Townsquare Media’s Kurt Johnson, KMVQ (99.7 Now) San Francisco PD Jim Archer, and WKRQ (Q102) Cincinnati PD Patti Marshall are among the latest additions to the panelists at the third annual Radiodays North America conference, to be held May 6-8 in Toronto. In addition, a 25% discount on registration has just been added for Ross on Radio readers who use promo code ROR25.
Radiodays North America is the companion to the successful and much-admired Radiodays Europe, which took place earlier this month in Athens. Speakers already announced include NPR Tiny Desk Concert host Bobby Carter, WKSC (Kiss 103.5) Chicago PD James Howard and the morning Fred Show members, and Audacy LA programmers Chris Ebbott and Alex Silverman.
Archer’s KMVQ has been one of the most successful and admired CHRs, typically outperforming the format during its travails of recent years, and continuing to lead on music, rather than merely following streaming metrics. He joins the panel “How to Do Top 40 in 2025.” Consultant Nik Goodman will lead a discussion between Archer and Sarah Cummings, content director of Bell Media, which includes CKFM (Virgin Radio) Toronto and its similarly branded sister stations throughout Canada.
Marshall’s Q102 is an Adult Top 40 that has also remained a consistent performer. She will appear on “The Art of Brand Essence,” moderated by Coleman Insights’ Warren Kurtzman, and also featuring Troy McCallum of PD Classic Hits CHBM (Boom 97.3) Toronto and Jay Stone, station manager/PD of CKNO (102.3 Now) Edmonton, the station at the heart of the “join the conversation” personality-driven version of Hot AC.
Johnson is president of local programming for Townsquare Media. That group’s success in attracting digital revenue will be the focus of “From Digital Dimes to Digital Riches,” moderated by Andrew Johnson, PD of AC CHYM/CIKZ (106.7 Country) Kitchener, Ontario.
Radiodays is being presented in conjunction with the Departure Festival + Conference — an expanded version of Canadian Music Week that adds comedy, art, and technology to the festival’s focus. RDNA attendees will also have access to departure sessions including Bryan Adams, Tegan and Sara, City and Colour’s Dallas Green, Shaggy, and Matty Matheson, the Canadian chef/restauranteur/actor who is executive producer of The Bear.
In other new RDNA panel highlights, “It’s Not You, It’s Me: Radio and the Music Industry in 2025 and Beyond” asks what the radio/record relationship should look like now, in a time when the industry sees radio’s role as “the finisher,” rather than the gatekeeper. Coleman’s Sam Milkman moderates industry veteran Abbey Konowitch, and other panelists TBA. Also, Cumulus/Westwood One’s Pierre Bouvard will be among those seeking to answer “Audience Measurement for Radio: What’s the Fix?”
Radiodays North America has just announced a special rate for Ross on Radio readers who can save 25% off conference passes by using promo code ROR25. The author will be one of six presenters at Radiodays’ “30 Ideas in 45 Minutes,” joining Goodman, podcast consultant Arielle Nissenblatt, and others to be announced for the signature closing session.
Among Radiodays North America sessions already announced in ROR:
- Tiny Desk Concerts: an NPR Phenomena – It’s the reason younger listeners (and commercial-radio programmers) are finding NPR. Host/producer Bobby Carter shares how the concerts became a powerhouse for music discovery and got 40 million views a month.
- The Fred Show – The Chicago-based morning show just added new affiliates in Norfolk, Salt Lake City, and West Palm Beach. Host Fred, teammate Hampton, and WKSC PD Howard sit down with consultant Nik Goodman to discuss the inner workings of the much-admired morning show.
- The LA Fires: Anatomy of a Natural Disaster – Broadcasters everywhere have been there for listeners in times of crisis, even when they are on the frontlines themselves. Ebbott, Silverman, and consultant/talent coach Angela Perelli talk about how Audacy’s KNX Los Angeles responded to catastrophe.
- Radio 2040 – The Cyclone Bomb – Veteran researcher/strategist John Parikhal and radio futurologist/Podnews editor James Cridland’s candid opening look at radio’s game plan for the next 5-15 years. Cridland and Corus Entertainment director of streaming and podcasting Chris “Dunner” Duncombe will also survey “AI for Radio & Podcasts: Top Tools, Tips, and Trips to Streamline Your Workflow.”
Full information about RDNA, including hotel information, is available here. Be sure to use promo code ROR25 when registering.
