TALKERS 2023 Agenda Update
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
Hofstra – the site of our very successful 2022, 2021 and 2016 events – and enjoy the remarkable resources that its Lawrence Herbert School of Communication brings to the table.” As was the case last year, this event will be held in a COVID-19 compliant environment based upon the circumstances at the time of the convention. TALKERS 2023 will boldly address key issues – some existential – facing the talk radio and talk media industries at this dramatically critical juncture of rapidly accelerating technological and societal change as well as identifying the remarkable opportunities inherent in these developments. It will also provide participants with unique and powerful networking opportunities.
It was a cruel trick. Hulu started streaming “For the People” from Shondaland Productions last month and I bit. It is a show about Manhattan, ambition and really well-tailored clothes. Then I looked at the more information tab and discovered that the show was cancelled… in 2018. Crushed. Two seasons on ABC. Cancelled.
Marie Osborne, Tom Jordan, Chris Renwick, Lloyd Jackson, Mitch Albom, Ken Brown, Steve Courtney, Guy Gordon, and Bed & Bread Club founder and Radio Hall of Famer Dick Purtan, broadcasting from The Salvation Army Great Lakes Divisional Headquarters in Southfield. The Bed & Bread Club Radiothon has raised a total of more than $43.1 Million over the life of the radiothon.
broadcasting remotely from a business center in a New Orleans hotel in which two Black people were sitting behind him. Referencing a previous trip to New Orleans in which Felger’s vehicle was stolen, Massarotti asked Felger if the two could hear him and when Felger replied that they couldn’t, he said, “OK, so I would be careful if I were you because the last time you were around a couple of guys like that, they stole your car.” During his apology on Monday, Massarotti said he gets why the joke, intended to be poking fun at Felger, was wrong. “It didn’t come off that way. It came off as something far broader and ignorant, and I’m regretful of that… I sincerely apologize, and I will do my best to make sure it never happens again.”
Weekend ask-the-expert shows can be a powerful marketing tool. 
Surprisingly, my company Sabo Media has bought commercial time on radio stations. It’s a surprise because brands have come to us because the word “media” is in the name. Some brands think Sabo Media is a media buying company. Hysterical.
As The Beatles sang, “It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter.” Baseball – even Spring Training while it’s still chilly in March – says “Here Comes the Sun.” That’s what baseball means… to listeners.
Answer” and hosts the 10:00 am to 12:00 noon talk program on Cumulus Media’s KCMO-AM, Kansas City. He says, “I want to thank the Salem Podcast Network for bringing our podcast into their family of great shows. As a radio guy my entire career, I wasn’t sure how the podcast version would be received when we launched. Our advertising partners who invested in the show early as well as the smartest audience in the digital space have helped our young podcast crest four million downloads, and we’re just getting started!” Salem SVP of spoken word Phil Boyce adds, “Chris Stigall is a special host who has developed a unique relationship with a very loyal audience. We saw this when we brought him over to ‘AM 990 The Answer’ a few years ago, and we know he will have the same reaction from audiences nationwide with his podcast.”
50-year veteran radio broadcaster Brad Hildebrand, owner/operator of KSLQ-FM 104.5 – a St Louis area signal – tells TALKERS he has flipped the hot AC station to an all-podcast format (1/1) operating under the brand name “Podcastrr.” The format consists of an aggregation of already-existing podcasts with the special feature of giving listeners and clients the opportunity to produce, host, launch and promote their own paid podcasts on the platform. Licensed to Washington, MO, KSLQ’s 104.5 signal covers St. Charles County, Franklin County, Warren County, western St. Louis County and northwestern Jefferson County. It streams worldwide at 
Basch has been with the station since joining in 2006 as a reporter, and Aaron started his career with WTOP in 2007. Basch comments, “After years of working as part of WTOP’s wonderful night crew, I am so lucky to get the opportunity to help Washingtonians wake up and get informed every weekday morning. The fact that I’m teaming up with John – a really nice guy whose work I’ve always admired – makes it even more exciting!” Aaron adds, “It’s truly surreal to now be anchoring weekday mornings for the station I grew up listening to. I look forward to spending more mornings with our listeners, bringing them the important news of the day and having some fun along the way.” WTOP director of news and programming Julia Ziegler states, “Michelle and John bring years of experience and incredible news judgment to mornings. They are both so excited to bring their passion for news to morning drive. Our listeners are in good hands with John and Michelle.”
Industry Mourns Jim Bohannon. Veteran talk radio host Jim Bohannon has died at age 78, at the Prisma Health Cottingham Hospice House in South Carolina after losing a hard fought battle with esophageal cancer. He was born January 7, 1944 in Corvallis, OR, where his father was stationed in the U.S. Army during WWII. After the war, the family moved back to their home town to Lebanon, MO, where Jim grew up and graduated from Lebanon High School in 1962. He attended Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, before joining the military. His service in the 
NOW POSTED: This Weekend’s Installment of “The Michael Harrison Wrap: An Overview of the National Conversation.” The latest installment of the one-hour weekend special, “The Michael Harrison Wrap,” that looks back each week at the hottest topics discussed in American talk media per the research of TALKERS, is now posted. This new episode titled “Juries & Judgements” looks back at this past week of 10/10-10/14. The program features guests (in order of appearance): Kevin Casey, executive editor, TALKERS; 
(Thursday, 10/27), a 2:00 pm webinar presentation of the findings from the fourth annual such report explores specific types of spoken-word content, various spoken word platforms, and devices used to consume spoken-word content. National Public Media vice president of sponsorship marketing Lamar Johnson and Edison Research vice president Megan Lazovick will take part in the live webinar. Among topics they will cover are: how spoken-word audio fits into this country’s overall landscape; how “Gen Z” listeners consume spoken-word audio; how daily spoken-word audio listeners consume audio; which devices and platforms are used to listen to spoken-word audio; and how podcasts continue to impact the growth of spoken-word audio. The report includes trending data from Edison Research’s “Share of Ear” study, which measures daily listening habits of Americans using a 24-hour diary.
Montgomery’s five-station cluster includes news/talk WLWI “News Radio 1440” and sports talk WMSP “Sports Radio 740.” Cumulus Media senior vice president of operations Mark Sullivan remarks, “I’m excited for Paula’s next leadership role in Montgomery, as she has been such a positive force in [our] company. I look forward to working alongside her as she continues her track record of delivering strong results.” Divello comments, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead Cumulus Montgomery [and look forward] to joining the team [there]. I look forward to working in collaboration with our great employees on our next chapter of growth and success, making a positive impact on our staff, listeners, and advertisers alike.” Divello joined Cumulus Media’s Shreveport (Louisiana) stations five years ago as director of sales. She previously had similar responsibilities for Townsquare Media Lufkin, Texas and was digital marketing manager and senior account executive for Raycom Media.
like that. I can’t understand [how] any human being would delight in torturing the parents of dead children. I don’t know how you live with yourself if that’s what you do every day.” The Connecticut Democrat called on top Republican and conservative leaders to publicly denounce Jones in the wake of Wednesday’s (10/12) jury verdict that the “Infowars” talk show host must pay nearly $1 billion to the families of children killed in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. From 2007 – 2013, Murphy represented the Connecticut district where Sandy Hook is located; he has a long relationship with the families of the victims. “I want the focus to be much more broadly than on Alex Jones,” Murphy commented. “I’m not going to change Alex Jones’ business model, but man, why aren’t there more Republicans out there condemning this guy? Why is he still invited to all of these conservative conferences until the political right decides that these conspiracy theorists, these Sandy Hook harassers, are going to be purged from the right? Somebody will replace Alex Jones, because there’s a market there for it. So the culpability here is on Jones, but it is also much more broadly on the Republican Party that continues to celebrate Alex Jones.” In 2015, – three years after the Sandy Hook killings – then-presidential candidate Donald Trump appeared on “Infowars” and praised Jones’ “amazing” reputation.
Sex! with Lila” premiered yesterday (10/13). The series explores intimacy of all kinds through a sex-positive talk show on timely, tender and taboo topics. According to Donnolo, “As a society, we’ve become aware – more than ever before – of just how much we need intimacy in order to thrive. Most of us were indoctrinated with sexual shame, and this shame is detrimental to all aspects of our lives. The world desperately needs sex-positivity now. That’s why I’m so incredibly delighted to have iHeartRadio in my corner. iHeartRadio has given me a global megaphone: To paraphrase my psychiatrist friend, I’m so excited for the world to get to hear these perspectives.” Donnolo will host a multitude of episode formats including editorialized segments; “on-the-street” style interviews; intimate one-on-one conversations; and “kiss-and-tell” storytelling. Her five-year “Horizontal with Lila” podcast of conversations about sex, love, and relationships, which concluded earlier this year, was entirely recorded while she was lying down.
Broadcasting Foundation. Hosted by ABC News “Nightline” co-anchor Juju Chang, LABF’s annual “Giants of Broadcasting & Electronic Arts” luncheon ceremony at New York’s Gotham Hall will be produced by the International Radio and Television Society Foundation. In addition to Pittman and Walters, this year’s “Giants of Broadcasting & Electronics Arts” honorees are: TV chef Julia Child (honored posthumously); Standard Media Group chief executive officer Deb McDermott; CBS Sports chair Sean McManus; multi-award winning actress S. Epatha Merkerson; E.W. Scripps president/chief executive officer Adam Symson; ; recently-retired NBC News justice correspondent Pete Williams; and CNN anchor/Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria. The LABF event honors creators, innovators, performers and journalists who have left an indelible mark on the field of electronic arts. Proceeds from the luncheon support the work of LABF, which includes the Library of American Broadcasting, housed at the University of Maryland.
Wyoming PBS Foundation president Rubydee Calvert is elected vice chair. Ross comments, “It’s an honor and a privilege to work with my fellow board members; CPB’s leadership and staff; and our public media colleagues in support of our mission to serve the American people in communities across the country. As a result of our combined efforts, Americans of all backgrounds support the content and services of public media.” Ross has been CPB’s vice chair since 2020 and has been on the board since 2018. Four-year board member Calvert adds, “I second Laura’s statement of commitment to the outstanding work of CPB and its support of the mission of public media. I want to thank my fellow board members and the superb CPB staff for their dedicated service to public media.”
FOX News Media Seeks Freelance Radio Anchor. This onsite position in either Los Angeles, Chicago or New York is a freelance radio anchor for the FOX News Audio family as on-air talent for FOX News Radio Network/FOX News Headlines 24/7 Sirius XM Channel 115. In this position, you will work under tight deadlines and deliver top-notch newscasts. You have a passion for breaking news and the flexibility to work on a day’s notice. Learn more about this position 
