The first TALK SHOW BOOT CAMP drew a capacity crowd to ATLANTA’s CROWNE PLAZA RAVINIA SATURDAY to hear panels and presentations ranging from nuts-and-bolts discussions on how to transition from music radio to talk or get syndicated to opinions on the future of the business.
Among the highlights of the show, produced by DON ANTHONY’s TALENTMASTERS, were spirited comments on an FM Talk panel by TALK RADIO NETWORK’s PHIL HENDRIE and CUMULUS Rock WNNX (ROCK 100.5)/ATLANTA morning “REGULAR GUYS” co-host LARRY WACHS, with ENTERCOM Rock KISW/SEATTLE morning host B.J. SHEA contributing from the audience, on talent’s travails dealing with radio’s management and the pigeonholing of hosts into political categories; a promotions panel headed by TRN’s RUSTY HUMPHRIES highlighting ways to get attention; views on the industry’s future in an optimistic opening presentation by MIKE MCVAY (“there will be a recovery”) and a closing panel featuring consultant GABE HOBBS and trade reporters and former PDs TOM TAYLOR, AL PETERSON and ALL ACCESS’ PERRY MICHAEL SIMON (with SHEA, WACHS and syndicated host DOUG STEPHAN weighing in from the audience).
More highlights included a presentation on PPM and tactical mistakes made by programmers based on the results by COLEMAN INSIGHTS’ SAM MILKMAN; and KIPPER MCGEE on using social media, FRED JACOBS on observing trends and the evolution towards digital media and mobile apps, and VALERIE GELLER offering tips on interviewing. On a “Talking Your Way to the Top” panel, experts discussed the traits common to top talent, with TRN’s PHIL BOYCE recalling SEAN HANNITY’s persistence (calling “at 10:01” to get the ratings released at 10:00), GELLER stressing talents’ senses of humor, and GREG MOCERI noting NEAL BOORTZ’ “fearlessness.”
And on the syndication panel, ENVISION RADIO NETWORKS’ DANNO WOLKOFF advised aspirants to develop the on-air product, an online social media presence, and on-demand (podcast) material, while agents ERIC WEISS and LISA MILLER gave the talent reps’ perspective, DIAL GLOBAL’s JESSICA SHERMAN discussed the needs of syndicators for affiliate sales, and STEPHAN talked about being an independent in the market.
GABE HOBBS MEDIA founder and longtime former CLEAR CHANNEL VP of News-Talk Programming GABE HOBBS was honored with the ANDREW ASHWOOD Award at the event’s luncheon, with DIAL GLOBAL and COX RADIO host NEAL BOORTZ as guest speaker.
