7th Annual Power Of Urban Radio.

Interep will host its seventh annual Power of Urban Radio Symposium on Wednesday, April 27th, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt in New York. The symposium will assemble over 300 of the country’s leading national marketers, their advertising agency partners (both general market and multicultural), and senior executives from the leading broadcast corporations to discuss and learn how to effectively target African American consumers strategically and tactically.

The focus of this year’s symposium is on the emergence of the Urban Market as the new General Market and its significance in the future of radio advertising. Industry leaders Charles Warfield (President/COO, Inner City Broadcasting Corporation), Barry Mayo (SVP/ Market Manager, Emmis NY) and Zemira Jones (VP of Operations, Radio One) are coming together for the first time to spearhead this event, bring with them a vast amount urban radio experience and knowledge.

The keynote speaker for the event is Dr. Nat Irvin II, founder and president of Future Focus 2020.
The organization is dedicated to enhancing leadership skills and promoting futurist thought to Urban America. As part of his mission, Irvin stresses the importance of engaging young Urban America in dialogue that addresses future trends and events that will shape their outlook from a social, political, economical and technological perspective. Irvin believes that young urban America will be very influential in the national and global economy.

“Interep’s 7th Power of Urban Radio will be our best yet,” said Sherman K. Kizart, SVP/Director of Urban Radio for Interep. “The Interep Power of Urban Radio Symposium has been on the forefront of generating millions of new dollars for Urban Radio’s coffers over the past seven years, and we’re looking forward to taking its success to the next level.”

Barry Mayo added, “Interep’s Power of Urban Radio has had a dramatic impact on the growth and development of Urban Radio. I’m excited about the role that Emmis is playing in this year’s event as we seek to make this year’s session even more informative and prodctive.”

“The mission is about moving forward and talking about the future”, said Warfield, emphasizing the need to address the possibilities and opportunities that will emerge from the success of urban radio years from now. “We in the business are tremendously excited about urban radio today, and its prospects for the future. The Power of Urban Radio will convey this excitement, and explain the facts behind it, to the advertising community.”

“Urban Radio’s impact on African American culture will continue to grow,” acknowledged Zemira Jones. “Radio One is excited about the Futurist theme of the 2005 Power of Urban Radio and the impact that it will have on Urban Radio today. It is important for us to share our insights with senior corporate decision-makers, who are already looking three to five years ahead. We must explain why urban radio’s influence should play a significant role in their plans.”