The first challenge to overcome was the nine-hour time difference between California and the main SynteractHCR on-stage presentation before a live audience in Munich . With the event date drawing closer , Media Matrix and SynteractHCR decided on a webcast beamed from Munich to the computers of the audience in Carlsbad and other sites globally . Next came the issue of the differences between European PAL video transmission standards and U . S . NTSC standards , which required Media Matrix to work with the European technicians to reconcile two different aspect ratios and video frame rates .
With the technical issues overcome , Media Matrix next tackled the challenge of making HCR employees feel that they would be key players in the new organization . This was accomplished by featuring employee video footage , recorded in both Munich and Carlsbad and edited to create multiple segments to be shown during the event . This featured employees from both sites talking about the new organization , the energy it brought to the marketplace , and how Synteract was the right company to partner with going forward .
Then came the tough part : finding a location in Munich that could accommodate the live audience and the projection equipment , and have the necessary bandwidth to upload the video and audio signal from Munich out to the world on the precise dates of event , setup and rehearsal . That posed a problem . Some locations had the bandwidth but not the availability ; others were available on the desired dates but didn ’ t have the bandwidth . Finally , Media Matrix suggested a simple alternative : secure a facility with availability and , instead of webcasting from Munich , dispatch a satellite truck to that location , sending video and audio for web streaming via satellite . That did the trick . Preparations went ahead with a satellite truck to transmit a full-motion , full-screen video back to the U . S . where it would be picked up by Media Matrix ’ s webcasting partner and sent out via the web . A website was created for the event so attendees could register and view the program . So far , so good .
But then yet another challenge arose . While the Munich audience would be seeing the program live , supported by a large video screen , the larger Carlsbad audience at Synteract headquarters could only experience the event through small computer windows . The webcast image , while ideal for a single person viewing , was too small for an audience gathered in front of large monitors in groups . Media Matrix and SynteractHCR agreed that greater impact was needed . “ That meant a larger image on a larger screen in Carlsbad . But we couldn ’ t just set up a larger screen in California and then do the webcast from Munich ,” said Media Matrix President Michael Olenski . “ However , since we were already sending a satellite signal to the U . S . for the webcast , we could just put a satellite dish in Carlsbad so the people there would be seeing a full-motion , full-screen video .”
In Carlsbad , in the early morning hours on the day of the event , a Media Matrix satellite truck arrived at the Synteract headquarters to set up the
full-motion , full-screen video and audio signal . Carlsbad attendees were able to watch the SynteractHCR presenters on large screens in multiple conference rooms in full-motion video . The presentations went off without a hitch , including simultaneous broadcasts to SynteractHCR audiences around the globe via the web — and an up-and-coming innovator in the healthcare world had the high-impact , motivational and all-encompassing event it needed to ensure everyone entered a new era on the same page .
The SynteractHCR meeting event story showcased the proven Media Matrix ability to provide technical expertise , responsive support and flawless event management . But it meant even more than that for SynteractHCR . It proved that Media Matrix can demonstrate the same attributes that make a difference in the CRO world : creativity , problem-solving skill , the ability to provide excellent quality on a global scale , and a knack for doing whatever it takes to bring people together for a common purpose .
Media Matrix is a Horsham , PA-based communications company involved in the production and staging of business meetings , webcasts and teleconferences ; interactive multi-media development ; videotape production and print collateral design .