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Radio: A Gamble Or A Good Bet?

By October 29, 2018September 17th, 2019Uncategorized

When This Group Talks, Investors Listen …
and so should you!

Cash

Start with a legendary broadcaster (Randy Michaels) who is said to be attributable in more U.S. broadcast licenses than anyone else. Obviously, this is a person who would also be very good at guessing what stations might be worth.

Add one of the leading authorities on communications industry business values, investments, and strategies (Tom Buono) — someone who has been involved in the valuation of billions of dollars’ worth of communications properties.

Stir in a veteran of 30 years in corporate banking (Garret Komjathy), including 20-plus years in media and communications new-deal origination, structuring, and relationship management.

And round that out with yet another leading expert (Drew Marcus) on media and technology transactions valued at over $100 billion and who, as a broadcast analyst, was ranked number one by Institutional Investor and The Wall Street Journal.

Think this group might have some interesting perspective and insight?

You would be thinking correctly – and if you are an investor or looking for an investment, if you are in the market to buy or sell stations, this is a session you would do well to attend at Forecast 2019.

The radio game has never been more volatile, and the chess board is wide open for new players looking to make their move.

As the big groups right-size and prioritize their geographies, smaller broadcast companies and independents could see this reorganization, timed with the current economy, as an opportunity to expand.

Do investors see it the same way, or have recent telecommunications deals numbed them or even blinded them to radio?

Are they knowledgeable enough about the industry and its new platforms and technologies to see the potential for growth and increased revenue?

And if they are confident enough to invest, what do they expect in return? Conversely, are companies realistic in valuing their holdings and the new revenues they anticipate?

What does an owner of any size need to show — or do — to attract money for expansion or refinancing?

At Forecast 2019‘s Prospects for Radio as an Investment in 2019: The Real Street Talk panel, Randy Michaels, who has seen both sides of the investment game andprobably the other guy’s hand, moderates a panel of financial advisors and analysts in a candid, honest discussion of who is investing and where.

Wall Street’s opinion affects every player; this is a session no broadcaster can afford to miss.

Randy Michaels, CEO of Radioactive LLC, describes himself as a “mediocre broadcast technician who has dabbled in programming, management, and station ownership. He has been attributable in more U.S. broadcast licenses that anyone else and therefore has extensive experience in guessing what stations might be worth.” One of the most-well known broadcasting executives, Michaels has been involved in the industry since the early 1970s. As CEO of Jacor Communications, he led one of the nation’s most successful radio groups, selling the company to Clear Channel in 1999. He later served as EVP of the Tribune Company and CEO of interactive and broadcasting operations as part of the management restructuring following the consummation of the Tribune Company privatization transaction. Michaels is now the sole proprietor of Radioactive, LLC, a holding company for radio broadcast licenses.

 

 

Tom Buono is the founder of BIA Financial Network and CEO of BIA/Kelsey. He is viewed as one of the leading authorities on communications industry business values, investments and strategies. Over the course of his career, Buono has been involved in the valuation of billions of dollars’ worth of communications properties, has spoken on panels for virtually all the major communications industry trade associations and has testified as a valuation expert in many communications disputes and before Congress.

 

Garret Komjathy is SVP/Media & Communications Division at U.S. Bank. He has 30 years of corporate banking experience including 20-plus years in media and communications new-deal origination, structuring, and relationship management. Before joining U.S. bank, he was responsible for managing the New Jersey Department of Banking as part of Gov. Chris Christie’s administration. Before that, he served as managing director and originator in GE Capital’s Media, Entertainment & Communications Group in New York City.

 

 

Andrew (Drew) Marcus is a senior advisor to Guggenheim Partners in its Media/Technology Investment Banking Group. He has focused on media and technology throughout his career, which has included roles as an analyst, banker, portfolio manager, and venture capitalist. Marcus has been involved in media and technology transactions valued at over $100 billion, including companies such as Beasley, CBS, Clear Channel, Gray TV, Sinclair, Urban One, and Univision. As
an analyst, Marcus ranked as the number one broadcasting analyst in surveys conducted by Institutional Investor and The Wall Street Journal.

 

 

Forecast 2019 brings together the best and brightest talent in broadcasting and advertising to forecast the coming year, and to discuss the trends and momentums that will affect ratings and revenue.

From Washington to Wall Street, automobiles to mobile devices, Forecast focuses on what’s ahead in the broadcast community’s future and how to prepare for its opportunities and challenges.

This is the industry’s only forum that allows radio owners, CFOs, group executives, managers, and Wall Street analysts to gather for an open exchange on conditions and expectations for the coming year.

The conference concludes with the networking event of the year, the annual “Top 40” cocktail reception, honoring Radio Ink’s 40 Most Powerful People in Radio.

Seating at the event is limited and may sell out. Register today so you don’t miss any of the important information that you’ll hear only at Forecast.
Click here.

Radio Ink has secured a block of rooms at the Mansfield Hotel, directly across the street from the Harvard Club. Please click here to book your room today.