Several stories in this issue focus on themes of the upcoming fall Radio Show. Here’s a sampling of additional show highlights. A full program can be found atradioshowweb.com. Dates below refer to Tuesday, Sept. 29, through Friday, Oct. 2. Also, read more in-depth pre-show coverage in our Sept. 9 issue.
Career Networking Event — Tuesday, 1–4 p.m. The NAB Education Foundation and Broadcast Education Association aim to match up job candidates with employers. Job seekers can register for this event for free. Participating companies receive Equal Employment Opportunity credit from the FCC.
“Pillsbury’s Financing the Future of Radio” — Executives from radio and investing will look at the biz from the financial perspective in this session led by law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. Radio speakers include Caroline Beasley, David Field and Jeff Warshaw. Topics include how companies are raising capital. Wednesday, 8:30–10 a.m., with breakfast provided.
“Asked and Answered: Speed Mentoring” — Where else can you grab Steve Newberry, president/CEO of Commonwealth Broadcasting, and ask for career advice? Eight other executives, from companies like Univision, Beasley, Big River and Greater Media, will take part, too. Wednesday, 9:30–10:45 a.m.
“Ask the FCC” — District Director Doug Miller of the Atlanta office will appear at the exhibit floor theater, talking about commission issues. Among other topics, we suspect he’ll be asked his opinion about the impact of recently announced reductions in field offices and AM revitalization. Several blocks of time on Wednesday.
Radio Luncheon — George Beasley is honored with the National Radio Award. In the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Atrium Ballroom, Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
The dashboard electronics revolution is a show topic. Last year’s HD Radio booth included this Tesla.
Photo by Jim Peck“Modern Transmitter Architecture for FM and HD Radio Broadcasting” — Rohde & Schwarz talks tech. Wednesday, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
“Five Things Programmers and Talent Need to Stop or Start Doing Immediately” — “Listen to new tactics for what you should and should not be doing to ensure your success.” Presenters are consultant and trainer Valerie Geller, Westwood One host Zach Sang and Jimmy Steal, Emmis VP of programming and national PD for Emmis Digital. Moderated by Kurt Johnson, senior VP of programming at Townsquare Media. Wednesday, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Marketplace Mixer — Wednesday, 5:30–7 p.m.
“Radio Futures: New Developments for the Connected Car” — See more about this session. Thursday, 9:15–10:15 a.m.
Lunch in the Marketplace — Thursday, 12:30–2 p.m.
“New Monitoring Capabilities for Measuring Watermark Quality” — Call this the “Voltair session.” Engineers and PDs have been following the Voltair/PPM controversy closely. Geoff Steadman, vice president and founder of 25-Seven Systems, part of the Telos Alliance, will talk for a half-hour about that device. Thursday, noon–12:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall theater. We’re predicting a full house, which will also no doubt be the case for the …
“Nielsen PPM Encoding Update” — Call this the “Nielsen responds to Voltair” session. The ratings company recently held a national webinar for the radio industry and said it plans enhancements to the critical band encoding technology used in its Portable People Meter, a move influenced in part by the Voltair controversy. Nielsen’s Matt O’Grady and Arun Ramaswamy will talk about it. Thursday, 1:30–2 p.m., also on the exhibit hall stage. Perhaps anticipating a rumble, the organizers separated the sessions by 30 minutes.
Gavin DeGraw will perform during the Marconi Awards dinner and show.
Americana/country rock artist Bonnie Bishop will perform during a Marketplace Mixer Sept. 30.“After AT&T and T-Mobile: Next Steps for NextRadio” — The FM chip boys are celebrating these days, having made progress in their push to get carriers on board. NextRadio President Paul Brenner and his boss, Emmis Chairman Jeff Smulyan, would love to add another name or three to that list of wireless companies. Thursday, 2:15–3:15 p.m.
“NAB Labs’ Focus on Radio” — David Layer promises an update on NAB Labs’ activity regarding AM all-digital testing, Modulation Dependent Carrier Level/HD Radio compatibility, market research regarding activating the FM chip in smartphones and FM multiplex generation using single sideband-suppressed carrier (SSB-SC) subcarrier. Thursday, 3:30–4 p.m. on the exhibit hall stage.
NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show — The awards recognize stations and individuals for excellence in 20 categories. Singer/songwriter Gavin DeGraw will perform, taking time out from his touring schedules with Shania Twain and Billy Joel. Syndicated personality Rickey Smiley will host; in addition to his eponymous radio show, film/TV work and CDs, he promotes initiatives like “Father’s Day,” which reunites fathers with children. The event is Thursday evening and requires a separate ticket.
Sept. 30 – Oct. 1
Artist Spotlight Series — This new series will feature BMI songwriters/artists Paul McDonald, Bonnie Bishop, Shawn Mullins and Michael Tolcher. Their performances on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 are free for registered attendees. Most will be on the exhibits floor; the show website radioshoweb.com has times and locations.
Separately, Grammy nominated singer and BMI songwriter Gavin DeGraw will perform at the NAB Marconi Radio Awards Dinner & Show on Oct. 1; see list of Marconi finalists.
Steven Tyler of Aerosmith will sit down for a Q&A about the music business, part of the Friday morning “Music & Mimosas” session. “Music & Mimosas” — Is it just us or does the Radio Show seem to be making a special effort to reach out to music labels and artists this year? In addition to the Artist Spotlight Series highlighted elsewhere, here’s one in which representatives from labels like Big Machine Label Group, Columbia Records, Disney Music Group, Epic, Republic and Warner Bros. Entertainment will talk about pending records, artists and business initiatives — and Steven Tyler will be there, too, talking about building his own brand, as well as issues involved in the music industry. (Who’s gonna ask about performance royalties?) It’s on Friday, 9–11 a.m.
Thursday, Oct. 1 3:30–4:30 p.m.
“FCC Experts Talk Radio Regulation” — Pretty much what the headline says. Likely topics include public files, contest rules, AM’s health, translators and LPFM. Commissioner Michael O’Rielly is scheduled to give opening remarks. Panelists are Peter Doyle, chief of the Audio Division, and Robert Baker, assistant chief of the Policy Division, both in the Media Bureau, while NAB’s Ann Bobeck and Rick Kaplan moderate.
The FCC’s Peter Doyle makes a point as FEMA’s Al Kenyon listens in 2014. Doyle has been a frequent speaker at broadcast conventions and again will appear in Atlanta.
Photo by Jim PeckKerri Kasem, right, daughter of the late Casey Kasem, talks about her career and experiences with parental visitation and guardianship rights.
Thursday, Oct. 1 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
“The Importance of Finding Your Voice” — Kerri Kasem is a TV/radio host and founder of the Kasem Cares Foundation. Daughter of the late Casey Kasem, she will talk about “her impassioned journey from becoming a multimedia personality to using her voice, through personal tragedy, to empower change to parental visitation and guardianship rights.” Presented by Mentoring and Inspiring Women.
