The use of AI in the broadcasting space, podcasting, and diversity and inclusion are among the topics Radiodays North America is doubling down on as the audio industry gets set to gather for the second edition of the conference, June 2-4 in Toronto during Canadian Music Week (CMW).
Among the big names set to address this year’s gathering are BBC Director of Music Lorna Clarke, radio futurologist James Cridland, Magnificient Noise co-founder Eric Nuzum, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Connie Walker, ABC News’ Director of Podcast Programming Laura Mayer, Audacy Format VP for Rhythmic AC Skip Dillard, and Virgin Radio International Chief Programmer Ronnie Stanton, among many others.
The inaugural Podcast Power-up Summit will set the tone for this year’s conference, a separate ticketed event featuring sessions ranging from Getting Your Indie Podcast Signed to The Next Generation of Podcasting with Gen Z podcasters Carlos Juico and Gavin Ruta of the Jumpers Jump Podcast, which boasts 15 million followers across their platforms.
Podcasting will also carry over into the main conference, including a Broadcast to Podcast panel discussion featuring 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, moderated by Amplifi Media CEO Steve Goldstein.
CBC Radio host Rosanna Deerchild will record an episode of Unreserved live at Radiodays North America, exploring the challenges and successes of Indigenous voices on radio airwaves and podcasts. Connie Walker, the Pulitzer Prize and Peabody award-winning host of Gimlet Media’s Stolen, will also be featured in conversation with Falen Johnson, host of CBC Podcasts’ Secret Life of Canada.
Future of radio
One of the themes being carried over from Radiodays Europe this year is the use and possibilities of AI in the broadcast space.
Zack Zalon, CEO of AI-powered radio management platform Super Hi-Fi, will lead a hands-on session using AI to create a radio station, focused on programming, workflow, and productivity.
Matt Britton, founder and CEO of consumer intelligence platform Suzy, will deliver a keynote on the interplay between AI innovation and the unique preferences of Gen Z and how that’s shaping consumer behaviour, along with the radio, music, and streaming industries. Following the keynote, Britton and Zalon will discuss AI, its opportunities and pitfalls.
Radio’s success in Australia, the popularity of Oldies-based formats and keeping them fresh, and an address from CRTC Chairperson Vicky Eatrides – the first commission chair to appear at CMW since the early 1990s – are among other conference highlights.
Conference programming lead Ross Davies says this year’s event will offer forward-thinking insight into innovation that programmers can take back to their stations.
“I go back to why I got involved with this in the first place and I feel our industry in North America is sadly lacking on professional development and innovation and forward-thinking,” Davies told Broadcast Dialogue. “We’re so busy trying to meet the bottom line that we forget about that and have lost some momentum. When you look at what Europe is doing, they’re way ahead of us. We need to bring that enthusiasm and innovation back to North America…I think we need our broadcasters, podcasters, anyone involved in the audio business, re-engaged, energized and find ways to maintain and grow their business.”
Davies adds that the event has taken steps to avoid sound bleedover and crowding issues, moving some of the bigger panels and awards luncheon to the Westin Harbour Castle’s Frontenac ballroom, as many sessions last year were standing-room only. Check out the full programming schedule here.
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