WASHINGTON (Army News Service, Nov. 9, 2006) - The Soldiers Media Center was activated today in a Pentagon ceremony that consolidates the Army's key command information organizations and represents an evolution in how the Army communicates.
The change brings together the producers of www.army.mil, Soldiers magazine, Army News Service, Hometown News Service, Soldiers Radio and Television, and the Army's Armed Forces Radio and Television Service outlets.
"From Soldiers magazine to podcasts to video on the Web, the SMC will get information to those who need it," said Stephanie L. Hoehne, principal deputy director of Army Public Affairs.
The SMC will give Soldiers multiple ways to learn about what is happening in the Army, from changes in pay and policies to the activities and accomplishments of fellow Soldiers, added Hoehne.
News told through weekly installation newspapers can be a week old by the time it reaches audiences. "But we can post that story or photo immediately on the Web. And if video is available, we can use it for a wide range of other products," said Col. Richard Breen, SMC commander. "This enhances public affairs professionals' ability to tell their story locally, and also provides them a larger platform."
"What we've not been able to do before is cross-promote our products and information. Now, we will be able to do a television story and send viewers to the magazine article, which is more detailed, or to the Web site, which has links to even more information," he said.
The SMC will use new technologies to share information from headquarters to the field, from the field to headquarters and between field units. "The SMC's biggest strategic advantage will be its ability to share products worldwide," said Breen.
As the top communicators to the Army family, the SMC will promote selected strategic messages.
"The SMC is our production engine for Army Strategic Communication, ensuring that video, print and Web products tell the Army story to our audiences," said Hoehne.
The new organization will incorporate the Army Broadcast Service, which will deactivate in the same ceremony. Established in 1980, ABS has financial and managerial oversight of the Army's Armed Forces Radio and Television Service outlets: AFN Europe, AFN Korea, AFN Honduras and AFN Kwajalein.
"While most people probably aren't impacted by the Army Broadcasting Service as a command, if they've been stationed overseas they've benefited from the products of the Armed Forces Networks that we own and operate, as well as the services provided by AFRTS," Breen said.
"Our audiences will not lose that," he said. "What they gain is more relevant information delivered to them faster and in their preferred formats - Web, print, podcast, broadcast, radio and video podcast."
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