Karen Curry
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
On Wednesday, April 20, 2011, we had another BLOCKBUSTER luncheon just for you. We had several speakers on that day. Our main speaker was Karen Curry. She's the Executive Director of the Rudman Institute at Drexel. But wait 'til you hear about her career. She was the London Bureau Chief for NBC News. Then she became Vice-President and New York Bureau Chief for CNN, where she ran the network's coverage of 9/11. This was a luncheon that no one wanted to miss. That's why we had another record crowd! Our MC for the day was Broadcast Pioneers Board Member and the Chair of our Scholarship Committee, Dr. Diego Castellanos.
Allen Sabinson
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20, 2011Introducing Karen was Broadcast Pioneers member Allen Sabinson. Allen is Dean of the Antoinette Westphal College at Drexel University. But again, this doesn't tell you the whole story. He's so much more. Allen was Senior VP of Programming for A&E, Executive Vice-President at TNT, President of Production for Miramax and held high level executive positions with ABC-TV and Showtime.
Scott Palmer
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20, 2011The goodies didn't stop there. On tap, we had Scott Palmer, Director for Public Affairs for the Philadelphia Phillies and former Channel 6, WPVI-TV Sports Anchor. Scott talked about his TV days and his responsibilities with the Phils.
(left to right) Paul Gluck and Al Meltzer
Broadcast Pioneers Luncheon
Wednesday, April 20, 2011Plus postponed from last month, we had Paul Gluck, current trustee and former president of NATAS (and a current member of our board) with us. Last year, Broadcast Pioneers member Big Al Meltzer was supposed to receive the Governors Award from NATAS and was taken ill just before the presentation. On April 20th, NATAS officially presented the award to Big Al at our luncheon.
We also had a short presentation where Michael Nise, President and CEO of Omni 2000 donated 75 original one-inch video tape masters to the Broadcast Pioneers Digital Archival Project.
And of course, we awarded sixteen $1,000 scholarships to area college students. It was another power-packed event.
Everyone who’s anyone was there! It all happened at the beautiful Bala Golf Club, 2200 Belmont Avenue in Philadelphia! Just minutes away from Channels 6, 10 and 17, plus the radio stations in Bala Cynwyd. Meet and greet (networking) started at noon and lunch served at 12:30 pm.
COMPLETE PHOTOS!
See 73 pictures of the luncheon!
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Usage does NOT fall under "Fair Use" of copyright laws!COMPLETE AUDIO!
Michael Nise and Jerry Klein
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Listen with Windows Media!Paul Gluck and Al Meltzer
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Listen with Windows Media!Scott Palmer
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Listen with Windows MediaAllen Sabinson
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Listen with Windows Media!Karen Curry
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Omni 2000 Presentation
Watch with Windows Media!Scholarships
Watch with Windows Media!The Rest of the Program
Watch with Windows Media!The April luncheon featured several remarkable speakers who simply captivated the audience with their remarks. You can see and hear the full program above, however here’s some of the comments our speakers offered.
Scott Palmer said:
“Welcome to the roller coaster of broadcasting. If this is really what you want, be ready for the ride of your life. I got my big break in 1981 with WPVI, when Steve Levy left Channel 6 and moved across the street to Channel 10. They hired Gary Papa and me. It took two of us to replace Steve Levy!”
Al Meltzer after accepting the Governors' Award from the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of The Academy of Arts and Sciences had this to say:
“This is a wonderful time for me to be here for what you did for 16 people today (the awarding of 16 scholarships by Broadcast Pioneers). Fifty years in the business and it seemed like it worked out. I was supposed to be a dentist! It’s been a great life.... I followed the yellow brick road. You’re not going into a job, you’re going into a profession and you’re the best there is!”
Allen Sabinson, Dean of the Antoinette Westphal College at Drexel University mentioned:
“The media in Philadelphia are spectacular, how they deal with media students and the work they give them. I believe consumers want to watch TV and listen to the radio in every possible platform. Technology is transforming the business at warp speed. The consumer, their minds have changed and their attention span is even shorter. We live in a world with very serious issues that I tell my students they need to know about, because they will be the ones who will be responsible for telling the stories of the future.”
Karen Curry, Executive Director of the Rudman Institute at Drexel University told us:
“I wish I had started my career here in Philadelphia, which I am totally in love with. The camaraderie here is amazing. We gather information and tell stories, trying to make people’s lives better. As representatives or consumers, it is extremely important that we understand what’s happening in the world around us. I’m very optimistic and can’t say enough to pursue your passion and love for the business. You’re creating the new world and there is great work to be done.”
HEARD AFTER THE LUNCHEON:
“This was tremendous. To see all these bright faces and all these intelligent young people who have chosen to get into the business that many of us in this room have chosen, we wish them the best. Our hats are off to the Broadcast Pioneers and everyone who sponsored the scholarships.” Scott Palmer, Philadelphia Phillies
“I think this was great. One of the best programs we have had. Sixteen scholarships awarded out of 322 applications. The competition was very strong. They were chosen because they were the best, but it was tough. All the candidates were so good.” Dr. Diego Castellanos, Chair, Scholarship Committee and Broadcast Pioneers' Board Member
“It was superior! I was so thrilled for the kids. They needed to hear from the pros, who are so experienced, so knowledgeable, so worldly, so in touch with our industry. It was just superior in every way!” Dorie Lenz, Broadcast Pioneers Board Member
“I would say the people who spoke to the students were great. I haven’t heard anything like that since I’ve been in the business. I learned more in an hour than I ever knew in my life.” Big Al Meltzer
“I loved it. I loved the atmosphere, the collegiality, and the camaraderie...people in love with what they did, and they’re still in love with what they did, and they’re still in love with the careers they had and they’re energizing young people, and what can be better than that.” Karen Curry, Executive Director of the Rudman Institute, Drexel University
“It was a home run with the bases loaded! The outcome of this, with all these communicators have, just like previous luncheons, the word will spread like throwing a rock into a pond and watching the ripple effect. It was everything from the horses' mouths from the people who have reached the pinnacle in the business. With all of these young people who won scholarships, one word summarizes it, WOW!” Kal Rudman, Board Member and underwriter of two scholarships
“This was a fabulous event. The people were fascinating. I learned a lot and enjoyed it inordinately. I would recommend this to anybody who has an interest in TV or radio. Jan Fedel, First time attendee
“It was just great. Everyone was so accommodating. It just made me want to be in the business even more.” Kristen Connor, scholarship winner Rowan University
“It was really interesting. Great to hear Dean Sabinson outside of campus. A whole different perspective.” Martine Pelletier, scholarship winner Drexel University
From the official archives of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia
Photos originally donated by Broadcast Pioneers member Jerry Klein
Audio orginally donated by Broadcast Pioneers members Dave Michaels & Bill Gellhaus
Video courtesy of MetraMedia Studios and Broadcast Pioneers member Brad Seecof
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The e-mail address of the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia is pioneers@broadcastpioneers.com
