Industry News

Outstanding Speakers Joining “GENERATIONS 2025” Agenda

The lineup of industry speakers set to speak at the forthcoming GENERATIONS 2025 conference being presented by TALKERS at the forthcoming Intercollegiate Broadcasting System (IBS) convention – IBSNYC 2025 – continues to grow.

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A stellar line-up of speakers have already signed up to speak at this groundbreaking industry event including (in alphabetical order): Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group; Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia; Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism; Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network; Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia; Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago; Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS; Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner; Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City; Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA; Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group; John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY; Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network; Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One; with several more to be announced in the next few days. See agenda and accompanying stories below.

Sheraton Times Square New York Hotel
New York East Room
Saturday March 8, 2025
12:30 pm – 4:30 pm

AGENDA

12:30 – 1:00 pm Keynote Address “Welcome to the Brave New World”

Speakers:
Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Matthew B. Harrison, Esq., VP/Associate Publisher, TALKERS; Harrison Media Law, Senior Partner

1:10 – 1:40 pm Fireside Chat “Setting the Stage”

Facilitator: Michael Harrison, Publisher, TALKERS
Special Guest: Chad Lopez, President, WABC, New York, Red Apple Media Group

1:50 – 2:20 pm Discussion: “Launching and Managing a Career in a Changing Media Industry”

Moderator: Dom Giordano, talk show host, WPHT, Philadelphia
Speaker: John T. Mullen, general manager, WRHU-FM/WRHU.org, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
Speaker: TBA
Speaker: TBA

2:30 – 3:00 pm Discussion: “Old School/New School/Next School – Learning from Each Other”

Moderator:  Harry Hurley, morning talk show host, WPG, Atlantic City
Speaker:  Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Speaker: Scot Bertram, General Manager, WRFH, Hillsdale College, Hillsdale, MI / Lecturer In Journalism
Speaker: Walter Sabo (a.k.a. Walter M Sterling), consultant / talk show host / WPHT, Philadelphia / Talk Media Network

3:10 – 3:40 pm Discussion: “Radio’s Place in a Diverse, Digital World”

Moderator: TBA
Speaker: Mike Gallagher, talk show host, Salem Radio Network
Speaker: Rich Valdés, talk show host, Westwood One
Speaker: TBA

3:50 – 4:20 pm Discussion: “Finding Truth in an Age of Misinformation”

Moderator: Lee Harris, Director of Integrated Operations, NewsNation / WGN, Chicago
Speaker:  Chris Berry, VP News/Talk/Sports, iHeartMedia
Speaker: Jeff Katz, talk show host, WRVA, Richmond, VA
Speaker: TBA

4:20 – 4:30 pm Wrap Up:  Group Chat

Industry News

Bold Gold Media Group Unveils Bold Gold Studios

Bold Gold Media Group announces the grand opening of Bold Gold Studios – a brand-new, state-of-the-art audio and video podcast and recording studio located in the newly renovated historic Liberty Theater, on Main Street in Liberty, New York. The company says that in addition to providing interested podcasters and content creators a place to make their audio and video magic, this studio will also serveim as a satellite radio studio for Bold Gold Media’s four local broadcast radio stations, including news/talk WVOS-AM/W223DB “Catskills News Talk 92.5 & 94.9.”  Bold Gold Studios will be available for lease opportunities, and offers brand new professional audio and video recording gear, with experts available to assist in recording, producing, and even marketing branded multi-media podcast or A/V productions. The company will hold a grand opening celebration on April 19. Bold Gold New York general manager Dawn Ciorciari says, “We are grateful to Bruce Davidson at the Liberty Theater for partnering with Bold Gold Media to create and manage this state-of-the-art studio in his historic building.  This studio will extend Bold Gold Media’s reach in Sullivan and the Catskills and serve as a new professional space for audio and video content creators.”

Industry News

Bold Gold Foundation Announces VIP Speakers for 8th Annual Event

The Bold Gold Foundation, the non-profit arm of the Bold Gold Media Group that supports educational programs to help students prepare for careers in broadcast journalism, announces that this year’s 8th Annual Event and Dinner on October 21 at the Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre will feature General David Petraeus and Lord Andrew Roberts as keynote speakers. This year’s event is being done in partnership with the Churchill Society of Pennsylvania and will pay tribute to the United States Armed Forces and the theme will follow the title of Petraeus’ and Roberts’ forthcoming book, Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine (Harper 2023). Bold Gold president Vince Benedetto says, “This year will be a most extraordinary event as we have the honor of hosting two remarkable leaders, General David Petraeus and Lord Andrew Roberts. General Petraeus is, of course, one of the all-time great U.S. military commanders and strategists, and Andrew Roberts is one of the greatest living historians and scholars. This evening will be historic, educational and prescient. Having these two giants together on the same stage will be a night to remember.” The Bold Gold Foundation is also be honoring Northeast Pennsylvania business leader, James Shook, of Lake Region IGA, with The Atlas Award for Citizenship, an honor that is bestowed on individuals who, through their hard work and bold actions, show what is possible to achieve in a free society, and who exhibit extraordinary dedication to the highest ideals of character, community service, entrepreneurialism, patriotism, leadership, and virtue. A limited number of complimentary tickets are available for students interested in a career in broadcast media, as well as for military members and first responders. Find more information about the event here.

Industry News

Bold Gold Media Group Flips WVOS-AM to News/Talk

Bold Gold Media Group announces it’s flipping the AM side of classic hits WVOS-AM/FM, Liberty, New York (along with two FM translators) to news/talk as “Catskills News Talk.” Bold Gold says, “The station will become the new home of the legacy morning show, ‘Ciliberto & Friends,’ starring popular radio personality Paul Ciliberto, which will form the backbone of the station’s programming, along with greatly expanded local news provided by legendary news director Mike Sakell.” Bold Gold Media New York general manager Dawnim Ciorciari says, “Taking a legacy AM radio station and re-imagining it into an additional radio format in a local market is an exciting expansion of Bold Gold’s local broadcast portfolio, and is a testament to an incredible team of local broadcast professionals, a supportive community, and the importance that local radio continues to have to provide local news, talk and information.” Bold Gold Media New York director of programming Chase Daniels comments, “The launch of ‘Catskills News Talk’ marks another BOLD move in our New York market as we expand our programming offerings and bring back the heritage ‘Voice of Sullivan.’ Putting this station together required a lot of well-thought-out decisions and I’m honored to have had the opportunity to bring it all together.” Beyond morning drive, the company has not revealed programming details other than to say, “Popular radio shows covering a variety of topics including financial market updates, investing, lifestyle, health, politics, sports and others will round out the station’s programming.”

Industry News

TALKERS 2023: Video of “Generating Talk Radio Revenue in a Digital World” Panel Discussion Posted

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During the coming days, videos of all of TALKERS 2023’s numerous sessions conducted June 2 at Hofstra University will be posted, continuing today (6/20) with the panel discussion,im “Generating Talk Radio Revenue in a Digital World.” The session, sponsored by The Ramsey Show, was introduced by syndicated host and radio executive Doug Stephan of the Good Day Show/Stephan Multimedia (pictured at right) and moderated by Lapcom Communications Corp president, Steve Lapa (pictured above). Panelists (pictured below from left to right) include Vince Benedetto, CEO, Bold Gold Media GroupPaul Gleiser, host/owner, KTBB-FM-AM, Tyler, TX; Michael “MZ” Zwerling, host/owner, KSCO/KOMY, Santa Cruz;  Todd Starnes, host/president, The Todd Starnes Show Syndication/owner, KWAM, Memphis; and Paul Vandenburgh, host/owner, WGDI, Albany, NY. See video of the session here.

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