Future of radio conference to be held at SU March 5

The future of radio will be the focus of a conference to be held Friday, March 5, from 2- 5 p.m. in Room A1 in Newhouse 1. The conference is co-sponsored by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and local radio station WJPZ as part of the station’s 25th reunion. The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available in SU pay lots.

A two-part panel discussion will examine technology’s influence on the radio business model, current challenges and future predictions. Panelists include Dan Austin ’97, general manager and market manager, Citadel Radio, Syracuse; Rich Davis and Ryan Sampson, on-air personalities, “Morning Mash Up,” Sirius Hits 1, New York City; Matt DelSignore ’02, news reporter and anchor, KDKA-AM, Pittsburgh; Matt Friedman ’94, co-founder, Tanner Friedman Public Relations, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Nick Fruscello, co-founder, MOZEO Mobile Marketing and Messaging, Syracuse; Dave Gorab ’93, director of talk programming, Sirius, New York City; Steve Leeds G’73, vice president of talent and industry affairs, Sirius, New York City; Stacey Simms ’93, morning news co-host, NewsTalk 1110 WBT, Charlotte, N.C.; Jeff Wade ’97, program director, Portland Radio Group, Portland, Me.; and Danno Wolkoff ’86, president, Envision Radio Networks, Cleveland.

Following the panel discussions, Tony Renda ’95, CEO of Velocity Radio Management, will deliver the keynote address. Renda founded Velocity in 2009 to “protect and grow the value of radio stations.” He previously held several positions at Renda Broadcasting Co. and was also an account executive for Katz Radio. In addition, he served as WJPZ’s development director and vice president of business.

Following Renda’s talk, a networking reception will be held for WJPZ alumni and Newhouse alumni and students in the lobby of Newhouse 1.

For more information, contact Ed Gorham at (315) 443-4926 or ejgorham@syr.edu.