The Missouri Broadcasters Association, with additional support from seven broadcast groups, is making it possible for students from nine different universities in the state and region to converge on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University today to begin 10 intense days of total immersion in radio broadcasting. As they follow their desire to pursue a career in broadcasting, they will learn from over 30 radio pros teaching sessions in their areas of expertise.
The MBA Radio Talent Institute is the first Radio Talent Institute in the Midwest. Mark Gordon, President of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, stated, “This was made possible by the financial commitments from Northwest Missouri State University, the Missouri Broadcasters Board of Directors and
broadcast companies that include: Hubbard Radio-St Louis; Eagle Communications-St. Joseph; Emmis Communications-St. Louis; Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group of Mid Missouri-Columbia, Jefferson City; iHeartMedia-St. Louis, Springfield, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport; Cumulus Media-Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City; and Mid-West Family Broadcasting-Springfield. We are pleased to bring this program, taught by industry professionals, to Missouri, which will help fill job openings at broadcast stations with quality employees who have a true understanding of how fun and rewarding a career in our industry can be.”
John Zimmer, President of Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group, opens the Institute today with Now is the Time to Start Thinking like a Pro. Bud Walters, President of Cromwell Broadcasting, will present the final session 10 days later. In between, students will learn from John R. Beck SVP/GM of Emmis Communications-St Louis; Matt Saunders, Market President for iHeartMedia-Springfield and Joel McCrea, Market President for iHeart-Des Moines; Gary Exline, General Manager of Eagle Communications-St Joseph; Scott Meier, General Manager of MidWest Family Broadcasting-Springfield; Mike Rowen, General Sales Manager of Hubbard Radio-St Louis, as well as speakers from Entercom, Steel City Media, Bott Radio Network and more.
Two former Radio Talent Institute students from other states who are now working in Missouri – Kait Wade, Account Executive at Hubbard Radio-St. Louis and Cameron Moore, air talent for MidWest Family in Springfield, are also presenters.
Students will travel to the Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph for a session on sports broadcasting from Chiefs Play-by-Play announcer Mitch Holthus. The field trip will continue in Kansas City with a Play-by-Play session from the Royals’ Denny Matthews.
Kansas City’s Taylor and Brady Morning Show from KZPT (99.7 The Point) will broadcast live from the Institute on Friday morning.
Dr. John Jasinski, Northwest’s President, is enthused about the Institute coming to campus. He stated, “Northwest Missouri State University is proud to enhance our profession-based learning by partnering with this nationally-recognized program and talented professionals. We thank the Missouri Broadcasters Association, National Radio Talent System and the various broadcast companies that support this endeavor focused on talent development. We have a long, rich, proud tradition of partnerships and industry-based learning, and this serves as another shining example of business and education partners working together. We are humbled to serve as the host for the state of Missouri.”
Students participating in the MBA Radio Talent Institute are from Northwest Missouri State, Truman State, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri–Columbia, Drury University, Evangel University, Missouri Southern, College of the Ozarks, and Oklahoma State. All students will attend sessions, including on-air music radio, news and sports, as well as digital/social media, production, promotion, sales, engineering, programming, management and all things radio. Part of their curriculum includes certification as Radio Marketing Professionals by RAB.
Founder and President of the National Radio Talent System Dan Vallie commented, “The passion and commitment from Mark and the MBA is very impressive, along with the broadcasters partnering with us to make this happen. It’s an example of their passion for and love of the industry. We need technology, but it’s always people who make the difference. The young broadcasters we discover and nurture in the MBA Radio Talent Institute are talent we can hire today and who can be leaders tomorrow.”
The National Radio Talent System is the first and only program of its kind in the world and works with the broadcast industry and universities together to discover, teach and develop students to bring fresh talent into the industry today to prepare the next generation of broadcast leaders for tomorrow. The MBA Radio Talent Institute is the final of seven Radio Talent Institutes this summer. Over 150 students entered the National Talent System this year.
