In a recent video, Mike Bako, Vice President of Media & Content Strategy at D S Simon Media, highlighted significant developments in satellite media tours (SMTs).

Bako notes that "92% of producers we surveyed are open to booking spokespeople for a story through a satellite tour." Additionally, 77% prefer in-house spokespeople over third-party experts, leading to a 12% increase in bookings when internal representatives are used. This trend aligns with stations' need to do more with fewer resources, making SMTs a valuable tool for brands and non-profits.

Technological advancements have enhanced SMT production and delivery. The ability to feature multiple spokespeople remotely allows, for example, a Northwest Regional director to connect with a Seattle station, while a Southern representative engages with an Atlanta audience. This flexibility enables targeted tours, focusing on specific markets where a brand has a presence.

Over the past decade, local news time for Spanish broadcasts has doubled, leading to a rise in bilingual and Spanish-language SMTs. This expansion reflects the growing importance of reaching diverse audiences through tailored media strategies.

Despite political divisions, local TV news remains a trusted information source across party lines. Bako cites that "local TV news is the most trusted source of information," with trust levels surpassing social media by 85% to 15%. This trust underscores the continued relevance of SMTs in disseminating information effectively.

These evolving trends have enabled D S Simon Media to double their annual SMT production over the past five years, highlighting the growing significance of this medium in media strategies.

Schedule a Zoom consultation to plan your next satellite media tour project by emailing [email protected].

D S Simon Media is well known as a leader in the satellite media tour industry and produces tours from its studio and multiple control rooms at its New York headquarters. Clients include top brands in healthcare, technology, travel, financial services, consumer goods, entertainment, retail and non-profits. Established in 1986 the firm has won more than 100 industry awards.