Digital ‘will shape live events due to COVID’

Mike Chinn, of Stone's Throw Media, showcases digital streaming events

February 24, 2021

Live events will continue to be shaped by digital content for the foreseeable future due to the measures in place to limit the impact of COVID-19, according to experts from an Osborn partner agency.

Video and animation company Stone’s Throw Media outlined to viewers of a livestreaming showcase the changing situation around planning live events, which have faced widespread cancellations because of national social distancing and lockdown restrictions.

The team at the Wolverhampton-based agency, who delivered the digital opening ceremony for the £45m state of the art University of Wolverhampton campus at the renovated Springfield Brewery last October, shared the latest thinking for events planners and marketing managers through an hour-long free broadcast.

As well as showcasing their own work in delivering a range of awards ceremonies, talks and VIP presentations, the Stone’s Throw Media team featured the expert thoughts of leading events organisers, who have moved live gatherings to digital equivalents due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rose Padmore, director of events company Opening Doors & Venues Limited, based in Stourbridge, said: “In March last year everything was cancelled so the calendar for our business for the year was blank.”

Having staged a series of digital events, including a five-day online show, Rose is clear what the future holds. She said: “Livestreaming will become the new normal and become integral. Hybrid events will be normal and we will bring together the two audiences, live and virtual.”

For the University of Wolverhampton, Stone’s Throw have produced live broadcasts for digital audiences of the graduation ceremony as well as staff wards.

Michelle White, events manager for the University, appeared in the livestreaming showcase. She said: “Not having to cancel events due to COVID has been important to us. Looking at costs, doing a hybrid event has brought savings.

“For any event or marketing managers who are a little bit nervous about doing an event they should look at doing a hybrid one. You gain the knowledge of being able to do it. You need to go with someone you trust and for us that is Stone’s Throw.”

Stone’s Throw Media is an associate partner of Osborn Communications. Mike and Matt Weston set up Stone’s Throw Media in 2011 after they met on a University of Wolverhampton media course. With eight staff, Stone’s Throw Media have been producing videos, animations and digital events for a range of commercial and academic clients.

• You can see the Stone’s Throw livestream video here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IrATLgPnLs&t=640s

Find out more about Stone’s Throw Media click here

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