UA’s Clark Places in National Association of Broadcasters’ Competition

UA’s Clark Places in National Association of Broadcasters’ Competition

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Pictured, from left, are Gordon H. Smith, president and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters, and Clark.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. Chandra Clark, an assistant professor in The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, finished third in the first National Association of Broadcasters PILOT Innovation Challenge.

Her idea—which came to her while traveling and unable to hear her local news—found a home in the contest’s overall question: “How might local television and radio broadcasters engage their communities with next generation content on any device, whether big, small or moving?”

Her concept, The News Call, is a DVR-type phone service that calls users at a preset time with customizable news they want to hear.

Clark wants more control of her news broadcast while coming to and from work.

“Part of my research shows that the average person spends 13-30 minutes in the car daily going to and from work,” Clark said. “You have to hit it just right to get the news you want to hear.”

Her idea would allow users to pre-program the news and stories they find most relevant, and because her idea comes in through the subscriber’s phone, it can take advantage of Bluetooth functionality on a car’s stereo system.

Going into the conference, Clark hoped to meet an investor to help develop her idea. She leaves the conference with a $10,000 prize to assist with prototyping and concept development. In addition, she will also have access to key broadcast executives and exposure at related industry events.

As for the contest results, Clark says she is blown away,

“Never, ever did I imagine that it would go this far.”

In her mind, she’s just an everyday problem solver with a passion for broadcast news, but investors may think differently. Clark is soon headed to New York for a Q&A with potential investors who may want to partner with her on the idea.

The contest began with over 150 entrants, which were narrowed to a top 10 by the cooperative work of 50 judges.

A panel of five judges from the media technology and broadcast industries selected the top three finalists, who were invited to present their ideas at the NAB Futures Conference in Pebble Beach, California. The top three finishers were placed by the conference attendees.

Contact

Rand Nelson, communication specialist, College of Communication and Information Sciences, 205/348-6416, james.nelson@ua.edu

Source

Dr. Chandra Clark, chandra.clark@ua.edu