We connected with Matrix MASC Member Peter Jones from Premion to get his position on the value of MASC and its impact on the industry, and the goal for the future. Listen to his responses below.
What is the value of the Media Ad Sales Council, otherwise known as MASC?
I think most broadcast groups probably have a lot of similar challenges. I think the great value is bringing in similar minds and peers within the broadcast groups together to kind of face those challenges. Figure out, kind of almost like a brainstorming idea, of how to tackle them or how to attack those challenges. Also sharing, what do they see, what might be some challenges or opportunities that are coming up in the future? ATSC 3.0 is obviously a big conversation, streaming is a big conversation. So it's nice to see what other broadcast groups are doing to kind of go after what that next phase of the business is.
Can you tell us why this council, why MASC?
So I do have a little bit of a different background than some of the other members. I actually have never sold linear. I've always been in the digital space. I head up local sales for Premion. So, I thought it'd be good to meet with some of these other broadcast groups and hear what their challenges are and maybe get and bring in a different perspective. Being that streaming is a big part of their business now and will be in the future. So I enjoy learning about those challenges. Obviously, I think we all want to transact with one currency. And I think we're moving in that direction. So I'm glad I get to be a part of it. And hopefully my perspective in being in the streaming space helps.
What are you hoping to gain from MASC?
The first thing is... I've gotten to meet some, some great people. I have also been introduced to leaders in the industry from other broadcast groups; and not just broadcast groups, also analytics and measurement companies. So first, it's just great to have those introductions. And then, some of those introductions have actually led to partnerships. So that's one of the biggest things I've gained.
I think we are all trying to reach the same goal with some things. And what I mean by that is... as I mentioned that, we would all love to transact with the same currency, but we would all love to have the same platform that makes it easy for the buyer workflow, regardless of who you are buying from or what platform you are using. So I think, if that's what we're working towards and when we can figure that out, I think that's going to be the biggest thing that's going to help not just, MASC or the Media Ad Sales Council, but the whole broadcast industry in general.