Check out the brand new Radio Talent Intitute
We look forward to you joining us for the IBA Radio Talent Institute at Columbia College, Chicago June 20th - 29th, 2023.

 

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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.



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