#2

This is one I have struggled with for a long time.  If you had asked me this question five or six years ago my answer would have been a flat NO.  But for many years in the corporate world I worked under a Boss that constantly stated, “Awards and Trophies don’t matter – Results Do.”  In the creative side of media that statement can be argued.  Many of the best, advertisements, promotional spots, contests, event spots and commercials that don’t win awards might just be the most effective ones with the public by moving them to act.  But a few things have changed my mind. First off if you work on a project that has multiple people involved as I do, then they all deserve recognition.  You might not be able to give them a pay increase, fancy work jackets or other swag but at least you can give them the recognition they receive from winning an Award or Trophy.  This looks great on the entire teams resume and it makes people feel proud of what they are working on.  The second reason is, sometimes perception is reality.  If your show, publication, podcast, magazine or whatever is award winning then people are more likely to take it seriously.  I’m not saying that it is right, but that is the reality of the world.  Just like being a published author or a songwriter that has a major artist record their song.  People are more prone to take you serious as a writer or songwriter if you have a proven track record of some kind. In the past few years, I have started placing the Rock & Review with Eric Dahl interviews and shows in different competitions from Telly awards to Communicator awards, local Emmy’s and Josie Awards.  We have won a few and we have lost a few.  I try to be selective on the Awards I submit us for so that we are represented fairly.  No one enjoys losing but it would be nice when we do lose if the Award firm/company could give us some kind of critique or constructive criticism on what the judges feel would make our show better.  We all want to be better no matter what we do.  I frequently ask myself “What is the Goal.” The goal is to do the best possible interviews that we can, produce them well and reach the broadest audience possible for the people that come on our program.  A lot of preparation, time and thought go into every interview that we conduct so that the interviewee feels that their music, book or documentary is important to us.  If we win or lose awards that we submit for does it matter?  I’m not sure.  I do know that the team that works with me is very proud when we do win an award if that is all it accomplishes then it is worth it.  The ultimate award for any interview shows or creative endeavors is the amount of viewership, listenership and engagement.  In January our show went into National Syndication after airing for 12 years in Nashville, TN with a few extra markets like Chattanooga, Springfield, IL and Baltimore.  Now we jumped from 1 million viewers to 17 million.  This still hasn’t fully sunken in with me yet. And it should since the press release went out in January from corporate and I must explain what National Syndication means to a publicist or manager every other day.  Awards and trophies are nice, and it felt good to achieve a few acknowledgements last year and my team was thrilled.  There is also a reward in doing a great job and the best you can creatively and constantly pushing your boundaries to be better.

Everyone can't win an award or trophy, but they can strive to be better and push the boundaries.