TALKERS 2023
June 2, 2023 – Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Presented by TALKERS in association with WRHU Radio
Sponsored by (in alphabetical order):
The Doctor Asa Show – Backbone Networks – Benztown – The Michael Berry Show – Broadcasters General Store – C. Crane – Collette – Comrex – The Epoch Times –- Goldman McCormick PR – Guestbooker.com – The Sean Hannity Show – Newsmax – Our American Stories – Premiere Networks – Radio America – The Ramsey Show – Dr. Murray Sabrin – Stephan Multimedia – The Todd Starnes Show – Talk Media Network – Visit Atlantic City
AGENDA
Registration Desk Open – 7:30 am to 6:00 pm – Lobby of John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Registration Director: Barbara Kurland, Business Manager, TALKERS
Assistant Registration Director: Olivia Mannarino, Associate, TALKERS
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Breakfast – 8:00 am to 8:55 am – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Breakfast Emcee: David Bernstein, GM/Broadcast Operations, TALKERS
“Woman of the Year Award”
Recipient: Martha Zoller, Host WDUN-FM-AM, Gainesville, GA
“Lifetime Achievement Award”
Recipient: Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC
Sponsored by Sean Hannity / Premiere Networks
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Exhibits Open – 9:00 am to 5:00 pm – Lobby of John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Backbone Networks – Representative: Richard Cerny, President/CEO
Broadcasters General Store – Representative: Buck Waters, Marketing Executive
Collette – Representatives: Jim Edwards, VP, US Affinity Development; Paul Holly, Partnership Marketing Manager
Comrex – Representative: Chris Crump, CBNE, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
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Morning Greetings – 9:00 am to 9:45 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
TALKERS 2023 Emcee: Kevin Casey, VP, Executive Editor, TALKERS
“National Anthem”
Performed by: TBA
“Morning Wakeup”
Speaker: Jimmy Failla, Host, FOX News Radio
“Setting the Stage: Triple Perspective”
Official Greeter: Todd Starnes, Host/President, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/Owner, KWAM, Memphis
“Welcome to TALKERS 2023”
Introduction: Victoria Jones, Executive Director, DC Radio Company
Speaker: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Special Guest (by remote): Bob Pittman, CEO, iHeart Media
Sponsored by The Doctor Asa Show
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Panel Discussion – 9:50 am to 10:25 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“Programming News/Talk Radio in the Digital Era – Part 1”
Introduction: TBA
Moderator: Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consulting
Panelists:
Michael Czarnecki, VP, Programming, Binnie Media
Tom Cuddy, Program Director, WOR, New York
Kevin DeLany, VP, News & Talk Programming, Westwood One
Eric Stanger, SVP, Operations, Sean Hannity Show, Premiere Networks
Joe Thomas, Host/Program Director, WCHV – Charlottesville, VA/PD, WRAD, River Valley, VA
Brett Winterble, Host, WBT, Charlotte
Sponsored by Premiere Networks
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Fireside Chat Part 1 – 10:30 am to 10:50 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Guest: Christopher Ruddy, Founder/CEO, Newsmax Media
Host: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Sponsored by Collette
Fireside Chat Part 2 – 10:55 am to 11:15 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Guest: Jeff Warshaw, Founder/CEO Connoisseur Media
Host: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Sponsored by Benztown
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“Freedom of Speech Award” – 11:20 am to 11:40 am – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Recipient: Tavis Smiley, Host/Owner, KBLA, Los Angeles
Presenter: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Sponsored by The Todd Starnes Show
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Four-Way Discussion – 11:45 am to 12:10 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“The State of Sports Talk Radio”
Introduction: TBA
Facilitator: John T. Mullen, General Manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University
Panelists:
Grace Blazer, VP, National NTS Brand Coordinator, Director of News and AM Programming Florida Region, iHeart Radio
Mark Chernoff, Sports Reporter, 107.1 The Boss, Long Branch, NJ/Sports Radio Talent Coach
Spike Eskin, VP, Programming, WFAN, New York and CBS Sports Radio
Sponsored by Backbone Networks
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Lunch – 12:15 pm to 1:15 pm – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Lunch Emcee: David Bernstein, GM, Broadcast Operations, TALKERS
“Welcome to Hofstra University”
Speaker: Mark Lukasiewicz, Dean, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hofstra University
“Special Lunch Greetings”
Speaker: Carl Higbie, Host, Newsmax TV
“Humanitarian of the Year Award”
Presenter: Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City
Recipient: Jim Thompson, Former President, Broadcasters Foundation of America (posthumously)
Accepter: Renee Cassis, Broadcasters Foundation of America
Sponsored by Newsmax
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Panel Discussion – 1:20 pm to 1:55 pm
“Talk Radio and Podcasting”
Introduction: Guy Benson, Host, FOX News Radio
Moderator: Lisa Wexler, Host, WICC, Bridgeport, CT
Panelists:
Heather Cohen, SVP, The Weiss Agency
Steve Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi Media
Ron Hartenbaum, Managing Member, WYD Media
Chris Oliviero, Market President, Audacy New York
David Pakman, Host, The David Pakman Show
Larry Young, Host, The Larry Young Podcast
Sponsored by Visit Atlantic City
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Panel Discussion – 2:00 pm to 2:35 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“Generating Talk Radio Revenue in a Digital World”
Introduction: Doug Stephan, Host, Good Day Show/Founder Stephan Multimedia
Moderator: Steve Lapa, President, Lapcom Communications Corp
Panelists:
Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Paul Gleiser, Host/Owner, KTBB-FM-AM, Tyler, TX
Todd Starnes, Host/President, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/Owner, KWAM, Memphis
Paul Vandenburgh, Host/Owner, WGDJ, Albany, NY
Michael Zwerling, Host/Owner, KSCO-FM-AM/KOME, Santa Cruz
Sponsored by The Ramsey Show
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Panel Discussion – 2:40 pm to 3:15 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“The Big Picture”
Introduction: Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., Associate Publisher, TALKERS/President, the Harrison Legal Group
Moderator: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Panelists:
Arthur Aidala, Esq. Founding Partner, `Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, PC/Host, AM 970 The Answer, New York
Dr. Asa Andrew, CEO/Host, The Doctor Asa Network
Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media
Lee Habeeb, Host/Producer, Our American Stories
Lee Harris, Morning Co-Anchor, WINS, New York
Kraig Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC
Sponsored by Newsmax
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Panel Discussion – 3:20 pm to 3:55 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“Programming Talk Radio – Part 2”
Introduction: Alex Fife, VP Operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia – Total Traffic & Weather Network
Moderator: Walter Sabo, CEO, Sabo Media/Host/Producer, Sterling on Sunday
Speakers:
Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group; Ops VP, New York region/WMCA/AM 970 The Answer
Ross Kaminsky, Host, KOA, Denver
Josh Leng, CEO, Talk Media Network
Dan Mandis, Host/Program Director, WTN, Nashville
Matt Meany, Program Director, WABC, New York/Red Apple Audio
Greg Stocker, Brand Manager, WPHT, Philadelphia
Sponsored by Our American Stories
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Panel Discussion – 4:00 pm to 4:35 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“Navigating a Radio Talk Show Hosting Career”
Introduction: Ryan McCormick, Managing Partner, Goldman McCormick, PR
Moderator: Dom Giordano, Host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Speakers:
Mandy Connell, talk show host, KOA, Denver
Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond
Frank Morano, talk show host, WABC, New York
Martha Zoller, talk show host, WDUN, Gainesville, GA
More TBA
Sponsored by C. Crane
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Three-Way Chat – 4:40 pm to 5:00 pm – John Cranford Adams Playhouse
“Making the Connections Between Local and National, Radio and Television”
Facilitator: Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City, NJ
Speakers:
John Caracciolo, President/CEO, JVC Broadcasting
Brian Kilmeade, Host, FOX News Radio/FOX News Channel
Sponsored by The Michael Berry Show
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Closing Reception – 5:00 pm to 6:00 pm – Reception Tent next to John Cranford Adams Playhouse
Sponsor TBA
Program subject to changes