Second Annual MBA Radio Talent Institute Begins Monday

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, July 29, 2018

Chiefs play-by-play announcer Mitch Holthus

Young talent from eleven different universities converge on the campus of Northwest Missouri State University Monday to pursue their dreams of a radio career. The Missouri Broadcasters Association, with additional support from eight broadcast groups, are making it possible. Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group President John Zimmer opens the Institute with "Now is the Time to Start Thinking like a Pro," while NAB Senior Advisor John David presents the closing session in ten days.

On Friday morning, Westwood One's syndicated Zach Sang will be there to do his show with the students as his live studio audience. Sang is on CHR KCHZ-FM (95.7 The Vibe)/Kansas City. Students will also 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, then to Kaufman Stadium for a session with Keith Kowalski of the Kansas City Royals.

Two of the students from last year's MBA Radio Talent Institute are now working professionally in Missouri: Ashlea Schmitz as an Account Executive at Eagle Communications in St Joseph, MO and Bryan Ebbrecht as the Production Director for Midwest Family in Springfield, MO. They both return to the Institute this year as professionals talking to students on how to make the transition from college to the pros.

Mark Gordon, President of the Missouri Broadcasters Association, 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, Zimmer Radio and Marketing Group of Mid Missouri/Columbia-Jefferson City, iHeartMedia/St. Louis, Springfield, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Davenport, Cumulus Media/Kansas City, Columbia and Jefferson City, Alpha Media of Missouri, Union Broadcasting/Kansas City and Mid-West Family Broadcasting/Springfield."

Students participating in the MBA Radio Talent Institute are from University of Missouri, Lindenwood University, Truman State, Wichita State, Columbia College Chicago, Lincoln University, University of Central Missouri, Grand View University, Southwest Baptist University, Fort Hays State and, of course, Northwest Missouri State University. All students will attend all the sessions, including music radio, news and sports, as well as digital/social media, production, promotion, sales, engineering, programming, management and all things radio. Part of the curriculum includes certification as a Radio Marketing Professionals by RAB.

Founder and President of the National Radio Talent System, Dan Vallie, commented, "To have so many students from so many different universities is a tribute to Mark and the MBA and their efforts as we work together to discover and prepare young talent for the industry. These are the talent we will be hiring now and will be the leaders in our industry tomorrow."