic, pointed out that the CAC meetings are, A chance to better communicate with our customers, both for us to provide information but also for us to hear about what's most important to them. That feedback loop is extremely valuable but more difficult to facilitate virtually.
She also mentioned that the interaction between broadcasters is an important part of the in-person meetings. One of the important things about this committee, she said, is the collaboration between the broadcasters - they're sharing ideas with one another. That kind of collaboration is much more effective in-person, both broadcaster-to-broadcaster as well as between us and our customers.
The dates for the fall meeting of the CAC, and whether it will be in-person or virtual, are yet to be decided. Much depends on what happens with the COVID-19 situation. The primary theme of this fall's meeting will be automation - helping broadcasters improve efficiency to reduce costs.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, WideOrbit will remain committed to maintaining open and productive communication with both the CAC and all our customers. Current circumstances have impacted the way WideOrbit and our customers communicate, precipitating a necessary shift to video conferencing. As the benefits of that shift become increasingly apparent, we anticipate that it will persist even after everyone is back in the office, which is a good thing. In the meantime, we will continue to stay connected while staying safe, learning how to improve not just our software, but our meetings and communications as well.
For information about WideOrbit solutions, contact sales.
For press inquiries, contact media@wideorbit.com.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/07/2026
Broadcast Management Group (BMG) has announced the appointment of Kathy Samuels ...
01/07/2026
Shade has announced Custom Objects and Automations, a platform expansion releasing June 29, 2026, that adds database and workflow automation capabilities direct...
01/07/2026
FOR-A America has announced the addition of Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz to its U.S. sales team. Both report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strate...
01/07/2026
NBC Sports will air all 15 MLB games nationally on Sunday, July 5, across NBC, P...
01/07/2026
Clear-Com has announced a wireless communications upgrade for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, deploying FreeSpeak II and FreeSpeak Icon systems across both prod...
01/07/2026
England's performance team will use Sony's STATSports APEX GPS tracking system to monitor player physical data in real time during FIFA World Cup 2026 m...
01/07/2026
Adder Technology has announced the appointment of Neil Hillier as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2026. Hillier succeeds Adrian Dickens, who transiti...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. has announced a strategic transaction creating two separate companies. The Production and Playout business will continue as Bitcentral, now own...
01/07/2026
DAZN has announced results from DAZN48, its creator initiative for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Launched in April 2026, the program received thousands of applicatio...
01/07/2026
Sarah Rose, VP, global services, Daktronics (NASDAQ: DAKT), will be inducted into the Information Display and Entertainment Association (IDEA) Hall of Fame at t...
01/07/2026
Gravity Media and the World Economic Forum's production team provided broadc...
01/07/2026
Insight Productions has announced the launch of Insight Storm, a 53-foot mobile broadcast unit built for esports production. The truck is built around a Ross Vi...
01/07/2026
ESPN has announced several content initiatives marking America's 250th anniversary, as part of The Walt Disney Company's Disney Celebrates America pro...
01/07/2026
Eleven production kits, REMI workflows, and cloud distribution bring 40 World Cu...
01/07/2026
The conference also discussed the opportunities offered an industry that is endu...
01/07/2026
The Mountain West Conference has announced the launch of MW , a direct-to-consumer streaming platform powered by Kiswe. The platform will carry live Mountain We...
01/07/2026
New AI Assistant, Multi-channel Audio, ARA2 improvements & more
Tracktion's DAW software has just received its latest major update, gaining a selection ...
01/07/2026
Stammering, stuttering, strangulated tones
The Crow Hill Company's latest creation promises to be the most original sound set they've produced to d...
01/07/2026
Exclusive run of limited-edition modelling pedals
Sweetwater and Andertons M...
01/07/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) is pleased to announce that the ca...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Manfrotto Introduces UNCOVER, the new premium camera bag collection for modern h...
01/07/2026
Blackmagic Design Powers Houston Tamil Sangam Literacy Competition
Brie Clayton July 1, 2026
0 Comments
Volunteers use ATEM Mini Pro, Blackmagic Desig...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
PlayBox Technology has published State of Broadcast Infrastructure 2026, an in-depth industry research report examining the technologies, operational challenges...
01/07/2026
LONDON, UK, 1 JULY Jigsaw24 has appointed Alan Henry as Head of Sales for Media and Entertainment, reinforcing its continued investment in helping broadcaster...
01/07/2026
Content Vault, the patent-pending secure content distribution platform protecting high-value media from disclosures, theft and unauthorised access, today announ...
01/07/2026
Bitcentral, Inc. a leading provider of enterprise software and digital media solutions for news, sports and entertainment broadcasters, as well as streaming pla...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
01/07/2026
Groundbreaking First Nations Screen Business Accelerator launched through nation...
01/07/2026
Chyron Launches the All-New Chyron Academy: A Reimagined, Hands-On Learning Expe...
01/07/2026
Amplium Captures Kawasaki Brave Thunders Game with Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersiv...
01/07/2026
Boris FX Optics Expands Plugin Support to Apple Photos, Capture One, and Affinit...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
01/07/2026
Sky Zero Footprint Fund-backed TV campaign featuring Deborah Meaden challenges consumers to rethink everyday bathroom wasteWednesday 1 July 2026
Fussy asks Bri...
01/07/2026
Constituency-level analysis reveals where girls miss out most on sport - and where targeted action could unlock more than £640 million in economic and health be...
01/07/2026
Wuppertal July 1, 2026
Riedel and SKAARHOJ Expand Collaboration With SimplyLive IntegrationRiedel Communications today announced an expanded collaboration wit...
01/07/2026
Apple today introduced power-packed updates to Apple Creator Studio, a groundbre...
In the spirit of learning, we wanted to share what went well and what we found challenging with hosting WideOrbit TV Client Advisory Committee's spring meeting remotely. As we and our customers navigate taking these kinds of meetings and events virtually, we can all learn from what works well and what might be improved for next time.
