Inaugural Program a Success
The first ever Kellar Radio Farm System Institute, held at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., wrapped up July 17 amid rave reviews from both radio industry veterans and the students.
George Beasley, CEO of Beasley Broadcast Group, commented, “I was so enthused when I heard the idea of this institute that I wanted to do anything that we could possibly do to make it successful, because anything that Art [Kellar] had his hands on was always done to perfection. I’m happy that the initial institute went off like it should have.”
Phil Zachary, president of Curtis Media said, “Congratulations on a fabulous program.”
Natalie Kirby, marketing director, CBS Charlotte, said, “…such a cool program…very well organized…wonderful program you have created and it will give students an advantage heading into the real world.”
Students comments included: “I can’t wait to use the knowledge I’ve learned”; “It was the little things here and there that was the best”; “This focuses more on real world issues in radio and not just theory”; “Everyone that has made a decision to have a career in radio should participate in this institute.”
The first of its kind, the program is a farm system for future radio broadcasters designed to attract, train and create opportunity for talented students who have a passion for the broadcast industry and possible ownership. The director of the institute is one of the industry’s top consultants, Dan Vallie of Vallie Richards Donovan Consulting.
“Broadcasters at the highest level understand the importance of bringing new talent into the broadcast industry,” said Vallie. “For decades the industry has discussed the need for an organized talent development system for radio. Now, for the first time, the industry will have this program that can deliver talented, intelligent, well rounded, enthusiastic young adults qualified to enter the industry and excel in radio stations and broadcast groups across America. This program prepares students to excel in entry-level positions upon graduation and to better insure they get a start in and have a successful career in broadcasting while simultaneously filling this often voiced need in the industry.”
Seventeen students qualified for the inaugural program and were taught by industry professionals who volunteered their time and expertise to teach sessions over the 10-day event. The students applied for positions in the program and were selected by the institute’s steering committee. This first year was open to Appalachian students only, but in the future the program will expand to accept students from other schools.
The entire program was held on the Appalachian State University campus except on Thursday when all the students were bused to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C. There they spent the morning with Doug Rice, known as “the voice of NASCAR,” and president and general manager of the Performance Racing Network. In the afternoon Bill Rosinski of Westwood One and former play-by-play announcer for the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons taught a session on sports broadcasting. In between these two sessions the students were taken around the speedway at 100 mph in pace cars.
Throughout the week students were taught on various aspects of the industry including on air, programming, sales, promotions/marketing, copy writing, news writing and reporting and production. They also completed the 17 modules of the RAB sales training certification course. The sales courses were led by Heather Monahan from Miami, vice president of sales for the Beasley Broadcast Group; Dan DiLoreto, regional vice president of sales for Southwest Florida Clear Channel; Reta Thorn, media consultant, and Craig Mundy, president of Mundy Communications.
All 17 students took the quizzes passed the exam and received their RAB certification. The students included rising juniors and seniors and recent graduates who are now pursuing their first full time position in radio.
Other veterans teaching classes included James K. Flynn, national voice talent; Gail Rosenberg, senior vice president of the Catevo Group; John Dimick, vice president of programming for Lincoln Financial; Phil Zachary, president of Curtis Media; Don Anthony, chief executive officer of Talentmasters, Atlanta; Chase Murphy, program director of WFBC Greenville/Spartanburg; Mark Hamlin, operations manager for WSPA/ WGVC Greenville/Spartanburg; Bob McLain, program director for NewsRadio WORD/ WYRD Greenville Spartanburg; Danny Highsmith, regional vice president of Beasley Broadcast Group; Natalie Kirby, marketing director for CBS Charlotte; Ray Mariner, air talent for Star94 Atlanta; and Colin Hafkey, New York City- based voice talent.
Woody Allen of Allen Management Services and Mark Fratrik, vice president of BIA Financial Network, opened the event with sessions titled, “May you live in interesting times” and “Buying your first radio station” respectively.
Another unique aspect of the Kellar Radio Farm System is that each student who successfully completed the program now has the opportunity, anytime in the next 10 years, to apply to Appalachian and the Kellar Radio Farm System Institute for $50,000 in seed money for investment in radio broadcast ownership. Former broadcaster Art Kellar gave $500,000 to make it possible and to get the program underway. His vision was to see young broadcasters become entrepreneurs and get into ownership and benefit just as he did.
“If there ever was a real gentleman, a person who said ‘I’ll do this’ and who always did it, it was Art Kellar,” noted Beasley. “He was a man among men, if I might use that old cliché.”
“It is exciting and impressive that Chancellor Ken Peacock and Appalachian caught the vision and embraced this innovative concept…it’s a first in the industry,” added Vallie. “We have a great team that made this happen, led by Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts, Dr. Glenda Treadaway; Department of Communication Chair, Dr. Janice Pope; Development Officer, Greg Langdon; Department of Communication Assistant Chair, Dr. Carl Tyrie; and Department of Communication engineer, Larry Cornelison. And this is just the beginning.
“If you ever believed the myth that we can’t find young people excited about radio broadcasting, believe it no longer,” said Vallie. “The truth is there are a lot of young talents that have a passion to get into and excel in a broadcasting career. They just needed to be introduced to the industry and shown a way to get in. The future leaders of our industry are entering the business right now, and the future looks bright.”
Photos from 2007 Institute
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Top radio consultant Dan "Vallie" Hill (front, center) led 17 Appalachian State University students in the first ever Kellar Radio Farm System Institute. Twenty industry leaders served as guest faculty for the 10-day program. |
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Craig Mundy, president of Mundy Communications, taught several sessions of the RAB Sales Training certification course for the students in the Kellar Radio Farm System Institute. Students had to apply and be selected for the program. |
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Dan DiLoreto, vice president of sales for Southwest Florida Clear Channel, served as a guest faculty member at the first Kellar Radio Farm System Institute. |
