Forecast 2024
November 15, 2023

7:30-8:20 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
Sponsored by:

8:20-8:30 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Catherine Badalamente, CEO, Graham Media Group
David Santrella, CEO, Salem Media Group
Deborah Parenti, President/Publisher, Radio Ink and RBR+TVBR
Juliet Huddy, Forecast MC

8:30-9:15 a.m.
Economic Forecasting: Broadcast Revenue Trends and Expectations for 2024
As the politics heat up ahead of the 2024 elections, what kind of windfall can broadcasters expect from the predicted record spending? How will the Fed’s economic policies and rising interest rates impact consumer spending and, with that, advertising budgets? Where are the strong pockets of opportunity for broadcast advertising, and what are the challenges to growing its share?
Moderator: Andrew Rosen, Partner, Miller Kaplan
Jackie Brooks, CEO, Bottom Line Marketing
Vincent LeTang, EVP, Managing Partner/Global Market Intelligence, MAGNA
Nicole Ovadia, VP/Forecasting and Analysis, BIA Advisory Services
Steve Passwaiter, President, Silver Oak Political

9:15-10:00 a.m.
Prospects for Broadcast Media as an Investment in 2024: The Real Street Talk
Since we last met a year ago, the Fed has raised interest rates more than a point (as of August 2023). Meanwhile, broadcast’s battle for eyeballs and ears has never been more hotly contested by an ever-expanding host of digital and non-linear platforms. So is there still value in transmitters and towers? And are its digital assets enough to convince that when combined with broadcast, it can deliver better than any other comers? This panel of investment specialists takes a hard, pragmatic look at what investors are saying about radio and TV today. You may not like everything they say, but you definitely need to hear it.
Moderator: Randy Michaels, Radioactive, LLC, Cincinnati
John Catsimatidis, Owner, Red Apple Media/WABC
Robert Folliard. Senior Vice President, Government Relations & Distribution, Gray Television
Robert L. Heymann, Jr, Director, Media Services Group, Chicago

10:00-10:45 a.m.
Main Street Media: Where Local Broadcast Survives & Thrives
They are creative, nimble, and understand how to maximize the importance of local radio and television. They are independent and small broadcast groups, and this session explores the “secret sauce” that enables them to be competitive, successful, and innovative in an ever-changing media environment.
Moderator: Justin Sasso, President/CEO, Colorado Broadcasters Association
Vincent Benedetto, Founder/President/CEO, Bold Gold Media Group
Vince Bodiford, CEO/Head of Media, Bridge Media Network
Melody Spann Cooper, Chairman, Midway Broadcasting Corporation
Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting

10:45-11:00 a.m.
Break
Sponsored by:

11:00-11:40 a.m.
“The News Is the News”
Sponsored by:

As newspapers continue to shutter presses in communities across the country, local radio and television news has become even more critical — from covering major weather events to uncovering corruption and advocating for consumers. But news is expensive to produce, at some stations accounting for a quarter of total budget, and broadcasters need advertising revenue to cover that budget. Lou Paskalis, CEO and Founder of AJL Advisory and Chief Strategy Officer of Ad Fontes Media, shines a spotlight on the problem and the role of advertisers in their commitment to supporting news. “Advertising alone cannot fix this problem, but we can be part of the solution,” says Paskalis. Hear what else he has to say in this provocative presentation.
Lou Paskalis, CEO and Founder of AJL Advisory and Chief Strategy Officer of Ad Fontes Media

11:50-1:30 p.m.
Luncheon Program
Sponsored by:

Noon-12:15 Broadcast Leadership Award to Diane Sutter
12:45-1:25 Anthony Iannarino: “The Negativity Fast”
Get ready for an attitude adjustment. Bestselling author and strategic thought leader Anthony Iannarino will share how to transform your perspective and lead with positivity. In an inspiring and exciting take on leadership, Anthony’s Negativity Fast provides a radical approach on how to cultivate both a positive attitude and perspective that you can pass on to the people who follow you.

1:45-2:30 p.m.
Signals of Change: Exploring Broadcasters, FCC, and Congressional Dynamics
The rules and laws affecting broadcasters are currently in a dynamic phase of change. The presidential election is kicking into gear, Congress is at war with itself, and there are new legislative proposals impacting everything from marijuana to broadcast multiple ownership. And now, after 2 1/2 years of haggling, the Democratic FCC Chair finally has her long-awaited third vote and a majority to implement her agenda. What will that agenda be, how will the potential changes impact broadcasters, and where should they be focusing their efforts to ensure their concerns are heard? Frank Montero of Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth sits down with those who know best what’s at stake — radio and television leaders — to discuss the forecast of what’s to come in Washington.
Moderator: Frank Montero, Managing Partner, Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth
Rob Babin, EVP/Head of Radio, Cox Media Group
Curtis LeGeyt, President/CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
Peter Markham, CEO, Estrella Media, Inc.

2:30–3:00 p.m.
Sponsored by:

Streaming Media and the Rise of the Subscription Economy
The direct-to-consumer streaming boom is challenging traditional TV and radio business models and presenting unprecedented change in the media landscape. In this session Brendan Brady, Media and Entertainment Lead for Antenna, the leading data and analytics provider for subscription services, will offer a closer look at the evolving U.S. video and audio subscription streaming ecosystems and its implications.

3:00-3:15p.m.
Break
Sponsored by:

3:15-4:00 p.m.
The Promise and Pitfalls of AI Technology in Broadcasting
Artificial Intelligence. While AI unleashes exciting new opportunities for broadcasters, its immense capabilities have also raised significant concerns regarding copyright infringement, misrepresentation, and identity theft. And that only scratches the surface of what this technology means to business, broadcast, and society. This session will explore the ethical considerations surrounding the use of AI tools and services by broadcasters and examine the potential influence of legal factors on the future application of AI.
Moderator: Dave “Chachi” Denes, President/Co-founder, Benztown
Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Media Group
Nick Locascio, Co-founder/CEO, Booth AI
Michael Newman, Director of Transformation, Graham Media Group
David Perry, Copyright Attorney, Blank Rome, Philadelphia

4:00-4:30 p.m.
End of the World as We Know It
In the new age of nontraditional, code-cracking marketing and AI, Jeff Charney, heralded two-time CMO of the Year (formerly at Progressive) and now founder of the game-changing MKHSTRY, will transport you through an immersive rapid-fire conversation/presentation, both in 30 minutes. How?  See if you can hang with the treadmill pace of this provocative and unique “conver-tation” where you will understand marketing, creativity, and relevance from the C-Suite and beyond.
Jeff Charney, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MKHSTRY (former CMO Progressive/Aflac)
Mike McVay, President, McVay Media Consulting

4:30-5:20 p.m.
Executive Super Session
Sponsored by:

They are the visionaries and the ultimate “deciders” of where the broadcasting industry will go in the years to come. They wield the power and the influence to chart the course that will impact not only broadcast career paths but listening and viewership potential against a host of non-licensed competitors. What are they thinking, and where do they see broadcasting headed next year and beyond? We asked four major industry leaders to share their perspectives and insights in a fascinating session led by Steve Jones of Skyview Networks.
Moderator: Steve Jones, President/CEO, Skyview Networks
Catherine Badalamente, CEO, Graham Media Group
Pat LaPlatney, Co-CEO/President, Gray Television
David Santrella, CEO, Salem Media Group
Bill Wilson, CEO, Townsquare Media Group

5:20-5:30 p.m.
Closing Remarks

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Broadcast Leadership Reception
Sponsored by:

Broadcast Leadership Plaques
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*Sessions and times subject to change.