Get to know this year's OAB Executive Forum speakers
Broadcasting’s AI Evolution: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going
Daniel Anstandig, CEO & Co-founder, Futuri Media
Tracy Gilliam is one of the founding members of Futuri and is the company’s Chief Strategy Officer. Gilliam is a one of the creator’s of Futuri AudioAI, the radio industry’s first ever 100% AI-powered local content solution; and is the founder of TopLine, Futuri’s AI-powered sales intelligence platform. Gilliam has spent 25 years serving the media industry in multiple capacities in all market sizes, including market manager, general sales manager, and media news and programming in Los Angeles and St. Louis. Since 2009, Gilliam has been an integral part of Futuri’s growth and supports broadcast executives in navigating new and evolving technologies to help grow their content, audience and revenue. Futuri’s product suite includes AI-powered platforms:Futuri AudioAI SpotOn, TopicPulse and TopLine. The company also boosts revolutionary broadcast tools POST, Streaming, Mobile, Prep+, and Voice technology.
Outlook for Broadcast TV in a Streaming World
Brian Wexler, Sr. Vice President, Business Development, TVB
Brian Wexler is Senior Vice President, Business Development at TVB, the national trade association representing America’s Local Broadcast Television Industry. At TVB, Brian is responsible for working with local TV stations around the country to help support their sales and marketing efforts. Using his decades of experience and leadership, Brian provides member stations, and their clients, a unique perspective on the advertising choices and marketing trends today. Brian also manages the NextGen Taskforce and the Spanish Language Taskforce for TVB. Brian has spent most of his career in sales at the station and network level. Brian is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio.
The Changing Landscape for Radio In 2024 (and Beyond)
Paul Jacobs, Vice President & General Manager, Jacobs Media
Paul Jacobs is the Vice President/General Manager of Jacobs Media, which for 40 years has provided programming, digital, and revenue-generation consulting and research to commercial, Christian, and public radio stations. The company is credited with the creation of the Classic Rock radio format for commercial radio, and its consulting and research studies. In 2008, Jacobs also became the President of a new mobile application development company – jācapps. The company was formed to create mobile apps for radio stations and is one of the largest mobile application developers worldwide. Jacobs began his career on the sales side of the business, working at and running radio stations in Dallas and Detroit. Paul was a 2016 inductee into the Michigan Broadcasting Hall of Fame, was the 2019 recipient of the Conclave’s Rockwell Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2021, was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from Michigan State University’s ComArtSci department. In 2022, Paul and his brother, Fred, received the National Radio Award from the National Association of Broadcasters, the highest honor awarded in the radio industry.
Building Your Team of the Future
Lisa Fields, President, Media Staffing Network
Lisa’s passion for the broadcast industry began decades ago with an interest in television journalism – even exchanging letters with Walter Cronkite. But her broadcast career began in a Hardee’s drive-thru when a customer told her she had a nice voice and asked if she ever considered working in radio. That customer was the program director of an AM station in Asheboro, N.C., who gave Lisa her first radio job. These days Lisa’s passion has morphed into a career serving the industry. Media Staffing Network is a renowned provider of staffing solutions tailored specifically to the media industry. Media Staffing Network serves a diverse range of clients, from major broadcasters to small-market organizations, with unwavering dedication and a partnership mentality.
State & Federal Issues Update
Patrick Cross, Brooks Pierce, LLP
Patrick Cross is an associate with Brooks Pierce, LLP representing media and broadcasting companies and radio and television stations in resolving issues regarding FCC regulatory compliance, technical matters, FCC enforcement matters, programming, licensing, copyright and other intellectual property matters, ownership, and a variety of other issues. Patrick has been practicing law since 2016 and clerked for two federal judges prior to joining Brooks Pierce’s Communications Practice. Prior to attending law school, Patrick spent seven years touring the world as the lead guitarist and tour manager for an 11-member musical act.
OAB and Ohio Army National Guard Partnership
Brigadier General Matthew Woodruff, Ohio Army National Guard
Brigadier General Matthew S. Woodruff began his military career in May of 1990 when he enlisted as a medical specialist in the U.S. Army Reserves. He received his commission as an Infantry Officer from Bowling Green State University in 1996. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic Course and the Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Advanced Operations Course, and the US Army War College (DDE). His current assignment is Assistant Adjutant General of the Ohio Army National Guard. Brigadier General Woodruff holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University, a Master of Science in Logistics Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
The State of Broadcast Industry
Curtis LeGeyt, President & CEO, National Association of Broadcasters
Curtis LeGeyt is the president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters. In this role, he serves as the chief advocate for America’s free, local television and radio broadcasters. He previously served as the chief operating officer of the association before assuming his current role in January 2022. Prior to that, Curtis served as the executive vice president, Government Relations, from 2015-2020. Curtis also serves on the Board of Directors of the NAB Leadership Foundation and the Broadcasters Foundation of America. During his time at NAB, Curtis has led several highly successful efforts to advocate for laws that strengthen broadcasters’ ability to innovate and serve their communities. This includes permanent reauthorization of the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act Reauthorization (STELAR), inclusion of $1 billion in RAY BAUM’s Act to reimburse stations impacted by the spectrum auction repack, and successful passage of the Music Modernization Act.
Leading Thru Chaos
Erik Therwanger, Founder, Think GREAT
Erik is the founder of Think GREAT and draws from his experiences as a U.S. Marine, executive business leader, sales professional, and entrepreneur to help organizations achieve new levels of success. He combines leadership development, team building, sales training, and goal setting into strategies and techniques that empower team members and leaders to exceed expectations. Think GREAT is a Certified Veteran-Owned Business and Erik is also author of The Think GREAT Collection. Erik shares the successful, proven concepts in his six books to give individuals and organizations the competitive edge needed for achieving new levels of success.