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When Sam Oches started off as a journalist, he took a pen and a notebook with him to report on events. Now he also takes a camera and a microphone.
Much has modified in media since the early 2000s, including the tools he uses to do his job. But Oches’ love for storytelling has remained the same.
“I got a solid education in what the restaurant business is all about,” he says. After 15 years, he feels a deep pride in the industry he’s spent most of his skilled life in. “It’s my industry. I don’t feel like a journalist. I feel like a restaurateur. I’m just in the media part of it.”
In this live interview from the 2024 National Restaurant Show in Chicago, the Editorial Director Informa Connect Restaurant and Food Group shared their insights on the role of digital media in the restaurant industry.
Since Oches was a rookie reporter, there has been a rapid growth in podcasts, social media and other types of digital content.
At the recent National Restaurant Show, he helped produce podcast interviews, videos and other digital content that served as a fuller story about the wildly popular annual event and the industry leaders who attend.
“It’s an incredible opportunity to tell stories in the way people want to hear them,” Oches says of introducing new media like podcasts as a substitute of traditional articles and photos.
“Today’s Gen Z is tomorrow’s CEO,” he says. “The CEO is our primary reader. If we don’t adapt to their wants and needs, we’ll be irrelevant.”
Launch of a new podcast network
As the world’s largest event management company, Informa Connect has develop into a partner of major industry events equivalent to National Restaurant Fair.
Through this partnership, Informa’s expertise enables large-scale events, providing resources and growth opportunities for the restaurant industry. Informa’s reach extends beyond events to incorporate a robust media presence with multiple publications dedicated to the restaurant industry, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of industry knowledge and networking.
In addition to their editorial duties, Oches and Informa are working on a new initiative: creating a podcast network inside the Informa Connect food and beverage division.
The network will gather a collection of podcasts, including Oches’ own podcasts Takeaway with Sam Ocheswhere he interviews restaurant decision-makers, from independent operators to CEOs of huge chains. He may even be there Extra portionAND News from national restaurants podcast where Oches and his team discuss industry trends, in addition to other shows equivalent to RB Daily With Restaurant businesswhich was renamed Everyday Restaurant.
Oches also said they may launch a joint podcast network of about 10 shows. This podcast network will function a one-stop resource for industry professionals, offering a number of insights and discussions on the latest trends and challenges in the restaurant world.
“This is content that can help you run your business better,” Oches says. “We want to inform them. We want to educate them and engage them. That’s what we’re always talking about.”
When it involves social media, Oches has found a area of interest on LinkedIn, where he actively engages with the community through every day posts, often enhanced with video content.
“I think so [LinkedIn video] “is the fastest growing multimedia right away,” he says. “I’m attempting to work out what that appears prefer to me, what type of video and what type of value am I providing on LinkedIn.”
Oches also uses LinkedIn to advertise the work of his team, showcasing stories and perspectives that are relevant to the industry.
Although he doesn’t write as often as he used to, Oches is still dedicated to promoting the work of his colleagues. He understands that social media is about sharing content AND communicating personal insights and perspectives that engage audiences.
“I have an amazing team,” he says. “They’re all better than me, so I just let them do it. I’m happy to do all the other things that I do, and I want to share my team’s stuff because it’s important to me to highlight them.”
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