Conclave Names 2015 Rockwell Award Winners

5-15-15

The Conclave Learning Conference has announced its 2015 Rockwell Award Winners: NRG Media President/CEO Mary Quass, and Dan Vallie, founder of Vallie Richards Donovan Consulting and the National Radio Talent System. This year's Rockwell Awards will be presented during the Conclave's 40th anniversary celebration on July 16 and 17 in Minneapolis.

In making the announcement, Conclave Board of Directors Chair Lori Lewis commented: "The board and I couldn't agree more in honoring Mary Quass and Dan Vallie as this year's Rockwell Award recipients. Both Mary and Dan are role models in what success looks like. They help build on the future of our business by putting their employees first, and mentoring the young talent of today. We look forward to honoring them in July."

Since 1989, the Conclave has presented The Rockwell Award -- an annual lifetime achievement award -- to individuals of unquestioned accomplishment in the radio industry.

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Conclave Learning Conference 40 Announced

1-30-2015

The Conclave has announced the dates for its 40th Summer Learning Conference taking place on July 16 & 17, at the Double Tree by Hilton Minneapolis Park Place. New this year is the addition of the first annual "Speed Mentoring Breakfast." The Conclave Learning Conference has attracted radio and music industry professionals, students, teachers, promotion companies, suppliers, syndicators, and free agents to learn and network. More...

Conclave Chair, Lori Lewis on the new addition to the Learning Conference, "I reached out to many of my radio mentors to see if there was any interest in doing something like a speed mentoring event. These are some of radio's best minds who are naturally very busy so I wasn't sure what the response would be. But when everyone responded with a commitment to volunteer their time and be a part of this, I was deeply moved. This is so exciting. I can't wait for attendees to find out the names of the decision makers they will have access to at this breakfast!"

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Conclave Registration Deadline Extended

7-8-13
The has extended the deadline for its $399 tuition for the 2013 Learning Conference through today. Executive Director Bob Shannon, ?We received many inquiries regarding the June 30th tuition deadline, asking for it to be moved into July. Because we want as many industry professionals, students and teachers interested in attending to be here, it was an easy call to make." After today the price goes up to $499.

The 38th Annual Conclave Learning Conference is July 17-19, 2013 at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel in Minneapolis. For more on the 2013 Learning Conference, click on http://www.theconclave.com/.

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Conclave Webinar Focuses on Rules of Radio

9-14-2012

While terrestrial radio, podcasts, or internet streams are not regulated in the same manner, there are common ?best practices? that can protect you from legal exposure and litigation. Gregg Skall (pictured) of the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice is an expert in broadcasting rules/regulations, and is the featured presenter for the Conclave?s next webinar, ?The Rules of Radio, Part 4? Thursday September 27th.

During this 90 minute webinar, that begins at 3PM Eastern, Skall will cover the concepts of sponsorship issues including sponsor ID rules, the practice of product placement, what is payola/plugola, and in this politically charged year candidate/issue advertising liability. Focusing on programming, Mr. Skall will discuss the basic and updated rules regarding obscenity and indecency, the transmission of hoaxes, usage of telephone calls in programs and shows, and will review the rules regarding endorsements and testimonials.

Conclave webinars are always free of charge, however preregistration is required via the Conclave?s website at www.theconclave.com.

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Huckabee Speaks to Full House at Conclave

7-20-2012

(by Fred Jacobs) It was an n interesting second day at the Conclave in Minneapolis, complete with fireworks. Mike Huckabee led off the festivities by being interviewed in front of a full house in the main ballroom. He had strong comments telling attendees, "Like politics and radio, you?re only as good as you were yesterday." He also added an interesting comment about those who say dumb, offensive things but, ?only apologize if I offended someone.?

In Huckabee?s mind, you should ?Man up and admit you made a mistake.? He compared the role of a Vice President to a spare tire: ?You?re kept in the dark, out of sight, but all pumped up and ready to go when you?re needed.? Says that local hosts make better interviewers because they ask deeper questions, connected to local issues and concerns.

Then, a couple of sessions where ?Minnesota Nice? was MIA. Starting with the ?Syndicated All-Star Session,? featuring Jim Brickman, Geoerge Noory, Todd Schnitt, and Andy Dean. It was moderated by Perry Michael Simon, and for a while was pretty much what you?d expect from a panel of nationwide hosts.

They talked about how they got started in the business, but then Andy Dean began to turn the session into what Pamela Muldoon referred to on Twitter as a WWE match. At times, Dean looked bored, aloof, and even not paying attention. At other times, he attacked Schnitt who gave as good as he got. Some attendees were either entertained by the banter, while others couldn?t believe it was happening. As one tweeter noted, there?s a fine line between arrogance and confidence.

Next up, ?Keeping It Local? moderated by Mike Stern, featuring Clear Channel?s Mike Crusham, WCCO PD Bob Shomper, Entercom Madison Ops Mgr David Moore, and consultant Keith Hill. In this session, Hill was the agent provocateur. He argued that radio is ?broken? because of voicetracking and cutbacks. He also advised attendees: ?Do not take a job at Clear Channel, Cumulus, or CBS. Find a job with a local owner-operator.? All this, with managers from Clear Channel and CBS on the panel. Moderator Stern fired back that there are lots of local owners who are pretty crazy, too.

On the substantive side, the panelists agreed on lots of things:
Social media and the Internet make it even easier for local hosts to prepare their shows.
Shomper: Vertical recycling works and helped grow CCO?s share.
Crusham: ?I bemoan the past but the past is gone.?
Crusham: ?Radio is tribal.?
All-time great local host? Dave Moore says Alaska?s Rick Rydell.
Shomper: Bob Sirott

The always inspiring Val Geller?s ?Finding Future Stars?
?All-stars are storyteller junkies. If you?re a great storyteller and love stories, you?re halfway there.?
And ?Every great talent takes risks.?
And Val?s big 3: Tell the truth, make it better, never be boring.

Doug Harris (head honcho at Noisemaker Communications) had a fun session that had
attendees taking notes?
Quotes: ?Sales thinks programming?s favorite word is ?no.? Programming thinks sales? favorite word is ?yes.? A PD?s best defense against bad sales promotions ? a ?station bill of rights.? Put together your rules for how promotions are going to be done at your station.

One of the more interesting sessions of the day, ?New Ways To Make Money,? moderated by Jacobs Media?s Paul Jacobs. On the panel, Chief Strategy Office of Federated Media James Derby, Dir of Bus Dev & Strategy for Hubbard Interactive Rob McCracken, Northern Lights Broadcasting?s Sam Elliot, and an interesting addition ? a non-radio person, Maureen Carlson from a company called Good Scout.

Paul Jacobs: ?Radio has two secret weapons and needs to leverage them ? our cume and our megaphone. Stop with the CPM and CPP.? Rob McCraken talked about how Hubbard has ?rebranded? its digital marketing efforts using ?2060 Digital.? He says they?ve become one of the biggest social media agencies in the Midwest.

Carlson talked about how non-profits are now using corporate dollars for cause marketing, but need media partners. Oftentimes, she doesn?t know which stations to talk to, or even who to talk to at the station. The room ? and the other panelists ? really responded to this, definitely thinking that non-profit + corporate opportunities may be a missed opportunity for radio.

To get help because they were using the receptionist to handle social media, Northern Lights? Elliot talked about how they?ve brought in an outside agency to help them with social.

Derby: Out of 7 reps at most stations, 1 or 1? ?get? digital.
McCracken: ?The old days with the PD and sales manager fighting over promos is over.? Important to get buy-in from both.
Derby noted that ad agencies are now referring business to Federated Media because of the sophistication of their digital departments.
Good Scout?s Carlson: Don?t give ways your PSAs or just show up at events. Sit down the non-profit and think about strategic opportunities that are win-win.
Federated Media?s Derby: ?It?s about the ask. The digital dollars are out there. Be aggressive.?

Finally, this quote from Matt Fisher (mornings, KKIA, The Moose) :?Conclave is such a valuable tool for the radio industry. I wish more stations and staff members were here to benefit.?

Reach out to Fred Jacobs via e-mail fredjacobs@jacobsmedia.com
Check out his blog
www.jacobsmedia.com
Follow on Twitter @fnjacobs

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Fred Jacobs Recaps Day One of The Conclave

Conclave 37 got underway with Jacobs Media?s Summer School 3. I have to tell you that after doing these the last three years, this was the best of the bunch ? really well attended from the early 9 am start (and they had to drag in more chairs). You can look at the tweets from today at #Conclave37 and for Summer School at #JMSS3.

A few highlights from our 8 Summer School sessions (9a-12:15p):

1. Lori Lewis: ?The same standards you have on the air should apply to what you communicate via social media.? Her ?5 Zuckerisms? session broke down Mark Zuckerberg?s thoughts about the true purpose of Facebook from that company?s IPO filing. Lori also talked about Facebook?s algorithm and some great information to help ensure your posts are seen by as many of your ?likes? as possible. Lori: ?If you want ?shares? and ?comments? and Facebook, stop chasing ?likes.??

2. Paul Jacobs hosted ?There?s An App For That? and reminded everyone that while the mobile space is exciting, ?Everything that is great now will be old within six months.? He also encouraged stations to use apps like TuneIn and iHeartRadio but achieve deeper mobile branding with individual station apps.

3. Consultant Michael Brandvold (music industry strategist and former web guru for KISS and Gene Simmons) ran ?Tweet Like A Rock Star.? His best quote, ?Tweeting is a reality show.? He encouraged stations to tweet as often as 12 times a day because the Twitter audience turns over. A lot like scheduling promos for radio stations.

Brandvold also talked about how fans of bands (and radio) just want recognition, and that a simple thank-you goes a long way. This is simple to do but SO powerful. Brandvold told the room that when it comes to social media, CARE. Connect, Acknowledge, Request, Engage. What?s the dumbest thing a rock star can do on social media? Brandvold: Not be there.

4. Arbitron?s Jenny Tsao attributed the difference between top-rated PPM stations and also rans that play the same music with the same basic rotations to branding. She highlighted some of PPM?s top performers ? among 18-34s, WHMH of Greensboro/Winston Salem-High Point, and among 25-54s, KGMS in Memphis.

5. I spoke about the ?Emotional Triggers? of broadcast radio from Techsurvey8, and the line that got retweeted and talked about??The number one negative about Pandora ? ?I miss hearing people.?? And: ?The way to beat Pandora? Do great radio.?

6. Coleman Insights? Chris Ackerman discussed the balance of winning in PPM in the short run and branding benefits in the long run. A good example is the 20- 30% ratings hit you take with a fundraiser vs. the value of doing great community service and supporting your brand strength.

He did a great job of explaining the trade-off of in-the-moment content versus branding. An example was Whole Foods. They might make more money by carrying Diet Coke (in the moment) but by doing so might erode their brand equity.

7. Jacobs Media?s Lori Lewis on how the Department of Defense uses social media. She talked about the importance of using metrics that matter, as well as monitoring online chatter ? especially about the competition.

Lori: ?Loose tweets sink fleets.? She also reminded the room that ?You can?t force trust. It?s about affinity and authenticity.?

8. Chris Iles, Corporate Communications Manager for the Minnesota Twins was a killer guest, and did a great job of talking about ?Socializing Baseball.? People were really buzzing about this session which closed out Summer School 3. The Twins are very active on the social media front. They have specific revenue objectives to their social media activity, but he explained that 80% of it is still about relationships and fan engagement - and that allows for the extra 20% to be about making money.

Even though they?re very active on Facebook and Twitter, the Twins also use Pinterest ? a great way to engage their female fans. He also noted the Twins? president is on social media. ?It?s a big priority for the team.? Chris talked about how the Twins essentially did ?random acts of social media at the beginning, but got more strategic as time went on. Today, they use social media to allow fans to tell stories on their
Facebook page ? like ?What?s your opening day tradition?? They also use a Tweet Board at Target Field, and fans enjoy the acknowledgment of seeing their tweets on the big screen.

After Summer School?

It?s interesting that it?s called the Conclave Learning Conference. I don?t think any other radio event truly gets to the fundamentals like this one. A case in point, two concurrent sessions?

Ratings 101 featuring Arbitron?s Jon Miller and Harv Blain (Vallie, Richards, Donovan). These guys really broke it down, brining in paper diaries and a meter to literally illustrate the way that ratings work. As Miller called it, showing ?how the sausage is made.? It was a great X?s and O?s look at the Arbitron system. Across the hall, Time Management for Dummies. (Ironically, the session was late in
getting started.)

Jim Hopes, CEO of the Center for Sales Strategy was the presenter, and he went right to the basics of prioritization. In fact, he told the room that it?s impossible to manage time because it?s fixed. ?Effective time management is really priority management.?

Later, ?The Voice-Over Edge? was an upbeat panel moderated by Dennis Green (Cumulus) featuring Pat Garrett and Rachel McGrath (both very talented VO people), Jhani Kaye (CBS/LA), Nate Zietz (agent/CESD) and Mark Todd (Ops Mgr ? Journal Omaha).

Fun session with some great quotes?

Jhani Kaye on selecting VO talent: ?It?s all about casting.? He told the room that when it?s time to bring in a new voice person, he refuses to look at the packages, pictures, bios. He judges solely on the sound. Mark Todd: ?Radio stations are communities?so the voice that runs through the station is the common threat 24/7 365.?

Rachel McGrath talked about how she gets in the right mindset for the audience she?s talking to: ?I imagine the listener right there in front of me.? And ?A voice person is a dime a dozen these days. A great voice person is a gem.?

Nate Zeitz went a little baseball on us: ?The most important thing?is to have the five- tool VO actor. If you are versatile, you?ll have longevity in this business.?

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New Conclave Conference Format Announced

3-20-2012

The Conclave has announced a new format for the 37th Learning Conference. The changes include a shift in the days of the week. This year Conclave kicks off the morning of Wednesday July 18, with the return of ?Summer School? presented by Jacobs Media. The format of the Learning Conference will also undergo tweaking based on attendee feedback. There will be fewer concurrent sessions allowing attendees to attend every one they are interested in.

March 31 is a date with two notable deadlines. First, tuition for the Learning Conference will increase on April 1, so attendees who are cost conscious may want to purchase their $299 conference fee before then. For more information on the 2012 Conclave Learning Conference July 18-20 at the Doubletree Park Place/Minneapolis visit http://www.theconclave.com.

Also March 31 is the deadline for students with an interest in radio and music to apply for The 2012 Radio and Music Industry Scholarship Program, which will award nearly $60,000 in scholarships. Participating schools are Broadcast Center in St. Louis (MO), Specs Howard School of Media Arts in Southfield (MI), McNally-Smith College of Music in St. Paul (MN), and Media Institute of Madison, (WI) & Minneapolis, (MN). For all Conclave scholarship information and downloadable (or online) application forms, visit www.radioscholarships.com.

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Conclave Webinar Focuses On Political Rules For Radio

2-15-2012

Candidates, SuperPacs, and radio?a trifecta for trouble. Just what are the rules for radio in this politically charged year or any year? Gregg Skall (pictured) of the law firm of Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice is an expert in political broadcasting rules/regulations, and is the featured presenter for the Conclave?s next webinar The Rules of Radio on Wednesday, February 29th at 2PM Central.

Skall will cover the FCC rules that relate to the appearances of political candidates on broadcast media and its use by them to advance their candidacy. Who is a legally recognized candidate by the FCC, what options are available to candidates once their opposition appears on a station, and what qualifies as an appearance are just some of the topics to be covered.

Conclave webinars are free, however preregistration is required via the Conclave?s website at www.theconclave.com.
All Conclave webinars are moderated by Conclave Board Member Jay Philpott, air talent at Hubbard Radio's 106-5 The Arch, WARH/St. Louis.

The Conclave is a 36-year-old 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. The Conclave offers year-round learning to the industry including webinars, TalenTrak, and the Summer Learning Conference ? and has provided nearly $100,000 annually in media scholarships. For more information on the Learning Conference and Conclave educational programs, visit www.theconclave.com.

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Conclave Rockwell Winners Are Jacobs Meyer

2-7-2012

The Conclave says Jacobs Media President Fred Jacobs (pictured) and President & CEO of Airplay Intel Rich Meyer will recieve the 2012 Rockwell Award. They will be honored at the annual awards luncheon during the Conclave Learning Conference Friday, July 20th in Minneapolis. The Rockwell Award is the Conclave?s highest honor. Since 1989 this lifetime achievement award has been given in memory of one of the Conclave?s founding members, Mike Rockwell. 

Conclave Board Chairman Mark Bolke said, ?I am thrilled to see Fred Jacobs and Rich Meyer named as this year?s recipients of the Rockwell Award. They  have distinguished themselves as industry leaders, innovators, and most importantly, benchmarks of integrity and character. It will be my honor and pleasure to  see them both formally recognized in front of their industry peers this July in Minneapolis.?

Jacobs, whose company Jacobs Media has been an active part of the Conclave Learning Conference and since 2010 has presented its Jacobs Media ?Summer  School? series said, ?As a lifelong radio guy and student of the game, I am so humbled and excited to be named a Rockwell honoree. Thanks to the Conclave for  this special honor.?

Rich Meyer, who in 2009 founded Airplay Intel said, ?I am extremely honored and grateful to be receiving the Rockwell Award this year. It is a true testament to

the hard work of the hundreds of talented individuals I have had the privilege of working with for so many years. If the award could be broken up into tiny little

equal sized pieces, I would give a piece to every single person that has been there along the way.?

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Final Conclave Employment Webinar Wednesday

1-10-2012

The Conclave's final webinar aimed at helping out-of-work radio folks is tomorrow. It's called "How To Initiate And Conduct A Successful Job Search." Robert McDonnell will be the webinar presenter and he'll discuss proper networking techniques, appropriate resume presentation, interview preparation, and important do?s and don?ts in a difficult job market.

McDonnell has trained professional resume writers all over the US. He has authored national careers columns for The Military Press and a San Diego newspaper. In addition to writing resumes, cover letters, and job-related addendum documents, McDonnell is an expert in the ever-evolving job search process, and keeping track of how technological innovations impact the success of job seekers. Mr. McDonnell currently owns and operates the online resume service, ?Affordable Quality Resumes.?

A question and answer session will follow the presentation. Each Conclave webinar in this series is FREE of charge, but preregistration is required. Log on to the Conclave?s website to preregister at www.theconclave.com. The presentation is sponsored by Envision Radio Networks and begins at 2PM Central time.

Conclave webinars are hosted/moderated by Conclave Board of Director?s member Jay Philpott, Air Talent/Digital Content Specialist at Hubbard Radio's 106-5 The Arch/St. Louis.

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Conclave Opens Rockwell Nominations

Since 1989, the Conclave has presented The Rockwell Award - an annual lifetime achievement award ? to an individual of unquestioned accomplishment in the radio industry. What is the Conclave looking for in a Rockwell Award recipient? It seeks a person who is not just an inspirational leader, but a person of great accomplishment - one who teaches and guides others directly, by example, or both. The successful nominee has made lasting and significant contributions not just inside the industry, but to the public the industry serves. The Rockwell nomination guidelines are as follows:
1. Any member of the industry may nominate one or more persons for the Rockwell award: a syndicated or local talent, a single market or national programmer, a general manager or group owner, a production or promotion professional, V/O talent, etc. 
2. All nominations must be accompanied by supporting evidence sufficiently detailed for the Conclave Board to render a decision (e.g., a resume; accounts of industry accomplishment; testimonials from individuals or organizations regarding the nominee?s body of work and contribution, etc.)
3. Nominations must be made in writing via mail (4517 Minnetonka Blvd #104, Minneapolis, MN 55416), email (tomk@theconclave.com), or fax (952-927-4487) no later than 6:00 p.m. CST Friday, January 20, 2012.
The recipient will be announced on or before February 1, 2012 and the Award will be presented during the 37th Annual Learning Conference, July 18-20th at the Doubletree Park Place Hotel in Minneapolis.

2011 co-recipients include CBS Radio President/CEO Dan Mason and legendary programmer Steve Rivers. Previous recipients include Emmis President Rick Cummings, Cumulus Media Senior Vice President of Programming Mike McVay, and Erica Farber, past publisher of Radio & Records.

The Rockwell Award is the Conclave?s highest honor and is a tribute to those who have contributed to the industry through example and inspiration. It is the Conclave?s only lifetime achievement recognition and was created as a tribute to longtime Conclave Board member and Wisconsin radio owner/operator/morning man, Mike Rockwell. Honoring individuals who have contributed to the industry as mentors, benefactors, and friends, the Rockwell Award is presented annually to deserving individuals as selected by the Conclave?s Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

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