2023 Agenda Coming Soon!
Here’s what Forecast addressed in 2022
Continental Breakfast: 7:45-8:20 a.m.
Sponsored by:
8:20-8:40 a.m.
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Debra OConnell, president of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Bill Wilson, CEO of Townsquare
Deborah Parenti, President/Publisher, Radio Ink/Radio & Television Business Report
Juliet Huddy, WABC Host & Forecast 2022 MC
8:30-9:15 a.m.
Economic Forecasting: Broadcast Revenue Trends and Expectations for 2022
How has revenue recovered from the onset of a pandemic that saw generally steep declines and where some categories continue to experience slower than hoped for rebounds? As the country continues to emerge from restrictions and quarantines, what’s in store for 2022, the first full year after COVID-19? Where are the strong pockets of opportunity for broadcast advertising, and what are the challenges to growing its share? Join our panel of experts for a provocative discussion about who is going to “show us the money” in the year to come.
Moderator: Jack Myers, Media Ecologist/Chairman, MediaVillage
Leah Casterlin, Founding Partner, Media Fortitude Partners
Mark Gray, CEO, Katz Media Group
Steve Lanzano, President/CEO, TVB
Jen Soch, Executive Director/Specialty Channels, GroupM
9:15-10:00 a.m.
Prospects for Broadcast Media as an Investment in 2022:
The Real Street Talk
Broadcast deal flow hit a 10-year low in 2020, with the majority of activity in the TV sector. That trend appears to be continuing this year as television M&A action progresses at a nice clip. On the radio side, speculation of possible divestiture of underperforming markets by some groups could be in the cards. Should revenues not pick up at a suitable rate, this might be especially true of over-leveraged, revenue-starved players. And how will the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the FCC’s rule on cross ownership impact buying activity? Our panel of investment specialists will take a hard look at the status of 2021 and the future of 2022 for broadcast investments in this “fact-based, tire kicking” session.
Moderator: Drew Marcus, Senior Advisor, Guggenheim Securities
Steven Cahall, Managing Director and Sr Equity Media/Cable Analyst, Wells Fargo Securities
Christopher Ensley, Managing Director/TMT, Noble Capital Markets
Richard Foreman, President, Richard A. Foreman Associates
10:00-10:45 a.m.
How 2020 Changed the Course of Advertising and What Broadcasters Need to Know
2020 was a year like no other. A pandemic of global proportions coupled with a summer of activism brought on by social unrest and renewed questioning of the “status quo” resulted in a call to action as never before seen, at least not in our lifetime. Brands are paying attention. Consumers are watching and listening to see how brands are reacting. And creative directors and media buyers are shifting greater focus and budget to better reach a more diverse audience and engage the same in marketing partnerships.
Deborah Wahl, Global Chief Marketing Officer of General Motors, sits down with American Urban Radio Networks CEO Chesley Maddox-Dorsey for an exclusive conversation on GM’s commitment to increased minority media expenditures along with her thoughts on how broadcast media fits into GM’s marketing strategy.
They will be joined by Doug Ray, Chief Product Officer, Global Media & dentsu Americas, who has been instrumental in the creation and launch of Project Booker, an initiative focused on African American-developed and -owned content that is being distributed on African American-owned radio and is leading the way in how the global media agency community is doing business with African American-owned media.
Moderator: Chesley Maddox-Dorsey, CEO, American Urban Radio Networks
Deborah Wahl, Global Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors
Doug Ray, Chief Product Officer, Global Media & dentsu Americas
10:45-11:05 a.m.
Break
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11:05-11:50 a.m.
Cross-Ownership and the FCC — What Now?
When this panel is “called to order,” the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision allowing the FCC to adopt its media cross-ownership rule rewrite will be months in the rearview mirror. What are the discussions being overheard now in broadcast circles? Will radio benefit at all? Or is this a bigger factor for TV? With HD Radio on AM, “zonecasting” getting much attention, and Democrats calling the shots at the FCC, is the SCOTUS’ decision a non-starter for years to come? The top thought leaders share their views.
Moderator: Frank Montero, Co-Managing Partner, Fletcher, Heald & Hildreth
Mark Fratrik, SVP/Chief Economist, BIA Advisory Services
Bob Mc Allan, CEO, Press Communication, LLC and PMCM TV, LLC
Justin Nielson, Senior Research Analyst/Broadcast Media, Kagan
Justin Sasso, President/CEO, Colorado Broadcasters Association
12:00-1:45 p.m.
Luncheon Program
Sponsored by:
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12:15-12:30 p.m.
Lifetime Leadership Awards Presentation:
Recipient: Gordon Smith, CEO, NAB
Presenters: Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Media Group, and Jordan Wertlieb, President, Hearst Television
1:00-1:40 p.m.
Keynote: FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington
Broadcasters need decisionmakers who understand their challenges and will listen to their perspectives with an unbiased and well-informed mind. FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington is that kind of person. He “gets it.” He appreciates the unique value proposition broadcasters offer communities across the country and the media environment in which they operate. Bring your tough questions for the Commission to Forecast in New York City. He’s ready to get you answers.
2:00-2:45 p.m.
Main Street Media: Where Local Broadcast Survives & Thrives
The late House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, Jr., once said, “All politics is local.” In times of crisis, from tornadoes and hurricanes to a global pandemic, it turns out that everything is local. And no media does local better than small and independent broadcast operators. Their ability to know and serve their communities, to be quick to react to the needs and challenges of Main Street retail shops, restaurants, and business storefronts, has been critical to the survival of many of clients and audiences, as well as to their stations. It’s also a critical advantage over digital competitors. What’s the secret sauce? Find out as a panel of resourceful, savvy, independent broadcasters share their view of the industry’s future from where they sit — at the corner of Main Street & Retail Row.
Moderator: Larry Patrick, Managing Partner, Patrick Communications and Legend Communications
John Caracciolo, President /CEO, JVC Broadcasting
Brian Lilly, CEO, Lilly Broadcasting and SJL Broadcasting
DuJuan McCoy, Owner, Circle City Broadcasting
Bayard H. “Bud” Walters, CEO, The Cromwell Group
2:45-3:30 p.m.
Cyber Threats and How to Protect Your Organization
Sponsored by:
Cyber threats are coming fast and furious nowadays. Every day we hear of another ransomware attack or data breach, and it seems that the cyber adversaries are taking over companies unopposed. Cyber security expert Scott Schober, CSO and Chief Media Commentator for Cybersecurity Ventures and President and CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems, sits down with Juliet Huddy for a provocative interview that will cover, in non-technobabble, how the cyber adversaries are doing it, why people and companies are in the dark when it comes to cybercrime, and what they can and should do to protect their organization.
Juliet Huddy, WABC Host & Forecast MC
Scott Schober, CSO and Chief Media Commentator, for Cybersecurity Ventures, President/CEO of Berkeley Varitronics Systems
3:30-3:50 p.m.
Break
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3:50-4:20 p.m.
Passing the Torch: A Conversation With Gordon Smith And Curtis LeGeyt
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As Gordon Smith exits his role at year’s end as CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters and Curtis LeGeyt prepares to take the helm, what is the state of the broadcast industry from the Beltway view? Steve Newberry, who worked closely with both executives during his own tenure at the NAB, sits down with them in a chat covering legal, regulatory, and legislative initiatives under the leadership of the NAB that have impacted the broadcast industry over the past 12 years, how they will shape and define its future, and what challenges and opportunities lie on the horizon.
Moderator: Steve Newberry, CEO, Quu
Curtis LeGeyt, COO, National Association of Broadcasters
Gordon Smith, President and CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
4:20-5:10 p.m.
Executive Super Session
Sponsored by:
Moderator: Gordon Borrell, CEO, Borrell Associates
Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Media Group
Brian Lawlor, President/Local Media, The E.W. Scripps Company
Debra OConnell, president of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution
Bill Wilson, CEO, Townsquare Media
5:10-5:15 p.m.
Closing Remarks
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Broadcast Leadership Reception
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