The Green Birdie Non-Profit Project

Know of any non-profits who could really use a promotional video? A truly deserving ".org" who's mission really stands out? At Green Birdie Productions, we believe in giving back when we can. We are offering a high definition video up to 2 1/2 minutes in length FREE OF CHARGE for a local non-profit.

If your organization is a non-profit, or if you have a favorite non-profit to recommend, please enter your recommendation and contact information in the "comment" box below. To become a Green Birdie Blog follower, please click on the "follow" button on the upper right of this screen to add your email. Thanks!

The Green Birdie Non-Profit Project. Spread the word!

Louisville, Kentucky Job Openings - VP, Video Services & GM, NLBS-TV

My niece Laura Rodriquez is is a headhunter for Sky Castle. If interested in the positions described below, please contact her at skyycastle@yahoo.com or her cell phone at 415-225-7426.

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POSITION: Vice President, Video Services
DEPARTMENT: Central Operations
LOCATION: Louisville, KMY
REPORTS TO: EVP Central Operation
DATE: 6/24/2010


POSITION SUMMARY:
The VP of Video Services will be responsible for:
• Developing the video product roadmap and strategy in conjunction with the Video Product Marketing team.
• Architectural design in support of current and future video features.
• Technology and vendor recommendation.
• Proof of concept, architectural and technological choices and applicability to our specific and existing platforms and systems. Including the design and implementation of an end to end test plan to ensure a successful launch.
• Follow up and support the implementation team to a complete and successful product launch.
• Follow up and support the transfer of the product to video operations team for day to day and ongoing product support and maintenance


ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:
The position will lead a team of video product architects and Engineering professionals to influence the following:

Internal:
Executive Leadership
Field Operations senior management staff
Central Operations Management and Staff
Corporate Legal team
Corporate Finance team
Corporate Accounting team
District Personnel
Corporate Marketing staff
Media staff

External:
Technology Partners and influencers
Outside Counsel
Video Equipment (hardware, software and systems) Vendors

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• Video Product Strategy
• Identify and evaluate next generation video products and features. Identify and evaluate next generation user interfaces for delivery of video products.
Develop video product roadmap and strategy in conjunction with the Video Product Marketing team.
• Work closely with Video Product Marketing team to develop timing and strategy for video product releases.
• Research, analyze and develop strategies for new video delivery options such as IP video.
• Manage video product enhancements and upgrades from concept to execution and transfer to video operation team for ongoing support and maintenance.

• Contract Negotiations
• Responsible for negotiating vendor agreements for all hardware, software and systems required for introduction of new video products resulting in optimal business and financial terms

• Work closely with legal counsel on key non financial business and legal terms
• Establish and strengthen key vendor relationships including managing relationship with the Cable Labs and other appropriate and industry recognized technical authorities.
• Provide expert advice and guidance on engineering and security requirements in programming contracts.


• Cost Containment and Management
• Work closely with Central Operations and corporate Finance team on cost containment and budget projections for new video product launches.
• Resource to Accounting for development of video related capital and operating buget.

• Deal Implementation
• Primary contact with other departments including Project Management, Other engineering teams, Ad Sales, Marketing and Finance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• 5-7 years product engineering and development experience
• Some product management experience preferred
• 5-7 years vendor negotiation experience in cable, telecommunications
• 4 year college degree required
• Applicable post graduate degree strongly preferred
• Proven ability to develop and execute video product strategies
• Extreme attention to detail and strong organizational skills
• Strong analytical skills
• High energy personality
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate with all levels of internal and external contacts
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities

WAGE/SALARY: Salary, Exempt

WORK HOURS: Full-Time


It is our policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability, or any other protected category. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.

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POSITION: General Manager
DEPARTMENT: New Local Broadcast Station (NLBS)
REPORTS TO: President/COO
DATE: 7/15/10


POSITION SUMMARY:
The General Manager of NLBS will be the leader of the NLBS business unit within our company. The GM will therefore have business, editorial, and operations, and managerial responsibilities. The GM will also be the representative of a highly visible company service to constituencies both inside and outside of our company. As an innovative and unique service within the Kentucky media landscape, NLBS requires a GM who can bring a range of experience, energy, and creative business thinking to bear on the programming and business challenges inherent in managing the development of a new television and broadband service.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS:

Internal:
NLBS Staff
Executive Leadership
Corporate Legal team
Corporate Finance team
Corporate Accounting team
Corporate Government and Public Affairs
Insight Media staff

External:
Outside Legal Counsel
Government Officials
General Public

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:
• P&L responsibility for the NLBS service
• Budget development and oversight
• Capital spending plan
• Revenue development planning and strategy
• Liaison with ad sales management and team
• Program / series budgeting oversight
• Recruiting and management of NLBS team
• Management of NLBS on-air talent
• Oversight of NLBS programming
• New programming development
• Implementing editorial guidelines and standards
• Final responsibility for all on-air programming
• Oversight of NLBS marketing and promotion
• Representation of NLBS to constituencies within Insight
• Representation of NLBS to a wide variety of public constituencies within the state of Kentucky

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Perform other duties as assigned by executive management.

PREFERRED SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Bachelor’s degree in Television and Film Production or a closely related field
• 5+ years experience managing all aspects of the television programming development and production process (news and documentary) for a broadcasting or cable service
• Experience and /or familiarity with the practice of scheduling a broadcast service
• Experience developing and /or managing a business enterprise
• Experience and /or familiarity with the broadcast / cable advertising and sponsorship market
• Experience with broadcasting facilities and equipment, including studios, cameras, editing systems, master control, etc.
• Ability to work with people in a uniquely collaborative corporate culture
• Ability to represent the service in an articulate and highly competent manner
• Familiarity and /or experience with web-based services which include video
• Strong leadership skills

WAGE/SALARY: Salary, Exempt

WORK HOURS: Full-Time


We will only consider those candidates that meet the minimum requirements of the position.

It is our policy to seek and employ qualified persons in all jobs in a manner which will ensure equal employment opportunity as well as administer personnel actions in a manner as to not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation or disability, or any other protected category. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions of this position.

Watch The Book: Have your book video posted on Watch The Book.

Watch The Book: Have your book video posted on Watch The Book.

Coming Soon To A Video Near You!

I was reading news items in NJ.Com this morning and noticed that their job listings now have a video component! When a job is posted, they simply narrate the job description and cover the narration "track" with generic images related to the job; for example, a job for a trucker has video of a guy getting into a truck and driving, a job for a teacher has shots of a teacher in front of a classroom, you get the idea.

It's amazing how quickly video is taking over as a major form of communication, especially on-line. Video is an entertaining, three dimensional presentation, a more effective way to communicate in the 21st Century than the simple written word and/or photos. The statistics are impressive:

Online video gets results!

Here are viewer response statistics after watching video online (according to a 2008 Marketing Sherpa report):

• Videos create an average 20 percent more inbound sales calls.
• Viewer response to business increases 52% with video.
• 30% of viewers visit a store.
• Clicks for more information increase 30% to 40%.
• 28 percent of viewers look for additional information.
• 16 percent of viewers purchase something!

And according to the Forrester report, having a video on your website makes it 53-times more likely your website will land on the first page of an internet search! The odds of your website being visited if it does not land on the first page of a search? Zero.

A lot of businesses that would benefit from having a video on their website promoting their company are still on the fence about moving forward. They have a fear of commitment in large part due to their continued uncertainty about our nation's economic future. But with the price of an effective, well produced, Green Birdie high definition video at its lowest point in history, this is the BEST time to take advantage of video and reap the benefits while your competitors remain frozen in place.

Video Gourmands

Being a gourmand (that means I like to eat - a lot!), I have developed a long list of favorite eating spots across the 5-boros of New York City, as well as Northern and Central New Jersey, Westchester, and Eastern Pennsylvania. I came across these spots out of necessity, as I was a hungry traveler covering news stories across the tri-state area for many years (decades, actually). I was never the type to bag my lunch, just wasn't that well organized. And I always considered spending a few bucks to try out a new ethnic cuisine (or revisit one of my many tried and true favorites) money extremely well spent! In a typical good week in my glory days, I might hit Chinatown for dim sum in Manhattan on Monday, grab some Argentinian steak in Corona on Tuesday, hit my favorite Jamaican restaurant for jerk chicken in downtown Brooklyn Wednesday, cruise up to the Bronx for a slice of the best Italian tomato pie you ever tasted Thursday, and end up in Newark for the seafood special in the Ironbound on Friday. When it came to food, variety was truly the spice of life!

Now that I'm (a bit, don't rush it) older, I can't get away with eating so much rich food without gaining a lot of weight! I've cut down a lot, but luckily, my significant other is a terrific cook and very health conscious, so when I'm at home (and not cooking myself when I revert to indulgence), I am eating pretty healthy (and still tasty- still adding plenty of spice, grilled veggies and a dab of hot sauce!).

Here comes the tie-in people: video is a lot like food, and video consumers are a lot like gourmands! 1) Like food, there is a lot of variety in videos; action, romantic, educational, commercial, effective, ineffective, beautiful, ugly... You get the point! 2) The key to great food is preparation: a good recipe, an experienced chef; fresh ingredients; a light touch; a good balance of flavors; and getting it all out on the table hot at the same time. The key to great video is also preparation; a good script; an experienced videographer, producer and editor; proper lighting; high quality audio & video equipment; and a great sense of editing rhythm to get all the images, sounds and special effects working together to tell a compelling, effective story.

At Green Birdie Productions, we take pride in the way we prepare our videos, just as an experienced chef takes pride in the food he or she serves. Let's face it, the general public is advanced when it comes to watching videos, and won't settle for poorly executed, badly conceived presentations. They have increasingly become "video gourmands;" in love with their video in all its infinite variety, and with the creation price of a high definition video down to historically low rates, there's no reason for anyone to settle for less than the very best!

Why risk the equivalent of video food poisoning? Contact Green Birdie Video today... and start cooking!

Timing Is Everything

Being at the right place at the right time often ends up being a matter of luck, but you can sweeten the odds by becoming skillful at positioning. I learned the importance of skillful positioning as a news videographer at WWOR-TV; a business where getting well positioned BEFORE an event happened directly related to my ability to get the "story" or not!

An exciting example occurred when I got a call from my assignment desk while traveling back to the newsroom after producing a story in Queens. One of the main jobs of assignment editors is to listen in on the police radio as first responders are directed to "breaking" events. Much of the time, these events turn out to be non-events, something called into 9-1-1 that the cops are obliged to respond to. On this particular day, the dispatcher sent some of New York's Finest to a building site in Harlem near Park Avenue on 124th Street, just by the elevated train platform, on a report that some of the building's bricks were falling off. At first glance it didn't sound like much of a story; after all, the area is largely abandoned, and noone had been actually hit by one of the bricks!

I arrived at the scene about half an hour later, where I found that a four block area around the building had already been completely cordoned off. I parked my car and walked up to a line of men in blue standing behind the yellow "do not cross" tape. "Hi guys," I said. "I'm with channel 9. Any chance I can get in to take a few shots of the building?" My credentials clearly state that, as a member of the New York Press, I am "entitled to cross police and fire lines wherever formed," yet the officers deny my access, telling me it was "unsafe" and that my presence would "interfere" with the responders working by the building. This was a fairly typical response from the police rank and file at breaking news locations, and not unanticipated. Cops are generally not allowed to make decisions, only take orders; they usually say "no" or "no comment" to any and all requests from the media. I then asked the officers if I could "Speak with the officer in charge," gesturing at a lieutenant speaking with EMS workers half a block away. "NO," came the strict reply, adding, "move along!" Like civilians, accredited news people have to obey a direct order from a police officer or face a fine, arrest, or the confiscation of our largely useless press pass! I reluctantly agreed, thanked the officers and walked away, then circled around the block and came back to the same intersection from the other direction, positioning myself on the side of a large emergency vehicle that blocked their view of me. From this vantage point, I gestured to that lieutenant inside the cordoned off area; and he walks right over and smiles at me. "Hi Lou," I said. "I'm with channel 9. Any way you can get me inside somewhere so I can get a shot of the building?" He nods. "I watch your news all the time. No problem. Just keep on the opposite side of the street so you don't get hurt." He pulls up the tape, and we walk down 124th Street, right past the officers who kicked me out! The lieutenant asks me to stand behind a chain link fence directly across from the building, and I comply.

I start interviewing an irritated woman sitting in her car who can't drive out of the area until police give the all clear, when suddenly I hear a noise from the direction of the building. Instinctively, I turn, camera on my shoulder, and "throw the focus" from 5-feet to infinity. Through the eye of the lens, I watch as the building tumbles to the ground; the cops and first responders running from the crashing debris; the dust rising as the walls crash sideways onto the street and nearby empty lot. It is over in seconds, the woman in the car screaming, "Did you see that!?" "Wow, did yo see that?!" I hear first responders calling out to each other, "Are you all right?" And far away, behind the police lines, I see passersby swarming the police tape, desperate to see, well, anything at all. The lieutenant runs up to me. "Did you get that?" he asks. "Yup!" I nod happily. "Great, I'll watch it on channel 9 tonight!" We give each other big grins.

As it turned out, my footage was seen not only on channel 9 but on all the New York television stations, beginning with their 5 pm shows, as well CNN and the Fox Network. My boss was very happy, as we had the exclusive, so he could put our channel 9 "bug" on the footage they all ran (a great publicity scoop!). Because I hadn't given up, and had done my best to position myself well, I had put myself in the right place at the right time to get the story. Timing is truly everything, but skillful positioning oneself for any business opportunity is a key to ultimate success!

If you'd like to see the footage, please log onto my resume website, http://Rob-Bell.tv. The building collapse is shown about a minute into the "Intro" video that plays automatically on the home page when you first log on.

To find out more about how a high definition video can help your company position itself well for whatever the future may hold, please log onto the Green Birdie website at http://GreenBirdieVideo.com.

Intimacy Rules

One of the great things about video is its intimacy, its ability to catch the viewer's attention and hold it, and no one knows that better than a seasoned television newsman like myself.

On breaking news stories, we always rushed to the scene of the crime, accident or disturbance not only to shoot great images, but to interview people directly associated with the breaking news. Getting to a fire scene in time to shoot orange flames shooting out of the roof is much more compelling video than getting there when the firefighters are packing up to leave and the house is a wet, smoldering wreck. And the chance of finding the distraught homeowner, or at least a passerby who saw and can describe how the homeowner jumped out of a window to escape the flames, is much greater if you get there fast than if you get there later.

Video also creates intimacy on feature stories we would set up in advance. Is there anything more compelling than the look in a mother's eyes and the sound of her quavering voice as she describes a successful medical procedure that saved her child's life?

It's no secret that big companies create elaborate video commercials at great expense, and spend even more on distribution, to catch the attention of prospective customers. While we love to create those big time commercials for broadcast here at Green Birdie Productions, we also produce more reasonably priced commercials for small and medium size businesses. We also create our very reasonably priced "video briefs," which involve a simple one on one interview edited down to an average one and a half minute presentation, to quickly add the intimacy and communication power of video to our client's websites.

The intimacy of video, and its ability to hold our attention, is undeniable. It's no wonder experts predict that videos will be on half of all U.S. based websites within the next 3-5 years! (Currently less than 10-percent). The time to get intimate is now! Contact me at 908-268-4533 to find out how to get yourself a video, and let the power of the medium go to work for you.