Flood Uproots City Government:TriCaster™ Keeps Channel on the Air
TriCaster enables Des Moines, Iowa city government to communicate with residents during flood emergency
San Antonio, Texas (June 26, 2008) – NewTek Inc., manufacturer of industry-leading video and 3D animation products, today announced that its TriCaster™ portable live production studio is currently being used by Channel DMTV7, the city government station of Des Moines, Iowa, to produce and air daily press conferences and updates on the flood emergency after being forced to evacuate the City Hall production studios. Currently producing from the Des Moines Central Library, TriCaster is powering three press conferences and two thirty to sixty minute shows daily that keep residents abreast of flood-related developments.
Press conferences included addresses from Governor Chet Culver, Mayor Frank Cownie, Polk County Supervisors, as well as updates from the Emergency Operations Center, comprised of officials from fire, police, civil engineers, public works, Red Cross, etc. The production staff has moved operations twice since they left the City Hall studios on Wednesday, June 11. Currently broadcasting from the Des Moines Central Library, TriCaster is powering the channel’s entire daily production schedule, live news updates and council meetings.
“TriCaster has been an asset to those trying to safeguard life and property under unpleasant and unsure circumstances,” said Amelia Hamilton-Morris, Chief Communications Officer, City of Des Moines. “In fact, we’ve heard that people watching our TriCaster-powered channel have had no idea we are not in our normal studio. We’re looking to include TriCaster in our new studio update when we settle back in to City Hall.”
“In times of crisis, there is much information that needs to go out to the public and traditional broadcast outlets just can’t give the necessary amount of airtime. Technology like TriCaster allows city governments and first responders to broadcast emergency information 24/7,” said Philip Nelson, SVP Strategic Development, NewTek. “Adding in the flexibility to broadcast on television/cable, web stream and digital signage, more people can be reached when it really counts.”
Written by Jonathan Holbrook
http://www.dvgear.com
DVGear's Manager of Operations is Jonathan Holbrook who is also the founder of award-winning production company, Tall Taurus Media. Holbrook is a recipient of the bronze Telly Award for a commercial produced for Catholic Comm. Services of Western Washington; Best Feature at the NW Projections Film Festival and Official Selection at the NY International Independent Film Festival for the film Customer 152. Being a multimedia producer himself, Holbrook has an advantage knowing what the DVGear clients are looking for and will be able to find the perfect fit for their needs. After all, creative minds think alike!
