MFM/BCCA Announces Keynote Speaker, Co-Chairs, Agenda For Media Outlook 2022

Media Outlook 2022, Media Financial Management Association’s (MFM’s) signature fall event, designed to prepare the media industry’s financial professionals for the coming year, will take place virtually for a second year. Scheduled for Oct. 19-20 under the banner of “Opportunities Await – Ready … Reinvent Revenue,” this year’s event will offer participants a fresh view of how media financial leaders can continue to navigate the current uncertainties brought about by the pandemic and changes in the industry to help their companies thrive.

The seminar, comprising two, two-hour sessions on the afternoons of Oct. 19 and 20, is free for MFM/BCCA members and $250 for never-members. The never-member rate includes a one-year trial MFM membership.

Jay Bryson, managing director and chief economist of Wells Fargo Corporate and Investment Bank, will give the seminar keynote on Oct. 19 at 1 p. ET. A long-time economist who served the division of international finance at the Federal Reserve Board prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2018, Bryson will discuss the current state of the U.S. economy and its outlook over the next two years, including forecasts of GDP growth, inflation and interest rates.

The second Oct. 19 session, starting at 2:05 p.m., will feature Andrew Prior, managing director, tax policy services, PwC US, who will review potential new tax legislation and implications for media businesses.

Two sessions will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 20:

At 1 p.m. ET, the “Reinventing Revenue” panel will discuss ways media businesses can re-imagine and reinvent revenue. Panelists include Ryan Moore, SVP digital sales, Sinclair Broadcast Group; Chase Rankin, SVP, sales and marketing, Las Vegas Review-Journal; and Lori Burgess, COO, Beasley e-Sports.

At 2:05 p.m., the “Ad Sales and Data Analytics” panel will examine using data analytics to improve results for ad sales clients. Panelists include Don Robert, EVP, research, A+E Networks; Peter Olsen, EVP, ad sales and content partnerships, A+E Networks; and Dan McKinney, VP data and analytics, Audacy.

This year’s Media Outlook 2022 co-chairs are Elizabeth “Beth” Bramowski and Cliff Ejikeme. Bramowski is chief accounting officer and controller at Audacy. After joining then-Entercom in June 2018, she led the company’s post-CBS Radio merger finance and accounting transformation activities. She sits on MFM’s board of directors.

Ejikeme is a senior vice president, controller and treasurer at A&E Television Networks based in New York City. Previously, he was vice president, finance at Lifetime Television, and also serves on MFM’s board. Ejikeme led the company in its financing transaction to buy out NBCU from the partnership with the Walt Disney Co. and the Hearst Corp.

“As we continue to face uncertainty brought on by the ongoing pandemic, new tax regulations, and other business issues, companies must maintain their momentum. We’ve developed this seminar with the theme of leveraging innovation, technology, and best practices to address these challenges,” said Dave Bochenek, chair of MFM/BCCA’s board of directors. “Thanks to participating industry leaders offering their insights, and to our conference co-chairs Beth Bramowski and Cliff Ejikeme, who have architected an efficient and engaging virtual program, our members will leave this event armed with new strategies and tools to effectively address what lies ahead.”