A Brief History of...

It started in 2012 while watching President Barack Obama do a Google Hangout from the White House...

History before Bernie2016TV and Uphill Media

I started building the concept of Engagement Broadcasting in 2012 after watching Obama do a Google Hangout from the White House. I saw them (Pixel Corps) combine traditional network tech with a web conference and realized there was a lot of potential there. I spent 2013 testing systems and finding funds to build them better.  It evolved from stringing laptops together in a Google hangout, to the system we have today. I started a company called SEOWiSE to market the service.
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In early 2014 we (SEOWiSE) started a series called SEOWiSE Office Hours to discuss technology and SEO.

In June of 2014 we did a series called “Glass in the Class” with Kent State University. This combined Google Glass with our Engagement Broadcast System. This was a second gen of the system.

We also worked with the School of Rock LLC. We streamed their 2014 Gemba rock fest. This is the highlight video. Highlights include an interview with 3 of the judges, Jim Peterik (Survivor), Metal Mike (rock guitarist), Zach Carothers (Portugal the Man), and a live streamed performance by My Music Hangouts (A streaming partner)  favorites from Cornwall, UK, Sue Aston and her son Lee.

In early 2015 I traveled to Longmont Colorado to learn about the Longmont Community Justice Partnership. When I returned we used Engagement Broadcast technology to conduct live interviews with members of the community involved with restorative justice. Here’s my introduction to the LCJP story.

In this example link you can see the host and guest in a “2 shot” but both in the same Google Hangout. There is also a lower third displaying tweets from the hashtag #RestoreJustice as we engaged social media while live.

We were also working with author David Amerland and Social Media Today producing a weekly series called SMT Powertalks. This example is with SEO legend Bruce Clay. The comment moderator brings in a question from the YouTube chat.

In June of 2015 I was inspired by Bernie Sanders to use the system to provide media coverage of the Sanders campaign. At that point, no one was. Mainstream media was ignoring him. There was no strong indie media presence talking about him. (Not yet anyway)... I saw this as an opportunity to bring the 99% together and amplify the voice of a people’s champion. Here’s the original call to action.  We produced more than 1000 livestream events as Bernie2016TV  in 2.5 years across 7 YouTube channels with an all volunteer crew. Original Channel

Our current network / org is called Uphill Media. It is the continuation of the Bernie2016TV volunteer group. It includes members from America, Germany, France, the UK, and other nations. We produce live stream events and regular series to inform the electorate. One of our goals is an indie news crew in each state focused on discussing local issues and interviewing local guests about the issues. We have shows in Oregon, Washington, and California. We also produce live stream events and a progressive candidate interview series that runs twice a week called, “#WeThePeople”.  

Work with Redefining Women in Tech
We are currently working with Redefining Women in Tech to produce a series of events showcasing Engagement Broadcasting using 4k gear connecting two college classrooms in Eugene, Oregon.

~ John Ellis