NPR Digital Services Blog

A few of us from Digital Services spent with weekend in D.C. for DUXCamp, a one-day conference on design and user experience put on by NPR. Did I say conference? This was an “un-conference” — an event where sessions are created and led ad hoc by the participants.

About 200 folks who work in public media, news and digital design came together to share ideas about creating better digital experiences. Our own Steve Mulder led a workshop on design and research called UX and Data: BFFs or Frenemies? The answer? It depends — talk to Steve if you want to hear more.

Another session, Blowing Up Online News Design, started a good discussion about moving away from the newspaper metaphor and toward a clean, digital design that engages people without overwhelming them with links.

We’re speaking at the ERPM conference this week, in our home state of MA. Look for our very own Steve Mulder and Bob Kempf.

PUBLIC RADIO AND THE DIGITAL FUTURE: BIG PICTURE, NEXT STEPS
Kinsey Wilson, Senior Vice President & General Manager, NPR Digital Media
Bob Kempf, Vice President & General Manager, NPR Digital Services
Steve Mulder, Director, User Experience & Analytics, NPR Digital Services

 NPR’s Digital leaders and station partners outline future opportunities for public radio and demonstrate strategies stations are pursuing today with the support of NPR.

NPR DS will be exhibiting at the upcoming Public Radio Programming (PRPD) Conference in Baltimore, September 20-23. Our own Phil Johnson will be taking part in a session on Digital Media Metrics, led by Mike Reszler of APM, discussing some of the latest findings on streaming usage based on SoundExchange reporting data.

ONA
NPR DS will also be well represented at the Online News Association Conference right here in Boston, September 22-24. Let us know if you’re attending and in the area – we might host an event, official or unofficial. And you’re always welcome to stop by for a tour of our office.

If you’re attending either conference, and you spy one of us, please be sure to say hello!

We’re here at the PMDMC. Come chat with us about Core Publisher, digital strategy, Pulse improvements and more. Come and say hi to Bob Kempf, Suzanne Brendle, Doug Gaff, Joe Orlando, Sarianne Palmesano and Janeen Williamson.

Where to find us:

• Our booth is located in the lovely  Sky Ballroom.
• NPR Showcase: NPR Digital Services – Your Partner
  Thursday, July 14 2:30-3:45  (NOTE THE TIME HAS NOT CHANGED – typo in program)
  Conference Level: Phipps
  Learn more at Thursday afternoon’s breakout session, where Bob Kempf and team lead a discussion about our new services, including Core Publisher, will help stations produce better local online content, deepen audience relationships, and grow revenue. Learn about partnering with NPR DS to get to the ‘core’ of your digital strategies.

We have some exciting new improvements on the way for Pulse. Not only will you see lower costs in the fall, but we are also adding some great new features. We’re upgrading the back end email application from the existing Emaillabs platform to the new Lyris HQ platform. This means access to many new tools and features including:

• improved usability
• better wysiwyg html editor
• new templates to choose from
• ability to set up multiple lists
• ability to create your own demographics and control them better
• improved analytics tools
• email deliverability tools including blacklist monitoring, content analyzer and inbox snapshot that allows you to see how your email will appear across various email clients
• …and much more!

Stay tuned for information about the migration to the new system in upcoming weeks. If you’ll be at the PMDMC this week, stop by our booth for a sneak preview of all the great new functionality!

We’re busy getting read for the PMDMC next week. Come meet the NPR Digital Services team next week at the 2011 PMDMC in Pittsburgh, PA. We’ll be available throughout the conference to provide you with information about the evolving strategy of the NPR Digital Services group.

Come and say hi to Bob Kempf, Suzanne Brendle, Doug Gaff, Joe Orlando, Sarianne Palmesano and Janeen Williamson at our booth, in hallways, and at the welcome party.

Interested in some undivided attention? Schedule an info or training session with us.

Sponsor Showcase-NPR Showcase: NPR Digital Services – Your Partner
Thursday, July 14 2:30-3:45
Learn more at Thursday afternoon’s breakout session, where Bob Kempf and team lead a discussion about our new services, including Core Publisher, will help stations produce better local online content, deepen audience relationships, and grow revenue. Learn about partnering with NPR DS to get to the ‘core’ of your digital strategies.

Are you heading to NFCB next week? So are we!

Phil Johnson (SoundExchange Project Manager) and Joe Orlando (Marketing & Sales Manager) and Keith Hopper (Director of Product Strategy) from NPR Digital Services are attending the NFCB Conference in San Francisco.

In addition to attending sessions, Joe will be there to discuss all things digital with attendees.  Please see Joe to learn about the 20% NFCB Group Buy discount offered by NPR Digital Services

Phil Johnson, Panelist
Music Licensing
Thursday (6/3/11) at 4pm

Also, Phil will be a panelist for a session on Music Licensing on Thursday (6/3/11) at 4pm.  This session will cover everything you ever wanted to know about music licensing—for broadcast, for streaming, for podcasting and other digital media.  Who gets paid how much and by whom; reporting requirements and how to meet them; the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and what it means to you.  Phil will be joined by:

Here are Angie Tung and Joe Orlando hard at work at the iMA Conference in Austin. They’re talking to Wayne Sharpe of WABE/PBA about Core Publisher (or maybe he just wanted some candy).

More photos and other goodies here:http://nprdigitalsvcs.tumblr.com/

IMA
March 10-11 Austin, TX

We are exhibiting at the IMA. Please stop by and meet our new VP Bob Kempf. We’re there to answer your questions and help you with your website.

We’re also hosting a reception to celebrate the launch of Core Publisher.
Thursday 7:30 – 9:30
Capital View Terrace North and South
Drinks are on us!

AMPPR’ s PRMC
March 9-11  New York, NY
Our very own Phil Johnson is speaking March 11 at the 2011 Public Radio Music Conference discussing some pretty interesting SoundExchange data. No, really, some of it is interesting.

You’re Invited: iMA Reception

Thursday, March 10
7:30 – 9:30

Bob Kempf will speak, and you get to hang out with Doug, Keith, Angie, Joe, and Suzanne. What could be better?

RSVP: http://www.publicinteractive.com/IMA2011.html