Ahead of the BNM Summit next week, we spoke with four industry leaders about the importance of getting together and discussing the future of media. Executive Vice President for iHeartMedia Chris Berry, Program Director of WJR in Detroit Ann Thomas, Director of Operations for Branding and Programming at 95.5 WSB Ken Charles, and Brand Manager/Program Director for WCCO Brad Lane gave their thoughts.
KAC: What is the industry issue you are most concerned about?
AT: As the Program Director of WJR, a legendary 50,000-watt radio station in the Midwest, I think about how we can protect the brand but also take our content and distribute it in new and different ways. I think radio stations now have to be audio distribution companies that provide content through streaming and podcasting using a variety of different channels.
CB: As news options change for our consumers, we need to reimagine the way that we present content to our audience, whether it is over the air or on a podcast. We need to really embrace the people who are delivering the message, because the news can be found anywhere. But the reason people are listening to us is because we have a way of delivering it that they find acceptable. That is my biggest concern.
What I want to get out of this is to take a look at how people are taking news content—which is basically a commodity now—and fashioning it into a form that is not only informative but also entertaining so that we can maintain and build audience.
KCharles: Finding our next generation of talent is the thing that keeps me awake at night the most. Not just on-air, but our next generation of programmers, news directors, producers, news anchors, reporters, and even sales and traffic/continuity staff. The smaller markets where we recruited our next generation—or in some cases sent our up-and-coming stars—are not live and local any longer. College graduates all want to be in TV news or sports, and most schools don’t even teach radio courses anymore.
We are taking risks and hiring people who, just five years ago, we might not have brought into our newsrooms or studios. We are hiring them based on talent and potential, not experience, knowing that if we hire right, give them the right coaching, and enough time, they will grow into our stations.
KAC: What’s the one thing you look to gain most at the BNM Summit?
AT: I think this summit is important because it brings together radio executives and top talent with deep knowledge of the industry. Last year, I took something away from every panel discussion.
CB: Anytime we can take a few days—or even just a few hours—to talk to smart people about what we do is valuable. The fact that Barrett has put together this conference is really an opportunity to discuss face-to-face and collaborate with our peers on the things that are important to us, not only from a programming perspective but also an operational perspective, at a time when resources are scarce.
KCharles: I love getting together with some of the smartest people in the business and talking about our brands, our challenges, and how everyone is doing things just a little bit differently. I always leave BNM’s Summit a little smarter and feeling a little more challenged to keep up with the best of the best. I also love getting together with friends I only get to see once a year at the Summit. None of us travel like we used to, and the only time I can see these people is there, which makes it a must-attend two days.
BL: Stealing someone else’s great idea or concept, bringing it back to the Twin Cities, and calling it my own, LOL. But seriously, to a certain extent, I think we all can learn a thing or two about best practices elsewhere from minds a lot smarter than mine. Other than that, just connecting and commiserating with fellow radio junkies and “nerding out” is always a hoot.
KAC: Why is it important for news/talk media professionals to attend conferences?
AT: This conference is a great place to gather new ideas and network with some of the best in the business.
CB: We live in a busy world right now where we are always dealing with the tyranny of the urgent—the things that are happening right now that need to get checked off your list. So anytime that we have the opportunity to take a little break from the day-to-day and really think about what it is we are doing, it’s a positive thing for us personally and also for our industry.
When we have the opportunity to get together with those who share common challenges and goals, hopefully we will all come away richer from the experience.
KCharles: We all have what we think are unique challenges in our home markets, and it is important to not only know there are many others with the same challenges, but also to learn how they are managing them. Taking some of that knowledge back to the home market is impactful and makes attending conferences a crucial opportunity to grow as a programmer.
It is also great because every time I attend, I not only see old friends but I also make new ones. You can’t do that sitting behind a desk on one side of the country or the other. You can only really do that in person.
BL: Selfishly, to connect and network. But more importantly, to be an ambassador and represent our brand to a group of respected peers, to talk about and share what we’ve been working on. Most times in my experience, it’s the side conversations between sessions where the best thoughts and experiences are shared.
KAC: Who are you most looking forward to hearing or seeing in New York City?
AT: I think all the speakers will have something to offer. However, I am especially interested in the conversations about digital innovation, market growth, and talent development.
CB: The Barrett conferences are almost like a college reunion because they bring people together who may have worked together before, or maybe have heard the reputation of others. To be able to learn from our colleagues and also enjoy the fellowship is something we don’t do enough of these days.
KCharles: Ben Mevorach. He’s my idol.
BL: You mean other than The Naked Cowboy in Times Square?! Ahem. If I’m forced to single someone out, it’d be Mary Sandberg Boyle, as WGN is probably as close to the type of station we strive to be — a true news and talk station that’s not ideologically driven. I’d love to hear what they’re doing and how they view the road ahead.
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Krystina Alarcon Carroll contributes features and columns for Barrett Media. She has experience in almost every facet of the industry including: digital and print news; live, streamed, and syndicated TV; documentary and film productions. Her prior employers have included NY1 and Fox News Digital and the Law & Crime Network. You can find Krystina on X (formerly twitter) @KrystinaAlaCarr.
