MFM/BCCA's 2022 Media Finance Conference Offers Guidance from Media Industry Leaders
More than 100 media industry leaders will present 80+ sessions -- including timely keynote addresses, wide-ranging panel discussions and interactive roundtables -- during Media Financial Management Association (MFM)'s 62nd Annual Conference, taking place May 23-25 in Tampa, Florida. With its theme of "Blue Skies Ahead," the much-anticipated event will address the myriad issues facing professionals across all financial disciplines of every media sector as they guide their companies on critical matters ranging from strategic direction to revenue achievement to long-term corporate vision.
"MFM is back full steam ahead with a rich, purposeful, and forward-looking agenda designed to inform and help guide media financial leaders as their roles within their companies become more integral to corporate success," said Joseph Annotti, President and CEO of MFM and BCCA. "Thanks to scores of industry leaders offering their insights, and to our conference co-chairs Dave Bestler of Hubbard Radio and Lori Locke of Discovery, who have crafted an exceptional program, this year's conference will engage, enlighten and empower attendees as never before."
Complementing an exhaustive roster of sessions will be the conference exhibit hall showcasing new products and services. In addition, networking breaks incorporated throughout the conference will give attendees much-needed opportunities to reconnect and refresh personal connections, and to share ideas. Other informal events include an opening night reception in the exhibit hall followed by an opening night off-site party; and a happy hour, awards ceremony, and BMI-sponsored entertainment (from breakout country singer Laci Kaye Booth) May 24, followed by an open evening for participants to explore Tampa on their own.
Session Highlights
The conference carries on its tradition of providing relevant, robust intelligence on a wide swath of topics for which media professionals need to stay abreast, including the latest information on accounting, taxes, internal audit, technology, newspaper, out-of-home, outdoor, television, radio, cable, digital, games/video, print, and credit & collection; as well as newer topics such as cryptocurrency, environmental, social and governance (ESG), esports, and NFTs. As is tradition, the conference is designed to appeal to every industry sector (TV, radio, print, internet, video, and gaming) and every type of financial discipline, including CFO, accountant, auditor, business and credit manager, and others.
Keynotes
The opening general session, taking place the morning of May 23, features Jeff Loucks, executive director of Deloitte's Center for Technology, Media, & Telecommunications, Deloitte Services LP*. Loucks takes a hard look at why media and entertainment's relationships with consumers have changed, sharing what Deloitte learned in its latest Digital Media Trends Survey that informs new ways for media companies to drive loyalty and growth.
The first keynote session of May 24 is headlined by macroeconomics expert Diane Swonk of Grant Thornton, who is slated to discuss topics including the current labor market; escalating interest rates and inflation; and the effects of the war in Ukraine. Swonk will be followed by a presentation from Thomas Mucha, a journalist-turned geopolitical investment expert with Wellington Management, will present his latest findings on the economy.
On May 25 from 8:30-10:00am, attendees will be treated to a fireside chat around the state of news reporting, which continues its evolution – and increased challenges. The closing general session, scheduled from 2:30-3:30pm, promises to imbue attendees with motivation and ideas as they prepare to return to their work environments.
Conference Co-chairs
Media Finance Focus 2022 is spearheaded by Co-chairs Dave Bestler of Hubbard Radio and Lori Locke of Discovery Inc. Bestler serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hubbard Radio, a position he has held since April 2011. Bestler is also Vice Chairman of MFM's Board of Directors. Lori Locke is Chief Accounting Officer of Discovery, joining the company in 2019. Locke also serves on the MFM Board as Secretary.
Early-Bird Pricing
MFM/BCCA members are eligible for early bird pricing, and will receive a savings of up to $300 by registering by Friday, April 15, 2022. Individuals who are not members of either organization may register as a non-member, and their registration fee will include a one-time-only, one-year trial membership to MFM/BCCA. While most participants opt for full conference registration, a daily a la carte option is available for people who cannot attend the full conference.
About Media Finance Focus 2022
Media Finance Focus 2022 is the media industry's exclusive source for professional education, targeting all media financial and business professionals. More than 125 speakers/panelists will provide the latest information on accounting, taxes, internal audit, technology, newspaper, out-of-home, outdoor, television, radio, networks, programming and streaming, digital, games, print, and credit & collection issues. BCCA, the media industry's credit association, will provide a full track of sessions designed to meet the needs of today's credit and collections professionals. The event will also offer formal and informal networking activities to foster idea sharing and will host an exhibit hall featuring the latest in products and services for addressing the industry's financial management and credit and collections requirements. Registered participants can earn up to 19 CPE credits. Information and a working agenda for Media Finance Focus 2022 may be found on the conference website: https://www.mediafinancefocus.org/.
About MFM and BCCA:
Media Financial Management Association (MFM) is the premiere resource for financial professionals for media industry education, networking, and information sharing throughout the U.S. and Canada. More information about MFM is available on its Web site: https://www.mediafinance.org and via its updates on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Its BCCA subsidiary serves as the media industry's credit association. BCCA's revenue management services encompass a variety of credit reports on national and local media advertisers and agencies, including Media Whys, a credit report for media businesses which offers a credit score based on industry-specific aging combined with trade data from Experian or D+B. More information about BCCA is available at http://www.bccacredit.com as well as its updates on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
*Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of the company's legal structure.
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