NYS Broadcasters to Host First Annual Digital Leadership Academy May 18-19 in Westchester County, N.Y.

Conference Designed to Help Digital Sales Pros Tap Into Digital Revenue Opportunities;

Seth Godin and Other Major Digital Marketing Experts Slated to Speak

ALBANY, N.Y., April 28 /PRNewswire/ — Newspapers aren’t the only medium to be walloped by the slumping economy and competition from the Internet. All across the nation TV and radio stations are struggling to stay afloat in a climate of layoffs and cost cutting.

To help TV and radio stations reinvent themselves for success in this downturn economy, the New York State Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) has invited 30 of the state’s brightest broadcast sales professionals to a “Digital Media Leadership Academy” May 18-19 at the Doral Arrowwood Resort in Westchester County, N.Y.

“Digital revenue is a growing cash flow source in the broadcasting business right now,” said NYSBA President Joseph A. Reilly. “The goals of this conference are to cultivate our most dedicated, passionate and successful digital sales professionals into the next generation of digital sales managers and help them more effectively develop digital advertising revenue today.”

All attendees have been selected because they have sold digital media advertising (online, mobile or cross-platform packages) for a minimum of two years, or have a strong track record of selling digital media advertising over the last year.

“These individuals are key motivators for growing their station’s digital media advertising revenues,” said Reilly, whose association will pay for the training and accommodations for all attendees. “They are constantly pushing the envelope to sell more digital advertising and support their stations’ efforts beyond their required duties.”

Highlighting the event will be a keynote address on Monday from noon to 1:30 p.m. by digital marketing guru Seth Godin. The author of numerous business books and the person who helped popularize the topic of “permission” or “opt in” marketing, Godin will give a presentation entitled, “Management Strategies for a Digital World,” in which he will outline how TV and radio stations can boost their bottom line by using their infrastructure in a different way.

“The rest of our conference will be organized into a series of workshops led by top digital media experts who will provide pragmatic ideas and techniques to help take each station’s digital sales efforts to the next level,” explained Reilly. “Our experts will use the latest research and case studies to focus on the best digital advertising prospects.”

Set to take the podium Monday afternoon are Stephen Warley, founder, LocalBroadcastSales, “Matching Your Digital Capabilities with Your Clients’ Marketing Goals” (2-3:45 p.m.) and Bill Caudill, vice president of sales and training, Borrell Associates, “How to Best Approach Local Businesses About Digital Advertising” (4-5:45 p.m.).

Keynote presentations on Tuesday will be delivered by Jeff Minsky, director, emerging media platforms, OMD Digital and Greg Smith, chief operating officer, Neo@Ogilvy North America, “Working More Effectively with Digital and Interactive Advertising Agencies” (8-8:30 a.m.) and Rich Lobel, executive vice president, Altitude Group, CBS Radio and Mike Aronow, director of sales development, CBS Radio Digital Media Group, “Multi-Platform Advertising Case Studies” (10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.)

Tuesday’s final workshop (1:30-3:30 p.m.) will give attendees the opportunity to share an innovative sales concept, tool, technique or management idea that delivers tangible results to clients.

“The concept can be already in use at the station or one under consideration,” explained Reilly. “It will be the perfect opportunity to solicit feedback or share a new sales idea with the best digital sales professionals in New York state broadcasting.”

The Digital Media Leadership Academy is NYSBA’s latest program designed to help local radio and TV stations stay competitive in the weakened marketplace. Last fall the association partnered with LocalBroadcastSales.com, a new on-line and on-demand sales training site, to offer free access to 200 sales training video modules. The modules feature industry favorites like Paul Weyland (Sales 101), Ron Steiner (TV Sales), Gary Moore (Selling by Personality Style) and Stephen Warley (Web Sales). More than 100 stations in New York are currently using the on-demand sales training service.

Best Practices from NYSBA Digital Media Leadership Academy will be made available on the NYSBA Web site at www.nysbroadcasters.org. For additional information, call NYSBA at (518) 456-8888.

Founded in 1955, the NYS Broadcasters Association (NYSBA) represents the interests of more than 600 television and radio stations in the NYS Senate and Assembly, the US Congress, and various other legislative bodies. NYSBA also offers a variety of services to help the broadcasters of New York State better serve their communities. For more information, call (518) 456-8888 or go to www.nysbroadcasters.org.

SOURCE NYS Broadcasters Association