By Renee Cassis
Until 2021, NAB Show New York was mainly known as an event heavy on production and the technology powering what goes into radio and television broadcasts. This year, the event held at the Javits Center has embraced Radio, as the event kicked off two days of industry-focused learnings, discussions and gatherings with a sold-out Radio Insights executive seminar exclusive to NAB members.
RBR+TVBR had a seat at Wednesday’s events, with a “trailblazers” Q&A perhaps the highlight of the day.
A ”One-On-One with Radio Trailblazers” saw Beasley Media Group Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beasley lead a candid conversation with Urban One founder and chairperson Cathy Hughes about what has shaped today’s radio landscape. How can radio continue to flourish in the years and decades to come was also very much a part of the conversation.
The session delivered a lively and insightful conversation and took more than a couple of unexpected turns, showcasing the brilliance of Hughes while shedding light on how an African American single working mom built what is today a powerhouse multimedia company. Today led by Hughes’ son Alfred Liggins III, Urban One has expanded beyond broadcast radio to include digital, syndication, cable, and gaming.
CATHY HUGHES’ THREE UNEXPECTED TURNS
While Hughes’ conversation was riveting, it transpired in a manner that was not originally in the works. Due to a last-minute medical appointment that Hughes had been waiting on, she was not able to attend in person. As such, Hughes appeared live via a video call.
The groundbreaking broadcaster’s personality and intelligence were not hindered by the lack of her bodily presence in the room. Hughes traced her career from her early roots in Omaha, recalling how she had been exposed to a lot of accomplished individuals in Nebraska, all of whom were white. With a move to Washington, D.C., Hughes had become exposed to — and would be profoundly struck by — Black and multicultural accomplishments. “I was in awe,” she recalled. It was in Washington, D.C., where Hughes also met a woman who would become her champion — the late owner of The Washington Post, Katharine Graham.
Hughes then described to Caroline Beasley her reactions to being the first African-American woman to chair a publicly traded company. While that was a proud moment for her, she stressed that it was Liggins who pushed her to take the company public.
At this point in the conversation, Hughes attempted to turn the tables on Ms. Beasley, noting that they are both in generational businesses but in reversed roles. Beasley touched on how she admired her father, who, not surprisingly, was also her mentor. Deftly, the Beasley Media Group owner brought the conversation around to content — and to being the one asking the questions.
Hughes had a simple declaration for the radio industry leaders in attendance.
“Give the listeners what they want!” she exclaimed. “Do your best to serve the needs of your audience.”
At the same time, Hughes lamented, “I was sorry to see ascertainments go,” as it gave her a glimpse into what was going on in the community.
As the conversation neared its conclusion, Hughes once again assuming the role of the interviewer, as opposed to being the interviewee. What was on her mind? Hughes asked why conservative talk radio is so popular, yet the industry can’t seem to find the formula for success with progressive talk.
Caroline Beasley deflected, calling on Dave Santrella, CEO of Salem Media Group, who was in the audience. Salem owns several conservative talk stations, runs a conservative talk network and this week made a $10 million investment to bring Spanish-language talk programming with a conservative lean to South Florida.
While Santrella oversees a company aggressively investing in Talk shows, something The New York Times this week even noted in an article, Hughes urged the audience of radio leaders to find a way to make “the other side” — liberal, left Democratic — work.
“As we constantly seek sources of revenue, I would encourage you to try to figure it out,” Hughes said. “It’s up to us to bring these two philosophies together.”
The conversation was part of “The Ultimate Radio Experience,” which saw attendees visit Bloomberg’s New York headquarters.
As RBR+TVBR neared its Thursday deadlines, the NAB Marconi Awards were about to begin.
Renee Cassis is owner of RC Communications Marketing, a PR and marketing consultancy for broadcast and entertainment companies. She can be reached at [email protected].
