APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN! Take a huge step toward starting your career in On Air, Podcasting, Streaming, Audio Production, News/Talk, Sports, Social Media, Sales, Marketing, Promotions and more!
The Kentucky Broadcast Association Radio Talent Institute™ at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY creates opportunities for new and emerging careers in media. It is truly an incubator of well-rounded, well-educated college students, or recent graduates with a passion for media and a determination to get into the business.
The National Radio Talent System™ is made up of multiple talent Institutes at colleges and universities throughout the United States. Each institute brings in industry professionals from around the country as Guest Speakers who bring their real-world knowledge to this intensive 6-day summer program.
The KBA Radio Talent Institute™ at UK is the campus-to-career connection most students need to begin their broadcast career, each not only learning from the dozens of pros but are able to network with them individually. This proves invaluable, as most will otherwise never have such an opportunity to meet and speak with these professionals. Likewise, these pros already have an introduction to these students who are available for open positions.
Upon completion of the institute, students will further their networking opportunities with access the National Radio Talent System's Career Center. This is where those in the industry are able to discover and hire NRTS graduates, who very likely, will be tomorrow's industry leaders.
Here are some of the Institute highlights (See Curriculum for more)
- 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
- Music Scheduling: How & Why
- Sales & Marketing
Sample Daily Curriculum
*Subject to change*
| 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 |
|
| 10:00-10:30am |
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 Stadium |
|
| 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 |
Industry Pros Speaking at KBA Radio Talent Institute
* Info coming soon *
KBA Radio Talent Institute Students Say It Best!
* Info coming soon *
Frequently Asked Questions
The KBA Radio Talent Institute is an intense 6-day program held on the campus of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY in partnership with the Kentucky Broadcast 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 the next generations of professionals in the industry.
National Radio Talent System brings over 30 radio professionals to the KBA 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 KBA 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 KBA Radio Talent Institute and a “Radio Marketing Professional” certification from RAB.
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 6 days. Housing, if needed, is available on campus for an extra fee.
Yes. You may cancel your registration and request a refund for the KBA Talent Institute by April 15th, 2025.
Our Underwriters
The Kentucky Broadcasters Association (KBA) provides, promotes and facilitates educational opportunities in the broadcast industry through scholarships and grants, preserves the history of broadcasting and facilitates research and career development opportunities in the broadcast industry.
Kentucky Broadcasters Association Members:
OFFICERS:
- Chris Winke, President & CEO
- Mike Tarter, Vice President
- Julie Milam, Board Chair
- Ken Selvaggi, Chair-Elect
- Tom McMakin, Past-Chair
DISTRICT DIRECTORS:
- Charlie Baglan
- Jordan Basham
- Tim Coles
- Ed Henson
- Jeff Hoover
- Beth Mann
- Lynn Martin
- Troy Miles
|
- Ethan Moore
- Jim Moore
- Chris Mossman
- John O'Brien
- Randy Thompson
- Julie Schmidt
- Dale Thornhill
- Kelly Wallingford
|
