Patrick Seaman

Deer Channel began as a wildlife research effort founded by Tom Brooks, inventor of the patented Deer Cam. A leading authority on Deer behavior, Tom wanted to go beyond old-style radio collars and the generational folk-knowledge of Deer habits, diet and behavior. Tom wanted to see and hear what the deer saw and heard — in real time — without physically intruding on their protected research habitat.

Enter: The Deer Cam. A patented wireless camera and microphone system, designed for extended operation in a controlled, protected habitat. This was a 1st in the world system — it had never been done before. The operator can view, record and broadcast the live feed — putting the viewer in the deer’s perspective, interacting with the deer’s environment, other deer and wildlife.

From 2006 to 2008 I had the privilege of working with Tom and his team on the Deer Cam system, which was to include live webcasts for subscribers. 90 days before launch, I came onboard and rewrote technology plan for the broadcast center and web operations. The systems were delivered on-time and under budget.

The project involved the wireless camera systems themselves, the infrastructure to support them, the design and rapid evolution of the broadcast center and broadcast operations as well as a several-generation iteration of the website design and functionality. In addition, a web portal system involved that included over 50 websites, microsites, social network functions, ad network and more.

Later, as Deer Channel evolved and changed direction, the basic infrastructure and operations became routine and I left to pursue other endeavours.