Paul Jacobs
Vice President/General Manager, Jacobs Media

Where Do I Start?

It’s never been more challenging making big and small decisions for a radio station.  Competition (Spotify, Pandora), new distribution (Alexa, mobile apps), social media (Tik Tok, Instagram) and now, the impact of a global pandemic has many people are working from home, and as a result, upending listening patterns.  Where should a broadcaster put their focus?   Fortunately, CMB stations have been tracking the audience through the Jacobs Media / CMB Techsurveys for seven years.  Utilizing the just-released findings from the 2020 study, Paul Jacobs will put things in perspective and provide guidance on what is important – and what isn’t – especially during these challenging times.

Paul Jacobs is a leading radio consultant, specializing in digital and mobile, sales development, and research.  He is the Vice President/General Manager of Jacobs Media, which for over thirty years has provided programming, digital, and social media consulting to radio stations. The company is credited with the creation of the Classic Rock radio format, and most recently, its innovative technology tracking surveys – the Techsurvey for commercial radio, Public Radio, and Christian Music Broadcasters.  The studies provide invaluable information to broadcasters about the digital, social, and mobile trends they need to address, including pushing the industry to respond to challenges in the “connected car.”

Jacobs has become a leading spokesperson for the radio industry regarding the changing in-car audio experience.  He works with the auto companies and suppliers and is currently working with the National Association of Broadcasters to help radio stations understand the opportunities and challenges presented by this new technology.

After running radio stations in Dallas and Detroit, Jacobs joined Jacobs Media in 1991.  In 2008, Jacobs also became the President of a mobile application development company – jacapps.  The company was formed to create apps for radio stations, and has since broadened out into multiple categories, including health care, real estate, and others.  It is one of the largest mobile application developers, with over 1,200 apps developed worldwide for major broadcasters including Entercom, Hubbard, Salem Media, and Beasley, as well as many of the leading Christian broadcasters.

Paul is a frequent speaker at various conventions around the world, including the NAB/RAB Radio Show, numerous State Broadcaster Conventions, RAIN, Country Radio Seminar, ESOMAR in Berlin, Germany, the Momentum Christian Music Conference, and at public radio conferences including PRPD and PMDMC.  He has also recently spoken to a gathering of Canadian ministries and broadcasters on behalf of Eaglecom, an advertising agency in Vancouver specializing in Christian media.

In addition to his work with Jacobs Media and jacAPPS, Paul is the past Chairman of the Board of Greater Public, 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 was a 2016 inductee in the Michigan Radio Hall of Fame, and the 2019 recipient of the Rockwell Award, presented by The Conclave.

Mandy Young
Program Director • Air1 Network

Five Things the Audience Told Us Would Improve Content

Do your talk breaks hold the audience’s interest? Does each break have a resolution or is it left dangling? How long is too long? Which topics are off limits? Are the talent roles understood by the listener?

This fast-moving session will share how Educational Media Foundation used Coleman Insights’ mediaEKG Deep Dive tool to evaluate its air talent and content on a second-by-second basis. Learn how the findings were implemented to improve both the talent and overall product.

Mandy Young is the Program Director for Educational Media Foundation’s Air1 network. Mandy joined Air1 almost 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 Air1, she worked at WJQK in Grand Rapids, Michigan 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.

Tracy Johnson
Founder/ CEO • Tracy Johnson Media Group

CCM’s Music Dilemma: How Did We Get Here And Where Are We Going

The CCM radio format has matured. In the process, we’ve become more conservative as the core audience ages. Tracy Johnson reveals challenges and risks in the format, explores opportunities to revitalize brands, and expand the audience.

Recognized as one of America’s most innovative radio programmers and managers, Tracy Johnson’s broad background in traditional and digital media has influenced hundreds of radio stations, programmers and personalities.

Johnson’s radio programming success began in Lincoln, Nebraska and included stops in Kansas City and Jacksonville, Florida, eventually leading him to San Diego in 1992. There, Johnson led KKLQ (Q106) from 19th to 1st. The “worst to first” achievement was soon duplicated when he directed KFMB-FM from 22nd to 1st. 

Applying his strategic expertise and creative promotion and marketing tactics, the stations earned dozens of industry achievement awards, including named Radio Ink Magazine’s “Best Programmer in America”. In 1998, Johnson became Market Manager of KFMB AM and FM.

In all, Johnson has programmed and consulted over 200 radio stations in more than 15 countries.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to apply this experience and knowledge full time, Johnson became EVP of Audience Engagement for Triton Media, advising over 700 media companies (radio, television, newspaper) to create synergy in their traditional and digital offerings to create new sources of audience engagement and revenue.

As founder and CEO of the Tracy Johnson Media Group, Johnson offers programming, marketing, promotion, talent coaching and digital consulting services.

Sam Milkman
Executive Vice President/Senior Consultant • Coleman Insights

Five Things the Audience Told Us Would Improve Content

Do your talk breaks hold the audience’s interest? Does each break have a resolution or is it left dangling? How long is too long? Which topics are off limits? Are the talent roles understood by the listener?

This fast-moving session will share how Educational Media Foundation used Coleman Insights’ mediaEKG Deep Dive tool to evaluate its air talent and content on a second-by-second basis. Learn how the findings were implemented to improve both the talent and overall product.

Sam joined the team in September 2009 when Coleman Insights acquired his firm, mediaEKG®, for which he served as President since 2006. Prior to starting mediaEKG, Sam held broadcast programming and operational positions, including Operations Director of WXRK-FM/New York, Research Director of WHTZ-FM/New York and Program Director of WMMR-FM/Philadelphia.

He began his career as a litigation, intellectual property and entertainment attorney at the Philadelphia law firm of Ballard, Spahr, Andrews & Ingersoll. Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctorate from Cornell Law School.

Mike Prendergast
Program Director • KLTY/Dallas-Fort Worth

How 94.9 KLTY Does Christmas to Increase Ratings

Hear the strategy that KLTY follows to compete with mainstream radio during December, and learn ideas to keep “The Christmas Cume” into January. You’ll see the whole picture of how Dallas does the holidays – from music strategy to promotions to jock talk, giving you ideas to implement at your station.

Mike is the Program Director for Salem Dallas’ 94.9 KLTY and has been with the station since 2005, serving as PD since 2009. KLTY has long enjoyed success in Dallas/Fort Worth most recently achieving an overall #1 Persons 6+ this past October and setting a station record for share and another #1 this past January 2020. Mike married his high school sweetheart Teresa 23 years ago and has two daughters, 18 & 16, the oldest about to head off to college. When Mike is not working in Christian radio, he’s spending his time with family, with the Youth at church or trekking across the country seeking all kinds of severe weather including tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.

Predictions For 2025: How Your Listeners and Underwriters Will Change and What You Need To Do Now

The mindset and behavior of radio listeners is evolving. It’s a new and different time in be “in radio,” where listeners expect connected, interactive experiences. Conversations with advertisers or underwriters have also changed, and strategies for fundraising are morphing. How does your brand need to adapt? How does your programming and promotions teams need to shift? In this session, you’ll learn about 7 key predictions for your brand in 2025 along with actionable ideas on how you can build for the future.

Savannah Kimberlin
Director of Published Research • Barna

Engaging the Next Generation with Christian Radio

Learn a better understanding of today’s young adults and teens as our future radio audience. We will explore powerful research and insights on the next generation’s relationship with the entertainment industry, and unpack generational trends that will equip you to better reach young people through Christian radio.

Savannah is Barna’s Director of Published Research. She oversees the research and development of a wide array of published products and client-commissioned work, including Barna’s monographs and digital resources. Savannah loves facilitating Barna’s vision to provide the Church with knowledge to navigate a changing world

As a certified data miner and predictive modeler, Savannah specializes in advanced analytics. Prior to her time at Barna, she worked in the big data and software development spaces.

She earned her B.S. in Mathematics from Samford University and her M.S. in Decision Analytics from the University of Alabama. Savannah currently lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Josh.

Gordon Borrell
CEO • Borrell Associates

How 5G Will Transform the Business of Radio

We’ve all heard about how 5G portends to radically transform the radio industry we’ve come to know and love.  What’s the timing of this revolution, and what type change is it likely to bring? Media analyst Gordon Borrell offers a unique view of where 5G will lead the radio industry, seen through the eyes of someone whose spent decades studying disruptions in content delivery channels.

Gordon Borrell is CEO of Borrell Associates, which he founded in 2001. He is a sought-after speaker for conferences and company meetings and is the local media industry’s leading analyst. Gordon is ranked in the top 2% among Gerson Lehrman Group’s 150,000 consultants worldwide and is quoted frequently in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Ad Age, Forbes and other publications. He has appeared on CNN and other TV and radio programs discussing trends and forecasts for local media. Prior to starting Borrell Associates, Gordon was vice president for new media for Landmark Communications, where he worked for 22 years. He was chairman of the Local Media Association and is a member of the executive board of the Local Media Foundation. He is married, has five children, and lives in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Sandi Brown
General Manager, JOY FM & BOOST RADIO/St. Louis

Finding and Cultivating Radio’s Future Stars

The future of radio depends on finding and developing stand-out talent. In an on-demand audio world, having personalities who connect and entertain is important now more than ever. What’s the secret to filling your lineup with pros on a limited budget? Sandi Brown, General Manager of JOY FM and BOOST RADIO in St. Louis will share their formula for spotting talent and coaching them to success. Then, you’ll hear from one of those on-air personalities who went from car salesman to PM Drive in a large market.

Sandi is really glad that her high school teacher forced her to do “Radio” in speech competitions.  Sandi originally thought that only boring geeks did radio.  That has since been confirmed.

Sandi Brown founded and leads two radio stations (JOY FM and BOOST) that reach over 450,000 people each week.  Sandi is co-host of the Morning Show on JOY FM, which is a top 5 rated radio station in St. Louis (#1 with women 25-54).

Sandi currently serves as Vice-Chair for Christian Music Broadcasters.

Sandi worked as a Creative Writer and Producer for Focus on the Family.

Sandi married “the boy next door” 33 years ago and they now have 3 kids.  Sandi’s preferred name is “Nana” to 2 redheaded toddlers.

Neal Hopson
On-Air, BOOST RADIO/St. Louis

Finding and Cultivating Radio’s Future Stars

The future of radio depends on finding and developing stand-out talent. In an on-demand audio world, having personalities who connect and entertain is important now more than ever. What’s the secret to filling your lineup with pros on a limited budget? Sandi Brown, General Manager of JOY FM and BOOST RADIO in St. Louis will share their formula for spotting talent and coaching them to success. Then, you’ll hear from one of those on-air personalities who went from car salesman to PM Drive in a large market.

Neal Hopson “Neallytime” loves to reach people for Jesus through any gift God has given him. In addition to being on radio for 6 + years now, he’s a Live DJ, Dance Choreographer, Speaker, and loves to serve at his church. Never actually using his International Business degree, he’s just decided to go with God’s flow while transitioning from a career in Tennis, to Mercedes-Benz, to BOOST RADIO. He loves laughing and spending quality time with his beautiful wife and baby girl. He collects hats & shoes, would love to one-day collect cars, and eats way too much Chipotle. He also often wonders why guac is extra.