Radio Ink Convergence is the radio industry's only interactive conference. Convergence is designed to help radio stations (managers, sales managers, program directors, interactive departments, and corporate management) understand the latest trends and opportunities to increase revenue and increase dialogue with their audience.

Connecting the Dots: Theory is nice, cool stuff is fun to see, but unless we connect the dots on how to put things in place at your radio station, there is no value. Convergence 2010 speakers have been told to "connect the dots." Our focus is to show you how to implement digital strategies into your radio stations.

Attendance is limited to 200 people.

Social Media Expert Eisenberg to Keynote Convergence

Internet marketing pioneer and social media expert Jeffrey Eisenberg will keynote Radio Ink's Convergence, with a talk titled "Clicking the Ruby Slippers: Why Business Can't Ignore Social Media."

Eisenberg, a recognized expert on Internet marketing strategy, is a specialist in improving online conversion rates for sales and lead generation and has transacted business in 26 countries. He is the co-author of the Wall Street Journal, Business Week, USA Today and New York Times bestselling books Call to Action and Waiting For Your Cat to Bark?. He also writes for the popular marketing optimization blog GrokDotCom, for eMarketing & Commerce Magazine, and for Forbes.com.

In 1998, Eisenberg co-founded FutureNow Inc., and served as its CEO until September 2009. During his tenure at FutureNow he helped businesses generate more engagements, leads, subscriptions, and sales with the framework he co-invented, Persuasion Architecture.

Radio Ink Names Pizzi Technology Editor,
Announces RadioTech Summit

Radio Ink, the industry-leading radio management magazine, announced today that it has named noted digital media expert Skip Pizzi as its Technology Editor. Pizzi will manage a new standalone section of the magazine titled Tech Ink, which will appear monthly, and cover radio technology issues in both traditional broadcast and new-media sectors. In addition, Pizzi will author a column on technology in the alternating regular issues of Radio Ink.

The magazine also announced that Pizzi will host the RadioTech Summit on June 2-3, leading into Radio Ink's Convergence Conference, June 3-4, 2010, at the Microsoft Silicon Valley Campus in Mountain View, CA.

Pizzi has worked in the radio technology field for over 30 years, in a variety of local AM and FM station, radio network, and new-media positions. He is a highly respected technology journalist, author, consultant, and trainer.

Eric Rhoads, publisher and CEO of Radio Ink, said, "We are delighted to add Skip to our publication. His reputation and ability as a communicator will provide a new dimension to our coverage, and improve our service to readers and advertisers of Radio Ink."

Pizzi said, "I'm thrilled to be joining the Radio Ink team, and happy to see the acknowledgement of technology's increasing importance to the future of the radio business. This will make Radio Ink a more valuable resource to all of today's radio industry leaders."

Regarding the expanded conference, Rhoads added, "Skip's leadership of our RadioTech Summit will supplement the value of our Convergence conference, making it an even more essential event for radio managers and technologists alike."

The first issue of Tech Ink will be published April 5, accompanying the NAB 2010 issue of Radio Ink. The RadioTech Summit will take place June 2-3, preceding the June 3-4 Convergence conference, at the Microsoft Silicon Valley campus in Mountain View, CA.

Convergence: Media Worlds Collide

"Our Age of Anxiety is, in great part, the result of trying to do today's job with yesterday's tools and yesterday's concepts" -- Marshall McLuhan

When atoms collide, they become one, each more powerful than the last. The distinct lines between media are colliding, and media is becoming one. All media are incorporating all other forms of media. The "traditional" newspapers, radio, television, cable are taking on one another's elements, along with those of other digital media platforms. They no longer control their exclusive offerings, and "Everyman" can create his or her own media and reach a global audience.

The audience is no longer "pushed to" because the user has become a significant player in populating the media. What has been a one-way broadcast is becoming a two-way conversation. Marshall McLuhan, known for "The media is the message," also said, "Ads are the cave art of the 20th century."

The Perfect Storm
The combination of the dark recession, survival tactics, and the need for businesses to reinvent using new solutions -- at a time when digital media is proliferating and available to virtually any business owner -- has created the perfect storm, driving businesses to adopt digital media they may have previously rejected. The seduction of ease, targetability, accountability, results tracking, and instant sales has resulted in a shift away from traditional media.

Many in traditional media believe these advertisers left only because of the recession. But will they return?

Investment In Digital Media
Those "too busy" and "focused on survival" who cannot think ahead to invest time and embrace the future will awaken to the realization that the future has already arrived, and survival requires a deep digital media strategy. Leaders who delegate others to "explore it and report back" will fail because they lack the deep understanding a leader must have to implement a vision.

Squirm In Your Seat
Convergence will awaken you to a new understanding of a world you already think you understand. We will transport your mind out of your comfort zone to places and ideas you need to embrace.

Rebels Only
Convergence changes people, and its delegates are radical thinkers who rebel against the status quo and want to meld it with digital media. Previous attendees are those who have leaped far forward, ahead of those who cling to the past. We are pulling together A-list media and technology executives to help you know what's coming, what's here, and what actions you should take. This is not your grandfather's radio convention. We avoid the same old faces and ideas and bring you thinkers and innovators you won't encounter elsewhere.

Call For Submissions

The Radio Ink Convergence Conference is the premier digital media conference for the broadcast industry. The event is for station management/ownership, sales, programming, and digital professionals within the industry looking for best practices for managing and innovating digital initiatives to increase revenues, develop deeper relationships with listeners, build audience, and increase opportunities.

If you have an idea, issue, or problem you'd like to see addressed at our conference, including suggested speakers, panelists, or topics, our Advisory Board would like to hear from you. Send submissions to deborah@radioink.com.

Click here for more information.

Convergence '10 Set For June 3-4

Radio Ink's Convergence 2010 will be held June 3 and 4 at Microsoft's Silicon Valley Campus in Mountain View, California.

Distinct lines between media are blending. Media are colliding to become one, and all media are becoming one another.

The Convergence '10 agenda, which will be posted soon, is designed to take you out of your comfort zone and take you to places we believe you need to go, outside your traditional-media roots.

We're pulling together an A-list of top entertainment, media, and technology executives to predict what's coming next in media content, radio, TV, news, marketing, and investing in the digital media space and tell you how how you can apply it to your business.

Historically, the Radio Ink Convergence conference has sold out, and this year getting seats early will be especially important because the Microsoft venue limits us to 275 seats. Registration will open soon. Also, keep your eyes open for announcements regarding a special pre-conference conference on June 2, and see our call for submissions so you can contribute to our plans.