In the Nō with Chris Barry of CMMA
Communications Media Management Association (CMMA) is the premier professional organization for communication media managers. For more than 70 years, CMMA has provided professional development and networking opportunities through conferences, regional meetings, publications, and technology-based events for their members — most of which are Fortune 500 companies.
This year, the annual CMMA conference is being held in Milwaukee. As a part of this conference, Nō Studios is hosting the annual Bijou event in our Gallery. This event will showcase CMMA member creative assets - and will be live streamed from our performance stage. As well, we are offering the opportunity to present for 2-3 members of our community. Additionally, Nō Studios members are invited to attend the event and network.
Here, we asked Chris Barry — Senior Director and Group Creative Director of Yellow Tag Productions at Best Buy, and CMMA member — a few questions about CMMA and all that they do. Join us October 4th in-venue and online in for the CMMA Bijou Networking event and Showcase. To register and learn more, click here.
Can you tell us a bit about the Communications Media Management Association? How would you describe the group and what is its mission?
CMMA is a not-for-profit association of leaders from Fortune 500 companies, academic institutions, government agencies and faith-based organizations who manage creative content production for their organizations. The mission is professional development! We are a close-knit group who share best practices, watch each other’s work, support each other and look out for each other as we navigate the critical issues facing our teams. This includes subjects like creative inspiration and innovation, developing our teams, managing through turbulent times, understanding and taking action on diversity, equity and inclusion in our organizations.
How would you describe the typical CMMA member? What kinds of companies do they represent, and what types of work do they do?
A typical member is a seasoned pro who has worked their way up the professional ladder into a leadership role in some of the country’s largest and most successful organizations. We come from many industries including manufacturing, health-care, finance, banking, retail, technology and pharmaceutical but also universities, government and other types of organizations. We are content creators, from video and live event production to print and website design to communications, photography, and social media strategy.
Having been in existence since 1946, has the core mission of CMMA changed with developing technologies?
CMMA has always been about staying up to date on creative and technical innovation and managing teams who create content, but increasingly over the last 5-10 years it is also about navigating socio-economic and cultural impacts to our organizations and how we can educate ourselves on these fronts, be thought leaders and problem solvers.
In a time where social and political issues are such a focus in our community consciousness, and individuals find it more and more important that the companies they support are in alignment with their personal beliefs, it seems that if there was ever an important moment for a media specialist — this is it. What do you think the role of a media specialist is right now? Do you find your job more or less challenging in this moment?
Communications are crucial in any organization, especially in an environment of challenge and change as we’re seeing in the U.S. and around the world today. Video in particular is the “coin of the realm” in our world, and it is ubiquitous in most of our organizations. It’s the most human and emotional form of art and communication. The more we can stay up to speed on vanguard technologies and approaches to authentic storytelling, the more we can communicate effectively and with a human heart to move the dial for our organizations.
Why was Milwaukee chosen as the location for the national conference this year?
Milwaukee is a vibrant and diverse city with a great culture and history that represents the heart of the Midwest. It’s also a beautiful location with great architecture, right on Lake Michigan with an exciting downtown and many other cool neighborhoods. We have members who reside in Milwaukee (Kohl’s) and in greater Wisconsin, as well is in Chicago and around the middle of the country, so it’s the perfect location for our National Meeting.
Join us for the CMMA Bijou Networking event and Showcase on Monday, October 4th. Learn more and register here.
