News

Webcast Solution Done Deal

In July, 2004, Microsoft signed a year-long contract with Worktank Creative Media to provide a Live Meeting webcast solution. The contract total for the year is $1,110,898.00.

Webcast Solution Overview Deliver up to 2200 webcasts per year to the following groups:

1. Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS)
2. Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN)
3. Microsoft Executive Circle (MSEC)
4. Microsoft Office System (MSOS)
5. Security
6. Small and Medium Business (SMB)
7. Tech Net

1. Coordination and execution of webcast event scheduling
2. Technical training for presenters
3. Event supervision and moderation
4. Technical support during webcast
5. Post-webcast statistics and evaluation reporting
6. Exploration into new technologies and streamlining of business activities

Benefit to Microsoft
These services were once provided by 6 separate companies. The consolidation of effort creates a stable integrated service, reducing costs, billing and invoicing issues. Quality control benchmarks can be set and more easily managed with one resource.

Expertise Required
Our associates have years of experience working with enterprise level collaboration software, telephony conferencing, and various levels of media production. For the producer roles, they typically have broadcast or radio hosting experience, or a public speaking background. Time management for these roles is key, and many of our associates also come from a project management or coordination background.

Team Positions
Content Acquisition Manager, Demand Generation Coordinator, Webcast Producers, Webcast Coordinators, Webcast Production Manager

How Structured and Managed
Webcast Producers act as the main coordination point and liaison between Microsoft and webcast presenters. Producers are responsible for owning assigned events and ensuring that webcast deliverable deadlines are met. Producers are also responsible for training new presenters on Live Meeting technology, running and managing the webcast event, and providing metrics post-webcast.

Webcast coordinators perform the back-end data entry for the 2200 events. Coordinators are responsible for entering webcast requests into the various webcasting support systems such as Worldwide Events (WWE) and Live Meeting. Coordinators also provide post-webcast reporting and manage updates and changes to webcasting schedules.

The Webcast Production Manager (WPM) manages both segments and ensures that standard operating procedures are followed and resolves any day-to-day issues within the team. The WPM is also responsible for load balancing the workload amongst the team and developing ways to work more efficiently.

The Content Acquisition Manager (CAM) works within the TechNet segment and mainly works with the IT Pro audience. The CAM is responsible for building and maintaining relationships within the IT Pro Community to secure content that maps to the overall Microsoft marketing plan for the segment. The CAM also is instrumental with planning and scheduling webcasts based on audience demand.

The Demand Generation Coordinator (DGC) role supports all webcast segments in the demand generation effort. The DGC is responsible for creating and sending marketing material specifically targeted to each segment audience to drive attendance for webcasts. The DGC is instrumental in the effort to drive awareness and interest into the webcasts that are scheduled for the month.

About Worktank Creative Media Worktank Creative Media was founded in January of 2001 by Melinda Partin and Leslie Rugaber. They provide full service creative strategy and production for companies like Microsoft, HP, Capgemini, and Puget Sound Energy. They handle interactive and multimedia, film and video, web, and print. What sets them apart is their ability to tell complex stories in compelling yet easy to understand ways.