Informative Entertainment Created by Exchange Digital Media Network Team
With a blend of technology and creativity, the Exchange in-house Digital Media Network (DMN) develops informative and entertainment content for the Exchange. Whether programming music and event promos for Exchange Radio Network (ERN) or creating digital content for Exchange in-store media screens, the team stays busy all year-round.
The music and programming that plays in Exchange facilities is the product of In-Store Media Network Administrator Mike Nelson and his team. The ERN team creates 100 to 150 per week on average and 150-200 during the busy holiday season. Nelson is in constant contact with Exchange facilities and troubleshoots any radio network issues for them daily.
Multimedia Production Branch Manager Tim Miller considers the radio network to be “a channel for commanders to communicate with their installation.”
Each installation has the avail-ability to hear 20 spots per hour.
“For a large installation like Fort Hood, the spots are easy to fill,” said Miller.
“A quarter of our spots are taken up by MWR and services,” said Nelson. “They advertise events and classes using our radio network.”
DMN also supplies all media content for Exchange facilities like the marketing content on digital screens in stores including; PowerZone, Chef Shop, Class Six, Prestige cosmetics, MILITARY STAR and more.
The team also produces marketing content for the new video screens being installed at all pay-at-the-pump Express locations. They create video for Armed Forces Network overseas, are collaborating with DeCA to supply media to the commissaries, develop entertainment for Exchange theaters and produce celebrity shoutouts and interviews with host, Nancy Jay.
Network Services Manager Todd Glenn said, “Our team takes the vision of the DMN producers and makes it happen. We film, edit and execute the product.”
This year will see even more action coming from the DMN team as they intergrate more with Exchange social media, support real estate as they purchase new digital menu boards for food courts and improve distribution of content for Exchange theaters.
“We currently support pre-show entertainment in theaters by sending Blu-Rays to each theater. In the future, with a digital cinema projection file, we will be able to upload or update content to a server for instant use.”
“Look for our production team at the Main Store Mangers meeting,” said Miller. “DMN will also be heavily involved in supporting the director/CEO’s mission in 2018 and the 50th Anniversary of Vietnam.”
The highlight of this past year was the team’s production of the first commercial to air to a national audience. The commercial aired in the stadium during the Armed Forces Bowl this past December.
“The spot we filmed featured Exchange Veterans and focused on Veterans online shopping benefit,” said Miller. “This was a huge opportunity that could open doors to support other military events.”
DMN filmed and produced the Exchange’s first national advertisement. The commercial, based on a poem by Corporate Communication Manager Johnny Olson, aired during the 2017 Armed Forces bowl.
