Mike Couchman

Program Director, KLJY & KXBS/St. Louis

Program for the Future Without Sacrificing the Present

Underneath the ratings success of many Christian AC’s is an aging audience. Who is going to experience and support your station after today’s listeners age out of your target and start to die off? It is possible to still serve them well while placing a welcome mat for tomorrow’s target listener. We will look at easy, actionable changes you can make NOW as well as things to put in place for the long term.

Paul Jacobs

Vice President/General Manager, Jacobs Media

Christian Music Radio in a Post-Covid World

If you thought radio was changing before the pandemic, stay tuned, because change has accelerated. Working from home, less time in the car, new gadgets, new competitors, generational change – all are conspiring to force broadcasters to think about their business differently. This presentation will take key findings from the 2021 CMB Techsurvey and provide recommendations on how Christian broadcasters can quickly adapt and thrive in this new environment.

Jacobs has become a leading spokesperson for the radio industry regarding the changing in-car audio experience and the necessity for the digital transformation of the radio industry. Along with presentations for broadcasters on these important trends, Jacobs helped create the DASH Conference-a gathering of broadcasters and leaders from the automotive industry designed to foster understanding and cooperation and has consulted the National Association of Broadcasters Connected Car Committee.

In a career in broadcasting and consulting that spans four decades, Jacobs began his career on the sales side of the business and WNIC of WRIF in Detroit, ultimately serving as General Manager at radio stations in Dallas and Detroit. In 1991, Jacobs joined his brothers Fred and Bill at Jacobs Media. 

In 2008, Jacobs also became the President of the startup mobile application development company-jacapps. The company was formed to breathe mobile apps for radio stations, and has since broadened out into multiple categories, including construction, legal, and others. It is one of the largest mobile application developers, with over 1,300 apps developed worldwide. 

Paul is a frequent speaker at various conventions around the world, including the NAB/RAB Radio Show, CMB’s Momentum, Canadian Music Week, and at public radio conferences including PRPD, the Super Regional, and PMDMC. 

Paul just concluded six years on the Board of Greater Public, spending the last three years as Board Chair. Greater Public is a service organization dedicated to growing revenue for public radio and television stations across the United States via underwriting, development, and other fundraising endeavors. He is also the past Board Chair of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Foundation. 

He was included into the Michigan Broadcasters Hall of Fame, in 2016, received the Rockwell Lifetime Achievement Award from The Conclave in 2019, and was awarded the Outstanding Alumni award from Michigan State University’s ComArtSci Department in 2021. 

Paul is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising.

Michael Sloane

CEO, Streaming Promotions

Understanding Consumption’s Role with Radio

Streaming replaced the physical sale of music and when that happened it changed everything. Whether you completely understand the DSP world or not, you’ll journey through Streaming 101 to 401 in just 20 minutes. There will be insight into what streaming numbers mean and what radio can learn. What Predicates A Hit and How To Use Streaming Data To Help Inform Your Song Decisions are just two of the many questions that will be answered.

As a digital strategist he has worked with Musicians, Management, Labels, and Entertainment brands, building successful and profitable relationships.

After pursuing a finance degree from the University of Kentucky, and an MBA in Music Business and Negotiation from Belmont University, he cut his teeth in entertainment with echomusic (later acquired by Ticketmaster) and later Live Nation Artists. In these roles he saw the digital revolution unfold for artist such as The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, John Mayer, Zac Brown Band, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, and Brooks & Dunn, among many others.

He later focused on digital strategy and ecommerce optimization with Taylor Swift (13 Management) followed by a jump to a record label, as Director of Digital Marketing for Big Machine Label Group (Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, etc.) He is currently the owner and CEO of Streaming Promotions, focused on growing audience for artists on Spotify. While also acting as VP of Operations for Wonderful Union specializing in fan club and VIP ticketing. Over the last 10 years he has acted as an adjunct professor at Belmont University teaching digital strategy and marketing. 

Through the management of software development, client management, ecommerce optimization and digital strategy, Sloane has been able to build and grow the digital footprint of some of the largest entertainment brands in the world.

Daniel Whittington

Chancellor, Wizard Academy

Is Becky Still the Target?

Twenty years ago, Christian music radio was revolutionized by the concept of a target listener. Now that Baby Boomers and GenXers have welcomed Millennials and GenZ into W25-54 do the same concepts and strategies still apply?  Are CCM stations still aiming at the bullseye of the target with a rifle or is it more like fishing with a net? Those questions and more will challenge and encourage you to think differently.

According to research, worship music tests well with your listeners. If that is true, why is it lacking on the CCM charts? Let’s explore worship music and it’s future with CCM radio with some experts who live and breathe worship music.

Matt Maher

Since his 2008 major label debut, Matt Maher has become a staple in the artistic and songwriting community. A nine time-GRAMMY® nominee and three time-GMA Dove Award winner. Maher has also written or co-written five No. 1 radio singles for other artists. He is no stranger to the radio charts himself with hit songs like “Your Grace Is Enough,” “All The People Said Amen,” “Hold Us Together,” “Alive Again,” “What A Friend,” and “Your Love Defends Me.” He has written and recorded songs such as his Top 5 CCLI song “Lord, I Need You,” and the chart-topping radio singles “Because He Lives (Amen),” and “Alive & Breathing.” Maher has also topped the radio charts at Christmastime with “Glory (Let There Be Peace).” With career album sales of more than 550,000 units to date, Maher was recently awarded his first RIAA Platinum certification for his popular single “Lord, I Need You” and a RIAA Gold certification for “Because He Lives”. He’s released 10 studio albums, including his latest 2020 album Alive & Breathing. He also released his first Christmas album and children’s book, both titled The Advent of Christmas, during the 2018 holiday season.

Chris Tomlin

It is estimated that 20-30 million people across the world sing one of Chris’ songs every week in church services in nearly every language. Time magazine heralded him as the “most often sung artist in the world” as his music has inspired and uplifted an entire generation of believers. Along the way, Chris has scored 17 #1 one singles at radio, placed 29 top ten hits (more than any other Christian artist), sold more than nine million albums with 4.5 Billion career global streams, earned a Grammy, three Billboard Music Awards, more than 25 Dove Awards, became a two-time BMI Songwriter of the Year honoree and an ASCAP Songwriter of the Year. In 2016, he was named one of only four artists ever to receive the Sound Exchange Digital Radio Award for over 1 Billion digital radio streams, alongside Justin Timberlake, Pitbull and Garth Brooks. Chris is also the first Christian artist to reach the Billion streams threshold on Pandora and was presented with their BILLIONAIRE award.  

Phil Wickham

Since his self-titled debut in 2006, Phil Wickham has emerged as a leader in the modern worship movement, penning countless songs sung in churches around the world.  His RIAA Platinum®-certified single “This Is Amazing Grace” was his first career No. 1, holding the top spot for 13 consecutive weeks and named Billboard’s No. 1 “Christian Airplay Song of the Year” in 2014 and BMI’s “Christian Song of the Year” in 2015.  His anthemic “Living Hope,” RIAA Gold®-certified, earned him a GMA Dove Award for “Worship Recorded Song of the Year” in 2019.  His latest project, Hymn of Heavenwas written during a year when the family of God couldn’t physically gather in houses of worship around the world.  The album’s first single, “Battle Belongs,” had already topped five different radio charts for multiple weeks, and a Spanish version released in Spring of 2021 titled “La Batalla” featuring Christine D’Clario.  Wickham’s music has received hundreds of millions of streams across his catalog and platforms, with his discography including eight full-length projects, multiple Christmas releases, and a series of popular Singalong records that capture Wickham’s songs doing what they were always meant to do—giving people language to sing to God.

Mandy Young
Program Director, EMF

Mandy Young is the EMF Radio Group Program Director, overseeing the programming for both K-LOVE and Air1. Mandy joined the team over 11 years ago and has served as morning co-host, midday air talent, Assistant Program Director and Music Director.  Mandy is the first woman to hold a Program Director position at the ministry. Prior to K-LOVE and Air1, she worked at WJQK in Grand Rapids and ran a voice over business (Young Productions), tracking radio shows for 11 clients daily along with work in radio and television commercials as well as audio books.  She developed her passion for radio at Cedarville University earning a degree in Communications. Her most important job is a wife to Rod and mom to Jack (18) Owen (17) and Mamie (7) In her spare time she…doesn’t know what that is, but would like some in the future.

Most in radio wear many hats and their day is beyond filled. Juggling is the new norm which means creativity can take a back seat. Let’s talk openly about the importance of prioritizing creativity for you and your team and walk away with fresh ideas to help you with the creativity process.

Carmen Brown
General Manager & Morning Show, The JOY FM

Carmen began her radio career in Tampa at Q105.  She started out as a producer for the Cooper and Ritter Morning Show shortly after graduating from The University of South Alabama.  Quickly, she became a third leg of the morning show, and the threesome had a very popular, family friendly morning show in the Tampa market for many years.  After a format “tweak,” Carmen left Q105 in 2004.  A few months later she joined The JOY FM as Promotions Director.  While serving in that capacity, she joined The Morning Cruise with Dave Cruse and Bill Martin, now heard in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. Carmen became Program Director for The JOY FM in 2006, and became General Manager in 2019. She is still one third of The Morning Cruise, currently the top ranked morning show in the Tampa Bay market. Together, Dave, Bill & Carmen celebrate sixteen years as a show in 2021!

Jessica Hart
Program & Music Director, KKJM

Jess Hart is the Program and Music Director for KKJM/Spirit 92.9 in St. Cloud, MN. She also co-hosts the station’s morning show. Jess began her radio career at KKJM in 2008 as the station’s Promotions Director. She began on air a year later moving from overnights to middays and finally to mornings, where she has been for the past 10 years. She’s also a mom of 4, ‘mimi’ of 1, as well as a dog and cat mom. Jess’ favorite part of working in Christian radio is the relationships formed with listeners and community members, along with hearing stories of changed lives through the music and message. In her “spare” time, she enjoys floating in the pool on hot summer days, traveling, and making memories with her kids.

Corey Mann
Morning Host, Pulse FM & Afternoon Host, The House FM

Corey Mann’s first radio job was in the fall of 1988.  Currently, he’s the morning host on Pulse FM in South Bend, Indiana and the afternoon host at The House FM in OKC. He and his wife Debbie got married and they have 2 kids. His wife is a hair designer, and his oldest daughter is married, is a middle school teacher, while his youngest is in 9th grade, plays football and loves basketball. He also published his first kid’s book in 2016. Corey also hosts a podcast, “What Else with Corey Mann”.

Ty McFarland
Director of Programming and Content, KCMS

As a kid, Ty McFarland loved music and enjoyed listening to Boise radio. So when his high-school launched a full-power radio station, he put his “demo” together on Type II Chrome Cassette and sent it in. 30+ years later, Ty has an MBA from Northwest Nazarene University and is the Director of Programming and Content for CRISTA Media’s SPIRIT 105.3 in Seattle and PRAISE 106.5 in Bellingham, Washington/Vancouver, BC. During his years in the CCM format, he’s greatly enjoyed working at industry-leading stations with people that he loves, including KSBJ, KTSY, K-LOVE, and WGTS. Doing radio that matters, still gets him out of bed in the morning.

What does your music meeting look like? Need some tools in your toolbox? If you’re a PD or MD, it’s always a good thing to see how others make music decisions. Let’s take a peek at a real-time music meeting and see what resources are used in deciding not only which songs, but changes in rotations. Bring your music meeting tips to share!

Becky Alignay
Middays, WGTS

Becky aims to help keep you company throughout your day – or be your virtual coworker (remember the one that thinks out loud and warms up smelly food in the microwave? yes, that one), and hopefully share a little life, fun stories, and encouragement along the way.  Becky has been doing middays at WGTS 91.9 for a little over a decade and has been with the station since before the format flip in 1997. (but she started when she was like 5 so barely remembers that) and is grateful to be able to be around a team of people every day who are passionate about growing and striving to connect with people better.

Rob Conway
Music Director, WGTS

Like so many, Rob’s radio career started in his bedroom with a Boombox® and mic. He took this amazing skill with him to college, and someone had this crazy idea he should apply at the radio station on campus. After graduation he was hired at WGTS as Production Director, and then a couple of years later moved into the Music Director role. He has been with WGTS now for 24 years in total.

Blanca Vega
Morning Show Co-Host, WGTS

Blanca started at WGTS as a college student about 20 years ago. Married for 16 years and proud mother of three.  Blanca has been on all air shifts including currently co-hosting the morning show in the Nation’s Capital for over 9 years.

Brennan Wimbish
Program Director, WGTS

Brennan Wimbish serves as program director for WGTS 91.9 in Washington, DC. He’s spent 22 years in non-commercial broadcasting. He, his wife, son, and daughter live in Maryland.

Todd Stach
Beyond 615

Originally from Canton, Ohio Todd didn’t make it to the NFL as he had dreamed. After jumping into radio in 1994, he made stops in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Mansfield, OH, Fort Myers, FL and Nashville. On March 15, 2021 Todd launched a Consulting/Coaching service called Beyond (615). He also serves as the CCM Editor at AllAccess.com. Todd and his family live in the (615) with their Yorkipoo named Chester and fish named Shishy.

Randy Lane

Owner, The Randy Lane Company

Ryan Seacrest, Jimmy Kimmel, Kidd Kraddick, Jamie & Danny Bonaduce,  Mancow, Roger Darren & Marilyn, Leeza Gibbons, The Bert Show, Lex & Terry, Dave Ryan, Mark & Brian, Ace & TJ, Javier Romero, Don Bleu, Paul & Young Ron, and scores of others in every format. What do these top radio and TV personalities all have in common?  They have all been directed and coached by Randy Lane.

The Randy Lane Company was launched in 1996 with the mission of, “creating brand depth for radio stations by developing morning shows that generate ratings and revenue.” Randy created an innovative method for coaching talent that was inspired by his coaching mentor Timothy Gallwey (Inner Game of Tennis). This method focuses on asking the right questions combined with an honest and ego preserving way of giving feedback so the talent has ownership of their growth.

During the Music & Programming Momentum Summit, our panel of experts will take a Deeper Dive after each speaker’s presentation, filtering the valuable information through radio’s lens. The panel includes:

Mike Blakemore
Mike is VP of Programming for Salem’s CCM stations and has been the Program Director for WFSH Atlanta for the past 13 years taking it to number one 6+ and W25-54 several times.   The Fish has averaged 5th or better W25-54 over the past 3 years and for most of his tenure at the Fish Atlanta.  He started his radio career in 1979 while in high school and has programmed and been an air talent for numerous other formats, including CHR, Hot AC, AC, Smooth Jazz, Country, and Classic/Active Rock.  Mike is also the imaging voice for the Fish Atlanta, Nashville, Cleveland, Sacramento, and Portland.  Mike and his wife Kim enjoy lake life 30 miles west of Atlanta.

Ron Harrell
Harrell’s 30+ years of media management includes Brand and Content development for large and major market radio stations and digital products. He has programmed radio stations and led content teams in Nashville, Denver, Detroit, Dallas and Seattle. His current role is his first in the CCM format.

Nikki Martinez
Growing up in the Houston area, Nikki thought she was going to Baylor University to be a Poli Sci Major and work for the CIA…and then a book and a concert changed things! She changed her major to Film & Digital Media, and started her radio journey through internships while at Baylor. Nikki’s first “real job” in radio was October of 2007 in Conway, NH at Magic 104. After that, radio has taken her back to different parts of Texas, and then to California. While in Northern Cali, Nikki met her best friend and husband, Business Owner & Recreational Therapist, Nathan. About a month after they got married, they moved back to Nikki’s home state and settled in Tyler, TX! That’s when Nikki started at Encouragement Media Group (89.5 KVNE/91.3 LIFT Worship) on April 15th, 2013, as Music Director and On-Air Talent for both stations, and has enjoyed every bit of this fun, crazy, God-fearing, solid family! And speaking of family, Nikki and Nathan are enjoying life with their 2 doggies, Anna and Alice, and their ever-active 2 year old, Isabella (Izzy for short). They like to play board games, eat good food, and take adventures to explore the world around them!

Mandy Young
Mandy Young is the EMF Radio Group Program Director, overseeing the programming for both K-LOVE and Air1. Mandy joined the team over 11 years ago and has served as morning co-host, midday air talent, Assistant Program Director and Music Director.  Mandy is the first woman to hold a Program Director position at the ministry. Prior to K-LOVE and Air1, she worked at WJQK in Grand Rapids and ran a voice over business (Young Productions), tracking radio shows for 11 clients daily along with work in radio and television commercials as well as audio books.  She developed her passion for radio at Cedarville University earning a degree in Communications. Her most important job is a wife to Rod and mom to Jack (18) Owen (17) and Mamie (7) In her spare time she…doesn’t know what that is, but would like some in the future.