DEAR EXPERT
Looking Toward Tomorrow
MFM conference mastermind Charles Warner spills the beans on what’s in store for attendees of Media Finance Focus 2021. Dear Expert, I’m thinking about attending MFM’s Media Finance Focus 2021 online conference this year, but I don’t know what to expect. Can you please give me an idea of what’s planned? Curious in Cleveland
track will also examine how the programmatic world is impacting the newspaper industry. The Games Committee will be back with a powerful track. One session will look at online roadblocks facing the industry. AnDear Curious, both the public and private sectors. It plans other will offer insight into the latest in I’d be happy to! The many MFM com- to take a look at how the pandemic has im- games valuation. Mobile content and eports mittees that are developing sessions for the pacted lease accounting. It will also focus are the topics of two other discussions as conference are interested in tackling pretty on robotic process automation, along with well. big questions, and some of the issues they other forms of automation. Environmental Media Finance Focus has three general raise are intertwined. social and governance issues are the topic of sessions planned. The first will feature two Ways of reducing expenses is one of them. another session. speakers. Joe Batista, chief creatologist from And human resource concerns are signifiThe Interactive and Digital Media Com- Dell Computer, is first in line. He will adcant. For example, what does working re- mittee will give insights into streaming – dress how many professionals are looking motely do to employee morale, staff mon- consumption data as well as revenue issues for a new playbook moving forward and itoring along with hiring and firing how to develop a formula for change. decisions? Some employees love not The Games Committee will be Next up is Tina Harris, the chair of commuting and feel more productive race, media and cultural literacy in the at home, while others find they are back with a powerful track. One session Manship School of Mass Communiless creative and miss casual conversa- will look at online roadblocks facing cation at Louisiana State University. tions with coworkers in the office that the industry. She will present her research on critical spark their creativity. And what are communication pedagogy, race and employees doing about career advancement and opportunities. It will also examine how identity communication as well as diversity. when there is so much less face time? COVID-19 is pushing some companies to A second general session will feature Tax issues are lurking as states and coun- the technology tipping point and shed light a panel of experts who will focus on the ties try to drum up fees from those working on third-party cookie issues. The conference work-from-home trend. Don Thompson, in new locations. Internal auditors face new will also have a dedicated session on effec- executive vice president of human resources challenges as employees and documents tive ways of selling digital opportunities. at Sinclair Broadcast Group, will join that are now in multiple places. And as cyber The Television Committee will dive into conversation. The third general session will terrorists become ever more sophisticated, the future of television as we know it. One showcase Deloitte’s state of the entertainIT controls over remote computers must be session will focus on the latest rule and pol- ment industry research report. enhanced. icy changes coming from Washington. A Tracks are also in the works for credit, That’s just a taste of the many vital issues related session will discuss how the political radio, internal audit, tax, network programthat will be discussed during Media Finance changes in the U.S. may affect labor rela- ming and streaming. Focus 2021, which is themed “Together To- tions and unionizing efforts. This track will BMI will be providing ward Tomorrow.” Once again, it’s a virtual also look at the latest in the world of music a musical afternoon as event, and runs from May 11 to July 29. All licensing. well. told, 42 sessions along with a dozen roundThe newspaper industry continues to face So don’t wait – sign tables are on the drawing board. an uphill battle, as circulations shrink and up now. We look forThe Accounting Committee will look preprint advertisers fall. The newspaper ward to seeing you in at the latest changes and best practices in track will look at how to expand revenue May! sources. Issues related to expenses will also W. Charles Warner, Jr. is the president of Do you have a professional puzzle that go under the microscope – what to save or Broadcast Finance, Inc., a media management MFM and BCCA experts might be able to cut. Another session will look at systems and answer? We’ll mine the contact base and find consulting firm. He serves as MFM’s conference processes that can make a remote workforce the right person to answer your question. program director and CFO. Warner can be Just contact TFM editor Janet Stilson at reached at charlie.warner@mediafinance.org. safer from a cybersecurity standpoint. This TFMeditor@mediafinance.org.
6 The Financial Manager • March/April 2021
