In these troubles times, Jere Harris of PRG sheds some light on how they are dealing with the pandemic and work stoppage.
PLSN: The entertainment and events industry started feeling the financial impact of COVID-19 early on. What is PRG doing in the wake of event, concert and theatre cancellations?
Jere: We’ve pivoted to accommodate the cancellation of live events by offering a variety of alternative solutions including livestreaming and virtual conferencing and trainings.
PRG received a call from a friend of Dallas Mavericks owner and Shark Tank judge Mark Cuban. He’s been sought after for commentary on the pandemic but livestreaming from his home office wasn’t looking professional. We put together a lighting and audio package and dropped it off in front of Mark’s home and he installed it. We are putting together packages like this for executives, TV media who are broadcasting from home, commencements, even offering portable packages for people who are isolated, such as nursing homes or hospitals and interact and share experiences with loved ones.
We are also assisting in livestreamed concerts. Yungblud had to cancel his tour but in less than 24 hours, PRG provided an audio solution and sourced all the gear including a broadcast truck to support a livestream concert. Also, when Touring company L7 made a quick pivot to digital offerings to comply with shelter in place and social distancing mandates, PRG provided camera, lighting and LED.
PLSN: Unlike other industry like hotels, the entertainment and production industry has historically not been cohesive or well organized for broad representation or lobbying but I have been glad to see various groups or coalitions form in order to represent the need within the industry. PRG was a founding member of Live Events Coalition. How is that going?
Jere: Eileen Valois, SVP Strategic Initiatives, Sports & Fan Entertainment, is one of the co-founders of the Live Events Coalition and PRG was the first major player in the industry to back the initiative. Coalition now has almost 17,000 members and 23 plus local chapter groups – some of which were started by and are led by PRG employees. Live Events Coalition along with other industry groups worked to get the attention of Congress that our industry depends on 1099 workers and they should be eligible for unemployment. We also worked to shape some of the language in the recently passed CARES Act and hope to shape future relief packages.
PRG has resources and operations far and wide, is the company assisting in the COVID battle?
Jere: PRG and others in the industry are in the unique position to meet some of the needs we are seeing around the globe. Doing what we do, we are used to solving problems at a drop of a hat. We’ve offered our services to local, state and national governments – we have a scenic shop with capabilities to make masks, gowns, even parts for ventilators. We have partnered with NYU Langone Health and working with Local 311 – a stagehand union – to create 3,000 masks for New York health workers. In Berlin, we are helping build a temporary hospital in a convention center. If we can do it, we will help.
PLSN: What is your outlook on the industry?
Jere: Don’t we all wish we had a crystal ball?
We know when we emerge out of this, the world will be changed, and we will adapt to a different way of life. Events will come back to be smarter and savvier than before. The show will go on and we’ll learn how to work in this new environment.
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