AWM Media Masterclass
AWM Media Masterclasses are expert-led sessions on essential industry topics. The next Masterclass will be released on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 12pm ET. The session will be available publicly for two weeks, after which it will be available exclusively to AWM members through the Knowledge Center. Please email info@allwomeninmedia.org with questions.
View Past MasterclassesNext Session to be Released December 5, 2024
Innovating in Unexpected Ways: The Story of the Pop-Up Radio Station Planned in 9 Days
Over Labor Day Weekend, New York City got its first-ever “Pop-Up Radio Station,” TJ 98-7. Over the history of radio, there have been many radio stations that employed temporary programming as a stopgap as a result of moving from one format to another or changing ownership. The qualifier with this “Pop-Up” is that it’s the first station of its nature that’s self-identifying as such.
Mike McVay, President of McVay Media, in conversation with AWM President Becky Brooks, provides AWM members a unique view into the process of launching the radio station in nine days with a fully produced and programmed radio station in the number one media market in the world.
This session will be available here on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at 12pm ET.
Mike McVay is the President of McVay Media. He was most recently the Executive Vice President of Content and Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One. In his role he oversaw the programming for CUMULUS’ 425 owned radio stations and Westwood One, the company’s national syndication arm.
McVay is a 40-year programmer with national and local consulting, management, ownership, sales, major market programming, and major market on-air experience. Mike has owned and operated radio stations in multiple markets. He understands the business of our business. He has also developed and launched several nationally syndicated programs.
Additionally, Mike serves as an international radio consultant programming and consulting media companies around the world. He was a founding partner in the company now known as Futuri Media. He is known as the co-creator, with Delilah Renee Ortega, of the nationally syndicated radio show “Delilah.” He was instrumental in the launch of The John Tesh Show as a daily syndicated program. During his stint with Cumulus Media/Westwood One he developed and launched several nationally syndicated shows.
McVay has received numerous awards and acknowledgements. He is a recipient of the prestigious Rockwell Award, received the inaugural Innovation in Music & Media Award in 2017, has been ranked #4 among “America’s Top Programmers” by Radio Ink magazine, #14 on Radio Ink’s “Top-40 Most Powerful Broadcaster” list, named among the “Titans of Talk” by NTS magazine every year 2012-2019, and was named “Corporate Programmer of the Year” by The Worldwide Radio Summit in 2015, 2017 and 2019. McVay was recognized three times as “Broadcast Executive of the Year” by the former Radio & Records magazine. He is an Inductee to the 2021 West Virginia Radio Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame. Mike is a member of the board of directors for Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB), St. Jude Country Cares Advisory Council and is past chairman of the Radio Show Steering Committee for the 2017 NAB/RAB Convention. Mike is the Co-Chair for the Alliance for Women in Media’s Gracies Awards.
Mike regularly speaks at numerous conferences, conventions, universities, and trade shows.
AWM Media Masterclasses provide educational information to members on topics related to the media industry and the advancement of women. If you have a suggestion for a topic of speaker, please email info@allwomeninmedia.org.
Interested in helping to advance the future of women in media? Consider investing in this empowering program as a sponsor. All support contributes to shaping the careers of media leaders and fostering a strong and diverse media landscape for the future. Please email becky.brooks@allwomeninmedia.org for more information.