TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO ATTEND THE 10TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE - March 18 - 20, 2010
There has never been a better time to join OHMA and attend the OHMA 10th annual International Conference for unparalleled opportunities to evolve, innovate and grow your 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. It's your chance to be among the first to learn what the rest of the industry will discover next. See conference highlights here.
DON'T FORGET TO SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THE 2010 MARCE AWARDS - January 21, 2010
January 29, 2010 is the deadline to submit your entry, so don't delay. Remember, OHMA members as well as non-members may enter. The MARCE is the only competition that encourages and rewards creative and marketing excellence among On Hold Messaging providers exclusively. MARCE stands for MARketing & Creative Excellence. 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. For more information and to submit your entry, click here. To read about the MARCE award, simply scroll down on this page.
ARE YOU LINKEDIN, OHMA IS - December 19, 2009
You're invited to join OHMA on LinkedIn. Groups on LinkedIn not only offer a great opportunity to learn about the on hold messaging industry, but marketing professionals from across the globe. Groups on LinkedIn not only offer a great opportunity to network with other successful on hold messaging providers, but marketing professionals from across the globe. Join the OHMA LinkedIn Group here: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?about=&gid=2586025&trk=anet_ug_grppro
Invite coworkers, past colleagues and customers to join and start discussions. Leverage your existing network to get your network involved with OHMA started. After all, who wants to join a group with no members? Promote the group on your website, blog, email newsletter and social media networks. Make sure current OHMA members know about it and for other MOH businesses, how to join OHMA. Invite key industry experts to join and engage. If there are some heavy-hitters in your industry, invite them to engage with the community. Cross-market to related groups that you manage on different networks. Create a similar group or Page on Facebook ( Facebook blog hubspot ) and invite members of each network to join each other's network. Integrate LinkedIn into all of your marketing efforts. Every time you do a webinar or go to a conference, notify your group and invite those you meet to join the group as well
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
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.
January 29, 2010 is the deadline to submit your entry, so don't delay. Remember, OHMA members as well as non-members may enter. The MARCE is the only competition that encourages and rewards creative and marketing excellence among On Hold Messaging providers exclusively. MARCE stands for MARketing & Creative Excellence. 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. For more information and to submit your entry, click 
You're invited to join OHMA on LinkedIn. Groups on LinkedIn not only offer a great opportunity to learn about the on hold messaging industry, but marketing professionals from across the globe. Groups on LinkedIn not only offer a great opportunity to network with other successful on hold messaging providers, but marketing professionals from across the globe. Join the OHMA LinkedIn Group here: 
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. 
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. 
