Tv corner : Meet Rob – broadcast media professional

This week we are pleased to introduce Rob Weeks broadcast media specialist ……

I am a broadcast media professional with 8 years of experience in Rights Management at the BBC. I currently work for the Discovery Channel delivering content in long form, to iTunes, Google Play, Amazon & Xbox in the UK and France. I also manage our assets and short form content within our multi channel international network (MCN) on YouTube.

Why is this role important?

1. The role is important to the business as it’s essential for a broadcaster with unique content like Discovery to establish a brand presence on integrated platforms like YouTube and iTunes. The role is crucial in bringing in revenue from an audience that may not reached through traditional linear TV.

How long have you been doing what you are doing?

2. I have been working in my current role of Video Syndication for 3 months but I have worked closely in delivering content to platforms like YouTube and iTunes for around 7 years.

 What attracted you to work in this sector and how did you get into it?

3. I was really attracted to this sector as I’d worked in a more behind the scenes capacity for a long time and wanted to make the jump to a more client focused role. I started in Rights Management for the BBC before online video exploded and was in the right place at the right time when VOD and DTO became a huge part of the broadcast media business. Before working in Media I had a number of random jobs in between travelling that have included debt collection, a delivery driver and painting & decorating to name a few.

What tips would you gove someone weho was interviewing for your company?

5. Have a passion and interest in Discovery and it’s channel network. It always helps to be a fan of what content they produce so you can demonstrate enthusiasm for the product(s) which will come across to the interviewer. It also helps to research the activity of the company in context to the job role you are interviewing for. To give an example I studied their YouTube network, what type of channels were they operating, the subscriber base and view count. I also checked what Discovery content was available from the various DTO stores in the UK.

What do you do on a daily basis?

6. My role on a daily basis starts with looking through the YouTube Content Management System (CMS) for the Discovery International network. I claim, monetize, block and track all of our content as well as any user generated content (UGC) that matches our assets. I then plan the release schedule and coordinate the launch of long form product on iTunes, Google, Amazon and Xbox. To bring a product to the store I need to clear the rights, organise and help create the artwork, liaise with the technical teams to deliver the content, set pricing and secure promotion through strong relationships with account managers on the different download stores.

What do you enjoy about your role?

7. I really enjoy the scope of my role, there are lots of different things to think about and no one day is the same. It is incredibly satisfying to have put a lot of work into the launch of a title and then seeing it on store for people to buy. It’s even more satisfying when you see the title has been received well and has a high volume of sales.

What are the cha;;lenges faced in the role?

8. Digital Media is a very fast paced environment to work in and it’s changing and evolving as each day passes. The main challenge is to be one step ahead of the game and ready for any changes in both the technology and the shift in the way a consumer interacts with online video.

What are your career highlights?

13. The highlights of my career so far would be managing the complex rights deals when the BBC first launched on YouTube as well as being successful in my application to the Discovery Channel of course!!!

Do you have any career regrets?

14. I do not have any regrets in my career so far, it is important to me to try and improve all the time and remember any experience good or bad is an important part of your learning and development in the workplace.

What advice would you goive to someone who wants to work in your industry?

18. My advice would be to have a passion and interest in both the company you want to work for, as well as the sector you want to work in. I was an avid YouTuber and user of DTO platforms before I applied for my current role and this really helped in achieving getting to where I wanted to be.