Like every industry, the AudioVisual (AV) industry is currently navigating the choppy waters caused by the ripple effects of the spread of COVID-19, or Coronavirus. As rapidly as coronavirus has spread across the globe, AV solution providers – including integrators, designers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, live events companies – and their customers are already feeling the impact, according to a new, weekly survey from AVIXA Market Intelligence-a weekly assessment of professional Audiovisual industry trends, attitudes, and perceptions in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
However, though uncertainty seems to reign supreme, experts are of the opinion that there are several concrete steps professionals in the the AV industry can take to not only mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their business but also thrive after the era come out of this period of abnormal operations stronger than ever.
One such expert is Nigeria’s audiovisual Czar and Group Managing Director of IBST Media, Remi Ogunpitan. Ogunpitan whose group of companies comprise IBST Limited-a video production company that has been in operation for 16 years, ennovate.ng-an online video content platform, Mediaportal Africa-a content creation, management and distribution platform and Zyombo – an online community for creative professionals across Africa, explained that one of the advantages of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry is that it will accelerate digital transformation across all spectrums.
Despite the acceleration though, Ogunpitan decried the fact that production is coming to a halt, though consumption of multimedia content has been on the high. This view corroborates the first survey of AVIXA AV Intelligence Panel members, fielded March 17-19 and made up of 237 AV providers and 81 end users from across the world , 87 per cent of AV providers and 83 per cent of AV end users said their companies have felt a negative impact from the coronavirus pandemic, from cancelled projects, in-person meetings and training events through to a slowdown in sales. Roughly one-third of each characterised it as a “large negative impact.”
Ogunpitan who discussed this yesterday at the prestigious Brand Communicator Instagram Live Chat with the platform’s Publisher, Joshua Ajayi, said indications are the industry is grounding to a halt. While the vast majority of respondents reported that their companies have adjusted by reducing travel, postponing/cancelling events, reducing/eliminating in-person meetings, and boosting telework, virtually none reported closing down operations as of publishing. For Ogunpitan however, IBST has adjusted to the new normal as it leverages remote working tools to remain relevant and effective during this period.
Speaking on how brands can remain relevant at this time, Ogunpitan advised that brands need to embrace a lot of tools that will help them connect with the consumer. He also advised them to also keep consumers virtually engaged while communicating with them effectively through these tools that are warehoused in companies like IBST.
While looking at strategies of survival for industry players in the audiovisual landscape, Ogunpitan called for consolidation and the avoidance of fragmentation that leads to the industry to having discordant cacophony of voices. “Our industry needs to consolidate. Don’t get me wrong, I believe in democracy and I believe in people speaking out when they should. But if we don’t consolidate, we don’t have a voice, we are fragmented, which makes us weaker. We need to consolidate our ideas, our skills, etc., for a stronger body to reduce the cacophony of voices coming from us.”
Trends that will shape the AV industry
Just before the chat wrapped up, Ogunpitan reeled out some trends that will shape the industry during and post the COVID-19 pandemic:
Remote Operations
With the new normal of social distancing and working from home, Ogunpitan emphasized that remote operations, monitoring and streaming is a new norm that people will have to adjust to, as it will be key to remaining afloat business and remaining relevant as the pandemic rages on and when it finally ends.
IP Connected Networks
He also stressed that IP Connected Networks are going to be critical to effective functioning during and after the pandemic. He adds: “This means that I can have an event at the Meridien, get my equipment set up and with IP Connected Network, sit at any location in the world to design and control production.”
Content Applications
He added that content applications that help consumers and brands to interact with each other will become increasingly important and will be deployed by brands for such purposes.
Cloud Solution
Cloud Solutions for content editing, content production and content storage will be key this period, he added.
Working Protocols/Processes Will Change
Mr. Ogunpitan further stressed that working protocols and processes will be reviewed henceforth as professionals will have to adhere strictly to health measures among others to contain the spread of the coronavirus, while adhering to social distancing rules.
He added that professionals will have to learn how to work with different focal lenses to keep further from subjects while achieving same results. Additionally, the use of lapel mics will give way to boom mics to help with less contact.
Lean Teams
Lastly, he explained that as parts of trends that will shape the landscape, the use of a lean team will take prominence over the use of a full team, in line with new social distancing protocols. “We will need teams that are multitalented and multiskilled. Less people will be needed to work at locations because of social distancing. In this case, four people will the skill of ten will be an asset.”
Before calling it a wrap on the chat, he gave out timeless value for business to emulate to survive as a business in a clime like Nigeria’s. He advised that learning should be continuous, people should not get discouraged and professional integrity should be retained no matter the pressure. He added that one is only as good as the last job and focus on the positives remains key.
Ogunpitan joins the exclusive league of seasoned professionals who have featured on the prestigious Brand Communicator Instagram Live Chat like LanreAdisa, CEO/CCO, Noah’s Ark Communication; Emmanuel Agu, Group Marketing Director, Jotna Group Limited (LaCasera); Gbenga Afolabi, MD/CEO, GDM Group; Steve Babaeko, CEO/CCO, X3m Ideas; Mrs Nkiru-Olumide-Ojo, Regional Executive Head, Marketing & Communications, Standard Bank Group; Israel Jaiye Opayemi, MD,/ Chief Strategist, Chains Reactions and Mrs Iquo Ukoh, Managing Director, Entod Marketing, among others.