Welcome Address

Presentation

Podcast executive and sometimes-host Laura Mayer (“Shameless Acquisition Target”) charts her path from being a child listening to WBEZ in Chicago, to becoming a somewhat unlikely podcast executive — with many surprising pit stops along the way. In this presentation she’ll talk through spotting opportunity, attempting to take it, trying to wrench success from failure and vice versa, and how you (yes you!) can learn to spot opportunities and take action in your own career (and avoid her pitfalls).

In Conversation With

Podcasting is over two decades old, and a lot of those years have been spent focusing on a familiar notion of what podcasting is, and who can thrive in the industry. But more and more young people are entering the space and making names for themselves, and that means the entire industry is destined for change. In this session, Gen Z podcaster, Carlos of the Jumpers Jump Podcast is joined on stage by Canadian podcasting writer, Kattie Laur, to discuss how young people are thinking about podcasting, “influencing”, Youtube, and how their podcast found over 15 million followers across their platforms.

Moderated by: Kattie Laur (Award-Winning Freelance Podcast Producer and Writer)

 

Presentation

Unfortunately, most podcasts don’t reach the levels of impact and notoriety their creators hope for—and it seems like it is getting harder and harder to achieve broad success. Yet most creators don’t realize that many of the reasons their podcast didn’t succeed were already set in place before the first episode was even posted. In this session, veteran podcast creator and executive Eric Nuzum walks through some of the most common causes for podcast failure—and shares what you can do early on to avoid some common pitfalls.

You’ve created a brilliant podcast, built up a following and you’re ready to reach a whole new audience through a bigger, more established network. How do you make the jump? What do you need to know, and who do you need to talk to? Is it worth it? What are the trade-offs and potential pitfalls? In this candid conversation, Kristi Lee (Canadian True Crime), Falen Johnson and Leah Simone-Bowen (Secret Life of Canada) share what it took for them to break through.

Presentation

Creators have access to many different business models. This session explains what those models are, how they interact with third party partners, and which you might consider, given the kind of creative you are.

Presentation

Podcast distribution is expanding rapidly on YouTube. Friends with podcasts or creating podcasts reach out asking, "Will uploading on YouTube decrease my audio numbers? Why should I consider YouTube as a platform to upload my podcast?" We'll dive into those questions - and yours - and share observations and insights on the growth of podcasts on YouTube.

Panel Discussion

Moderated By: James Cridland (Editor (Podnews) & Radio Futurologist Podnews)

Open to all Podcast Power Up delegates to mingle and network.

(Featured Keynote) Lorna Clarke is Director of Music at the BBC and is responsible for BBC Radio’s music strategy, whilst overseeing the portfolio of five national popular music networks, as well as Live Events, all music television commissioning, and the Visualisation team.

In this keynote session, Lorna will set out the BBC’s approach to the changing nature of audio consumption, and the role linear music radio may play in the future.

How has the radio adapted to the popularity of streaming music services? What music do audiences want on both radio & television, and how do broadcasters like the BBC continue to work closely with the music industry to create impactful moments?

These, and many more topics besides, will be discussed in this rare opportunity to hear directly from one of the UK’s most senior music and media executives at Radiodays North America.

Moderated By: Julie Adam (Executive Vice President & General Manager, Universal Music Canada)

(Track 1) Keynote Presentation

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) and Gen Z are becoming pivotal forces in shaping consumer behavior, the radio, music, and streaming industries stand at a transformative crossroads. This keynote session, led by Matt Britton—a renowned AI &  Gen Z expert —dives into the dynamic interplay between AI innovations and the unique preferences of Gen Z. Discover how these elements are not just influencing trends but are actively sculpting a new landscape for audio entertainment and advertising.

 

(Track 2) In Conversation

She’s experienced the highs and lows of the podcast business, and continues to operate at the top of her game. As an investigative journalist, Connie Walker has delved deep into complex, delicate – and sometimes personal – stories around Indian Residential Schools, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, and the Sixties Scoop. Last year, she won both a Pulitzer Prize and a Peabody Award for her powerful investigative podcast “Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s.” A few months later, Spotify laid her off and canceled her critically-acclaimed show. In this on-stage interview with Falen Johnson, Connie shares her thoughts on the power of podcasting to tell intimate stories, and where the podcast business is headed.

 

(Track 1) Roundtable Discussion

Consider this your invitation to "Hire AI Today."    Uncover how integrating artificial intelligence into your radio brand can lead to improved processes, increased productivity, and innovative solutions. Our panelists, Matt Britton and Zack Zalon, will share insights on how AI can be a valuable ally, helping you stay ahead in the competitive landscape.

Moderated By: Josie Dye (CHUM 104.5 FM)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: LEANSTREAM

(Track 2) Master Class

Join us for a master class in asking great questions and making sure you get great answers. CBC Radio's Matt Galloway and Virgin/iHeart Radio's Shannon Burns have each done hundreds of interviews...they'll share their secrets on how to prep for both the big and small ones (including choosing the perfect first question) and also how to react in the moment when things go sideways.

Moderated By: Alison Broddle (Senior Director, Audio and Podcasting, CBC)

(Track 1) Presentation

Each year new tools are popping up all the time for radio and podcasting and 2024 is no different.

Radio futurologist James Cridland demonstrates some of the latest tools that could save you time and effort, and allow you and your team to concentrate on making great radio.

Come, Listen and Learn!

 

(Track 2) Panel Discussion  

Join us for "Radio and the Dashboard," where we will delve into how Radioplayer collaborates with car companies and radio manufacturers to ensure radio remains a central feature in the dashboard. This session will highlight Radioplayer's efforts in providing reliable, authenticated metadata feeds for connected cars, developing hybrid 'smart radio' designs with car companies, and integrating apps and voice functionalities such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and more ....

Learn how these initiatives are shaping the future of in-car radio experiences.

Moderated By: Shawn Smith (Country Manager, Radioplayer Canada)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: RADIOPLAYER

(Track 1) Presentation and Panel Discussion

Classic Hits, Classic Rock, and stations playing the throwback hits of the ‘90s and 2Ks are currently among radio’s most successful, not just for the listeners who grew up with those songs, but also for the many younger listeners who choose radio today. How do Classic Hits stations evolve and stay fresh, particularly at a time when current-based stations are playing more of the same songs?

(Track 2)

(Track 1)

Join this session to hear what the latest research says about radio’s strengths. Edison Research’s Senior Director of Research Gabriel Soto and Signal Hill Insights’ Senior Research Director Matt Hird will address how radio can promote digital as part of the strategy (not the enemy), how the in-car environment remains ideal for reaching listeners, how Gen Z is using radio, and what listeners say radio does better than other types of audio.

(Track 2) Panel Discussion

Podcast listening continues to grow in Canada and the U.S., alongside ad revenue. All indicators are that podcasting has a future. Our panelists will help you understand how bright that future looks right now, and where the opportunities lie. From content and IP to the business of podcasting, they'll provide perspectives on how to think about and engage with the medium.

Moderated By: Paul Riismandel (Chief Insights Officer/Partner, Signal Hill Insights)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: SIGNAL HILL INSIGHTS

(Track 1) Special Talent Presentation 

In 2023 Fletch, Vaughan and Hayley from NZME in New Zealand were responsible for the biggest viral moment on radio - “Girl Maths”.

What started as a fun morning show stunt turned into a world-wide phenomenon thanks to social media and Tik Tok. This is more than just a session on a successful morning show feature. Craig Bruce will tell the story of how it started on the air, how it was seeded online, how it was picked up and blown by the Tik Tok algorithms.  You’ll get a 360-degree view of Girl Math, from inside the show, the radio station and the algorithms that powered it. The Girl Math equation is simple - you do not need a million followers to catch fire on social media, you just need the right idea.

In a world where our marketing resources and promotional support is decreasing by the minute, there are still opportunities for brands and shows to break through and get talked about. The key to this story is that virality is free.

(Track 2)

As the population in North America becomes more diverse, organizations must attract new audiences. Knowing the population is more diverse than what we can hear in our program, How can we produce content that better represents the concerns and realities of people from diverse backgrounds? Is it only through the hiring of headliners, or should more targeted initiatives be considered? And how to support employees from diverse backgrounds? In some cases, there are so few representatives of diversity that they feel a huge weight on their shoulders.In this session, the exchanges are frank and unfiltered and the objective is to find sincere avenues that work to increase the voices of diversity on the air. We want to hear concrete examples where diversity is integrated and not just on the surface.

Moderated By: Philippe Fehmiu, Host at ICI Musique

(Track 1) Presentation

Paige Nienaber, internationally acclaimed promotion guru, is going to stimulate your creative juices in this fast-paced session that will get you thinking and looking for something that hasn’t been done before. It’s all about ideas. It's about getting people talking. Whoever has the best ideas usually wins. It’s what’s between the songs that make’s all the difference in competitive battles.

(Track 2) Case Study

Hear firsthand from Head of Research at Commercial Radio and Audio of Australia, John Musgrove, about the philosophies and practices that power a thriving radio industry in Australia. Ronnie Stanton, Chief Content Officer of Virgin Radio International, sits down with John to talk with him about CRA’s outlook, how an industry body has worked together for success, what other international markets might be able to implement, and what he thinks other countries might be doing better than Australia. You won’t want to miss this one-on-one session that promises to deliver invaluable insights!

Open to all Radiodays North America delegates.  Your chance to talk and mingle among industry peers from here and around the world in the beautiful atrium at Corus Quay, just a short 5 minute walk down the street along the waterfront. Food and refreshments and a special musical performance await you!

Located in foyer of expo area.  Hope to see you there!

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: WIDEORBIT

(Track 1) Panel Discussion

One of the fastest growing distributors of podcasts is YouTube. Hear from YouTube Canada's head of podcasting the best way of reaching new audiences and get tips from a leading podcast producer on how to get your work noticed.

Moderated By: Tanya Springer (Senior Manager, CBC Podcasts)

(Track 2) Panel Discussion

News professionals have a contradiction to deal with. There’s no question that news fatigue is real, yet audiences still rely on news radio outlets as trusted sources of news and information when they want and need it. Radio has the opportunity to offer balanced coverage and storytelling that fulfills its purpose to keep the public informed without adding to their fatigue. In this session, we’ll explore ways to face this contradiction head on.

Moderated By: Abby Goldstein (President & Executive Director, PMCC)

Panel Discussion

Does the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) understand the complexities of today's media offerings? What is the future of media in the new world? And what does the “Modernization of the Canadian Broadcasting Act” really mean? And how will this impact on the definition of Canadian Content?  Never has the broadcast industry faced such enormous questions in a new globalized world and the role of the regulator with its policies and decisions is in the driver’s seat.  This panel will help frame the issues and discuss a road map for the future of the industry.

Moderated By:  Rita Cugini (Senior Communication Industries Expert, Former CRTC Commissioner)

Panelists:

(Track 1) Interactive Discussion

Benchmarks, or regular features, form the backbone of many successful shows, providing consistency and quality entertainment every single day. Some benchmarks even become the main reason listeners tune into a show! So how do you build a great benchmark? What are the key ingredients that you should use, and how do you develop ideas that will become real appointments to listen over time?

Our team of experts will ‘lift the lid’ on how benchmarks really work, deconstructing some of the most popular ones around, and give you a toolkit to develop your own fresh concepts. Expect lots of ideas and plenty of examples of the best benchmarks on radio right now!

Moderated By: Nik Goodman (Director, Bounce)

(Track 2) Panel Discussion

In this age of increased media choice, most daily talk and morning radio show content is missed by 90% of their biggest fans, their P1 listeners.  More and more broadcasters are rethinking how to effectively re-shape broadcast content to podcasts that retain, harvest and build listeners.  We’ll show you how Fabiola Carletti, Digital Coordinating Producer for CBC Podcasts, Shem Parkinson, Executive Producer, The Roz and Mocha Morning Show, and Jeremy Sinon, VP Digital Products and Strategy, Hubbard Broadcasting are advancing broadcast to podcast techniques.

Moderated By: Steve Goldstein (CEO Amplifi Media & Adjunct Professor, NYU)

(Track 1)

How to get from survive to thrive? As advertisers increasingly shift to digital platforms, radio brands have the opportunity to merge brand marketing with performance marketing for long-term sustainability.

Imagine if radio not only monetised audio ads and branded content but also utilised data through smart activation and building a digital ecosystem. This not only yields audience insights but also enhances your appeal to sponsors.

Audio stands as a powerful tool for brand marketing and a robust asset for performance marketing. Join our session to delve into the strategy, creation, and activation of audio branding assets. Discover how to effectively reach, engage, and convert your audience on every touchpoint.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: PURE JINGLES



 

(Track 2) Panel Discussion

Join us for a riveting conversation with current and future Trailblazers in our industry addressing the importance of fostering and mentoring the next generation of talent.  Learn from our broadcast leaders their practices that encourage growth development and the proven benefits for companies when investing in women.

Decades of studies from McKinsey & Harvard Business Review and others,  show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication and improve fairness.

You do not want to miss this panel!

Moderated By: Amanda Cupido (Founder, Lead Podcasting)



 

*Separate ticketed event*

On behalf of the Radiodays North America conference, we thank those who have pre-purchased tickets to join us at our exclusive Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon.

This separate ticketed event will acknowledge and celebrate three individuals in the Canadian broadcast industry with the presentation of the Rosalie Award, The Hall of Fame Award and The Lifetime Achievement Award.

A seated, served lunch will give attendees and executives a chance to connect and network with one another in a relaxed setting. The Broadcast Industry Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon is open to the general broadcast industry and friends alike.

We look forward to hosting you to honour this year’s esteemed recipients.

Host:  Myles Galloway, Host of iHeart Radio Nights, The Weekender, iHeart Radio, Virgin Radio

Purchase your ticket here by May 15, 2024.

 

(Track 1) Panel Discussion

We’ve always been “stitching” and “dueting” in the audio space, it just had a different label.

Together, Tik Tok, Radio and Podcasting are a superpower ecosystem of brand awareness, transparency and authenticity. This panel features the innovators harnessing new media to connect with listeners and attract a new audience to the audio space, including former Canadian Music Week Young Broadcasters of the Year Shannon Burns, the host of middays on Virgin Radio Canada, and Lauren Hunter, who helms afternoon drive on SONiC 102.9 Edmonton.

Moderated By: Shannon Burns (Content Creator | Midday Radio Host, Virgin Radio/iHeart Media)

AI software has become a go-to tool for categorizing content – helping advertisers quickly figure out what content is and isn’t “brand safe.” But these artificial intelligence tools rely on keywords and don’t understand context (at least, not yet). They disproportionately flag content from marginalized podcasters – including Black, Latinx and 2SLGBTQ+ creators – and make it difficult for advertisers to reach these smaller, but highly engaged, niche audiences. And this may be just the tip of the AI iceberg. Angel Livas of the ALIVE Podcast Network has a cautionary tale about the hidden inequities of AI, and the leading-edge work being done to turn things around.

Moderated By: Ruth Zowdu (Senior Managing Director of Ontario, CBC News)

(Track 1) Presentation and Q&A

Having successfully worked with multiple youth media brands in Australia, Emily will reflect on the challenges and opportunities that come with catering to an audience which feels overlooked by traditional media. She will also discuss the insights which led to the creation of CADA in 2022, a multi-platform audio offering with a diverse line up of talent who are shaping music culture, rather than traditional radio broadcasters.

Moderated By: Ronnie Stanton (Chief Content Officer, Virgin Radio International)

(Track 2)

Real-time metrics for over-the-air broadcast listening in vehicles are here. Xperi has launched DTS AutoStage across North America with Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes, Tesla, Lincoln, Nissan, Ford, and BMW. In an industry-first, radio broadcasters now have access to real-time in-vehicle listening metrics for stations. These metrics are available TODAY for FREE.  Join this session to understand more about how we are enhancing the in-vehicle listening experience for listeners and how you can gain unique insights into your audiences.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

(Track 1) Workshop

Join Zack Zalon in a hands-on session where we use AI to create a radio station together. Discover how AI can enhance your programming, workflow, and productivity in a fun and interactive way.

 

(Track 2) Live Taping

This special live taping of the CBC program/podcast Unreserved,  hosted by Rosanna Deerchild, explores the challenges and successes of Indigenous voices on radio airwaves and podcasts.

Indigenous creators discuss how they’ve helped transform audio spaces over the past 10 years – from the struggle to highlight language, customs and music, to moving beyond the often painful stories of Canada's dark history to include stories of resilience and joy.

 

Get ready to ignite your creativity in a whirlwind of inspiration! Join us for the ever-popular '30 Ideas in 45 Minutes'.
Nik Goodman presents a turbocharged session featuring great speakers from across the conference.
They’ll be a rapid-fire barrage of practical, game-changing ideas to take away, which will stay with you long after the conference ends!

Moderated By: Nik Goodman (Director, Bounce)

This hit panel provides a “behind the curtain” look and insights into the process of pitching a new single. The top promoters in the land will  play a new song, make a pitch, and a panel of radio programmers will provide honest feedback – will it be a fit for their station? The next big smash? Or will  feelings get hurt? Join us to find out.

Moderated By: Sean Ross (Author, Ross on Radio)

BROUGHT TO YOU BY: YANGAROO