11th Annual OHMA Conference Coming Soon! - April 14-16, 2011
OHMA and IBMA welcomes members to beautiful St. Louis…the gateway to the west. For OHMA, this marks our 11th Annual Conference and it’s the first to be co-located with the IBMA, International Business Music Association.- December 2, 2010
The Passing of Creston Owen
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of former OHMA Chairman, Creston Owen. Creston not only was an active and vital member of OHMA, but was an integral part of the Manassas, VA businesses and cultural community. Creston leaves behind wife Sharon, and children Ashley and Ryan. From all of OHMA we send our condolences to the Owen family. More
OHMA GEARS UP FOR 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE - March 18 - 20, 2010
The On Hold Messaging Association 10th Annual International Conference will be held March 18 - 20, 2010 in San Diego at the Westin. This year's conference is sure to be the best ever with even more dynamic speakers, new products from our valued sponsors, and more. OHMA members will have unparalleled opportunities to evolve, innovate and grow their business - smarter than ever before. With exciting exhibits and educational programs focused on power networking, customer service, the global market, building value, additional industry opportunities, and more, this year's event spotlights education, plus the opportunity to visit industry vendors face-to-face, and see what's new in industry technology. Preview conference highlights here.
OHMA MEMBER SECURES FINANCING - June 1, 2009
June 1, 2009 - OHMA congratulates one of our members who recently secured $11 million in financing to support the company’s growth initiatives. The company will use the funding to refinance debt and complete the acquition of another top U.S. On Hold Messaging provider. The acquisition marks the nineth in eight years for our member. This milestone is evidence that the On Hold Messaging industry is a viable business service attracting serious investors that realize the value brought to the marketplace by our industry.
2009 OHMA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE - April 1, 2009
The 2009 OHMA International Conference in Atlanta, March 19-21, was attended by over 90 percent of active members! The educational sessions, hosted by guest speakers that rank among the best in their area of expertise, offered ideas on gender selling, brand marketing, advertising strategies to the modern customer and the use of copywrited music. Successful individuals from our own industry shared important information on being more valuable to clients, increasing revenues with current clients, and packaging media services in order to better serve subscribers.
MARCE AWARDS DEBUT AT 2009 OHMA CONFERENCE - April 1, 2009
This is sure to be the best conference yet with powerful and relevant messages from outstanding speakers, new products from our valued sponsors, more vendors with a wider array of products and services, invaluable networking opportunities with both OHMA and IBMA members, and more. Mark your calendars now for April 14-16, 2011. View Press Release Remembering Creston Owen
From 2005 to 2008, OHMA recognized excellence in On Hold Messaging production with the HOLDIE Awards. We've now taken it to the next level with the MARCE Awards. Each year at the annual conference, two HOLDIES were presented: one to honor the best "real" OHM production created for a client, and one to celebrate the best "spoof" produced for the enjoyment of OHMA members only.
But since last year a lot has changed with the OHMA awards, most notably the name. They're now known as the MARCE (MAR-see) Awards. MARCE stands for MARketing & Creative Excellence. "In changing the name, we wanted to emphasize the marketing power of On Hold Messaging," said the MARCE Awards Chair. "The best On Hold Messaging is not just filler or fluff. It's an effective tool that helps companies increase revenue, build brand and top-of-mind awareness, and meet other marketing goals. The OHM productions voted the best each year should reflect that marketing power."
The judging process for the MARCEs is also different from past years. OHMA members used to vote for their favorite productions. Now, a panel of qualified judges from the marketing, creative and /or audio production fields listens to each entry and rates it based on specific criteria. The judges are not affiliated with and have no contact with OHMA or any member company. The judges don't know the names of the entrants and they are selected by a third-party with years of experience in finding judges for The American Advertising ADDY Award competitions.
Higher Standards For OHMA Members - June 9, 2008
Why should your On Hold Messaging provider be an OHMA member? Our members are required to meet higher standards in order to maintain their membership. And that means a higher standard of service for you.
> On Hold Messaging must be The Member's primary business function.
> The Member must have a proven track record of On Hold Messaging excellence.
> The Member must be a comprehensive, full-service provider.
> The Member must provide flexible payment options.
> The Member is held accountable to OHMA standards.
> OHMA will provide arbitration in the unlikely event of a dispute.
ON HOLD MESSAGING - "A Better way to Educate, Motivate, Communicate. The right message. The right tone. Every time."
Always Use an OHMA Provider: To be sure your provider is an OHMA member look for our logo.
MUSIC ON HOLD COPYRIGHTS...FACT OR FICTION - June 23, 2008
If I Play Do I Really Have To Pay?
Many businesses realize they need something playing on hold while callers wait. Typically, companies will resort to a radio or CD player because they believe it is free. In fact this could be a costly decision. Most musical works are the property of the songwriters, composers, and music publishers and may not be reproduced or rebroadcast without the proper licensing. There are several performing rights organizations, such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, that collect royalties on behalf of these entities and distribute royalties to those members whose work have been performed; and playing music on hold is no exception.
Reputable on-hold messaging providers pay the proper licensing fees for public performance rights as well as mechanical rights as part of their service to the end user. Public performance rights allow end users to rebroadcast copyrighted material to the public. Mechanical rights gives the on hold messaging provider the right to synchronize or re-record the copyrighted material within their own work. Not only must end users be certain they are rebroadcasting licensed content, there are other costly ramifications to playing a radio or CDs on hold.
Playing a radio on hold could expose listeners to other advertisers' commercials. Usually a radio installed on a telephone system resides in an equipment room which is not well suited for the best reception and a caller could be placed on hold only to hear static from the drifting tuner. Regardless of the source of the music, the song on the radio or CD may not be appropriate for the listener.
June 1, 2009 - OHMA congratulates one of our members who recently secured $11 million in financing to support the company’s growth initiatives. The company will use the funding to refinance debt and complete the acquition of another top U.S. On Hold Messaging provider. The acquisition marks the nineth in eight years for our member. This milestone is evidence that the On Hold Messaging industry is a viable business service attracting serious investors that realize the value brought to the marketplace by our industry.
The 2009 OHMA International Conference in Atlanta, March 19-21, was attended by over 90 percent of active members! The educational sessions, hosted by guest speakers that rank among the best in their area of expertise, offered ideas on gender selling, brand marketing, advertising strategies to the modern customer and the use of copywrited music. Successful individuals from our own industry shared important information on being more valuable to clients, increasing revenues with current clients, and packaging media services in order to better serve subscribers. 
From 2005 to 2008, OHMA recognized excellence in On Hold Messaging production with the HOLDIE Awards. We've now taken it to the next level with the MARCE Awards. Each year at the annual conference, two HOLDIES were presented: one to honor the best "real" OHM production created for a client, and one to celebrate the best "spoof" produced for the enjoyment of OHMA members only.
Why should your On Hold Messaging provider be an OHMA member? Our members are required to meet higher standards in order to maintain their membership. And that means a higher standard of service for you. 
