Spring break will come early for one talented college student this fall.  The International Radio Festival (IRF) announced the launch of the 2nd annual Search for Best College Radio Jockey, and this year the contest will be expanding to include Canada.

HD Radio™ developer iBiquity Digital & CMJ are teaming up to send one college radio jockey to perform “live” at the 4th International Radio Festival in Zurich, Switzerland September 4-8, 2013.

"iBiquity is thrilled that our partnership with the International Radio Festival will introduce the next generation of radio professionals to the enhanced sound and creative possibilities of HD Radio Technology," said Joseph F. D’Angelo, Senior Vice President at iBiquity Digital Corporation.

The Campus Radio Competition for Best Radio Jockey is open to all college radio jockeys in the United States and Canada who submit a radio show for consideration by the competition deadline of July 10, 2013.

"The International Radio Festival is the only one of its kind to celebrate the world’s most consumed medium - music radio - and offers an incredible opportunity for young college DJs to get a global view of the international radio scene, make industry contacts and learn about the business of radio," said Lisa Hresko, Editor-in-Chief of CMJ.

The International Radio Festival is a 4-day long celebration of global radio that brings hundreds of radio professionals together to network and share formats and audience preferences. DJs from over 30 countries will convene at the festival to broadcast their contemporary radio shows live September 4-8 in Zurich.

"The inclusion of emerging talent is a key value of the International Radio Festival and the USA/Canada College Radio Jockey Competition is the centerpiece of our commitment to nurture future leaders in the international radio industry," said Darryl von Daniken, Co-Founder of the International Radio Festival.

Entrants can upload their shows to mixcloud.com, an inaugural partner of the IRF. 

It's an interesting moment to be an observer and consumer of internet radio now that Google Music has crawled out of beta and is making a play for premium music subscribers currently giving their money to the likes of Spotify and Pandora.

Google has been working on a music service for years, but its complicated relationship with the labels hindered the process. Now they have deals with all the majors and a de-facto leg up on Apple. This is about the battle for the "living room'" and owning a piece of Home Entertainment. Google's global strategy is to serve its customers in an ecosystem they never leave. Extending the metaphor, Google Play Music All Access (who came up with that name?) is another suite in the Chrome mansion, next to YouTube and Google Play. 

Digital music is a fast growing proposition but the jury is still out on subscription. Spotify has but 6 million paid subscribers out of 24 million and wouldn't have taken off without a free option. However, Google isn't exactly an obscure start up, and Google Play Music All Access does seem to offer a "smarter" listening experience. On the one hand, it feeds lazy listeners Pandora-style streams that are integrated with search and informed by users' own music libraries (letting users upload 20,000 of their own tracks for free) while also giving the true aficionados and taste makers free range to create their own playlists, as they do on Spotify and Rdio.

Industry insiders tell MGC that the next few months will see the continued consolidation of the music services (Beats bought Mog last year). It's not beyond reach to imagine Rdio merging with Spotify or being acquired by either Apple, Microsoft or Google. 

Now the real question is, will the music lovers pay $10 a month subscription for all the music they can eat? Only time will tell.

contributed by MJ Sorenson

From my recent experience, the answer is "Yes". 

As the frequency of face to face meetings is on the decline with the use of social media tools like Skype and Linkedin, in the flesh networking opportunities are more valuable than ever before. As evidenced by the large turnout in Cannes this April, people relish seeing past and current colleagues and hearing from industry experts in person. It was the 50th anniversary of MIPTV and the conference/market has evolved over the past 12 years, most noticeably in the talent that it attracts to the Palais des Festivals stage. 

This April edition had industry leaders Sophie Turner Laing/BSkyB and David Zaslov, President/CEO of Discovery Communications;  The Dark Knight Triology (Batman) writer David S Goyer; entertainer Gene Simmons, as well as non-industry figures on the global stage.  Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on hand to inspire broadcasters to rise up to the challenge of addressing social ills through entertainment. He isn't alone: Beyoncé is headlining the June 1st  “Chime For Change” Concert in London to raise awareness of gender equality and education. 


Also on stage was Felix Baumgartner, who broke the sound barrier in his much-publicized freefall from space for Redbull last October. Clearly, Red Bull TV is a disruptive force in the PR world, with innovative stunts replacing tired advertising tactics. 

The weekend before MIP offered great stage presence as well. At MIPFormats: Global Formats expert, the inimitable Patty Geneste, CEO of Absolutely Independent and recently annointed President of FRAPA (Format Rights & Protection Agency), moderated a discussion on the lucrative Formats’ business with the entertaining David Lyle, co-founder of FRAPA and current CEO of National Geographic Channels; global format expert Michel Rodrigue, CEO of The Format People (and co-founder of FRAPA) along with Danish formats producer Jan Salling, COO of Nordic World. Formats have exploded around the world, especially in China where Michel worked with Enlight Media who produces “X Factor” China - one of China’s top rated shows.  Michel moderated a China Format panel which filled the auditorium with 280+ producers and tv execs interested in the lucrative Chinese market.  The panel featured head of formats from major Chinese players from Endemol (Fotini Paraskakis) and Star International (Vivian Yin) and ZJTV (Summer Zheng) as well as Red Arrow/Germany (Michael Schmidt) who sold formats into China. Many more companies in the western formats’ industry are now ready to do business with China, seeing the successes of formats in just the past three years as well as the growing trust to work with Chinese tv companies. Format prices have risen from just $500 per episode just 4 years ago to $25K per ep! China’s version of “The Voice” reaches 200 million viewers  

MIPTV continued its new Monday evening tradition – premiering a major TV show, this time by screening “Davicni’s Demons” being sold by BBC Worldwide and airing on Starz in the US. Writer David S. Goyer and lead actors Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Lara Pulver and Blake Ritson appeared for a Q & A after the screening. A shout-out to my good friend Angie Stephenson of the BBC who is a co-producer.  A very interesting and fun take on a young Davinci!

We would love to hear about your MIP experience in the comment section!

contributed by Jennifer Irizarry
MasterPeace, the fastest growing global grassroots peace organization in the world, is spreading their message of peace and striking facebook gold through an innovative strategy that is true to their  decentralized style. Growing by over 2,000 new likes on a daily basis, the MasterPeace Facebook page is evolving organically with results that many brands would envy. 

So what's in MasterPeace's secret sauce? 

In addition to offering up a wealth of highly sharable, fun, and inspiring images, quotes and video, MasterPeace's facebook page is highly "glocal". Raghda El-Halawany, Social Media Manager at MasterPeace says, "I believe that the main reason for the pages's success could be attributable to this latest strategy we adopted of adding new local administrators to co-manage the page with us. This reflect's MasterPeace's core values of being a grassroots, 2.0 movement, so we built a global team of 12 admins from different parts of the world and gave them the freedom to target their areas with local news".

In order to successfully partner with so many admins from around the world, MasterPeace put out a call for applicants and developed a rigorous training program for them in-house. The response was overwhelming, allowing them to choose highly skilled admins from around the world. Many are tech and graphic savvy students or recent graduates that are eager to get social media management experience. All of them have a deep understanding of what the local MasterPeace audiences will respond to most on Facebook.

MasterPeace's Facebook strategy capitalizes on the best of what social media has to offer: collaboration and creativity without boundaries. It's the perfect medium to connect MasterPeacers from all over the world, building peace, together.

As the Year of the Snake begins, we reflect back on the recent NATPE market where a major conference theme was "disruptive TV". It seemed every panel explored the tension between technology-driven changes in content distribution and consumer behavior and how to remain nimble in a changing landscape. Nowhere was this reflected more than in the composition of the panels themselves. A few years ago panelists from Google/YouTube and Hulu were lucky to be included on a panel as junior speakers where traditional television execs led the discussion. Now the tables have turned and these digital execs lead alongside veteran colleagues. It is an exciting and collaborative time as the industry reinvents itself.

In fact, at NATPE more and more senior level executives were engaged not only as speakers but as participants, enthusiastically learning about the new drivers of change. The large Fontaine Ballroom (cap. 600) was packed for almost every session, sometimes standing-room only. Just 10 years ago when NATPE (and other markets) were lucky to have a room half full!

A highlight for MGC was hearing from maverick producer Ben Silverman of Electus whose hits "Ugly Betty" and "The Office" paved the way for direct digital distribution of shows via its own website, CollegeHumor.

On the deal front, MGC client GRB Entertainment, one of the few remaining independent global television distributors, was enjoying business not only with Latin America, which NATPE has been come to be known for, but also international deals.Their estimated business was 80% from Latin America and 20% European.

MGC caught up with global industry veteran Farrell Meisel, recently returned from two years establishing television in the war zone of Afghanistan, Farrell is now advising Turkish production/distribution company, Global Agency. Farrell is excited about the development opportunities for Global Agency -- and to be in a safe zone back in California! 

Over in Mongolia, we congratulate Michel Rodrigue (pictured above, third from right) of The Format People who successfully re-launched Mongol TV along with Mongol TV CEO, Nomin Chinbat (pictured above, in red dress), after two years of hard work, building new studios, overseeing the training of local producers by global tv experts and changing the face of Mongolian TV forever.

We are looking forward to many more exciting things ahead for both the industry and MGC in this Year of the Snake. 

An article appeared in the LA Times this week indicating that Hollywood’s infatuation with Facebook may be on the wane as movie studios are privately wondering if their Facebook advertising budgets are bringing them the ROI they seek in the form of increased ticket sales for new premieres.

It’s a good question to ask.

Aside from the fact that recent changes to the Facebook algorithm could be responsible for sewing the seeds of discontent as it becomes clear that there are no more free rides in the feeds, it’s important to remember that Facebook is really just a channel like any other-- so it follows that if you post "Meh" content on your channel, no one will pay attention.

There is not denying that content really is king and the old cliché that you must add value in order to be successful in social media rings truer than ever. Sorry to say, but paying Facebook to promote a movie poster that everyone has already seen on the subway is not going to result in ROI, unless we change the meaning of that over-used acronym to Really Obviously Ineffective. In fact, if a film’s Facebook page is little more than a reservoir of blase press mentions, then yes, it is a waste of money to promote it on Facebook, because average consumers simply couldn't care less.

Even a cursory overview of the Facebook pages of this year’s Golden Globe contenders fails to yield up evidence of a creative and inspiring Facebook campaign. Instead, what we find are decent quantitative indicators like relatively high numbers of likes (which of course is what the advertising paid for) and vapid levels of consumer engagement evident in the quality and frequency of comments and shares.

Well, what is Hollywood to do?

Marketing a film on Facebook is not an easy thing to do. Unlike tv shows, whose temporality, much like Super Bowls and presidential debates, benefit on social media from the simultaneous mass participation of the audience, a film has no such draw. Promoting a film on Facebook with the objective of selling more tickets requires a more creative and long-term approach, one that takes full advantage of the “social” in social media-which of course is earned through the back and forth of engagement. It seems indie films have something to teach the big boys in this regard, as they have no choice but to engage their market and be sensitive to their demands in order to get funded in the first place. 

Since everyone and their grandmother is on Facebook, it’s not hard to imagine what kind of content appeals to the average Facebook user-you and I ARE the average Facebook user. And as consumers, we all know that most of the paid advertising we encounter in our news feed we pass right over unless there is a coupon or giveaway attached to it and we happen to be in the market. 

When it comes to entertainment offerings, I for one would appreciate content that can be found nowhere else. It doesn’t have to be fancy or slick and in fact, a more informal approach is perfectly appropriate for social media. What kind of behind the scenes antics or “making of” can be caught on video and shared? Are there some great bloopers or out-takes that would be funny or surprising or shocking enough for me to want to share with my friends? What kind of candid moments of my favorite celebrities would I love to come across in my feed? 

The bottom line is that if studios have the loot to throw at Facebook marketing, they need to invest some of that in a sound content strategy that is distinct from the creatives that will comprise the broader promotional strategy through traditional avenues like tv, radio, newspaper, etc. 

Facebook is a communication tool. If ROI isn’t measuring up to expectations, don’t shoot the messenger-have a look at how meaningful content is or isn’t contributing to the bottom line.

As the first year of MJ Global Communications (MGC) comes to a close, we wish to thank all our clients and supporters.  We’re pleased to share some of our highlights and look forward to a bright and expansive 2013. Happy holidays to everyone!

MGC was instrumental in leveraging our network to broker high-level meetings for Conduit executives with major tv and film studio executives at MIPCOM this year in anticipation of the launch of their game-changing social internet browser.

Also at MIPCOM, we secured several placements for GRB Entertainment in major entertainment trade publications including Variety, THR, C21 Media, VideoAge and the MIPCOM daily. Increased visibility at the market supported GRB’s sale of programs for international distribution.

Enlight Media based in Beijing, China is on the rise by producing top shows with stellar ratings such as “Clash of the Choirs” and “The X Factor.” MGC is proud to play a critical role in raising the visibility of the company and its President Harry Su in Western markets. Trades: C21, Content Asia, World Screen News, MIPCOM Daily, Video Age.

On behalf of Indiantelevision.com, MGC secured photo placement and interviews with numerous media outlets to raise U.S. visibility for talented Indian television actress Prerna Wanvari. Prerna presented at the International Emmy awards, attended by over 1,000 global industry in New York City. In addition, MGC provided digital public relations services including social media and personal branding services for the actress.

MGC was thrilled to handle marketing and communications for the International Radio Festival of Zurich for both the 3rd edition of the Festival as well as coordinating press and social media outreach for the first annual “IRF Search for the Best US College Radio DJ”.   MGC worked closely with the IRF to establish a dynamic Advisory Board, as well as secure sponsorship with iBiquity’s HD Radio.   

In collaboration with The Format People, we are pleased to be working with Mongol TV, raising its global awareness of the emerging channel, and its President Nomin Chinbat, through press interviews, stories and speaking engagements.  

MGC is successful due to great team effort. We look forward to partnering with our clients in the coming year to help them reach and exceed their business goals.

ATF report: The Asian entertainment market is poised to make a big mark in the global entertainment playing field and in the very near future. The biggest observation was the vast activity and positive attitude of the region both towards Western programming and its creators as well as enthusiasm by the West for the opening for growth into the region. 

Korea was showcasing its entertainment programs, not only exporting its popular dramas in the region and beyond, but now with the global popularity of K-Pop (who can resist the mass appeal of Girls Generation and  Gangnam Style recently made youtube history ) more light entertainment is also being reviewed internationally. This buzz was heard around the market as well as during the conferences. "The Running Man" is Korea's own Format and is number one in the country and is now expanding around the region.

Several western and Latin companies were present from at A+E, Fox International, Disney, FremantleMedia, ECBS, Televisa, Globo, GRB and others. They are keeping their eyes on not only Korea and China but also the emerging media landscapes of Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Myanmar. The political, technical and economical statuses of those countries are changing to allow for investment into and out of these countries.

A+E just announced they are assuming 100-percent ownership of the Singapore-based joint venture it set up with Malaysia's Astro to roll out its pay-TV brands across Southeast Asia.  Astro will continue to carry HISTORY, Crime & Investigation Network and BIO in Malaysia and Brunei following A+E taking full control of AETN All Asia Networks, the joint venture established in 2007. In addition, A+E is establishing a regional production partnership with Astro.

One of the quickest ways for Western TV to get a foothold in the territory is to  localize already established Formats such as "X Factor," and "Clash of the Choirs" (seen not only in China but expanding throughout the region) and these shows are airing to high ratings. Enlight Media, the largest independent Chinese production company just announced its highest rating (2.4 of 10) for its premiere of the 2nd season of "Clash of the Choirs" on CCTV-1, representing millions of viewers. There is now a very strong competition among Chinese broadcasters to acquire the top formats, and as such, western Format distributors are now enjoying three times the price from just a year ago. The number one format in China is "The Voice"

Another way Western brands are getting into the space is with innovative entertainment models such as branded entertainment and social media entertainment models. Social media has proven to be a crucial component to drive awareness and consumer engagement in the region for programs and brands. This is evidenced by both increased viewership and product adoption. LiquidThread (Starcom Mediavest Group) in Hong Kong showed examples of branded content via webisodes of "Miss Puff’s Hourglass" who started online and is migrating to television after a strong campaign. They are working with companies like P & G and M & M Mars to reach even deeper into China and the region. As an entree into the region, brands are inserting themselves into existing as well as newly created programming.

Even though there is still a strong concern from the West about piracy, it is being somewhat overridden by the vast opportunity to be involved in the area. Eastern TV companies are hiring western producers to learn their production skills, business policies and practices.  The smart ones see the advantages of growing a better business reputation, whether it be to establish itself for the future to sell their own Formats and programs (and its experienced producers to train them) or to acquire the best existing programming (Formats) and be first among their own countries' competitors. They are beginning to understand the credibility issues and are hiring global media consultants to advise and train their executives on how to play nicely in the global field. The Format People, led by Michel Rodrigue, are infiltrating the region with their expertise he number of viewers in the region is staggering to the West, many would be happy with just a fraction of the Chinese viewers.

The ATF has grown since I first attended 12 years ago at the Sentosa Hotel with just 600 attendees (most from nearby countries, the market is now at 4K (up 14% over last year) taking place at the modern Sands Convention Center. I anticipate an ever growing presence in the coming years as the West competes more for media market share. Personally MGC is pleased to be able to reach into the region with our clients Mongol TV and Enlight Media China. We are excited to be in discussion with potential partners from Singapore and Vietnam.

MJ Sorenson

Welcome to the inaugural blog of MJ Global Communications (MGC).  The company began in December 2011, and is growing and partnering with exceptional global entertainment companies. Our goal is to be a truly international brand, focused on all areas of entertainment, whether it be music, television, film or industry events. We have already begun to partner with great entertainment companies from India to Switzerland to China to Israel and the US.

MGC aims to seamlessly merge our marketing, communications and social media efforts to reveal a company’s message, infusing a transparency which will establish and enhance our clients’ credibility. MGC also supports companies newer to the global space. As they enter the arena, we help establish the client’s brand in the optimum manner, marking their place as an entertainment company to be noticed.  We truly want to share the stories of our clients in the most compelling, concise and integrity-driven style.

At MIPCOM this month, MGC had the pleasure to represent GRB TV & Film from Los Angeles; Enlight Media from China and Conduit from Israel. I was personally encouraged by several colleagues in the industry who offered generous support and expressed a desire to partner with us.

As the President of MGC, I am very pleased to assemble a team of international entertainment event consultants who share the same company values and a vision to work with top global entertainment companies that also foster a better understanding of the world through the content they represent.

We are dedicated to staying on the top of trends for communications, marketing and social media so we can elevate our clients’ visibility and give a voice the changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Our blog will encompass interviews with top global entertainment professionals, industry event news and marketing and communication trends.  We welcome your feedback and comments as well as topics for further blogs.

 We thank all those who are helping to make MJ Global Communications a success!