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New Media Seminar VIII rocks New York City

The TALKERS magazine New Media Seminar in New York City was a smashing success with a record attendance of approximately 600 talk media industry players. Held at the beautiful Embassy Suites hotel in Battery Park City June 10 and 11, the event brought together a colorful cross-section of movers and shakers from each aspect of the talk media business.

The program began with the Battery Park City Walking Tour sponsored by WOR Radio and guided by the Downtown Alliance.

Attendees of the walking tour prepare to embark upon Battery Park City. They are carrying bottles of Oregon Rain Water provided by KXL, Portland/Westwood One talk host Lars Larson.

The New Media Seminar officially began Friday evening with the Welcoming Cocktail Reception sponsored this year by Talk Radio Network. Attendees enjoyed plentiful food and drink and a stirring performance of America the Beautiful performed by the amazing vocal group Cook, Dixon & Young. After opening remarks by Talk Radio Network CEO Mark Masters, TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison presented this year’s Freedom of Speech Award to Air America talk host Al Franken.

Air America talk show host Al Franken accepting the 2005 Freedom of Speech Award.

After the cocktail party, many attendees gathered in the hotel atrium where the radio row was located for “The Head Session” which consisted of the live broadcast of Fox News Radio’s Alan Colmes show and was sponsored by Fox News Radio. A number of broadcasters attending the New Media Seminar joined Alan Colmes as guests on his program.

Fox News Radio talk host Alan Colmes (r) broadcasting his program live from the atrium at the Embassy Suites hotel. Joining him on his show are Fox News Radio's Tony Snow (l) and WWRL, New York talk host Sam Greenfield (c).

Saturday began with a continental breakfast served in the atrium. Convention-goers were able to take in a live broadcast of Doug Stephan’s “Talk Radio Countdown Show” while they enjoyed their breakfast. The event was sponsored by Stephan Productions.

Attendees gathered in the state-of-the-art stadium-style theater adjacent to the hotel for the day’s program of panel discussions and presentations. Fox News’ Alan Colmes served as emcee and delivered a funny yet relevant opening monologue to warm up the crowd.

Alan Colmes of Fox News Radio and star of Fox News Channel's Hannity & Colmes show
delivers introductory remarks in his role as emcee.

TALKERS publisher Michael Harrison moderated the “Talk Rumble: The Great Debate” pitting talk hosts from each side of the political spectrum against each other in a roundtable discussion of some of the hot talk topics in the news. The Talk Rumble was sponsored by Jones Radio Networks.

The Left: (l-r) Lincoln Ware, WDBZ, Cincinnati; Stephanie Miller, Democracy Radio/Jones Radio Networks; Karen Hunter, WWRL, New York; Al Franken, Air America; Alan Colmes, Fox News Radio.

The Right: (l-r) Tony Snow, Fox News Radio; G. Gordon Liddy, Radio America; Les Kinsolving, WCBM, Baltimore; Jerry Doyle, Talk Radio Network; Monica Crowley, WABC, New York/MSNBC.

Sabo Media president Walter Sabo delivered a presentation titled “How to Get as Much Free Publicity for Your Talk Station or Show as Other Media Are Getting.” Sabo presented fascinating information about the public relations business and how radio can benefit from it by understanding how the game works. Click here to Walter Sabo's presentation.

Sabo Media President, Walter Sabo addresses the seminar.

Geller Media International president Valerie Geller introduced talk host Kim Komando, moderator of “The Future of Talk Media” panel discussion, with insightful comments about the importance of developing technology to the future of the talk business. To hear "The Future of Talk Media Panel" click here.

Geller Media International president Valerie Geller introduces Kim Komando.

Kim Komando, host of the Kim Komando Show and chairman/CEO of WestStar TalkRadio Network, moderated “The Future of Talk Media” panel with a brilliant examination of how new technologies and changing audience attitudes are converging to build a talk media future that presents numerous challenges and opportunities. The panel was sponsored by CRN Digital Talk.

Nationally syndicated talk host Kim Komando moderates "The Future of Talk Media" panel.


The members of "The Future of Talk Media" panel (l-r): Brian Jennings, VP Newstalk and Sports, Citadel Broadcasting; Michael Horn, CEO CRN Digital Talk; Steve Goldstein, executive VP, Saga Communications; Jay Clark, VP programming, Sirius Satellite Radio; Jim Bohannon, talk host, Westwood One.

Dr. Laura Schlessinger delivered a heartfelt speech to attendees that illustrated the personal connection to her program and her audience that she shares. Titled, “Reinventing Yourself and Your Show,” Dr. Laura told the crowd that her show hasn’t been reinvented as much as it has evolved with her as she journeys through life and that is what she brings to the radio. To listen to Dr. Laura Schlessinger's speech (with introduction by Michael Harrison) click here.

Take On The Day nationally syndicated talk host Dr. Laura Schlessinger delivering her presentation
titled "Reinventing Yourself and Your Show."

Talk Radio News Service president Ellen Ratner introduced McVay Media news/talk specialist Holland Cooke with a brief summary of his media experience and some thoughts on the media that surround talk radio.

Holland Cooke’s presentation “Talk, Beyond Radio” centered on his proprietary research into the developing technologies of satellite radio and on-demand media such as podcasting. He offered juicy statistics from media consumers regarding their preferences and habits. To listen to Holland Cooke's presentation (along with introduction by Ellen Ratner) click here.

McVay Media news/talk specialist Holland Cooke presents "Talk, Beyond Radio" at the seminar.

New Media Seminar attendees enjoyed a delicious meal as part of the Freedom of Speech Luncheon. During the luncheon, the Judy Jarvis Memorial Award was given to WWRL, New York president and general manager Adriane Gaines. The award is given each year recognizing outstanding contributions to the talk radio industry by a woman. This year, WPHT, Philadelphia program direrctor Grace Blazer presented the award to Ms. Gaines.

WWRL president and general manager Adriane Gaines receives the Judy Jarvis Memorial Award recognizing outstanding contributions to the talk radio industry by a woman from
WPHT, Philadelphia, program director Grace Blazer.

Also as part of the luncheon was the awarding of the Young American Broadcasters Scholarships awarded by the YAB and presented by Radio America talk host Blanquita Cullum. The luncheon was sponsored by The Philip Morris Companies, Young American Broadcasters and Talk Radio First Amendment Committee.


Young American Broadcasters' scholarship winner Gregory M. Giombarrese (l) recieves his award from YAB president Blanquita Cullum (r) and YAB executive director Nicole Crowley (c).

Young American Broadcasters' scholarship winner Kenneth W. Pordon (c) recieves his award from YAB president Blanquita Cullum (r) and YAB executive director Nicole Crowley (l).

KXNT, Las Vegas morning co-hosts Alan Stock and Heidi Harris gave a brief presentation on local talk before introducing Moceri Media president Greg Moceri who moderated the panel discussion titled “Balancing Local and National Talk.” The panel was sponsored by Stephan Productions. You can listen to this panel by clicking here.

KXNT, Las Vegas morning team Alan Stock (l) and Heidi Harris (r) introduce Greg Moceri.

"Balancing Local and National Talk" panel: (l-r) Dan Yorke, talk host, WPRO, Providence; Doug Stephan, president, Stephan Productions; Jack Riccardi, talk host, KTSA, San Antonio; Lars Larson, talk host, KXL, Portland/Westwood One; Greg Foster, program director, WGY, Albany; Mark Davis, talk host, WBAP, Dallas/ABC Radio Networks; Greg Moceri, president, Moceri Media.

KGO/KSFO, San Francisco operations manager Jack Swanson wowed the seminar attendees with his fast-paced, humorous and info-packed keynote speech titled, “The Secrets to Successful Talk Radio.” Swanson had the undivided attention of each person in the theater as he touched on topics such as dealing with talk talent, understanding ratings and building a successful company. To listen to this keynote speech click here.

KGO/KSFO, San Francisco operations manager Jack Swanson delivering the keynote speech.

Clear Channel vice president of news/talk/sports Gabe Hobbs moderated the panel discussion titled, “Is FM Talk Coming?” He and the panelists engaged in an examination of the history, present and future of spoken word programming on the FM band. The panel was sponsored by On The House Syndication. To hear this panel click here.

Clear Channel vice president, news/talk/sports, Gabe Hobbs moderating the "Is FM Talk Coming?" panel.

"Is FM Talk Coming" panel: (l-r) Russ Rollins, talk host, WTKS-FM, Orlando; John Mainelli, president Mainelli Consulting; Mancow Muller, talk host, WKQX-FM/TRN-FM; Eric Johnson, program director, New Jersey 101.5; Jason Insalaco, executive producer, KLSX-FM, Los Angeles.

The final panel discussion of the day was “Programming a News/Talk Radio Station” moderated by ABC Radio Networks and Fox News Channel star Sean Hannity. The panel was sponsored by ABC Radio Networks. Sean Hannity and the panel of respected program directors delved into the nuts and bolts issues news/talk programmers deal with each day in presenting the format to their listeners. Click here to listen to this panel.

ABC Radio Networks/Fox News Channel star Sean Hannity moderating the "Programming a News/Talk Radio Station" panel.

"Programming a News/Talk Radio Station" panel: (l-r) Rennie Bishop, program director, WWRL, New York; Bill White, program director, WBT, Charlotte; Bob Shomper, program director, WBAP, Dallas; Jack Landreth, program director, KXNT/Spike Radio, Las Vegas; Ken Kohl, director, news and talk programming, Northern California, Clear Channel; Randall Bloomquist, program director, WMAL, Washington DC; David Bernstein, program director, WPRO, Providence.

The New Media Seminar concluded with the Farewell Cocktail Bash sponsored by Air America with special closing remarks by Air America talk host Randi Rhodes.

Air America talk host Randi Rhodes toasts the attendees at the Farewell Cocktail Bash.

More coverage of the New Media Seminar to come, with complete coverage in the July/August issue of TALKERS magazine. Plus, check back soon for details on how to purchase Video DVD or VHS copies of the seminar presentations, panels, and speeches.

Audio Provided by AVFLYER.com.


Photos on this page by Matthew Harrison
(with the exception of the walking tour photo - taken by Michael Zwirling).