The 2009 Talkers New Media Seminar is being held in a modest-sized venue tucked in the basement of a no-frills Manhattan office building.  Attendance is dominated by syndicators.  The smattering of local PD’s in attendace is nearly matched by the number of out-of-work programmers looking for their next main chance.  Yet the event is marked by a determination to accept the new realities and make the most of a future that will be better than today.  In short, the event reflects the current state of talk radio.

Notes from the New Media Seminar:

– Talkers founder Michael Harrison declared in his opening remarks that the event would emphasize “positive responses to the challenges” faced by the format and its people.  To that end, much of the first day’s content was devoted to the digital realm and how hosts and programmers can make the most of the Internet ans social media to boost their radio shows.

– In a live video appearance, Dr. Laura Schlessinger urged the audience to find as many ways as possible to touch their audience throughout the day.  Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, TV guest shots, personal appearances, books, columns, even live stage shows, should all be used to funnel listeners back to radio.  Said the Doc: “It’s not enough to flip on the mic once a day and say, “Hi! I’m here!”

– TRN is the dominate syndication presence.  The network of Mancow, Michael Savage, Laura Ingraham, et. al., has flooded the zone with sponsorships, programming staffers and its hosts.  Harrison praised TRN for believing in talk radio future, and investing in that future.  That investment is very much on display at the NMS.

– According to Harrison, that future will be shaped by:

a)  The imminent death of the 30 and 60-spot as the prime methods of revenue generation.

b) Talk’s move to FM, which Harrison declared to be the salvation of the FM band.

c) Podcasting’s evolution from “a tool to a product” that is capable of generating serious money.

d) The rise of a “lesser fool theory” among radio station owners and buyers, which will lead to a “renaissance” in radio.

e) Most importantly, Harrison says, talk radio’s future will be defined by the transformative power of the Internet.

– Among the PD’s on hand: WNYM/New York’s Peter Thiele, WABC/New York’s Laurie Cantillo, KXNT/Las Vegas’ Jack Landreth, WBT/Charlotte’s Bill White, and WTKK/Boston’s Grace Blazer.  Network programmers spotted include Fox’s Mike Elder, Air America’s Bill Hess, and TRN’s Phil Boyce.  Former Clear Channel talk honcho Gabe Hobbs is here. 

And in a reassuring sign that life goes on no matter what, convention stalwarts Jim Bohannon and Art Voulo are in prominence.