The Media Download with John Ondo

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A preview of the upcoming Vettes, Rods & Classics from 99.7 The Blitz 103.9 The Maverick. Thanks, North American Broadcasting, for helping spread the word on our charity car show! Go to Vettes Rods and Classics on Facebook to find out more.  

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John Ondo, a 40-year TV and filmmaking veteran, argues that leaders often wrongly treat media creation as a simple technical task—training someone to “push the buttons” for livestreams or social reels—when high-quality content requires professional instincts built through daily practice. Using golf as an analogy, he says knowing tools and mechanics isn’t the same as developing the judgment needed to adapt to changing conditions and inevitable problems like shifting light or lost SD cards. Ondo warns that low-quality demos, podcasts, and content reflect underinvestment in the team and that digital storytelling is essential for business survival. While AI can save time, skilled professionals are still needed to fix poor AI graphics and scripts. He encourages leaders to foster experimentation and R&D and to think in terms of “storytelling,” not checklists.

00:00 Button Pushing Myth
01:13 Golf Lesson Analogy
01:42 Instincts and Adjustments
02:49 When Shoots Go Wrong
03:35 Media as Survival
03:52 AI Still Needs Pros
04:06 Grow Your Team
04:47 Think Storytelling
05:16 Wrap Up and Next Steps

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AT&T’s “When the Connection Matters” Campaign: The Storytelling Lesson for Content Creators

Media Consultant and Filmmaker, John Ondo, breaks down AT&T’s new ad campaign after seeing spots during the Masters, focusing on “Swing Coach” and “Doomscroll,” and argues they sell meaningful relationships rather than bandwidth or coverage. He notes that the ads target people who value family and connection, using personal stories that emotionally reward viewers and then tie back to reliability. Ondo compares the approach to a powerful OnStar campaign he cited in his book, How to Avoid a Media Meltdown, in which authenticity drove an immediate desire to buy. He explains the shift from spec-based advertising to emphasizing better, more meaningful connections in a multi-screen, shared media environment, and concludes with a lesson for creators: audiences want real, trusted connections driven by storytelling, not more content.  #tvcommericals #storytelling  @ATT #filmmakers #adagency #nonprofitsuccess #communication #branding 

00:00 Why This Ad Matters
00:09 Meet John Ondo
00:44 AT&T Swing Coach
02:11 Who They Targeted
02:29 AT&T Doomscroll
03:03 Make It Personal
03:36 OnStar 2005 Ad
04:28 From Specs to Meaning
05:14 Media Is Shared Now
06:01 Less Content - More Connection
06:34 Wrap Up and Subscribe

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John Ondo, a 40-year TV and filmmaking veteran, compares HBO’s The Pitt and Paramount’s Star Trek: Starfleet Academy—both are teacher-and-student shows with very different outcomes—to explain what content creators can learn about respecting audiences. He argues The Pit succeeds by trusting viewers with real-time, authentic hospital storytelling, minimal handholding, and relatable characters with consequences, helping it become a top streaming hit with broad demographic appeal (75% 30+; 10 million weekly global viewers). In contrast, he says Starfleet Academy tells viewers what to feel, violates core Star Trek principles, targets youth while alienating legacy fans, and has seen viewership drop from 2.1 million to under 200,000. Key takeaways: respect the audience, build real characters instead of message vehicles, and don’t chase demographics—tell universal human stories. #thepitt #startrek #starfleetacademy #contentcreators #television #mediainfluencer #writing #media #MediaTips #AudienceEngagement #ondomedia #podcast

00:00 Two Shows One Lesson
00:23 Host Intro And Setup
01:41 Why The Pit Works
04:40 Why Starfleet Academy Fails
05:43 Authenticity And Audience Respect
07:43 Demographics And Ratings Reality
08:45 Creator Takeaways
10:15 Wrap Up And Subscribe

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Names Always Matter: What the Corvette E-Ray Teaches About Branding

John Ondo explains how naming and branding shape perception, using the Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray as a case study. Though the 2024 E-Ray was a high-performance V8 hybrid with all-wheel drive and 0–60 in 2.5 seconds, many consumers assumed the “E” meant fully electric and treated it like a Tesla, hurting sales. In contrast, Chevrolet’s 2025 ZR1 X—built on the same gas/electric all-wheel-drive concept at a much higher price—became highly sought after, showing how perception drives demand. Reports suggest GM will discontinue the E-Ray and rebrand it as the Grand Sport X to avoid “charging” assumptions and emphasize performance. Ando connects this to business marketing: customers may not test a product, but they instantly test its name, illustrated by “Digital Transformation Initiative” versus “Grow Your Reach Online.”

00:00 Names Always Matter
00:20 Meet the Host
00:53 The E Ray Branding Flop
01:44 What the E Ray Really Is
02:06 ZR1X Name Wins
03:15 GM Plans a Rebrand
03:52 Why Naming Matters
04:13 A Simple Naming Test
05:21 Final Takeaway and Outro

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The One Production Tool That Changed My Shoots: DJI Osmo Pocket 3

John Ondo explains how the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 has become the biggest production tool he’s bought and why it’s transformed his field workflow in an era of compressed budgets and schedules. With most clients expecting a half-day shoot and fast editing, he emphasizes “get in, get out” without sacrificing quality, especially for B-roll. He highlights the Pocket 3’s 4K one-inch sensor, built-in gimbal stabilization, face tracking, usable depth-of-field control, and strong performance in sunlight and low light, plus color science that matches his Sony a7 III cameras and DJI Mavic footage, with options for Rec. 709 or D-Log. He suggests it as a practical, affordable option for creators, nonprofits, churches, travel, and even client-generated footage to edit.

00:00 Biggest Production Tool
00:48 Faster Shoots New Reality
01:20 Why B Roll Takes Forever
01:56 Meet Osmo Pocket 3
02:16 Stabilization And Workflow
02:57 Color Matching And Log
03:29 Real World Test Footage
04:37 Starter Kit Creator Combo
05:52 Client Strategy And Volume
06:58 Buyers Notes And Wrap
07:14 Subscribe And Sign Off
#mediainfluencer  #columbusohio #Filmmaking #TipTuesday #Podcast #djiosmopocket3 #dslrcamera #journalism #photography 

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Photoshop vs. Canva: Craft vs. Convenience for Media Creators

In this episode of The Media Download, John Ondo dives into the ongoing debate between Adobe Photoshop and Canva. He discusses the pros and cons of each tool—highlighting Photoshop's control, collaboration, and industry recognition versus Canva's speed, simplicity, and beginner-friendliness. Through thoughtful comparisons, John emphasizes the importance of a hybrid approach that uses both tools to optimize workflow and creativity. Finally, he dispels the myth that one tool is inherently faster than the other, noting that speed depends on the user's familiarity and proficiency.

00:00 Introduction: The Great Debate
00:42 Meet Your Host: John Ando
01:22 The Power of Photoshop
03:32 The Convenience of Canva
05:40 Finding the Balance: A Hybrid Approach
07:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts.
#mediainfluencer #columbusohio #adobephotoshop  #canva #graphicsdesign #podcast #broadcasters #printing #mediadesign #socialmediamarketing 

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Top Super Bowl Commercials of 2023: Hilarious & Heartfelt Reviews

In this week's episode of The Media Download, John Ondo and his wife Angel review some of the top Super Bowl commercials of 2023. Despite neither of their favorite teams playing, they delve into ads from big brands like Michelob, PepsiCo, Budweiser, GrubHub, Ring, Hellman's, and Instacart. With a mix of humor and heartfelt moments, they rank their favorites and share their thoughts on what makes a commercial memorable. Join them for a fun, insightful discussion packed with nostalgia and star power.

00:00 Introduction and Super Bowl Sentiments
00:26 Meet the Hosts: John and Angel
01:28 Super Bowl Commercials: A Special Review
03:05 Michelob Ultra Instructor Ad Review
05:04 Pepsi's Polar Bear Ad Review
07:50 GrubHub's Fee-Free Ad Review
11:11 Budweiser's American Icons Ad Review
13:39 Animal-Themed Commercials Continue
13:56 Ring's Innovative Lost Dog Campaign
15:43 Bud Light's Star-Studded Wedding Ad
18:50 Hellman's Mayonnaise Makes a Comeback
20:59 Instacart's Catchy Banana Ad
24:21 Final Thoughts and Super Bowl Ad Predictions

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Join John Ondo on the Media Download this week as he walks through how Oasis City Church navigated a massive snowstorm that forced the cancellation of in-person services. Learn essential hacks and tips for pivoting to an online live-streamed service during emergencies. Discover the importance of pre-production communication, effective planning, and collaboration between media teams and church leadership to ensure a successful and engaging live stream. Whether you're part of a church's media team or a pastor looking to improve weekend services, this episode provides valuable insights and actionable advice.

00:00 Massive Snowstorm Disrupts Midwest Churches
00:29 Introduction to Media Download
01:32 The Importance of Pre-Production Communication
03:52 Crafting an Engaging Online Service
04:54 Executing the Plan: Production Day
07:37 The Power of Good Production
09:12 Final Thoughts and Call to Action  #mediainfluencer #columbusohio

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In this episode of 'The Media Download,' Media Consultant, John Ondo talks with veteran radio broadcaster and podcaster Terry Dismore about the enduring power and unique advantages of audio podcasting. They delve into why podcasting remains an effective medium for communication, sharing personal viewpoints, and detailed discussion that isn't feasible on social media platforms like Instagram. The conversation includes practical tips for starting a podcast, the significance of keeping it interesting and focused, and the underestimated potential of local podcasts. They also discuss techniques for engaging interviews, emphasizing authenticity, and emotional storytelling. Terry shares insights from his experience and the benefits of consistency and promotion in maintaining a podcast. Whether for business or personal interests, this episode offers valuable advice for anyone considering venturing into the world of podcasting. #podcasting @buzzsprout @quizthediz #youtube #filmmakers #socialmedia

00:00 Introduction
02:52 Why Podcasts Still Matter
03:52 Audio vs Video Podcasts
04:49 Local Podcasting Opportunities
06:49 Getting Started with Podcasting
07:54 Monetization and Audience
11:35 Podcast Length and Format
11:53 Getting to the Point
15:47 The Art of Interviewing
17:14 Emotion in Storytelling
21:16 Video Podcast Production
23:21 Closing Thoughts

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