Powerful Agenda Being Set for TALKERS 2024: Radio and Beyond
The forthcoming 27th annual installment of the talk media industry’s longest running and most important national gathering will be meticulously documented on video for posterity. TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison states, “Because the entire agenda of this year’s event will take place on the state of the art television soundstage ‘A’ at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and a special staging area for individual interviews will be set up on the adjacent TV soundstage ‘B,’ the opportunity to create an in-depth video time capsule of this remarkably transitional moment in talk media history will be unprecedented.” Harrison adds, “The number of heavyweight players from all ends of the business gathered in one place for one day on a television soundstage will be of tremendous historical significance. We will grab the opportunity to save everything we can for posterity. This conference will be more than just another industry ‘convention.’ It will be a ‘symposium’ for the ages reflecting and preserving a remarkably colorful and historic era in American media and culture. People all over the world and for years to come will bear witness to this ‘happening.’”
All TALKERS 2024 activities take place in the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication on the campus of Hofstra University
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
7:30 am to 5:00 pm
Registration Director: Barbara Kurland, Business Manager, TALKERS
Assistant Registration Director: Debbie Bernstein, Associate, TALKERS
EXHIBITION DISPLAYS OPEN
8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Backbone Networks
Representatives: George N. Capalbo, CTO; George L. Capalbo, Marketing Communications Director; Richard Cerny, President
Broadcasters General Store
Representatives: David Antoine, CBRE/CBNT, Sales Engineer; Buck Waters, Outside Sales Rep
Comrex
Representative: Chris Crump, CBNE, Senior Director of Sales & Marketing
BREAKFAST
8:00 am to 9:00 am
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Master of Ceremonies: Kevin Casey, VP/executive editor, TALKERS
Special Conference Kickoff: “Gaining Traction in a Noisy World”
Speaker: Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, Host, “The Joe Pags Show”
Presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award
Presenter: Mark Goldman, Co-founder/Media Relations Specialist, Goldman McCormick Public Relations.
Recipient: Howie Carr, Host, Howie Carr Radio Network
Sponsored by Sean Hannity / Premiere Networks
OPENING SESSION
9:00 am to 9:40 am
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Singing of the National Anthem
Performed by: Daliah Wachs M.D., Host, “The Dr. Daliah Show”
Welcoming Greetings: “Radio and Beyond”
Speaker: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Presentation of the Woman of the Year Award
Special Remarks: Dave Gorab, VP/GM Talk Programming, SiriusXM Satellite Radio
Presenter: Larry Young, Host, WOLB, Baltimore
Recipient: Sharon “Sherry” Madison, Executive Producer, the Joe Madison Show, SiriusXM Satellite Network
Award Acceptance: TBA
Special Presentation: The Case for AM Radio
Introducer: Alex Fife, VP/Operations, Southeast, iHeartMedia, Total Traffic & Weather Network
Speaker: Bill Brady, Owner/Host, KFNX, Phoenix
Sponsored by the Doctor Asa Show
PANEL DISCUSSION: “GENERATING NEWS/TALK REVENUE IN THE DIGITAL ERA”
9:45 am to 10:25 am
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Introducer: Joe Thomas, Owner/PD/Host, WTON, Staunton, VA
Moderator: Steve Lapa, President, Lapcom Communications Corp.
Panelists: Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; John Caracciolo, President/CEO, JVC Broadcasting; Kathy Carr, President, Howie Carr Radio Network; Ron Hartenbaum, Managing Member, Crossover Media; Julie Talbott, President, Premiere Networks
Sponsored by The Martha Zoller Show
FIRESIDE CHAT: “THE STATE OF SPORTS TALK RADIO”
10:30 am to 10:55 am
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Host: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Guest: Fred Toucher, Co-host, Morning Show, WBZ-FM (98.5 The Sports Hub), Boston
Sponsored by Backbone Networks
PANEL DISCUSSION: “BRAVE NEW WORLD”
11:00 am to 11:35 am
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Moderator: Harry Hurley, Morning Host, WPG, Atlantic City
Panelists: Scot Bertram, GM, WRFH/Radio Free Hillsdale 101.7 FM; Heather Cohen, President, The Weiss Agency; Steven Goldstein, CEO, Amplifi Media; Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP, associate publisher TALKERS / Senior Partner, Harrison Media Law; John T. Mullen, GM, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University.
Sponsored by Premiere Networks
PANEL DISCUSSION: “PROGRAMMING NEWS/TALK RADIO”
11:40 am to 12:20 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Introducer: Paul Vandenburgh, Owner/Host, WGDJ (Talk 1300), Albany
Moderator: Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consulting
Panelists: Grace Blazer, VP, National NTS Brand Coordinator, Director of News and AM Programming Florida Region, iHeartMedia Miami; Phil Boyce, SVP, spoken word format, Salem Media Group; Ops VP, New York region/WMCA/ AM 970 The Answer; Bill Hess, Corporate PD, News/Talk, Cumulus Media / PD WMAL, Washington, DC; Scott Lakefield, APD, WOR, New York; Doug Stephan, CEO/founder, Stephan Multimedia/host “Good Day” morning show; Greg Stocker, Brand Manager, WPHT, Philadelphia.
Sponsored by The Ramsey Show
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: GLENN BECK
12:25 am to 12:55 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Speaker: Glenn Beck, Host, “The Glenn Beck Show” / Premiere Networks
Sponsored by Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City
LUNCH
1:00 pm to 2:25 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Lunch Master of Ceremonies: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Dean’s Message: “Welcome to Hofstra”
Speaker: Mark Lukasiewicz, Dean, Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, Hofstra University
Special Greeting: “In Front of the Camera”
Speaker: Rob Finnerty, host, “Wake Up America,” Newsmax TV
Presentation of the Humanitarian of the Year Award
Recipient: John Curley, Host, KIRO, Seattle
Broadcasters Foundation of America Donation/Spotlight
Presenter: Harry Hurley, Morning Show Host, WPG, Atlantic City
Acceptance: Scott Herman, Chairman, Broadcasters Foundation of America
Sponsored by Newsmax TV
SPECIAL PRESENTATION: “THE GREAT DEBATE”
2:30 pm to 3:00 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Debaters: Mike Gallagher, Host, Salem Radio Networks; Thom Hartmann, Host, WYD Media
Moderator: Lee Harris, Director, Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago
Sponsored by Our American Stories
PANEL DISCUSSION: “BEYOND POLITICS”
3:05 pm to 3:40 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Moderator: David Bernstein; GM, Broadcast Operations, TALKERS
Panelists: Asa Andrew, M.D., Host, the Doctor Asa Show; Mike “Bax” Baxendale, Co-host, Morning Show, WAQY (Rock 102), Springfield, MA; Lee Habeeb, CEO/Host/Producer, “Our American Stories”/American Private Radio; Danielle Lin, Producer/Host, “The Art of Living and the Science of Life”; Walter Sabo, consultant, Sabo Media Implementers/Host “Sterling On Sunday”; Daliah Wachs, M.D., Host, “The Dr. Daliah Show.”
Sponsored by Doug Stephan’s “Good Day”
PANEL DISCUSSION: “BEHIND THE MIC”
3:45 pm to 4:20 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Moderator: Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, Host, “The Joe Pags Show”
Panelists: Howie Carr, Host, Howie Carr Radio Network; Dom Giordano, Host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Jeff Katz, host, WRVA, Richmond; Chris Krok, Host, WBAP, Dallas; Frank Morano, Host, WABC, New York/Red Apple Audio Networks; Martha Zoller, Host, WDUN, Gainesville, GA
Sponsored by Radio America
PANEL DISCUSSION: “THE BIG PICTURE”
4:25 pm to 5:05 pm
“Studio A” Television Sound Stage
Moderator: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Panelists: Kraig T. Kitchin, CEO, Sound Mind, LLC; Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York/Red Apple Audio Network; Chris Oliviero, Market President, Audacy New York; Deborah Parenti, Publisher, Radio Ink / RBR+TVBR; Tavis Smiley, Host / Owner, KBLA, Los Angeles/Smiley AudioMedia; Lisa Wexler, Host, WICC, Bridgeport.
Sponsored by The Michael Berry Show
CLOSING RECEPTION
5:10 pm to 6:15 pm
“Studio A” Television Soundstage
Presentation of Freedom of Speech Award
Closing Reception Master of Ceremonies: Harry Hurley, Host, WPG, Atlantic City
Special Guest Speaker: Brian Kilmeade, Host, FOX News Radio / FOX News Channel
Presenter: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Recipient: John Catsimatidis, CEO/Owner, WABC, New York / Red Apple Audio Network
Sponsored by C. Crane
More TBA
Program agenda subject to change without notice
Attendance at the conference is limited to members of the working media and directly associated industries as well as communication students enrolled in accredited learning institutions. All attendees will be required to register in advance on the phone payable by credit card. Because attendance will be limited and the agenda outstanding, the conference is again expected to be an early sellout. The all-inclusive registration fee covering convention events, exhibits, food, and services for the day is $379. Because space will be limited and a sellout is anticipated, all registrations are non-refundable. To register for TALKERS 2024 or to obtain sponsorship information, call Barbara Kurland at 413-565-5413. The closest hotel to the conference is the nearby Long Island Marriott-Uniondale but it is nearly sold out. For a list of area hotels within a short drive to Hofstra, please click here.
Growing a brand is a memory game. Which message will a target consumer value, remember it and take it to the cash register? The answer is not complicated but it is complex.
about all the science any of us have been tutored in on the subject of effective frequency.
content: Participants were presented with paired samples of AI-generated voices created using Futuri’s AudioAI and human voices. 60% of the time, they identified the AI as human. The study also found respondents open to the use of AI with many believing that AI will improve content across news, video, and audio. For example, 
Johnson says, “I look forward to being a frequent guest on Tony’s show. This opportunity to speak directly to the American people about the most important developments in politics, policy, and culture will be important as we chart the path forward for Congress in these historic times.” Salem SVP Phil Boyce comments, “Salem is honored to kick off this important program with Speaker Johnson as guest host, who has worked tirelessly for conservative values since he took over the Speaker’s position. Tony Perkins, a nationally recognized expert in public policy, will be an excellent co-host, as the show deals with the important topics facing the House and the Speaker’s initiatives in getting his agenda passed.” Perkins adds, “I look forward to kicking off this new program with candid conversations with the House Speaker that will take listeners beyond the headlines and soundbites and inform them about what is really happening in our country and what citizens can do to influence the direction of our nation.” The show will be carried by Salem-owned news/talk stations nationwide, as well as affiliates of the Salem Radio Network. It will also air on the Salem News Channel weekends at 10:00 am ET, and 8:00 pm ET on Saturday and Sunday, as well as on demand on Salem Podcast Network, at Townhall.com, and on SNC.TV. SRN VP of news and talk Tom Tradup will serve as executive producer. Radio stations interested in the show can contact their SRN affiliate representative.
Podcasting deserves a larger role in media plans as opposed to “test and learn” experimental buys. 135 million Americans, 47% of persons 12+, are reached monthly. Among demographics such as persons 18-34, 18-49, and 25-54, monthly reach is in the low 60% range; 2) It is feasible to consider shifting TV budgets to podcasting given that podcast 18-34 reach performance is as big as TV; 3) The ratio of monthly audiences who also listen weekly is an excellent measure of podcast habituation. At present, 71% of the monthly female podcast audience also listen weekly. This is the strongest female podcast habituation in the last decade; and 4) Currently, podcasts only represent 1% of total national ad spend, per Guideline’s Standard Media Index reporting. At the dawn of cable TV, legendary BBDO media chief Arnie Semsky created the “5% solution,” which stipulated that brands devote 5% of media budgets to cable. 5% is enough of allocation to generate meaningful impact. Semsky was prescient. His brands hugely benefited from taking an early, bold, and strong position in a growing new medium, a lesson for the marketers of today when it comes to podcasts. 
Will video save the radio star? I hope so.
subscriptions, and more. Veritonic CEO Scott Simonelli comments, “We take pride in our collaborations with visionary leaders, amplifying the impact of our solutions and elevating the value delivered to our clients. This seamless integration empowers us to furnish our clients with even more comprehensive, insightful, and actionable data. It equips them to finely tune their audio campaigns, ensuring optimal results while instilling confidence in the allocation of their advertising budget across channels.”
dramatically understate AM/FM radio’s shares; 2) AM/FM radio represents the dominant ad-supported audio platform with a 68% overall share and a massive 86% in-car share; 3) In a typical day in America, 95% of Americans never listen to ad-supported Spotify. 94% never listen to ad-supported Pandora; 4) Podcasts’ audience soars. At a 20% share of ad-supported audio, podcasts now represent one out of every five minutes of U.S. ad-supported audio; 5) Among registered voters, AM/FM radio leads in ad-supported audience share (68%) followed by podcasts (21%); 6) After a pandemic lull, the proportion of AM/FM radio listening occurring in-car roars back; and 7) Powered by podcasts, spoken word is on a tear: 40% of all time with ad-supported audio goes to spoken word, up from 27% pre-pandemic. 
When reviewing our industry’s awards such as the Crystals or Marconis there are two categories missing. They are: “Best New” and “Best Innovation.” Imagine if winners were announced for these prizes:
podcast advertising. Some of the key takeaways include: 1) Attention quality was highest for the audio ad that had the highest voiceover volume (36%) as opposed to the ad that had the lowest voiceover volume (27%) and the ad that had too many competing elements within the creative (25%); 2) 75% of participants reported a good quality audio ad positively influences their consideration to purchase a product; and 3) The inclusion of multiple competing audio components elements within an audio ad caused the ad to score lower in terms of overall quality than the ads without multiple competing elements. 
reach 17% more voters.” The study references Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman’s 2022 campaign, noting that it deployed radio to reach voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In doing so, it allocated 20% of media dollars to radio and generated a 10% lift from radio above the local TV campaign, amounting to 676,000 additional voters at no extra cost. Audacy SVP of strategy, partnerships and analytics Jon Blum says, “When campaigns activate a TV plan, they should activate a corresponding radio plan and incorporate it into the mix with TV. The portion of the population that isn’t reachable via TV could be the swing vote and what throws it over the top for a candidate.” Nielsen’s study noted that if a campaign moved 20% of ad spending to radio, the optimized media plan would connect with 15% more Democratic and Republican voters and 23% more unaffiliated voters. 
In early December 1963, America was a very gloomy place. The assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22 brought the country to a virtual standstill for four days, and the emotional and psychological hangover lingered for weeks. The nation needed a dose of uplifting energy and fun, and the Beatles were the ideal remedy.
1964 WCAO Promotional Material: “Kerby Scott photo
small attributed lift (0% to +3% lift) to excellent (+15% or more). Across the 17 campaigns analyzed, the average attributed lift was +14%. Three tax preparation service campaigns achieved “excellent” status ranging from a +30% to +48% attributed lift; 2) On average, the 17 AM/FM radio campaigns saw the highest percentage of impressions at the start of the week, peaking on Mondays and Tuesdays. Compared to the Nielsen impressions, the AM/FM radio campaigns outperformed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Advertisers should increase their use of AM/FM radio on the weekends. AM/FM radio campaigns on weekends drive impact and results; and 3) On average, evenings have a greater share of attributed web sessions due to available devices and free time of consumers. Mornings historically underdeliver their share of impressions since consumers are busy getting ready for work and school. This expected pattern should not be a reason to move campaign weight out of morning drive. Morning drive exposure results in web sessions during later dayparts when consumers have the time and available devices to respond. 
total Audio campaigns — including radio, streaming and podcast advertising— with Veritonic allows us to show the power of Audacy’s content in connecting with audiences and mobilizing customers. We’re thrilled to continue our partnership and enable our clients and advertising partners to leverage audio to achieve the utmost in competitive edge, reach, and ROI.”