weekly January 8, 2024, Issue 891
CRS: “Big Five” Topics Lead Agenda
The continuing importance of Country Radio Seminar (CRS) was anecdotally evidenced by a December employment posting for a PD/ air talent at Brewer WQLK/Richmond, IN that promised the winning candidate would not only land the job, but also paid registration and hotel for CRS 2024. Now less than eight weeks away (Feb. 28-March 1 at the Omni Nashville Hotel), the organization’s strongest case for ongoing interest is in the care and effort put into the annual agenda. In planning this year’s event, organizers did a considerable amount of industry outreach to identify key areas of interest. Agenda Chair Shelley Hargis and co-Vice Chairs Jesse Tack and Krista Hayes interviewed members Shelley Hargis of the Country Radio Broadcasters board, and a number of other high-profile people in the industry to discover the topics they were most curious about. “Artificial intelligence was one that really popped out,” says CRB Exec. Dir. RJ Curtis. “Of the five big themes, that was No. 1 with a bullet. The other big theme that emerged was branding.” As the agenda leaders revealed in a September CRS360 webinar (CAT 9/28/23), this year’s panels will largely fall into one those RJ Curtis five primary themes, with the others being industry growth, diversity and something they’re calling “ballin’ on a budget.” Where industry growth may be self-explanatory, the diversity theme was deemed important by the full scope of CRS’ stakeholders. “As an organization, we want everyone to feel welcome at CRS,” Curtis says. “We want CRS to be a safe place for all to show up, do business and expose their art/content.” As for the budget theme, Hargis notes its significance “because everybody’s trying to do things with less money, [if not] little to no money.” This year’s research project is focused on personality radio, as conducted by SmithGeiger Group: “But They Have A Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Role On All Platforms.” (continued on page 6)
Trouble Makers: Warner/WAR’s Dan + Shay celebrate their tenth No. 1, “Save Me The Trouble,” with the promo team who made it happen. Pictured (back, l-r) are Michael Chase, Connor Brock, Kristen Williams, Tom Martens and Lisa Ray; (middle, l-r) Kayla Burnett, Sam Nepsa and James Marsh; (front, l-r) Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney.
Leo33 Ready To Roar In ’24
Launched last year by Firebird Music and Red Light Ventures, Leo33 has been introducing first signing Zach Top and last week hired Chris Fabiani as VP/ Promotion & Marketing. Label Head Katie Dean gives a peek under the hood: CA: What was the pitch that stole you away from MCA? KD: I was contacted by a headhunter and was intrigued by the prospect. The way the business is shifting, an entrepreneurial opportunity seemed like it might be the right fit for me. And running a Katie Dean label has been a goal of mine since I got into this
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