Application Now Open
The IBA Radio Talent Institute is a talent incubator in Columbia College Chicago, a private, non-profit college offering a distinctive curriculum that blends creative arts and media arts, liberal arts and business located in the heart of Chicago's Cultural Mile. This is the inaugural institute in the state of Illinois of the National Radio Talent System. The Institute brings in broadcast professionals from around the state and country to be the Guest Professional Faculty and to teach all the sessions during this intensive 10-day summer program.
College students, recent graduates, grad students, interns and part-timers at radio or TV stations may apply to be accepted into the IBA Radio Talent Institute. Once you complete the Institute, you become part of, and are highlighted to the industry in the National Radio Talent System Career Center.
The National Radio Talent System and the Radio Talent Institute is the campus-to-career connection most students need to begin their broadcast career, and the connection for broadcasters to discover and hire entry level talent today that can be the leaders in the broadcast industry tomorrow.
Here are some the the Institute highlights
- Now is the Time to Start Thinking Like a Pro
- Radio's Digital Content & Social Media
- Programming Sports Talk Radio
- How to Get In and Win
- Marketing and Promotions - Doing It Right
- Basics of Great Voice Work and Production
- Goal Setting & Time Management
- Doing It Live & Voice Tracking
- How to Get a Good Job
- How to Do A Great Talk Radio Show
- Basics of Doing a Great Music Radio Show
Sample Daily Curriculum
From a recent Kellar Radio Talent Institute
1:30pm |
Opening Comments |
Phyllis Kloda Dean
College of Fine and Applied Arts
Appalachian State University
Dr. Janice Pope
Chair and Professor
Department of Communication
Appalachian State University
Dan Vallie
Director, Kellar Radio Talent Institute
Appalachian State University
President, National Radio Talent System
Founder, Vallie-Richards-Donovan |
3:30-4:45pm |
The Digital Program Director |
Rob Whiteside
Senior Regional Digital Director
iHeartMedia Raleigh |
5:00-6:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
Evening Assignment |
RAB Training Module #1 - The Role of a Radio Marketing Consultant |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
RAB Training Module: #2 - Prospecting - Finding and Evaluating Prospects
|
Brian Grube
Director of Sales
Capitol Broadcasting, Raleigh, NC |
10:30-11:45m |
RAB Training Modules
#3 - Getting First Call Appointments
#4 - How to Conduct a Great Client Needs Analysis
|
Richard Harlow Sales Manager Dick Broadcasting Company Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC |
|
Lunch
|
|
1:00-2:15pm |
RAB Training Modules: #5 - Elements of a Good Written Proposal
#6 - The Difference between Features and Benefits
|
Jo Sanderlin Account Manager Dick Broadcasting Company Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC |
2:30=3:45pm |
RAB Training Modules:
#7 - Understanding Competitive Media |
Jim Coleman
General Sales Manager
Radio One Raleigh |
4:00-5:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
Evening Assignment |
RAB Training Modules
#8 - Why Radio
#9 - Scheduling for Success
#10 - The Role of Creative |
6:30am |
Board Bus at App State for Charlotte |
|
8:45am |
Arrive at Charlotte Motor Speedway |
|
0:00-10:30am |
The Fundamentals of Announcing
NASCAR
|
Doug Rice
President & Gen. Manager
Performance Racing Network
Gerry Horn
Senior Vice President Sales
Performance Racing Network
Kent Bernhardt
Production Director
Performance Racing Network
Alexis Erickson
Marketing & Comm. Manager
Performance Racing Network |
10:30-11:15am |
Around the track at 100 MPH |
|
|
Lunch |
|
12:45pm |
Depart Speedway for Panther Stadiumg |
|
1:15-2:15pm |
Carolina Panthers Football & Sports
Broadcasting |
Mick Mixon
Play-by-Play Announcer
NFL Carolina Panthers |
2:15-2:45pm |
Tour Stadium & Broadcast Facilities |
3:00pm |
Depart Charlotte / Return to Boone at the Speed Limit |
Evening Assignment |
RAB Training Modules:
#11 - The Best Presentations
#14 - Making Money with RAB Resources
NOTE: Modules #12 and #13 will be done during tomorrow's session. |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
RAB Training Modules:
#12 - Addressing Objections and Closings
#13 - More Sales Through Buyer Style Identification |
Pam Patton
Marketing Consultant
Beasley Broadcast Group
Fayetteville, NC |
10:30-11:45am |
Radio Video
|
Alexis Zarycki
Digital Program Director
Beasley Media Charlotte
Mark Borja
Videographer
Beasley Media Charlotte |
|
Lunch
|
|
1:00-2:15pm |
Engineering: RF & IT |
Brad Humphries
Market Dir. of Engineering
Beasley Media Charlotte
Nick Pinto
VP, Information Technology
Beasley Media Charlotte |
2:30-3:45pm |
Student to Superstar |
Bill Schoening, SVP/Market Manager
Jack Daniel, WSOC PD & WKQC On-Air Talent
Beth Nifong, General Sales Manager
Cameron Moore, WNKS Music Dir./On-Air Talent/WSOC Music Director
Leslie Baylor Promotions Director, WPEG/WBAV
John "JT" Tillman, Imaging & Production Director
Alexis Zarycki, Digital Program Director
John Reynolds, Operations Manager
|
4:00-5:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
Evening Assignment: |
RAB Training Modules:
#15 - The Fundamentals of Co-op Advertising
#16 - How to Find Alternative Revenue Sources |
6:00=9:00am |
"The Ace & TJ Show" - Broadcast Live from the George G. Beasley Media Complex |
Ace & TJ w/ Riggins & Sass
Channel 96.1
iHeartMedia, Charlotte, NC
Radio Button Network
|
9:00am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:15-10:15am |
Show Prep
|
The Ace & TJ Show |
10:30-11:45am |
RAB Training Module: Goal Setting and Time Management
|
Tim Huston
Political, Sports, Experiences
and Events
WBT AM/FM, WFNZ, WLNK
Entercom Charlotte |
|
Lunch |
|
1:00-2:00pm |
Music Scheduling - How and Why
|
John Reynolds
Operations Manager
Beasley Media, Charlotte, NC |
2:30pm |
RAB Radio Marketing Professional Certification exam |
4:00-5:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
Marketing & Promotions - Doing It Right |
Bradlee Mikeska
Promotions Director
102.9 The Lake &
Channel 96-1
IHeartMedia Charlotte |
10:30-11:45am |
Podcasting
|
Sheri Lynch
Bob and Sheri Show
107.9 The Link
Entercom Charlotte |
|
Lunch |
|
1:00-2:15pm |
How to Get a Good Job |
Don Anthony
Talentmasters
Jockline Daily
Morning Show Boot Camp
Talk Show Boot Camp Atlanta
|
2:30-3:30pm |
Air Check Sessions Master Class |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
How to Do a Great Talk Radio Show |
John Hancock
Talk Show Host
WBT Radio
Entercom Charlotte, NC |
10:30-11:45am |
Today's News Radio...Put it together and Deliver It. |
Mark Garrison
Host/Reporter
WBT News/Talk Radio
Entercom Charlotte |
|
Lunch
|
|
4:00-4:45pm |
Aircheck Sessions Master Class |
|
1:00-2:15pm |
On Air delivery, Inflection, Pacing, Communicating |
Rozak
Production & On-Air Talent
1065 The End
iHeartMedia Charlotte |
2:30-3:45pm |
Basics of Doing a Great Music Radio Show |
AJ
Regional SVP, Programming
Virginia-Carolina
Program Director, Hits 96.1,
102.9 The Lake, MY 102.5
iHeartMedia Markets Group |
4:00-5:00pm |
Air check Sessions |
|
5:00-6:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
Radio's Digital Content Creation
|
Clay Walker
Program Director
93.1 The Wolf/WPAW
Director of Digital Integration
Entercom, Greensboro, NC |
10:30-11:45am |
Basics of Great Voice Work and Production
|
John Causby
COO/Voice Over Talent
The Groundcrew Recording
Studios, Charlotte |
|
Lunch
|
|
1:00-2:15pm |
Adjusting from College to the Pros |
Josh Batson
Producer/Audio Media Services
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Charlotte, NC
Kristen Kokkelenberg
Digital Assets Manager
MIX 101.5 and That Station
Afternoon Co-Host, MIX
Capitol Broadcasting, Raleigh, NC
Christian Morgan
Assistant Music Director Greensboro Cluster
Asst. Program Dir., Rock 92
Host, Rock 92 & WKZL
Dick Broadcasting Company, Greensboro, NC |
2:30-3:45pm |
An Introduction to Radio Research |
Warren Kurtzman
President
Coleman Insights Media Research Raleigh, NC |
4:00-5:00pm |
Aircheck Sessions Master Class |
|
5:00-6:00pm |
Social Hour at Cafe Portofino with Industry Professionals |
8:45am |
Announcements and Agenda Preview |
Dan Vallie |
9:00-10:15am |
What the Program Director Looks for in You
|
Chris Edge
Area Senior VP of Programming
iHeartMedia, Raleigh, NC |
10:30-11:45am |
What You Have to Know to be the Program Director |
Jeff Anderson
Operations Manager
92.7 The Block, 105.3 RNB & Praise 100.9
Radio One Charlotte |
|
Lunch
|
|
1:00-2:15pm |
Getting in, Becoming an Entrepreneur
|
Kerby Confer
Forever Media Fort Mill, SC |
2:30-3:00pm |
Closing Comments
|
Aimee Abel
Institutes Director National Radio Talent
System Charlotte, NC |
Guest Instructors
Clay Ables
Sports Broadcaster
ACC Network Extra & SEC Network Plus
Ables Production
Don Anthony
Publisher, Morning Mouth Magazine and Jockline
Creator & Host, Morning Show Boot Camp and Talk Radio Boot Camp
Founder & President, Talentmasters
Atlanta, GA
Alan Austin
Program Director & Afternoon Host
WBVR-FM
Forever Communications
Bowling Green, KY
Kelly Bradshaw
Air Personality
NASH FM 103.3 WKDF
Cumulus Media
Nashville, TN
Barbara Bridges
Program Director
Mix 92.9 WJXA
Nashville, TN
Frequently Asked Questions
The IBA Radio Talent Institute is an intense 10-day program held on the campus of Columbia College in Chicago in partnership with the Illinois Broadcasters Association and National Radio Talent System.
National Radio Talent System is the only program of its kind in the world. It’s a system of Radio Talent Institutes on college campuses across America. Its mission is to discover, coach and nurture entry-level talent for the industry.
National Radio Talent System brings over 30 radio professionals to the IBA Radio Talent Institute to teach interactive sessions. Over the ten days you will personally learn from them, meet, mingle, and network with them. It could take years to meet and build relationships with this many broadcasters otherwise. Broadcast professionals from almost every aspect of the radio industry lead sessions; on-air, sales, digital, sports, news, production, management, marketing, programming, social media, etc.
After completion of the IBA Radio Talent Institute, you are highlighted on the National Radio Talent System website to broadcasters regionally and nationally. 70% of students who attend a Radio Talent Institute get their first job in broadcasting after graduation.
YES. You don’t have to choose one or the other. To date, every radio station has allowed their interns to break away from the internship for ten days to participate in Radio Talent Institutes.
College students, recent graduates, grad students, interns and part-timers at radio or TV stations are welcomed and accepted from all universities in the state and region. A total of 25 students are accepted on a rolling acceptance, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances.
The National Radio Talent System provides a “Certificate of Completion” from the IBA Radio Talent Institute and a “Radio Marketing Professional” certification from the Radio Advertising Bureau.
A $395 Registration fee is paid after you are notified of acceptance, and that cost includes a meal card for lunch to use during the 10 days. Housing, if needed, is available on campus for an extra fee.
Yes. You may cancel your registration and request a refund for the IBA Institute at Columbia College in Chicago, IL by May 5th, 2023.
About The National Radio Talent System
Initially developed by NRTS Founder Dan Vallie, the unique hands-on and immersive program enables students to participate in sessions, that included such topics as on-air delivery, sports, news, promotions, production, podcasting, engineering, digital and sales, as well as complete the RAB Radio Marketing Professional certification course.
Since acquiring the talent system in 2020, RAB has assembled an NRTS Board Committee chaired by Seven Mountain Media's Kristin Cantrell and an NRTS Alumni Advisory Council focused on helping the organization develop and plan for future institutes, recruiting new talent into broadcast radio, and fostering engagement between broadcasters and institute graduates.
The National Radio Talent System, a division of the Radio Advertising Bureau, (RAB) produces Radio Talent Institutes on college campuses across America. It is the first and only program of its kind in the world, discovering and preparing the next generation of broadcasters.
About The Illinios Broadcasters Association
The Illinois Broadcasters Association's Foundation with support from the Association's Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland Committee is the sponsor responsible for making the IBA Radio Talent Institute possible in Illinois. Dennis Lyle, President, and CEO of the IBA and IBA Foundation stated, "Can anyone think of a better time than now to showcase the many rewarding opportunities a career in radio can provide? We are thrilled Columbia College has stepped forward to host our first-ever Illinois base Institute. After all, Columbia is the alma mater of many of today's most successful broadcast professionals including Salem Media Group's CEO David Santrella, TV's Wheel of Fortune's Pat Sajak, and a plethora of other grads working around the country and at IBA member stations like WGN Radio's Chris Boden, Chicago's ESPN Radio's Carmen DeFalco, Rock 95.5's Abe Kanan, WGN-Radio and TV's Dean Richards, and KISS'FM Chicago's Erik Zachary, and IBA Board Vice-Chair/Television, Kevin Cross, President/GM of NBC5/Telemundo Chicago, to name a few.
Our Mission
The IBA Radio Talent Institute attracts, trains and creates opportunity for talented, enthusiastic and well educated young adults who have a passion for the broadcast industry. College students, recent graduates, grad students, interns and part-timers at radio or TV stations work through an intensive 10-days to bring them to a better understanding of each aspect of the industry, including on-air, programming, writing, news, sports and sales; all students also participate in RAB training and take the exam to earn their Radio marketing Professional Certification.
The IBA Radio Talent Institute prepares the students to excel in entry-level positions upon their graduation, and better ensures they get a start in and have a successful career in broadcasting.
Part of the goal is to prepare students, along with their Liberal Arts education, to the point that they can walk into a professional radio station environment and not only be comfortable, but to excel in every area of the business, from on-air to programming to sales to management ... we expect no less than to prepare a future generation of broadcast leaders.
We look to attract the brightest of the brightest students to bring fresh talent into the industry who can contribute to make the industry even more dynamic.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding applying or need assistance in any way, please don't hesitate to contact us directly.