2026 FWD Speakers

Radio’s Next Era: The Leadership Decisions That Will Define Your Station’s Future

The future of radio will not be won with playlist tweaks or programming clock adjustments. It will be won by leaders who develop talent, invest in local identity, and create meaningful audience connections. 

This session breaks down the structural challenges facing stations today and outlines a practical leadership approach using today’s tools (including smart ways to use AI) to do more with less, making an impact by elevating personalities, strengthening community ties, and creating new revenue opportunities tied to local influence. 

For broadcasters who want to thrive, not just survive. 

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Widely recognized for his innovation and influence within the media landscape, Tracy Johnson has made a profound impact across a broad spectrum of media, including radio broadcasting, digital platforms, and podcasting. With his unique blend of expertise in crafting content, implementing successful creative strategies, managing digital initiatives, generating new revenue sources, and building dynamic teams, Johnson continues to innovate and redefine success in today’s ever-changing media landscape.

Beyond Live & Local: How Radio Can Be In The Moment

We know live and local is valuable, but radio doesn’t always deliver it or know how to get credit for it from listeners. We also know there are times when content is more important than where it’s delivered from. Or when broadcasters need to rely on out-of-the-market assets. Here’s veteran broadcast observer, journalist and consultant Sean Ross’ take on solidifying your bond to the community and creating the best, most vital content under every scenario.

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Sean Ross is the author of the influential Ross on Radio newsletter, covering both trends and history in programming and music every Thursday. He is also a programming and research consultant to radio stations worldwide, most recently through the New Jersey-based Advantage Music Research. Throughout Sean’s career, Canadian radio has been a personal passion, and he has worked with dozens of stations over the last 20 years.

Canadian Media Economic Impact And Forecast for the Future

Digital advertising spending in Canada is expected to grow much faster than consumer spending by 2026, creating what some call an "Efficiency Trap." As brands focus on global platforms they can measure, our local media industry, including broadcast, is losing ground even though it plays a key role in our national economy, culture and growth. In this session, Sarah Thompson, Executive Managing Director at Glassroom, will share the latest findings from "Canadian Media Means Business." She will go beyond the usual story of a struggling sector and highlight how Canadian media is actually leading in job creation, beating out industries like auto, mining, and telecommunications. Sarah will also answer your questions about media buying and talk about the trends shaping the Canadian media landscape and economy.

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Sarah Thompson is the Executive Managing Director of Glassroom and leads the Canadian Media Means Business initiative. She has received several awards, such as Canadian Media Champion from Adclub Toronto and Media Leader of the Year from the CMDC. Sarah has also spoken at conferences in Canada, Europe, and the US.

James Cridland is the Editor of Podnews, the daily podcast newsletter, and a writer, consultant, and speaker on the future of radio and audio. Working in audio since 1989, he has held senior roles across radio, podcasting, and audio technology in the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.

He was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in January 2026 and received the inaugural Ambies International Impact Award in 2025. A founder of RadioDNS and a contributor to Podcasting 2.0, James has helped shape global standards for radio and podcasting. He helped launch the world’s first streaming radio smartphone app and led major digital transformation projects at both Virgin Radio and the BBC.

James lives in Brisbane, Australia, and strongly dislikes cinnamon‑flavoured beer.

 Caroline is a highly regarded media expert with a wealth of experience in agency, C-Suite, and private consultancy roles. Throughout her accomplished career, Caroline has worked with local and global clients across every major advertising category. Leveraging this deep knowledge, she helps advertisers recognize radio as a powerful and effective medium to achieve their advertising and business goals. Caroline has achieved the Chartered Marketer designation from the Canadian Marketing Association and serves as Chair of their Media Council. She is also a member of the Numeris Audio Executive Committee and holds the position of Vice President at the World Radio Alliance 

Gerry MacKrell is the President of Canadian Broadcast Sales, a role he has held since 2017.

Prior to that, Gerry spent more than 20 years in progressively more senior sales roles at Corus Entertainment.

In his current role with CBS, Gerry and his team have brought leading-edge analytics to the national radio business, invested heavily in consumer research, launched digital network AudioVelocity, reintroduced the power of on-air talent to advertisers, and prioritized processes to support audio advertising-oriented business development with national advertisers and their agencies.

Gerry is passionately mediocre in his pursuit of hockey & cycling. He also claims that his grandchildren, to varying degrees, enjoy his singing.

President, Canadian Association of Broadcasters

Kevin Desjardins is the President of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, representing Canada’s private radio and television stations and services. He returned to the CAB in 2020, after having served in public affairs and communications roles at the association from 2005 to 2007.

Kevin is an accomplished association leader, with a wealth of experience in all aspects of management for industry and professional groups, and a focus on federal advocacy and communications.  Previous to the CAB, he also served in public affairs roles at the Canadian Dental Association, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and the Canadian Conference of the Arts. He also served for six years on the Board of Directors of the Government Relations Institute of Canada. A respected government relations professional, Kevin was recognized this year as one of the Top 100 Lobbyists in The Hill Times’ annual list.

Contents Monetization and Increased Customer Engagements using Human-in-the-Loop AI Technologies

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Ashish Agrawal is the Founder and CEO of Eon Media Corp, a company that develops B2B AI products for media and entertainment companies, broadcasters, and sports organizations. Eon Media has received multiple industry awards for its products that help clients monetize their content archives and unlock long-term value from their content libraries.
With decades of experience in B2B media and video streaming, Ashish has played key roles in launching OTT platforms for organizations, including AT&T, Fox, and Rogers. His expertise spans product strategy, technology execution, and commercial delivery in both large-scale enterprises and start-up environments.
As an entrepreneur, Ashish is focused on building scalable, practical solutions to real industry challenges. He combines deep technological expertise with a disciplined approach and a strong commitment to client needs, operational fit, and long-term business value, ensuring EON Media delivers solutions aligned with each organization’s strategic and operational priorities.

Sylvie started her career in the communications sector at the CRTC as legal counsel and Special Advisor to the Chair of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC 1991-1997), developing in-depth knowledge of the mandate and objectives of the CRTC and the sectors regulated by the tribunal.  

She then moved to the private sector and assumed a senior management role at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) - Executive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs where she led, managed, coordinated and supervised all activities of the Policy and Regulatory Affairs branch of the CAB serving the television, specialty and radio sectors.

After leaving the CAB she assumed the role of Director, Regulatory Affairs (TELUS Québec) while simultaneously working as a communications sector consultant/sole practitioner dealing with various broadcasting matters for large and small private communications companies. 

She then began a 13-year career with Corus Entertainment as Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Government Relations and Compliance.  In this role, she led and engaged a multi-disciplinary team within Corus on numerous television and radio applications and appearances before the CRTC, Parliamentary Committees and other government bodies and agencies. 

After leaving the CAB, she assumed the role of ards, including Chair of the board of the CAB, Chair of the board of the Radio SExecutive Vice President, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Chair of the board of Musicaction and member of the Legal Committee of NABA and is currently Vice-President of the Board for International Institute of Communications – Canada Chapter.