Summer institute to prepare recent graduates for media sales careers

Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication is hosting an all-expenses-paid workshop this summer for recent college graduates interested in launching careers in media sales.

The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation’s Media Sales Institute is coming to the Cronkite School June 5-16, 2016. The 10-day training program brings graduates of diverse background to the ASU Downtown Phoenix campus to prepare them for media sales careers in the broadcast industry.

Up to 30 fellows will be accepted and receive NABEF Media Sales Certification as well as transportation, housing and meals at no cost. Recent and soon-to-be college graduates can apply here.

The institute provides sales training seminars and mentorship and networking opportunities with more than 40 leading industry professionals, as well as a job fair with more than 20 local and national media outlets. Past media companies included CBS Radio, FOX, iHeartMedia, Meredith, Raycom Media, Scripps, TEGNA and Univision.

“The Media Sales Institute gave me the opportunity to have the career I have today,” said MSI graduate Vanessa Maines, who now works as an integrated media account executive at ABC15 in Phoenix. “MSI opened my world to a plethora of networking opportunities and gave me the chance to work with some of the top media professionals in the country. I was able to develop relationships that ultimately led to job opportunities.”

This marks the third year the Cronkite School is hosting the Media Sales Institute, which features sessions with seasoned media sales executives such as Margie Albert, a 30-year award-winning media professional who co-directs the program with Cronkite Assistant Dean Mark Lodato.

Lodato, who also serves as the associate general manager for design and innovation at Arizona PBS, said the institute offers the rare opportunity for recent journalism, business and marketing graduates to receive world-class training and interview with some of the nation’s top broadcast companies.

“Past MSI graduates have gone on to work for some of the country’s largest broadcasters, including Cox Media, Hearst, iHeartMedia, Meredith, Scripps and TEGNA,” Lodato said. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation to offer this amazing opportunity to students.”

ASU is one of a few select institutions to host this event. Florida A&M University, Howard University and Ohio University are the other universities holding Media Sales Institutes in 2016.

The National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reinforcing the future of broadcasting through a commitment to education and to advancing excellence in the diversity and community service efforts in broadcasting. In addition to the Media Sales Institute, the foundation offers a number of professional development programs, including the Broadcast Leadership Training Program and the Leadership Development Institute.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Arizona State University for another stellar Media Sales Institute,” said NABEF President Marcellus Alexander. “The intensive training and knowledge this unique program provides not only benefits its graduates, but continues to set the industry standard for developing future successful leaders in media sales.”

The deadline for priority registration for early admittance into the institute is Jan. 29, 2016. The final deadline is March 31, 2016. For questions, contact Denise Sparks at denise.sparks.1@asu.edu.