PUBLIC RADIO CONTENT CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES KEYNOTE SPEAKER, MORE SESSSIONS

Nancy Lyons

Final preparations are underway for the PRPD Public Radio Content Conference (PRCC) August 26 – 29 at the City Center Marriott in Minneapolis. Registration and complete information is available here.

This year's keynote speaker is Nancy Lyons. 

She will be speaking about how people and organizations change outdated mindsets to embrace the immense changes and the vast opportunities in the digital era.

Lyons will explain her “people-first” approach to adapting to digital transformation. 

She is nationally recognized for her role as owner and CEO of Clockwork. Lyons is co-author of the book Interactive Project Management: Pixels, People, and Process and the author of the upcoming book Work Like a Boss.

Other newly announced PRCC sessions have been announced but days and times are yet to be finalized.  Topics include:

• Five Things You Can Do To Make Your Station Sound Better Next Week

Holy takeaway – this is important. 

Programmers and content creators are busier than ever before but it is imperative they take care of the basics of mass communication. 

The panel discusses time-proven methods to improve air sound, maximize companion platforms and employ new technology such as smart speakers.

• Your Digital Stream, Your Station’s Future

A station’s digital infrastructure is a vital component in its audience service and sustainability strategy. Streams, smart speakers, apps, metadata, platform relationships, product development and the staff and budget to execute are all the elements that come together to make your station a viable choice for a digitally savvy audience.

• Research, Relevance, and Racial Bias: The Case for Culturally Relevant Newsrooms

A recent survey of Minnesota media professionals found that a majority of journalists have never received employer-sponsored unconscious bias training. In this session speakers include Linda Miller, MPR’s Director of Network Journalism and Inclusion; Cecilia Stanton-Adams, MPR’s Director of Culture and Inclusion; and Andi Egbert, Senior Research Associate at the APM Research Lab.

• Accessibility, Inclusion and the Power of Music

This will be the closing session of the PRCC on Thursday 8/29 at 11:45am.

Gaelynn Lea gained national attention when she won NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest is 2016. Her unique mix of haunting original songs and traditional fiddle tunes captivates audiences worldwide. In addition to performing and recording, she speaks passionately about disability rights and accessibility in the arts. Andrea Swensson, host of “The Local Show” on The Current speaks with Gaelynn Lea about her career her music and how public radio changed her life.  Lea  will also perform.

Previously announced sessions include:

• Voice Coaching for Producers and Managers

NPR’s Jessica Hansen will host a workshop for managers of content creators and voice  talent. Hansen is NPR’s in-house voice coach and she is voice of NPR's funding credits. Her appearance at past PRCC’s have been called “insanely popular.” Hansen also consults voice talent at NPR, member stations, corporate groups and professional theatre companies. Hansen has appeared on NBC's Parks & Recreation and on HBO's Veep.

• Public Radio Tech Survey 2019

Consultant, blogger, researcher and PRPD board member Fred Jacobs presents results from PRTS 2019. 

The survey is now in the field. It probes thousands of public radio listeners about their use of various media platforms and devices.   

PRTS 2019 also provides listener perceptions of NPR and NPR-member stations plus trends in use of mobile and social media.

Coming Soon: Sessions for Music Stations, 2020 Election Coverage and Format Meetings