NMED 3700 Production Management

NMED 3700 Today’s Class… Guest Lecture: Jill Henderson Outstanding Details

NMED 3700 Jill Henderson ENMAX Centre Events Manager

NMED 3700 Hi All, I wanted to let you know that some Faculty members have offered me directives, feedback and/our questions about Media World Some was intended constructive and I have listened to suggestions, as well as responded to questions on the class' behalf. But there are two details that are non-negotiable that we as a group must respect for the greater good of the Department we are representing publicly:

NMED Video games as attention getters in the lobby are not permitted. The President of the University may attend the event and as the University tries to project a public image of New Media that goes beyond video games it is important that this event not perpetuate those stereotypes about what students do in New Media. There was a lengthy discussion about this issue at a meeting and it was agreed that video games have a place in this showcase ONLY IF the video games are designed by students. It was also explained in a brief survey I have done among Faculty and students that the video game theme is not coming across to the general public so to create video game stations is confusing.

NMED The Red Bull strategy is not acceptable as a draw. The art and the event need to stand alone and on their own merits. Corporate incentives are not acceptable in this institutional context. All in all we want people to wander in and out of the exhibition but we do not want bottlenecks at video game or Red Bull stations. Overall there was an enthusiasm about the website and its visibility. There were some concerns that updates were not being made quickly enough but overall there is a positive buzz about the event based on the promotion to-date. Congratulations. Good job. Best regards, Dana

NMED 3700 Hi Dana, I can see where the staff is coming from about the video-games, but it seems strange to me because students have used video-games in the past to draw attention to the event. Also I wish we would have know this at the start of the semester so the event wouldn't be misleading (the logo, flash introduction to website and information on posters are all video game themed yet there will be nothing to do with video games at the actual event.) It just seems like the University isn't letting us properly promote this event like we originally intended. Between ripping down the posters we put up, dismal support for getting screen savers on the TV's and computers, the whole issue with getting permission for the 50/50 draw and now not being able to draw peoples interest with video games and/or redbull (which everyone loves). It's all a little disheartening.

NMED 3700 Hi Shawn It is sobering - but I have to say you have absolutely nothing to be disheartened about. This great group has done more right that you have done "wrong". I must be clear that the promotional theme of Media World which you have in large part designed has been well received. There is simply concern about the promotional aesthetic driving the content and tone of the event. But we can talk about this more.