Meghan O’Neil, Senior Local Broadcast Director, recently celebrated 20 years at Harmelin Media. To mark the occasion, we caught up with her to hear her thoughts on the ever-evolving media industry and to get to know her a little better.
How have emerging technologies and AI impacted our industry since your last interview?
One word: efficiency. It seems like there’s a new tool or technology emerging every day that helps us work smarter and more effectively. Clients rightfully expect high-quality work delivered as efficiently as possible, and advancements in AI are helping us do exactly that. These tools allow us to streamline processes, uncover insights faster, and focus more time on strategic thinking. That said, while AI continues to evolve, the human element remains irreplaceable. The relationships we build, the creativity we bring, and the judgment we apply are what truly makes the difference.
What are some consumer trends or behaviors that have shifted in our industry since your last interview?
I think the biggest shift has been fragmentation of media consumption. Even just five years ago, consumers had far fewer options for watching video and listening to audio than they do today. As media professionals, we’re constantly challenged to stay on top of where audiences are spending their time and attention. Having spent 20 years in the broadcast department, I’ve seen firsthand that linear TV and terrestrial radio still deliver unmatched reach and remain incredibly valuable components of a media strategy. At the same time, consumer habits continue to evolve, and it’s our responsibility to meet audiences wherever they are. That means embracing emerging platforms and less traditional media channels to ensure we’re connecting with consumers throughout their day and reaching them from multiple angles with a cohesive message.
Where do you see the industry in the next 1 year / 5 years / 10 years?
From an activation standpoint, I believe we’ll continue to see a shift toward more holistic media buying. Rather than allocating budgets by individual medium or channel, investments will become increasingly fluid, adjusting in real time as audiences and consumption habits evolve. Impressions are everywhere, and each touchpoint plays an important role in the overall media strategy. As a result, I expect to see greater coordination across channels, with campaigns designed to work together seamlessly rather than compete for attention. We’re already seeing this evolution in audio, where radio, streaming, and podcasting are planned and bought as complementary channels that reach audiences wherever they’re listening. Looking ahead, I expect even deeper integration across media channels, with video, audio, social, and other platforms working together to deliver cohesive, full-funnel campaigns that connect with consumers throughout their journey.
Now that we’ve heard your thoughts on the industry, we’d love to learn a bit about you. What’s your favorite way to spend time off?
Traveling and golfing — if I am on PTO, I’m likely doing one or the other. Exploring new places or old favorites always puts me in a good mood and offers a reset. And golfing is just so relaxing for me (if I am playing well, that is). I guess my next step should be to take a golf vacation somewhere; still haven’t done that yet!
What’s a piece of advice you live by?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. I’ve always tried to let things roll off my back. You can’t control how other people act, only how you respond. I always try to maintain a positive demeanor and find some humor in life every day.
How do you usually like to start your day before work?
I have an iced coffee every morning (yes, even in the middle of January) and watch Good Morning America. I’m very much a creature of habit and feel off if I miss either of them.
What’s a small thing that instantly improves your mood?
My dogs. Every time I walk in the door, no matter how long I’ve been gone, they are so happy to see me. My pug Rory gets especially excited, always having a toy in his mouth for me and is wiggle-butting (did I make up that term?) all over to show his excitement.
Reflections from the Harmelin Community
Joyclyn Faust, Vice President, shares: “I’ve known Meghan since she started as an assistant 20 years ago, and it has been incredible to watch her continuously grow and evolve throughout her career at Harmelin. She is always looking for opportunities to grow and advance, and she consistently embraces new challenges with enthusiasm. Her ability to quickly learn new skills, manage a heavy workload, and remain highly efficient makes her an invaluable member of the Broadcast and Audio teams. As a devoted Philly sports fan, she’s proven she can stay committed through anything! Congratulations, Meghan, on 20 years of success at Harmelin. Here’s hoping we’re also celebrating a few Philadelphia sports championships before the next 20!”
Cheryl Klear, Senior Vice President, adds: “Not only is Meghan a Senior Buying Director on the Broadcast team, but she is also the Broadcast Vendor Manager, a member of the Audio team, fully versed in all Audio channels, and part of the Sports team. Meghan is fantastic at managing multiple projects and handles everything efficiently and effectively. She is always looking for new challenges and the best ways to execute them. I am so happy to have been able to work with Meghan over these past 20 years and see her continue to grow and be the extremely valuable asset to Harmelin that she is. Congratulations Meghan!”
Congratulations, Meghan! Thank you for your 20 years of commitment to Harmelin and our clients.
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