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When Sam Oches started working as a reporter, he brought a pen and notepad to cover events. Now, it also brings a camera and microphone.
Much has changed in media since the early 2000s, including the tools he uses to do his job, but Oche's love of narrator there isn't.
“I got a solid education on what this restaurant industry is all about,” he says. After 15 years, he feels proud of the industry he has covered for a large part of his professional life. “This is my industry. I don't feel like I'm a journalist. I feel like I'm a restaurateur. I just happen to be in the media part of it.”
In this interview live from the 2024 National Restaurant Show in Chicago, editorial director at Informa Connect Restaurant & Food Group shared insights on the role of digital media in the restaurant industry.
Podcastingsocial media and other forms of digital content have exploded over the years since Oches was a cub reporter.
On the most recent National Restaurant Show, he helped produce podcast interviewvideo and more digital content to tell a complete story about the hugely popular annual event and the industry leaders who attend it.
“It's a tremendous opportunity to tell stories the way people want to get stories,” Oches says of publishing new media like podcasts instead of traditional articles and photos.
“Today General Mr is the CEO of tomorrow,” he says. “The CEO is our primary reader. If we are not adapting to their wants and needs, we will be irrelevant.”
Launching a new podcast network
As the world's largest event management company, Informa Connect has partnered with leading industry events such as National Restaurant Show.
With this partnership, Informa's expertise enables large-scale event execution, providing the restaurant industry with resources and opportunities for growth. Informa's reach extends beyond events, including a strong media presence with multiple publications dedicated to foodservice, reinforcing its role as a cornerstone of industry knowledge and networking.
In addition to his editorial duties, Oches and Informa are leading a new initiative: the creation of a podcast network under the Informa Connect food service vertical.
This network will bring together a collection of podcasts, including Oches himself Deal with Sam Ochesin which he interviews restaurant decision-makers, from independent operators to the heads of large chains. It will also appear Additional serviceor Nation Restaurant News podcast where Oches and his team discuss industry trends and other shows like RB Daily BY Restaurant businesswhich has been renamed Daily Restaurant.
Oches also said they will launch a joint podcast network of about 10 shows. This podcast network will serve as a comprehensive resource for industry professionals, providing diverse insights and discussions on recent trends and challenges in the restaurant world.
“There's content here that can help you do your business better,” says Oches. “We want to inform them. We want to educate them and engage them. That's what we're always talking about.”
As for social media, Oches has found a niche on LinkedIn, where he actively engages with the community through daily posts, often including video content.
“I think (LinkedIn video) is the fastest-growing multimedia right now,” he says. “I'm trying to figure out what it looks like for me, what kind of video and what value I bring to LinkedIn.”
Oches also uses LinkedIn to highlight his team's work, showcasing stories and perspectives that resonate with the industry.
Although he no longer writes as often as he once did, Oches remains committed to promoting the work of his colleagues. He understands that social media is about sharing content AND providing insights and personal perspectives that engage the audience.
“I have a great 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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