A virtual Forecast 2021 LIVE, this year a two-day online event created due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, kicked off on Tuesday morning with an in-depth conversation on the novel coronavirus from an individual who many consider a medical authority on such topics: Dr. Sanjay Gupta.
Gupta offered a variety of thoughts on what is to come, with vaccinations and how U.S. society will likely “come back in earnest” in mid-summer 2021. With veteran programming executive and consultant Mike McVay leading the Q&A, Gupta told Forecast attendees, “We’re in the middle of two simultaneous stories right now.”
What grade does the radio industry get with respect to how it has handled the dissemination of information and commentary around COVID-19? How do we prepare for whatever is next? Those questions were answered by Gupta in the second half of the 30-minute interview, sponsored by WideOrbit.
Following opening remarks from RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti and emcee John David, NAB Senior Advisor, economic forecasting took center stage in an in-depth conversation led by Susan Larkin, COO of Entercom Communications.
Taking the questions: a host of ad industry professionals comprised of highly regarded Wall Street observer Brian Wieser, today the Bay Area-based President of Business Intelligence at groupM; Katz Radio Group President Christine Travaglini; Skyview Networks EVP/GM Jeanne-Marie Condo; and OMD USA Managing Director and business lead Danielle Atanda.
Afternoon sessions include a session on how one can change their business model at the “speed of sound” to tune in to growth moving forward from Matt Britton, the noted Gen Z and millennial consumer trends expert; and an exclusive attendees-only conversation between Nielsen Audio Managing Director Brad Kelly and Procter & Gamble Co. Senior Manager and Media Analyst John Fix, with attendee Q&A following the interview.
Wednesday sessions begin at 2pm Eastern; all are accessible to registered attendees on demand following the LIVE scheduled times.
The Forecast conference, normally held at The Harvard Club in New York in mid-November, is a journalist-free event, allowing participants to engage in conversation without the presence of the press.
It’s not too late to register! Enjoy all of tomorrow’s sessions live — and you can still experience the first day, thanks to on demand replay.
