The National Radio Talent System
The National Radio Talent System
By Dan Vallie
Dan Vallie and Don Anthony (Jockline Daily, Morning Show and Talk Radio Bootcamp) developed the first morning show consulting company called Morningmasters in 1991. Dan had the foresight to recognize the importance of developing talent to boost radio ratings and revenue.
I was fortunate to have been hired by Dan to join his consulting company to head the new Morningmasters program. Dan was an amazing mentor who taught me the consulting business and generously shared his wisdom in programming, marketing and talent development.
Dan has innovated another first for radio with his National Radio Talent System. Many of us have lamented the dearth of talent today. Read how Dan Vallie is doing something about it.
Four years ago, I collaborated with the faculty at Appalachian State University in North Carolina to do the very first Radio Talent Institute, which went so well that it has expanded nationwide. The University of Georgia, Western Kentucky University, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University all host successful Institutes today.
The Institute is ten days, and it is an intense immersion in all things radio, including on-air, music, sports, news, writing, production, promotions, digital and social media, and sales. Our teachers are on-air talent, program directors, production directors, directors of digital and social media, and sales pros. There are no breakout sessions; all students attend every session. Every day is on campus, except for one, when we bus students to the local professional teams to learn sports broadcasting and marketing. We accept a maximum of 25 students. If you have college interns who are serious about a career in radio, you may want to urge them to apply.
Top radio shows travel from far away to broadcast live at the Institute, including shows like the Ryan Cameron Morning Show with Wanda Smith from V103 in Atlanta, Ace and TJ from Channel 96 Charlotte, and Alan and Ashley from WARM 106.9 Seattle. Students participate as a live audience and witness how a great show is executed, both when the mics are on and when the mics are off.
Executive volunteers have included pros like Dan Mason, former President of CBS, Larry Wilson of Alpha Media, Kim Guthrie and Bill Hendrich from Cox Medi, George Beasley, Caroline Beasley and Bruce Beasley from the Beasley Media Group, and others.
Does the Institute work? 70 percent of our students start their career in radio or a related field. Last year, our students were three of the ten Rising Stars in America identified by Morning Show Boot Camp and Reelworld. Our students scored over 20 percent of the 100 NAB Radio Show scholarships.
If you would like to participate in the Radio Talent Institutes of the National Radio Talent System contact Dan Vallie, President , 828 262 1502 or DanVallie@
Photo Credit: flickr.com/photos/hospi-table/
