PRELIMINARY AGENDA - 2025 CONFERENCE

This is a draft agenda...times and information below is subject to change frequently  

Updated: April 9, 2025

Sunday, May 18
  • 10:00 – 3:00 – MFM Board Meeting
  • 12:00 – 5:00 – Registration Opens
  • 5:30 – 7:00 – Welcome Reception
Monday, May 19
  • 7:15 – 8:00 – Continental Breakfast
  • 8:00 – 8:15 – General Session Opening Remarks
    • Jenna Hardy and Beth Bramowski – Conference Co-Chairs
      • Introduction of Board Members and Officers
  • 8:15 – 8:25 – Jeanna K. Stanley Memorial Award Presentation
      • Recipient Warner Bros Discovery
  • 8:25 – 8:40 – Welcome Address – Curtis LeGeyt, President and CEO, NAB
    • Charting the Future: Embracing Change in a Dynamic Media Landscape
      • In his welcome remarks, NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt will address the transformative shifts reshaping the media landscape and what broadcasters are doing to capitalize on these changes. He will also give an overview of the pressing policy issues impacting the media and entertainment industry and local stations’ ability to serve their communities.  
  • 8:40 – 9:30 – #1 - CFO Panel
      • Join three award-winning CFOs from America’s most innovative media and entertainment companies for a wide-ranging discussion of the leadership skills necessary to navigate organizations through one of the most tumultuous times in the industry’s history. They will share the insights and wisdom that have helped them lead their companies through mergers and acquisitions, cybersecurity threats, capital market transactions, and an unpredictable environment that is seeing the industry reinvent itself in real time.
  • 9:30 – 10:00 – Refreshment Break 
  • 10:00 – 10:55 – Breakout Session – Series 1
    • #2 – AI Engineering Prompts: Maximizing the Power of ChatGPT and AI Tools in Finance
      • Join us for an interactive session designed specifically for finance professionals looking to leverage AI tools effectively in their day-to-day operations. This hands-on workshop will explore advanced prompt engineering techniques to transform how you interact with ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI systems in the financial services sector.
    • #3 – Credit and Collections 3.0
      • Best practices coupled with real time use of AI and automation in the order to cash process.  Panel will discuss credit applications, credit scoring, collections, cash application and forecasting and their use of AI and automation and the benefits derived from its use. 
    • #4 – Audio’s New Prominence in Media Planning
      • Join Rich Tunkel of Nielsen Audio for a compelling session focused on radio's increased audience and the introduction of digital audio (Podcasting and streaming) in media planning tools.  This Breakout will review what radio's new 3-minute qualifier rule tells us about radio's full (and previously unreported) audience and the immediate new opportunities it presents for the industry.  Rich will also walk through Nielsen work with industry partners to elevate the way radio is showing up in Mix Models, the soon-to-be released Podcast and Streaming data that will populate agency planning tools in 2025, and the implications for future audio ad spending. 
  • 11:05 – 11:55 – Breakout Session – Series 2
    • #5 – Reimagining Regional Sports Networks: Insights and Strategies for Future Success
      • As traditional Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) navigate unprecedented challenges, innovative strategies are essential for success. Join Frank Albarella and Patrick Ryan of KPMG as they engage in a fireside chat with Friday Abernethy from Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). Explore how MSE has thrived amidst industry upheavals through innovative regional strategies, digital transformation, strategic partnerships, and a diverse content portfolio, and gain key insights on adapting and thriving in the evolving RSN landscape.
    • #6 - Speed Mentoring for Emerging Leaders
      • Open to all conference attendees! Access and connect with some of the most trusted and experienced experts in the media industry in this popular annual speed mentoring event.
    • #7 – A New Administration: Washington Legal and Policy Issues for Media Companies
      • There is a new administration in Washington, not only in the White House, but also at the FCC. Congress, too, has undergone significant change as a result of the 2024 election. All these changes have an impact on the legal and policy issues that the media world must navigate every day. Topics covered include the composition of the FCC and Congress and what that means for regulation; the potential for more regulation of online media entities and how that may affect traditional media; possible changes to the FCC’s media ownership rules; the implications of the Administration’s rejection of DEI initiatives on the FCC’s EEO rules; the review of the FCC’s public interest standard; and music licensing and other copyright issues.
  • 12:00 – 1:15 – Networking Lunch in Innovation Center
  • 1:20 – 2:10 – Breakout Session – Series 3
    • #8 – 2025 Tax Update: Legislative Policy and Regulatory Affairs
      • This session will provide an update on what’s happening in Washington D.C. Topics covered will include a discussion around tax legislation (pending, proposed, or passed) as well as recently released regulatory guidance that impacts the media industry.  The path to new tax legislation in 2025 is unpredictable and this session will equip you with the knowledge to stay confidently on course and make smart, timely decisions that impact their cash flows and tax obligations once policy outcomes become clear.  Media companies that are prepared for tax law changes and their effects will likely experience the greatest benefits.
    • #9 – Four Steps to Streamlined Accounts Receivable Practices
      • Our presenters will share their extensive experience working with media companies to help you optimize your accounts receivables processes in this session designed to focus on practical strategies and best practices that credit and collections professionals can implement to streamline their A/R, improve cash flow, and enhance overall financial performance.  You will walk away from this session armed with relevant and actionable content that can be put to use – and generate results – in your order-to-cash department 
    • #10 – Shifting Signals: Navigating Media Revenue and Valuations in 2025
      • Matt Lochte, Ben Steinbock, and Tim Pecaro of Bond & Pecaro return with an updated look at key revenue trends and their implications for local media. This year’s session will include the latest market-by-market revenue estimates from Bond & Pecaro’s ongoing local television forecasting work, along with a historical overview of advertising performance across local media with a concentration on the implications for television and radio. Updated projections through 2028 will be presented, with a focus on core advertising trends, political revenue expectations, and evolving threats and opportunities in the local media ecosystem.  New for 2025, the presentation will also examine current valuation metrics for Cable Networks, MVPDs, and streaming services, and how shifts in these segments are influencing the long-term value proposition for local media.
  • 2:15 – 3:05 – Breakout Session – Series 4
    • #11 – Doing More with Less: Why Technology is the Bridge for Radio
      • This session will discuss how tech can enable radio to overcome current operational challenges. The “do more with less” mantra isn’t sustainable without integrated systems that consolidate workflows, enable automation and deliver actual efficiency gains. As a technology and industry expert, the presenter will provide insights and a roadmap for the future of radio revenue solutions.
    • #12 – The Lifecycle of an M&A Transaction
      • Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are transformational events that can redefine a company’s trajectory. From initial planning to post-close integration, each phase presents unique challenges that require financial, operational, and strategic expertise. This breakout session will provide a roadmap for navigating M&A transactions with confidence. Led by experts from Houlihan Lokey, attendees will gain actionable insights into due diligence, valuation, tax considerations, and post-close integration to prepare for successful outcomes.
    • #13 – Ethically Leveraging AI
      • Gain a foundational understanding of AI and its capabilities, particularly in the context of accounting and finance. Recognize the ethical implications of using generative AI in these fields. Learn to responsibly and ethically utilize generative AI tools to improve accounting processes. Examine case studies and examples that highlight best practices for integrating generative AI while maintaining ethical standards in financial decision-making.
  • 3:10 – 3:45 – Refreshment Break
  • 3:45 – 5:15 – Network Roundtables
    • #14 - Customer Finance Operations Roundtable
    • #15 - Radio Roundtable
    • #16 - Newspaper Roundtable
    • #17 - Accounting Standards Roundtable
  • 6:00 – 7:00 – Reception in Exhibit Hall
  • 6:45 - 7:15 - Load buses for Evening Event
  • 7:30 – 9:00 – Evening Event: Potomac River Dinner Cruise
    • This year’s Monday Night Event takes a new twist – an evening dinner cruise past the most notable monuments in Washington, DC followed by dancing on the dock under the stars. Sponsored by Szabo Associates, Nexstar, and MFM, the party begins with a reception in the exhibit hall, followed by a short ride to the D.C. docks where you’ll board the smooth sailing cruise ship for a 90-minute tour of the nation’s capital by night while you enjoy a sumptuous dinner buffet. You’ll return to the dock by 9:00 p.m. where you can board a bus for the return trip to the hotel or stay late and dance under the stars on the cruise ship deck. It’s a night you won’t soon forget 
    • Sponsored by MFM, Szabo Associates, and Nexstar Media Group
  • 9:00 - 10:00 - Dancing on Ships Deck (back at dock)
Tuesday, May 20
  • 7:30 – 9:00 – #18 - CFO Breakfast and Roundtable (invitation only)
  • Leaders: Paul Rahmlow, CFO, Midwest Communications; and Kim Parker, VP/CFO, Graham Media Group
  • 8:00 – 9:00 – Continental Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
  • 9:00 – 9:20 – Annual Business Meeting
    • Treasurers Report
    • Election of Board Members
    • Recognition of Outgoing Chair
  • 9:20 – 9:35 – Award Presentations
    • McIntosh Scholarship Award
      • Taylor Hampton, Sinclair, Inc.
    • Peter F. Szabo Career Achievement Award
      • Edward Ienner, Dotdash Meredith
    • Rainmaker Award
      • Victor Kao, RSM US LLP
      • Mary McKenna, NBCUniversal
      • Lucy Rutishauser, Sinclair, Inc. 
  • 9:35 – 9:40 – Welcome Remarks – Danielle Coffey, President and CEO, News/Media Alliance
    • Shaping the Future of the News Media Industry
  • 9:40 – 10:30 – #19 - Keynote Address – The Journey of AI at the Post
    • Join Washington Post Chief Technology Officer Vineet Kohsla as he takes you through the publication’s digital transformation process.  You’ll learn how this icon of American journalism sets, implements, manages, and measures these three important goals:
      • Delight The Post readers by providing a personalized experience
      • Provide great journalism by improving newsroom productivity and efficiency
      • Maximize/optimize overall Post revenue 
    • It’s a journey whose lessons are applicable to virtually every media organization in the country, and a session you can’t afford to miss.
  • 10:30 – 11:00 – Refreshment Break in the Exhibit Hall
  • 11:00 – 11:50 – Breakout Session – Series 5
    • #20 – Dangerous Currents: Common Causes of Corporate Ethical Disasters
      • The presentation delves into the current trends and challenges in the world of fraud. It highlights the latest schemes and recurring themes in fraud investigations, drawing from the presenter's experience and academic studies in ethics. The presentation will also get behind the headlines and cover why the frauds happened by understanding the root causes of corporate ethical issues and what we can learn from them to identify and escape ethically challenging situations. 
    • #21 – Compensation Trends in Media and Gaming
      • Hali Croner, president and CEO of The Croner Company,  will update you on the latest compensation trends in the Media and Gaming industries. Finance can play a powerful role in the adoption of compensation programs that will attract, retain and reward the talent who will contribute to successful industry transformation. Hali will share information on how companies are rewarding their employees and provide meaningful insights into effective compensation practices.
    • #22 – Advertising Marijuana and other “Vices” Under the Trump/Carr FCC
      • An update on last March’s very popular Town Hall Webinar with an overview of the rules governing the ability of broadcasters and media companies to take ad dollars from marijuana dispensaries, casinos, E-cigarette makers, and the sellers of other “vice” products, and how the election of Donald Trump as President, his firing of FTC commissioners, seizure of control over the FCC, and the naming of Brendan Carr as new FCC Chair and two new FCC Commissioners has and will affect enforcement of those rules.
  • 11:55 – 12:45 – Breakout Session – Series 6
    • #23 – Women in Leadership: Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Success
      • Join us for an inspiring Women in Leadership panel featuring a powerhouse lineup of executives who are shaping the future of their industries. Together, this panel of accomplished Media & Entertainment leaders will share their insights on navigating leadership challenges, breaking barriers in their fields, and empowering the next generation of women executives. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from some of the most influential women at the forefront of business leadership.
    • #24 – Oracle Panel - Topic TBA
          • Speaker TBA
    • #25 – Getting Difficult Done: Proactive Solutions for O2C 2.0
      • What does it take to get difficult done in today’s order-to-cash (O2C) landscape? From invoicing and payments to dispute resolution and collections, businesses face relentless complexity and rising consumer demands. Join us to explore how AR trends, proactive upstream strategies, and flexible outsourcing models are reshaping O2C, driving its evolution to simplify processes, enhance cash flow, and empower financial practitioners to get difficult done—smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
        Key Takeaways:
        1. How collection trends are reshaping O2C and influencing cash flow.
        2. Why proactive upstream management prevents costly downstream defects.
        3. Insights into flexible outsourcing models to maximize efficiency.
        4. AI use cases that are making O2C 2.0 possible, even with lean teams.
          • Rich Storm, SVP Client Solutions, Cadex Solutions
          • Casey Hall, Director of Product Marketing, Cadex Solutions
          • Moderator: James Fritz, Vice President, Business Development, Cadex Solutions
  • 12:45 – 1:45 – Networking Lunch
  • 1:50 – 2:40 – Breakout Session – Series 7
    • #26 – Navigating Accounting Guidance for Gaming Revenue Recognition
      • Revenue recognition in the gaming industry varies significantly across different monetization models, such as subscription-based, free-to-play, and one-time purchase games. Each model requires distinct approaches to accurately account for revenue. For instance, subscription models recognize revenue over the subscription period, while free-to-play games often rely on in-game purchases, including coin or token-based transactions, consumable items, and durable goods. Recognizing in-game revenue involves understanding the nature of these purchases and their impact on the game's economy. Consumable goods are typically recognized as revenue upon purchase, whereas durable goods may require a user life model to determine the appropriate recognition period, reflecting the ongoing value these items provide to players. This comprehensive approach ensures that revenue is accurately reported, aligning with the financial realities of different gaming experiences. 
    • #27 – Cyber Threat Landscape for 2025
      • Toby "The Google Guy" Scales is back, providing an overview of the top threat actors targeting Media & Entertainment companies in 2025 as well as a survey of evolving Agentic AI technologies and how they can be used to provide scale and overcome operational inefficiencies in every organization, but especially within the cybersecurity department.
        • Toby Scales, Chief Information Security Officer, Media & Entertainment, Google
    • #28 – Understanding the Importance of Trust in Local Media
      • In an era marked by increasing media distrust, America’s Newspapers commissioned an in-depth study to understand and reinforce the unique role of local media in building trust with their communities. This national survey highlights how local media stands apart from national and digital media channels, consistently earning a higher level of public trust through transparency, accuracy, and ethical journalism. This study not only underscores the essential function of local media as trusted community watchdogs but also emphasizes their role in bridging the gap left by other media in the era of misinformation.
  • 2:45 – 3:35 – Breakout Session – Series 8
    • #29 – Building a High Performing Culture: Find Your Sotchoku
      • Many leaders are failing to engage employees today, and that lack of engagement leads to miscommunication, misaligned priorities, and poor performance. This session will help leaders understand the three key sides of the behavioral framework that drive high performance:
        • Hiring the right people (topgrading your hiring strategy)
        • Having trustworthy leaders
        • Building environmental trust
      • Featured speaker Patrick Coggins will teach you how to accelerate trust between employees and leaders by having frequent and meaningful conversations driven by the principles of Sotchoku, a Japanese word that means frankness or candor, to be honest and straightforward in speech and behavior. You will walk away with skills that can enhance your leadership abilities and increase the performance and profitability of the FP&A department and the entire company.
    • #30 – Overview of Recent Developments in US Production Incentives
      • Discussion of recent trends and developments in US state production incentives, including recent changes to Georgia, New Jersey, New York and other selected state incentive programs. Will cover basics of programs and recent changes, including regulatory and legislative changes in selected states. Includes a discussion of best practices and pitfalls to avoid
    • #31 – Leveraging B2B Solutions to Deliver Your Financial Goals
        • Pavan Gopala Krishna, American Express
  • 3:35 – 3:55 – Refreshment Break
  • 4:00 – 5:30 – Network Roundtables
    • #32 - Audit & Compliance Roundtable
    • #33 - Games Roundtable
    • #34 - Television Roundtable
    • #35 - Young Professionals Roundtable
  • 5:45 – 6:45 – Reception and BMI Entertainment
  • 7:00 – Evening Free for Sponsor or Member Company Events
Wednesday, May 21
  • 8:00 – 9:00 – Continental Breakfast
  • 9:00 – 9:50 – Breakout Session – Series 9
    • #36 – How Nontraditional Data Sources and GenAI are changing Credit & AR Management
      • There is a lot of buzz about GenAI, but what is its real impact in Credit & AR?  This panel will address questions about what GenAI can do and its limitations, and how predictive analytics and new nontraditional data sources are changing the Credit & AR landscape.  The panel will also cover some fundamentals such as what is meant by non-traditional data sources in Credit, how are new technologies as a whole impacting day to day.  What is AI capable of today and what can we expect in the future.  Hear from Technology & Data experts as well as a Credit & A/R Executive as they discuss this new world of AI. 
        • Bill Weiss, Industry Practice Lead, Trade Credit (Americas), Moody’s
        • Yesinne Alvarez, Partnerships, Alliances & Data, Creditsafe
        • Mary McKenna, Vice President Global Head Customer Finance Operations, NBCUniversal
        • Rob Sherman, President and CRO, Vengroff Williams (VWi, Inc.)
    • #37 – Managing a Multigenerational Workforce
      • The five generations currently in the workplace have been shaped by different historical events. They have divergent world views. They are motivated by different things and have unique communication styles. Managers at all levels are challenged to bridge these differences to create a collaborative environment where all employees can be authentic at work and have their unique needs and expectations met. This session will provide practical insight to overcome stereotypes, cultivate inclusivity and foster a culture of belonging. You will walk away with an overview of current generations in the workforce and expectations for next 3-5 years and practical insights on how to embrace the different generations and equip them to work together to enhance your organization.
    • #38 - Leading Practices on Driving a Successful Transformation in a Digitally Enabled World
      • Build an understanding of how to achieve Transformation success through effective change leadership – Explore the key enablers of transformation success and gain insights into best practices for leading change effectively through all phases of the journey – from ideation to stabilization.
  • 10:00 – 10:50 – #39 - General Session Keynote Address 
    • The Power of a Great Reset: Recognizing the Opportunity of Challenging Times
      • Picture this: it’s the last quarter of your fiscal year. Your industry just survived not one but two strikes the year prior, and the impact is still rippling through every corner. Interest rates are up. Profits are down. Your company has barely been hanging on. And yet, you just told your Board you’re optimistic about the future. Fresh ideas are brewing. New talent is emerging. But how do you recognize these when your current lens is far from rose gold?  Join Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios, as he highlights how down business cycles and periods of uncertainty serve as fertile grounds for innovation, fresh ideas, and emerging talent. He will examine how Trilith Studios is embracing the "great reset" as a chance to rethink strategies, nurture new voices, and build bold solutions – charting a future shaped by resilience, creativity, and the ability to seize opportunities amid adversity.
  • 10:50 – 11:00 – Wrap-Up and Adjournment

See you next year May 17-20, 2026 at the Marriott Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX