Inaugural MBA Radio Talent Institute Begins in MO

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, July 31, 2017 | 1:26am CT

The Missouri Broadcasters Association, with additional support from seven broadcast groups, are making it possible for students from nine different universities in the state and region to converge on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University for ten intense days of total immersion in radio broadcasting. As they follow their desire to pursue a career in broadcasting, these students will learn from over 30 radio pros teaching sessions in their areas of expertise.

The MBA Radio Talent Institute is the first Radio Talent Institute in the Midwest. Missouri Broadcasters Association President Mark Gordon stated, "This was made possible by the financial commitments from Northwest Missouri State University, the Missouri Broadcasters Board of Directors and broadcast companies that include: Hubbard Radio/St Louis, Eagle Communications/St. Joseph, Emmis Communications/St. Louis, Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group of Mid Missouri/Columbia-Jefferson City and iHeartMedia/St. Louis, Springfield, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Davenport along with Cumulus Media/Kansas City, Columbia, Jefferson City and Mid-West Family Broadcasting/Springfield."

Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group President John Zimmer opened the Institute with "Now is the Time to Start Thinking like a Pro." Cromwell Broadcasting President Bud Walters will present the final session ten days later. Additionally, students will travel to the Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph for a session on sports broadcasting from Chiefs Play-by-Play announcer Mitch Holthus. The field trip will continue in Kansas City with a Play-by-Play session from the Royals' Denny Matthews. Kansas City's Taylor and Brady Morning Show from KZPT-FM (99.7 The Point) will broadcast live from the Institute on Friday morning.

Students participating in the MBA Radio Talent Institute are from Northwest Missouri State, Truman State, University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-Columbia, Drury University, Evangel University, Missouri Southern, College of the Ozarks, and Oklahoma State. All students will attend sessions, including on-air music radio, news and sports, as well as digital/social media, production, promotion, sales, engineering, programming, management and all things radio. Part of their curriculum includes certification as Radio Marketing Professionals by RAB.

National Radio Talent System Founder and President Dan Vallie commented, "The passion and commitment from Mark and the MBA is very impressive, along with the broadcasters partnering with us to make this happen. It's an example of their passion for and love of the industry. We need technology, but it's always people who make the difference. The young broadcasters we discover and nurture in the MBA Radio Talent Institute are talent we can hire today and who can be leaders tomorrow."