Talk show airs on Guam's ABC 7 - Good Question

The need for people in small communities to vent their frustrations or opinions but maintaining their anonymity is important. It wasn't until recent history that Pacific island communities were "allowed" to air their opinions because of long standing cultural taboos. It is important that these cultural sensitivities are still respected but it is also important a venue is created for people to discuss their issues.

The Pacific News Center and ABC 7 announced the launch of a unique and interactive television program called "Good Question".

The weekly half hour show, hosted by Ray Gibson, features guests responding to questions both from the host and from television viewers.

Good Question provides a way for members of the Guam community to keep their anonymity in order for them to comfortably express their opinions. Politicians, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and many others have appeared on the program.

Sorensen Media Group CEO Rex Sorensen said, “This program allows viewers the opportunity to interact and communicate with Ray's guests. While the Pacific News Center can provide information about various news stories affecting the island this forum allows for the open discussion of such topics.”

Sorensen Media Group and Lotus Media Services Managing Director Evan M. Cohen said, “We have devoted listeners of the News talk K57 radio station but there are people who do not have the opportunity to listen to the radio during the day and this allows that demographic to keep on top of the issues affecting their lives.”

The pre-recorded program airs Monday evenings from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on ABC 7.

Marines moving to Guam and the media

The pending move of Marines from Okinawa to Guam continues to bring differing opinions to the airwaves of Newstalk K57. Conservative and liberal views abound on the air. Lotus Media Services and Sorensen Media Group Managing Director Evan Cohen said, "The Marines coming to Guam will have a huge impact on our community and it is important that we provide a forum for which people can express their opinions - whether conservative or liberal."
According to Cohen, 8,000 Marines and hundreds of their dependents will arrive on Guam in the coming years and that construction projects will begin at the same time. "It is our duty as corporate citizens to provide a venue for such discussion. I am also a firm believer in 'streaming'. This allows people from Guam who are living abroad to keep in touch with the issues that are affecting their friends or loved ones still living here. They can log on to www.k57.com for more," Cohen said. Streaming is important because it gives everyone a chance to know what is taking place on Guam.
There are people who favor Marines coming to Guam because it could mean a boost to the island's economy. I believe that national corporations will ultimately benefit from the construction projects that the bases on island will see. It is just a fact that Guam based companies cannot compete with national or multi-national corporations. Construction projects and infrastructure improvements will take place within the military footprint and those living outside the bases will just have to fend for themselves.
Cohen said, "We've invited Tony Lamorena from the Bureau of Planning to host a show. He has provided insight about what type of planning the government is conducting regarding the move." While I may not agree with all that is said on the radio about the move I am gaining some knowledge about how this will affect the Guam community and its people. It has recently been revealed that approximately 30,000 foreign workers will be needed to fill construction jobs. Imagine - all those workers bringing their families to Guam. If only half of those workers had only one school-age child ... that would mean 15,000 additional children in already overcrowded public schools. If each of those workers had just one car that's 30,000 more vehicles on the road. Now combine those figures with 8,000 more cars and people. I am an American and patriotic but I am concerned about the impact this move would have on a small community.

More role models on television

Hey ... I heard that a person of Pacific Islander descent is part of the competition on the FOX reality TV show, "The Next Great American Band". Apparently, the lead guitarist in the band "DOT DOT DOT" is a CHamoru. This would make up for the embarassing female hula dance performance by Sanjay Malakar on American Idol. This author does not believe that Sanjay did the dance out of disrespect ... it was done out of shear ignorance to the culture. I am happy that a person of Pacific Islander descent is represented in a nationally broadcasted competition and event. Pacific islanders have broken the sports barrier and are now represented in the NFL. Islanders have been involved in "sports entertainment" television a.k.a. "wrestling" for years. We need more role models of Pacific islander descent that will bring national attention to this region. It will give young Pacific islanders people to admire and look up to - people they can relate to. Let us wish "DOT DOT DOT" luck.

Producers of the mega-hit "American Idol" are looking for the best bands in the U.S. and are scouring the nation for musical groups of all ages, styles, and genres. Sorensen Media Group and Lotus Media Services Managing Director Evan M. Cohen said, "American Idol, just like the U.S. mainland, is part of our daily conversation and a television phenomenon on island." Sorensen Media Group CEO Rex Sorensen said, “Given the success of American Idol I am happy to announce that Guam's FOX 6 will premiere what is shaping up to be the next reality smash hit ... The Next Great American Band. The show will air on Saturday but it is already generating a lot of buzz across the nation.”
The Next Great American Band airs on Guam's FOX 6 on Saturday October 20, 2007 at 8:00 p.m. The winning band could win a record contract possibly worth millions. The Next Great American Band will narrow contestants down to 10 semifinalist bands. The bands will perform weekly before a live studio audience. The bands are tasked with playing both original music and various covers in a range of styles and genres. The show plans to push contestants’ comfort levels and limits, hoping for band squabbles and personality problems.
John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, percussionist and Prince collaborator Sheila E, and Ian “Dicko” Dickson of Australian Idol are judges of the show. Dominic Bowden of New Zealand Idol will host the new show. Cohen adds, "The fact that we had our own Guam Idol who won the right to audition before the producers of American Idol in Philadelphia only made the show even popular. The Next Great American Band is the next big reality show on television. Guam has real reason to tune in ... there's a real island connection that will excite everybody."
American Idol producers FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment are behind this new competition. People interested in following the show can also log on to www.myspace.com/americanband.

Same-day viewing of TV shows is an advancement

This may not seem like an important advancement in the media industry or television programming to most readers but if you live on an island the press release below is significant. A year ago, ABC 7 on Guam began airing same-day programming. Prior to this, Guam television viewers would receive week-delayed programs. We would watch games and shows and would already know the outcome because the newspapers or television news already released the details a week prior. How is this important ... parity. It is only fair that we are able to watch what our U.S. mainland counterparts can view within a reasonable amount of time and a week was not a reasonable amount of time. Am I making much-a-do about nothing? I really don't care. It firmly believe it is a big deal. I thank Rex Sorensen and Evan Cohen for their foresight into providing better service to viewers. The years of delayed programming is gone ... and thank goodness.

Sorensen Media Group provides historic same day programming for Guam viewers

ABC 7 , your ABC-Network Affiliate for Guam and Saipan, announced on May 8, 2006, that ABC 7 would be the first Guam broadcaster to offer same day "Soaps", as well as, other same day daytime and late night programming.
The ABC Network Primetime Programs seen on local affiliate ABC 7 also shows same day programming the day it is received. Same-day programming began July 31, 2006. Guam's most popular weekday "Soaps"; All My Children (12:00 p.m.); One Life To Live (1:00 p.m.); and General Hospital (2:00 p.m.) are now shown same day time delay basis only, and not the previous one-week delay as was the case in the past. Mainland Friday shows are aired on Guam on the following Monday.
ABC7 is able to do this according to ABC7 General Manager "Ed" Davis, "As a result of our investment in state of the art video compression equipment and the leasing of a direct video broadband circuit from the mainland USA from GTA. “Sorensen Media Group CEO Rex Sorensen said, “This investment was necessary to provide the best service available to our viewers.” He said, “If the technology exists we will try to acquire it to ensure our viewers our satisfied.”
Other ABC Network programming now broadcast on a same day basis include morning staples "Good Morning America" and the "View"; as well as late night favorite "Jimmy Kimmel Live". Primetime programming is still shown on a one-week delayed basis to allow proper "in pattern" play of the shows, i.e. Sunday shows on Sunday, etc .
Other ABC Network programs currently being aired either live or on a same day delayed basis by ABC7 includes ABC Sports, Nightline, World News Now, and World News Tonight.This increase in the number of programs being aired on a same day basis is a further indication of ABC7's continuing commitment to our viewers to improve their ABC7 television experience!
Since Guam is a day ahead of the U.S. mainland, programs will not be seen on the same day of the week as the mainland. Sunday Primetime shows on Monday ... Tuesday on Wednesday and so on. ABC7 will air programs within hours of the time it is received.
"This means our audience will no longer have to wait to see the latest episodes of our very popular shows such as 'Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, Extreme Home Makeover' and other prime time programs", Davis said. "We show all network programs on the same day we take them in via our digital streamlink to the West Coast ," he added.
Davis pointed out that the switch was made during the summer, when network programs are in re-runs. "We believe fans of our programs will appreciate the same day broadcast of their favorite shows, with the only delay being a few hours to allow for the time difference between Guam and the mainland."
Rex Sorensen is the Chairman and CEO of Sorensen Media Group which includes the stations of News Talk K57, Power 98, 105 The KAT, Fox 6 and ABC 7 on Guam. Rex Sorensen has been involved in building and creating media platforms in Asia and the United States for over 20 years.

Sorensen Media Group support youth

Hey ... a responsible media organization. What a novel idea. I am glad to see that there are some media organizations in the Pacific actually giving back to the communities that support them. It's important that these groups make it a point to do more for young people, as well, afterall it is these same young people who will listen, watch, and even work for these media organizations. I am also happy that many non-profit organizations were able to participate and raise funds for their individual organizations.

Here is the press release I found:
Sorensen Media Group is proud to sponsor a fundraising event coordinated by the Youth 4 Youth Live – a youth group working with the PEACE Office of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The event will take place on October 13, 2007 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Governor Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex at Adelup.
Youth 4 Youth Live promotes a Tobacco free, healthy, and safe lifestyle for young people. Youth Bash 2007is a back-to-school “party, bash, get-together” for the youth by the youth. There will be games, contests, food and drink sales, live youth bands, and dance groups performing on stage.
Y4Y invited all non-profit, school, youth groups and organizations to take part in this fundraiser. All the proceeds of participating groups goes to the groups. Y4Y will raise money by the $25 entry fee for the participants, a raffle drawing, and drink sales. The grand prize for the raffle is a two-hour limousine or bus cruise on Paradise Limo.
Sorensen Media Group CEO Rex Sorensen said, “As a corporate citizen, we would like to give back to the community. It is important to support the youth and provide them with the resources it takes to succeed to become productive adult members of this community.”
Lotus Media Services and Sorensen Media Group Managing Director Evan M. Cohen said, “We intend to do more events like this. We see the importance of supporting and promoting positive events for our youth and our community.”
Sorensen Media Group, a privately-held media and entertainment conglomerate, is the leading broadcast company in the Western Pacific with holdings in television, radio and Internet programming, development, production and broadcasting.
Rex Sorensen is Chairman and CEO of Sorensen Media Group which includes the stations of News Talk K57, Power 98, 105 The KAT, Fox 6 and ABC 7 on Guam. Rex Sorensen has been involved in building and creating media platforms in Asia and the United States for over 20 years.

Sorensen and Cohen make waves in Pacific media

Guam is where America's day begins ... Guam is the gateway to Asia. These are just a couple of sayings people throw around regarding the island. Now, how can we capitalize on these two facts? We can start by cultivating relationships with people and businesses in Asia. I am looking at the Sorensen Media Group with a magnifying glass and it appears that the company is making waves ... waves that are hitting Asian shores. If you haven't been watching television then you have absolutely no clue about what I am talking about ... so following my little solilique here I have taken portions of an article and reposted it here. It should tell us just exactly what is going on with the types of collaborations there are between Guam and Asia media ...

Sorensen and Cohen create partnership with MTV Philippines

Sorensen Media Group and Lotus Media Services jump into the hot and exciting MTV scene and hook up with MTV Philippines. The collaboration is creating television programming for under served Filipino-American youth. Media Entrepreneur and Lotus Media Services Managing Director Evan M. Cohen said, “This is a great opportunity for both MTV Philippines and Lotus Media Services to create programming for the Guam market. Our partnership lead to the creation of a television program we have named TimeOut.” According to Cohen, TimeOut focuses on fun, fashion, style, gaming, nightlife and Filipino celebrities – everything from the energetic and sexy beach scene in Borocay, to texting, to the latest red carpet scene in Manila. MTV Philippines takes time out to attend the hottest events around the country with each episode having a fun and unique way of presenting what happened. It's a fun and crazy show delivered in a way only MTV can.

Sorensen Media Group CEO Rex Sorensen said, “My vision for our venture into the Philippines would be to provide entertainment content for networks where there are large populations of Filipinos yearning for a taste of home.”

Cohen said, “We have an opportunity with Guam's Fox6 to provide programming and with our partnership with MTV Philippines we are able to provide entertainment news with an MTV twist to our local viewers. There is opportunity to bring this to markets across America.”

MTV Philippines President and Chairman Francis Lumen said, “I saw great potential with this relationship with SMG and look forward to more collaborative opportunities.”

Rex Sorensen is the Chairman and CEO of Sorensen Media Group which includes the stations of News Talk K57, Power 98, 105 The KAT, Fox 6 and ABC 7 on Guam. Rex Sorensen has been involved in building and creating media platforms in Asia and the United States for over 20 years.

Evan Cohen is a media entrepreneur who has owned and operated advertising agencies, publishing companies and radio networks. In 2004, Cohen launched Air America Radio, one of the mostly highly anticipated and talked about media launches in the last 5 years. In 2006, he returned to Guam and launched Lotus Media Services. He is the founder and Managing Director of Lotus Media Services. Cohen currently is also the Managing Director of News Talk K57, Power 98, 105 the KAT, Fox 6 and ABC 7.

Evan M. Cohen returns to Guam and eyes Asia

Evan M. Cohen returns to Guam and eyes Asia

After a hectic, exciting, and intense experience in New York media entrepreneur Evan M. Cohen makes his way back to Guam and is continuing to work in the media industry. “I am back, the family is all here, now. While New York was certainly interesting and fast paced I am happy to be back in the Pacific region. I am working with Rex on a number of projects,” Cohen said. Cohen is referring to his business associate and the chairman and CEO of News Talk K57, Power 98, 105 The KAT, Fox 6 and ABC 7 on Guam. Sorensen was involved in building and creating media platforms in Asia and the United States for over 20 years.

Cohen said his focus is providing media solutions for advertisers, creating television and radio content, and providing media products to both Asia and the U.S. “Rex asked me if I would be willing to work with him to create programming content. At the time, he had just purchased two television stations – the ABC and Fox affiliate on Guam. I agreed to work with him,” he said. Cohen returned to Guam and is now the managing director of Lotus Media Services. “Lotus Media Services is a creative content production house providing content for the Guam market,” Cohen said.

In 2006, Lotus Media Services created a light-hearted reality television program highlighting Guam's contemporary culture through comedy. Cohen said in 2007 Lotus Media Services also launched a medical magazine featuring positive news about the industry on Guam. “For a long time we have heard about the struggles to provide adequate health care on Guam but I believed there was a lot of good stories to be told about the advancements and technology available to treat patients locally. We see a lot of potential from this series. We are currently working on another medical series,” Cohen said.

Cohen is optimistic about doing more with the series by featuring more stories from the region and distributing them to other markets. “The series is titled, 'Medical Mysteries of Micronesia', and it would be appropriate to produce this series for the local market with the possibility of distribution outside of the region,” he said.

According to Cohen, Guam is a perfect base of operations for media expansion into Asia markets. “There are a lot of opportunities to provide media content in Asia and the U.S. mainland. Sorensen Media Group and Lotus Media Services have partnered with MTV Philippines. We have repackaged content to appeal to U.S. markets through the creation of TimeOut. TimeOut is a fun and entertaining television news magazine providing updates about Filipino superstars and social events happening in the Philippines in a way only MTV can,” he said.
Guam is a conglomeration of numerous ethnicities and many communities are made up of people from Asia. “While, certainly, Guam can be be looked at as a mini-laboratory of sorts what might work on Guam may not work in Japan and vice-versa but audiences here can provide some insight because of the sensitivities to Asian culture and because so many in the community are from parts of Asia,” Cohen said.

Cohen said Sorensen Media Group and Lotus Media Services are working to provide content in China. “We are looking to provide radio content for China. China is growing, economically, by leaps and bounds and we want to be on the ground floor during this boon,” he said. Sorensen Media Group provided radio content to Asia markets in the past specifically Japan with Radio I Nagoya and Inter FM Tokyo.