My broadcasting journey and career started fresh out of BCIT Broadcast Journalism, driving in my old Ford Falcon to my prized practicum at CHNL Radio Kamloops! I’ve been fortunate to witness firsthand the resilience and adaptability of the Canadian radio industry across decades. From navigating technological disruptions and economic shifts to embracing digital transformation, Canadian radio professionals have consistently risen to the challenge. Even in the face of unprecedented complexities, radio continues to thrive, powered by the extraordinary talent, creativity, dedication, and professionalism of thousands of Canadians who tirelessly serve and enrich their local communities every day.

At Broadcast Dialogue, we deeply understand and appreciate the value these individuals bring to our society. This recognition led us to launch the Broadcast Dialogue – Canadian Radio Awards in 2020; an initiative designed to honour and celebrate excellence across all areas of radio broadcasting. We’re proud of how the awards quickly established themselves as Canada’s premier showcase, spotlighting the remarkable achievements among on-air talent, management, news broadcasters, community service contributors, producers, engineers, promotions, sales, and more.

As we prepare for the annual Broadcast Dialogue – Canadian Radio Awards, we invite you to join us in 2025 in acknowledging and supporting this vibrant industry. Your involvement is more than just a marketing opportunity; it’s a statement of support for an industry integral to the cultural and social fabric of our country.

Sponsorships are available for ownership groups as partners and industry vendors as award sponsors. Sponsors benefit from extensive and targeted promotional exposure, including strategically placed banner advertising, dedicated e-blasts to our extensive subscriber base, robust social media outreach across LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Spotify, and tailored branding opportunities aligned with the awards.

For our presenting sponsor, we offer an exceptional, high-visibility sponsorship opportunity: an exclusive 24-hour site takeover of BroadcastDialogue.com on the day winners are announced. This exclusive package puts the presenting sponsor front and centre, prominently displayed across every webpage, podcast episode, newsletter, and digital communication that day, associating your brand with excellence, innovation, and leadership in Canadian radio.

We’re excited to once again help recognize excellence and celebrate exceptional staff teamwork and commitment. Contact Rob Brimacombe directly to discuss how your organization can become an integral part of the The 2025 Broadcast Dialogue – Canadian Radio Awards.

The post Celebrating the Heartbeat of Canadian Radio: The 2025 Broadcast Dialogue – Canadian Radio Awards appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Here are my reflections after mingling with 15,727 Web Summit attendees.

Gen Z

These discussions led to my biggest aha moment. Their age segment covers 1997 to 2012, which puts them at 13-28 years old (I live with two), and these digital-native humans are making big waves in media, marketing and across the world.

I realize I’ve been underestimating the importance of the Gen Z segment. In radio and TV advertising, selling an d buying is largely A25 – 54 / 64. There’s an accepted culture of regaling and highlighting the purchasing power of consumers, 30+. 

Meantime, digital marketers are eyes wide-open and leaning into the importance of Gen Z consumers; not just for their purchases, but their impact on marketing going forward.

In the words of Chief Marketing Officer Charlotte Mostaed of Health-Ade, whose background includes brand management for Procter & Gamble and POM beverages, “Gen Z creates tension. They call us out and demand transparency while not having the buying power of the older segments. They’re inspirational and authentic.”

In these circles, Gen Z is respected for being values-driven, socially responsible and diverse. They expect two-way communication and for brands to be responsive and authentic. 

The advice is for companies to be very active in the DMs (Direct Messages) and chats. Hasn’t radio been great at this for decades? Personalities and newsreaders are one-to-one communicators, taking listener calls and requests and delighting people at community and client events.

Also, here’s a fun fact: in broadcast buying terms, Gen Z already represents four years of the A25-54 demo. In five short years, they’ll represent 1/3 of this key demo.

AI

Who knew there’d be hundreds of AI references and discussions across four days? Everyone! Prior to Web Summit Vancouver and the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto, I generally felt naïve and worried.

Thanks to excellent speakers and presentations, I now have a sense of framework for open-minded learning going forward. Every time AI was mentioned, the human factor quickly followed. As one panelist said, “Responsible innovation starts with responsible innovators.”

The well-known IBM story was highlighted. In early 2023, they let go of 8,000 workers and automated 94% of standard HR needs, which was followed by a natural backlash. CEO Arvind Krishna later spoke of investing cost-savings into high-value roles, stating “our total employment has actually gone up, with hiring in areas like sales, marketing, software engineering and client-facing roles.”

These distinctions will be noteworthy for me going forward:

(1) AI utilization internally by companies & staff for efficiencies & quality enhancement versus customer-facing, external uses 

(2) Companies & industries leveraging AI for role cuts & staff reductions versus investments to support staff, customers & industry improvements

Advertising & Marketing

I was emboldened by the timely affirmation that paid advertising is number one for marketing ROI (SEO and email rounded out the top three). The slide, by Neil Patel, co-founder of NP Digital, showcased what percentage of revenue each marketing channel drives.

In this noisy, social media world, I say hold on tight to this status and proudly represent the industry of paid advertising!

Second, if you’re like me, the notion of predicting or articulating what the future of marketing looks like is hard to fathom. I was comforted to hear two experts provide their quick prediction for five years from now.

“I think we have no idea what’s next, and our job is to just stay current,” Mostaed asserted, while SYLVAIN CEO and Co-Founder Joey Camire told the audience “I think it’ll probably be 50% the same and 50% different”. 

Radio or Television in the convo?

It may be scary or even obvious, but I didn’t hear a single mention of either radio or TV. Yes, it’s the “Web Summit”, but even the “Where Media Goes Next” panel was comprised of the respective Editor-in-Chiefs for Newsweek and the San Francisco Chronicle, along with the Executive Editor of digital news site, Axios.

Per the common pitch by most legacy media companies, they detailed how they’re protecting and leveraging their core, while pursuing digital extensions.

Each stage had an MC/host handling a couple of hours of transitions between sessions, thanking the past speaker and setting up the next panel. That’s where I discovered Vancouver content creator, Sam Levin, known as @OMGHeySam on the socials. She’s personable and comfortable speaking on a big stage with an impressive audience. I can think of dozens of talented radio and TV on-air folks who would also be fully capable, but I wondered if broadcasters seeking this new reach and venue are even being thought of?

Is there a bridge to be built between radio and TV stations and these modern-day storytellers (content creators with 50K, 100K or much larger followings)? It’s new reach with fresh voices and would be a win-win.

If you have Canadian spirit, you have a leg up!

Web Summit didn’t just stimulate my pride, it showcased that Canadians should have and feel swagger. 

Web Summit has previously been hosted in Lisbon, Rio De Janeiro and Hong Kong. Vancouver leaders worked hard to stand out this year. Web Summit Founder Paddy Cosgrave seemed genuinely impressed and was very complimentary of Canadian talent, character and our tech and media savvy. 

Most Canadians tend to be diplomatic and understated…until they really want something, they’re pushed, or the puck drops!

If you’re looking for that spark of confidence before a big meeting or presentation, write down “Grateful to be Canadian. We rock creativity, innovation, entertainment & media!”

Rob Brimacombe is VP of Sales + Partnerships at Momentum Media. With over 30 years of experience in media sales leadership across Canada and international markets, he’s held senior roles at Corus Entertainment, Rogers Sports & Media, and Discovery Channel. Rob now drives strategic revenue initiatives across Broadcast Dialogue, Cartt.ca and other Momentum properties. Contact Rob >

The post OP-ED: Rob Brimacombe reflects on Gen Z, AI, and other takeaways from Web Summit Vancouver appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

For NAB Show in early April, our company was compelled to choose the disappointing hedge of sending two representatives – joining 55,000 people from 160 Countries – versus staging The Great Canadian Suite (our annual gathering of 350 – 400+ Canadian, American and global attendees). It’s our showcase and celebration of doing business in Canada and Canadian excellence abroad.

Given the current backdrop, pre-flight to attend a trade show south of the border was not concern-free. In the end, NAB Show proved to be excellent for timely discussions of Canadian markets and attributes. It’s empowering and confidence-building to converse with leaders of multinational media and tech companies from Germany, the U.S., Australia, Korea, Vancouver, Hackett’s Cove, and Montreal.

Another highlight was meeting with Momentum Media partners Coleman Insights and Radioplayer Worldwide. At one table we had the wisdom and POV’s of representatives from Norway, France, the U.K., U.S. and Canada!

My much-needed takeaway is perspective – a broader view of the forest versus a 360 degree view of trees! This bigger-picture perspective is likely enhanced by the book I’m reading now, Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens, the “thrilling account of the insignificant beginnings of humankind to rulers of the world.”

Sapiens traces our earliest beginnings, from being foragers to the agricultural revolution and the movement of people, trade, ideas and technology. The continuum continues and amongst the factors we cannot control are many things we can.

Cue the clichés, but many Canadian companies will evolve business plans, iterate, change course, invent and expand within Canada, Europe, Asia and elsewhere. I can envision there’ll be positive outcomes for many Canadian businesses in the months and years ahead. How many people and companies will look back and refer to the “silver linings” of the uncertainty and upheaval?

Along with the support of our sponsors and attendees, we’ll again plan to showcase and celebrate Canadian excellence at NAB Show 2026 @ The Great Canadian Suite!

P.S. Every conversation I had with Americans over four days was friendly and positively thought-provoking!

The post OP-ED: Insights & invigoration from NAB Show 2025 appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.