SUPER PANEL AT THE SUPER-REGIONAL MEETING

Sometimes the term “super” is overused and it looses its punch. This is not true of a just-announced panel session at the Public Radio Regional Organization’s 2018 Super Regional Meeting, October 24-26 in Atlanta [link].

The panel session we are referring to is: Music Matters: Serving Curious Audiences. Using dictionary synonyms for “super,” this panel looks to be an “excellent” look at the “marvelous” growth of the Triple A music stations and the “splendid” resiliency of Classical music stations. It will be “wonderful” – really!

Abby Goldstein

For the Music Matters panel, the 2018 Super Regional has brought thought together four music format pros: 

Abby Goldstein, GM of Triple A WYEP in Pittsburgh; Jim McGuinn, PD of The Current; Brian Newhouse, Managing Director of Classical Music at Minnesota Public Radio (MPR); Mike Riksen, VP for Policy and Representation at NPR; and, Nick Kereakos, Chief Technology Officer & GM of Regional Services at Minnesota Public Radio.

As we reported on July 27^th [link], the Triple A format is now draws the third largest public radio audience, surpassing Jazz. The Classical music format has been reaching public radio’s second biggest audience for decades and continues to be a solid performer in most markets.

The Super-Regional has become one of public radio’s essential conferences by focusing on management and leadership in ways no other conference does. 

These traits are showcased in the Music Matters session on Thursday 10/25 at 2:15pm. The bottom line at the Super-Regional is the real bottom line -- making public radio stations sustainable with innovative programming, engagement with listeners and wise stewardship of often with finite budgets.

Nick Kereakos

Goldstein, McGuinn, Newhouse and Riksen appear frequently on industry panels. 

But the inclusion of Nick Kereakos on the panel shows how the Super-Regional is different from other public radio conferences. 

Managers want to hear perspectives from other managers and that is what the Super-Regional delivers.

Nick Kereakos is a “decider.” He oversees the operation of MPR’s Regional Services including MPR News, The Current, Classical Minnesota Public Radio, and APM’s national Classical programs. 

He also is responsible for MPR/APM’s technology, production, operations, technical facilities and content distribution of American Public Media.

ALSO AT THE 2018 SUPER-REGIONAL MEETING

Indira Lakshmanan

• JJ Yore, GM of WAMU and Indira Lakshmanan, Executive Editor of the Pulitzer Center for Investigative Reporting will speak at the Super-Regional’s keynote on Thursday, 10/25 at 8:15AM. 

The primary topic will be about building public trust and examining recentmedia success.

Dave Edwards

• Dave Edwards, Director and GM of News/Talk WUWM, Milwaukee, moderates the panel Public Radio News: When Less Is More on Wednesday 10/24 at 2:50pm. 

This session is for managers who want to increase their news footprint on limited budgets.

• Current’s Local That Works initiative, features presentations from the four station finalists who are competing for the most innovative local ideas to engage their communities, will be Thursday 10/25 at 3:45pm. The winning station will receive $5,000 and a Universal subscription to Current for their station. 

Presenting their entries are Annie Feidt, Senior Editor, Alaska Public Media; Ellen Rocco, Station Manager and Amy Feiereisel, Work Correspondent at North Country Public Radio in Canton, New York; David Boyer, Producer of The Intersection at KALW-FM, San Francisco; and Amy Burkett, General Manager, WTVI, PBS Charlotte.