The media and entertainment industry is vast
This industry includes all types of media: film, print, radio, social media and television. These segments include movies, TV shows, radio shows, news, music, newspapers, magazines, books, and the list keeps expanding. The special thing about media and entertainment industry is that it’s one field of work which needs all types of people having all types of specialisations and holding all types of qualifications.
On the surface, it seems like the media industry is run by actors, producers, directors and the staff behind the lens such as writers, singers and the cameramen. Yes, it’s undisputed that these characters are at the forefront of the industry. They are the ones that can run the industry by themselves if they have to. But if we scratch the surface, we discover a muster of so many functions done by so many employees.
For example, one film making firm will need a physicist to make the action scenes look more realistic. They may also need a doctor to tend to any injuries contracted by stunts-men. Furthermore, an electrician to tend to all the lighting and wiring on a set. The list is never-ending. If there is an end to this long list of employees that work for a media and entertainment firm, it surely ends with an HR team. At the end of the day you need someone to manage such a diverse array of employees. So, what is the role of HR in the media industry?
Employee Experience in the Media Industry
From an employee’s viewpoint, working in a media firm is very fun, challenging and interesting. Being involved in the manufacture of entertainment gives you a lot of beforehand knowledge and an opportunity to help share it with the public. Many jobs give media and entertainment workers the chance to meet and work with top celebrities and newsmakers. Even receptionists and office workers can encounter celebrities during their workdays. Keeping employee morale high and sourcing talent is very easy for HR teams in the media industry. There are mainly two reasons for this. One, employees are happy because of all the fun they have at work. Second, as the media industry is full of glamour and spotlight, a lot of people want to work there, so there is no shortage of applicants. Human Resources can handpick the most talented and suitable employees.
Technology in the Media Industry
One special thing about the media industry is that its main course of work and its modus operandi has stayed almost the same for a long time. Although there have been some changes due to technology, compared to all other industries, the media industry seems the least changed. To prove this point, film-making, film distribution, production, direction, creation of art, music, writing, newspapers and most things are working mostly the same way as they were before. Given that, it is easier for media and entertainment companies to retain their employees who have plenty of experience and a long-standing association with their organisations, and consequently, it makes life easier for HR as they have to worry a lot less about redundancies, outplacements.
HR Challenges
There are always some challenges faced by HR teams. In the case of this particular industry, some jobs, particularly in TV and radio broadcasting, have late-night, middle of the night, and early morning shifts. Workers must be prepared to adjust sleep schedules and their lives to accommodate work. It should be their HR management teams facilitating them with these complex working timings and ensuring the right time slot is allocated to the right person.
Talent Acquisition
In the media industry when one individual is performing well, they are very likely to catch the eye of another employer. It’s very common practice in the media industry to transition from place to place and climb the ladder. As an HR manager, it is important to retain those special and productive employees, despite other attractions. That specific employee will mostly prioritise their own well being and salary over the success of their organisation. They are likely to leave their position when offered a better job at a better office with better pay. It’s the HR manager’s goal to do what is best for the organisation, and they will stop that employee from leaving by offering greater perks, if they continue working at the same place.
While HR plays the hero’s role for their organisation, they can simultaneously play the villain’s role for another organsation. While HR works to retain their best employees, at the same time they work to acquire the best employees of alternative organisations. This is of course done by offering greater pay and more perks. But the main task here is that HR needs good networking. They need useful contacts and a hawk-eye view of what’s happening in the industry.
Social Media & Talent Acquisition
The media industry needs people who see media. They must review content and give their opinion of whether the public will like the new content or not. The best way of getting those people to work for you is using a means of talent acquisition. HR teams of media giants are using social media to find the people they want. It is an easy way to reach prospective candidates across the world. Many recruiters today are taking advantage of this.
Interested in roles of HR in different industries? Read about the role of HR in the engineering industry here. Read about the role of HR in the finance industry here.