MSI Spotlight: Kristin Parris

Gretings,

My experience at the Media Sales Institute 2010 was really an eye opening experience, which put me on the path to a career that I had never before considered. As a graduate of Howard University School of Business, I had a relatively rigid plan for what I thought my career path might look like. However, after participating in the MSI, I was able to secure a job in an industry so far from where I thought I would be it has forced me to reevaluate my career goals.

I think that walking into the program with no expectations (because I wasn’t really sure of what I was walking into) benefitted me in that I was able to absorb everything that was given to me, with a completely open mind. The setup of the program, with the workshops/sessions building in a way that gives you a baseline for our presentation, really worked as far as getting us to apply the knowledge that we were gaining. Also, using industry professionals as presenters creates a unique experience as far as providing real world exposure, in a class room setting, as well as offering an amazing networking opportunity.

I’m currently working as a Sales Assistant at Katz Radio Group in NYC, an opportunity I would not have had, had it not been for MSI. I’m getting to know and understand Katz Media Group, as a subsidiary of Clear Channel, and realizing that just like any other business, there are many functions that go into making it run as smoothly as it does. So while I enjoy my job, it is only a starting point (an excellent one at that) for the awesome things that I look forward to doing in the media sales industry.

MSI Spotlight: Lauren Lawrence

Greetings,

I initially had mixed feelings about starting a career in media sales. With a degree in public relations, I dreamed that my first job as a post grad would be an entry-level position at a PR/marketing firm that specialized in entertainment. However, soon after being accepted into the Howard University Media Sales Institute in April 2011, I received a call from an advisor informing me that our local news station had a position available in television sales. A short three months later, I started my career as a media sales trainee at the number one news station in Jackson, MS, WLBT-TV3 a NBC Affiliate.

While HUMSI provided me with some insight to the career of a media sales professional, experience has definitely been the best teacher. I have learned so much within these past six months of training and selling. I learned that while the word, NO will be heard often, there are great opportunities to grow, improve and adapt. I am fortunate to have been added to a team of seasoned professionals that are helpful, understanding and encouraging. Of course there are days when I am discouraged, but I use those times to take a minute, refer back to my HUMSI notes, and regroup.

Overall, my experience has been very challenging, yet rewarding. In January, I will officially become a sales account executive, and the pressure is on! However, I believe that with dedication, hard work, and much persistence, I will succeed!

MSI Spotlight: Graduation Speaker 2011

Greetings,

In January 2006, Alex Snipe, Jr., a pioneering owner and operator of eight radio stations and community servant in South Carolina, was inducted into the South Carolina Broadcasters Association (SCBA) Hall of Fame. His portrait is one of two African Americans and 27 broadcasters who line the wall of the SCBA Hall of Fame currently housed in the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications in the Carolina Coliseum.

Snipe is president of Glory Communications, Inc., which owns and operates radio stations WFMV-FM, WGCV-AM, WQXL Columbia, WLJI-FM, Sumter, WSPX, WTQS AM/FM, Orangeburg, WALD-AM, Johnsonville, WEAF-AM, Camden and WPDT-FM, Florence. He is also president of Praise Communications LLC that owns and operates WTUA-FM. Snipe made the switch from on-air to sales early in his career and spent three years in Charleston and 10 years at a Columbia radio station in sales and general sales manager. He launched Glory Communications in 1992 and signed WFMV on air a year later.

His work as a community leader is equally impressive. He received the 1999 BB&T Trail blazer Award, the Urban League’s 2000 John H. Whitman Award, the 2000 NBPC Martha Jean Steinberg Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and serves on the Board of Directors of First Community Bank. Snipe has been recognized on four occasions by Radio, Inc. magazine as one of the top 35 most influential African Americans in Radio. He also served on the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Board, the Gospel Heritage Foundation, and the William L. Bonner Bible College. Snipe is also former board member of the Columbia Urban League and past president of the SCBA. Most recently, he served as the 2011 Graduation Speaker of the NABEF Media Sales Institute at Howard University.

MSI Spotlight: Shaquana Ford

Greetings,

After MSI 2011, I continued to follow-up with every recruiter and also had a few interviews. Although I enjoyed learning about the sales side of the business, I decided that it would be great to also experience the agency side. So I came to work at Zenith Optimedia in New York. Thus far my job has been great. I began a 90 day rotational program where I was later able to work as an Assistant Planner and as a Junior Buyer.

Upon completion of this program, I was assigned the position of a National Broadcast Junior Buyer for our 20th Century Fox account. On a daily basis, I interact with sales representatives, buy commercial space, and of course enjoy all the perks of working in media while living in NYC. Even though I work late on some occasions within a high stress work environment, I enjoy waking up for work every morning and I couldn't ask for anything more.

MSI Spotlight: Class of 2011

Greetings,

The HU Media Sales Institute Class of 2011 was AWESOME! It was somewhat different from our usual group with 27 women and only seven men! The demographics are usually pretty even. Regardless, we all had a blast and I'm and pleased to say that the 34 member Class of 2011 is one of my favorites.

Notably, we had seven students from Howard, and quite a few from Claflin and Jackson State. The rest of the class was made up of students from Morehouse, Xavier, Dillard, Savannah State, Florida State, Virginia State, Bowling Green State, Shaw, NC A&T, Winston-Salem, Clark Atlanta, Grambling State, Langston, Elizabeth City State, and Benedict. Team HBCU Unite!

In any event, I hope that all of the Class of 2011 is doing well. I know that at least 15 are currently working in the Media Sales Industry and many of the others have entered graduate programs and are following other lucrative paths. Many blessings and good fortunes, indeed!

MSI Spotlight: Michael Frank

Greetings,

My media career definitely began at Hampton University in 2007 when I took a media sales class with Drew Berry. That class peaked my interest and started me on the path I'm on. The 2007 Media Sales Institute at Howard University was instrumental in my break into the industry. I met influential people from the top companies in the largest markets.

My first job out of college was in Beltsville, MD. I worked for Comcast Spotlight as a local account executive. The experience was great. I practically made my own schedule and rarely found myself in the office. Although most of my income was based on commission, I enjoyed learning about the business. A year later I decided to move to New York and work at Katz Media Group. The job is a lot more stressful, but I'm dealing with much larger clients. I recently finished an MBA in Media Management, so I hope to be managing a sales team of my own soon.

MSI Spotlight: Adrienne Smith

Greetings,

Attending Howard University's Media Sales Institute in 2009 was probably the best thing I could have done post graduation to get me on track for a great career. The Media Sales Institute is designed to teach you the basics of media sales, expose you to seasoned professionals, and hopefully set you up for a great position. I learned how important connections are in this industry, how each day presents a new opportunity for business, and I practiced adapting to new situations.

I was requested to interview with each company in attendance: including NBC, Radio-One, and Hearst Radio. I landed a position with WBAL-TV, a Hearst owned station, as a result of my interview with Hearst Radio. The Media Sale's Institute handed me this opportunity, but persistence is the key to grasping it. I owe this job of my dreams and my future career success to Howard University's Media Sale's Institute!

12th Annual Program

Greetings,

The Howard University, School of Communications, Department of Radio, TV, & Film will launch its twelfth annual NABEF Media Sales Institute at Howard University – an intense thirteen-day workshop designed to introduce 35 graduating seniors from across the country to the nuts and bolts of media sales as a career. Next years program will be held from June 3, 2012 to June 15, 2012.

The NABEF Media Sales Institute will serve as a pipeline to funnel excellent students into the business of media sales. During the thirteen-day program, students will be immersed in a fast paced learning environment. Professionals from the industry will serve as the Institute’s “faculty” and will be prepared to offer employment to selected graduates.

If you would like to apply, please contact the Deputy Administrator, Christopher Holiman, at 202-487-0716 or email me at c.w.holiman@gmail.com for more information. I look forward to hearing from you.

MSI Spotlight

Greetings,

Here at the Media Sales Institute, we plan to starting hosting a MSI Spotlight of recent and former graduates of the program who are currently working within the industry. We will also include sponsors, faculty, staff, and recruiters views of the program. We will post and share them as they arrive. If you are a graduate of the program, please don't hesitate to call me directly at 202-487-0716 or email me at c.w.holiman@gmail.com and let me know about your personal and professional story. We'd love to hear from you!

Opportunities for MSI Graduates

Greetings,

I have received quite a few job opportunities for MSI graduates as of late and wanted to share them with you. Notably, this occurs throughout the year and is a definite plus for attending the annual summer program.

Sinclair Broadcasting Group is seeking sales professionals to fill various entry level positions throughout their 46 markets in the US. Comcast has several sales coordinator roles in NY, LA and Chicago as well as a Sales Planner position in NYC. Cumulus Media is seeking to hire six (6) account executives in the Washington, D.C area.

Please let me know if you're interested so that I can quickly forward you more information!

Curriculum

Greetings,

This week has been intense. We underwent our first two-day curriculum evaluation session with the NABEF and the consulting team TopLine Matters. First, I gave the consultants a tour of the beautiful Howard University campus and then we all went to dinner in downtown D.C. Throughout the evening, we discussed the Institute and a number of our ideas for improvement.

The following day started bright and early. Together, the ten of us sat down at the NAB Headquarters and first discussed the current logistics of the program and then threw out as many possible updates and improvement ideas as we could think of in the moment. I believe we listed nearly 100 ideas. Immediately following, we narrowed our list down to approximately 30 "preferred" ideas, while keeping the remaining ideas for TopLine Matters to review latter.

Afterward, we began developing our ideas into a formatted potential curriculum for implementation. With the session only lasting two (2) days, everything remains tentative. However, we now have a sharper conception of where we would like to take the program in the future. I hope that the staff, faculty, industry and most importantly, the Class of 2012 will benefit from our curriculum update.

End of Semester

Greetings,

Christopher here and I wanted to bring you some wonderful news. It's been quite some time since I posted here, but I have a lot to share. First off, we have already exceeded our annual Fall intake of applications with nearly 30 applicants so far. Notably we have also reached last years mark of 20 different colleges and universities represented.

Notably, we have reached for the first time (either ever or at least five years) Bennett, Paine, Lane, UDC, Bethune-Cookman, Cheyney, U of Southern Mississippi, and Alabama A&M. Of course, we also have our seasonal representatives with Howard, Delaware State, Winston-Salem, NCA&T, Morehouse, NC Central, and Jackson State. In addition, we have a first first-time returners with Prairie-View, Langston, Xavier, Claflin, and Savannah State.

Hopefully, we reach at least 70+ applications come next Spring. In any event, I just wanted to share that update with you all.

Letter from the DA

Greetings,

My name is Christopher Holiman and I served as the Deputy Administrator for the 2011 Media Sales Institute. I have worked with the program for the last four years and I must say that this year was outstanding. We had 34 graduates from 20 different universities across the country and had 20 different recruiting companies participate.

Next year, we hope to involve even more colleges and universities as well as have more companies participate in the program. Furthermore, we are also looking forward to hosting the first Alumni Mixer for previous associates as well as participating students. If you have any suggestions on how to improve our program please don't hesitate to call me directly at 202-487-0716 or email me at c.w.holiman@gmail.com. Until then, keep on selling!


                                                                                                                                   Sincerely,

Christopher Holiman