Page 11 - The MIL Connection: Summer 2024

more memorable. Also, certain concepts are easier to demonstrate or explain through video.
Whether it’s showcasing a product in action, demonstrating a process, or providing a step-by-
step tutorial, videos can effectively convey complex information in a clear and concise manner.
I think videos are inherently more compelling because of how dynamic you can make them,
combined with the ability to engage viewers, and convey information in a compelling way, it’s a
powerful medium for communication and storytelling.
So, is that why it’s easier to “message” using video (as TV advertisers have known for
years)?
Hao: Videos, even without audio, leverage the power of visual communication to inform and
explain in a way that is engaging, accessible, and emotionally compelling. Viewers can process
visuals faster than they can with text, so visuals allow for quick absorption of information
and facilitate understanding. Through imagery, charts, graphs, and animations, complex
concepts can be simplified and explained more effectively than with text alone. A well-
constructed instructional video can transcend language barriers and can be understood by
people from different cultural backgrounds. This universal appeal makes it an effective tool for
communication and persuasion across diverse audiences.
What about retention? Are people remembering messages better or just being more
entertained?
Hao: Videos tend to have higher retention rates because of all the reasons I’ve presented. By
engaging the visual and auditory senses of the viewers, they are immediately more connected
to the content. This connection enhances memory retention, as people are more likely to
remember content that elicits an emotional response. Again, humans are inherently visual
creatures, and we process moving visuals more quickly and effectively than text.
My favorite videos to make are the post-event videos we produce for our Award Ceremonies.
These videos are a montage of images and footage captured during the event, set to uplifting
music. By showcasing our employees enjoying themselves with their families, these videos
create a vibrant and engaging narrative. The combination of visuals and music fosters a
sense of excitement and celebration, making the content highly memorable and shareable.
Ultimately, these videos are successful because they authentically capture the joy and
camaraderie of our team members, resonating with viewers on a personal level.

About Hao
Hao’s been the storyteller of many of MIL’s corporate
messaging efforts since 2021. Along with popping up at
corporate events to capture memorable moments as they
happen, Hao serves as MIL’s social media voice, capturing and
communicating our corporate culture for wider audiences.
Hao also uses his Fine/Studio Arts degree from University of
Maryland and his years of graphic and digital arts experience
to create eye-catching branding images and designs for MIL
proposals, marketing material, and advertising projects. Before
joining the company, Hao served in several other creative
positions including as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for the
Maryland Technology Development Corporation.

Improving US remote sensing capabilities
Tian Ma is a computer scientist, a principal member of the Sandia Labs technical staff, and
the Chinese Institute of Engineers-USA (CIE) 2023 Asian American Engineer of the Year. In
2003, Ma joined a Sandia Labs university fellowship program that ultimately earned him both a
master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and a doctorate in systems engineering.
At Sandia, Ma focuses his R&D efforts on edgy technical areas such as data analytics and
data fusion, decision science, computer vision (a branch of AI devoted to identifying and
understanding objects and people), and remote sensing. Over his last dozen years at Sandia,
Ma has developed numerous innovative detection and tracking algorithms for remote sensing
systems under the Lab’s nuclear non-proliferation program and national security missions.
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