Coming November 6, 2025 - Ford Field, Detroit
MAB and MHSAA present the 4th annual Great Lakes Broadcast & Sports Media Academy. Learn from top media pros, meet stations at the Media Career Fair, get hands-on experience in the Technology Hub, and explore careers in broadcasting and sports media.
Session Location: Gate G
Keynote Address: Jennifer Hammond | 9:15 am - 10:00 am
Detroit Sports Reporter Jennifer Hammond is "bringing the hammer" to the Great Lakes Broadcast & Sports Media Academy on Thursday, November 6 at Ford Field!
Known for her energetic storytelling and passion for Detroit sports, Fox 2 Detroit's Jennifer Hammond will headline this year's event with an inside look at life on the sidelines, from locker room interviews to building trust with players and viewers alike.
Breakout Session Group 1 | 10:15 am - 11:00 am
Check out who’s speaking, what you’ll learn, and where to be, then get ready to take notes, ask questions, and get inspired!
Session Location: Gate F, 10:15 am
Behind the Mic & Camera: Ask the Experts Roundtables
Join small-group conversations with industry pros. Each table covers a different topic, choose what interests you most, ask questions, and get advice from the people who do it every day.
- Broadcast Tech Trends: Explore how new technology, like AI, cloud production, and streaming, is shaping the future of broadcasting.
Chris Brunt, Director of AI, Digital, & Revenue, Jacobs Media, Inc.
- Digital Storytelling: Find out how to create short, engaging stories for websites and social media that connect with audiences on every platform.
Tim Pamplin, Reporter, WWJ Newsradio 950, Detroit
- Podcasting: From idea to upload, learn what it takes to create, produce, and promote your station’s, or your own, podcast.
Zach Clark, Producer/Host, Audacy Sports & Originals, Detroit
- Sports Reporting: Get tips on covering games, writing recaps, and reporting sports stories that keep fans engaged.
Daniella Bruce, Broadcast Reporter for Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings
- Play-by-Play: Discover how play-by-play announcers bring the action to life and learn the basics of calling a game.
Jeremy Otto, Play-by-Play Announcer
- Investigative & Breaking News Reporting: Understand how reporters handle breaking news, verify information quickly, and keep stories accurate under pressure.
Paula Tutman, Retired Journalist and Reporter, WDIV-TV, Detroit
- Landing Your First Media Job: Hear what hiring managers look for in resumes, demo reels, and interviews, and how to land your first big opportunity.
Mike Schram, News Director, WILX-TV, Lansing
- Esports & Emerging Media: Explore how competitive gaming and streaming are opening new doors in broadcasting, production, and content creation.
Adam Antor, Professor of Esports Production, Ferris State University
Justin Summe, Esports Coordinator, Ferris State University
Session Location: Gate G, 10:15 am
Anchoring, On-Air, & On-Screen Confidence
A great anchor isn't just someone who reads from a teleprompter, they connect with their audience through presence, delivery, and authenticity. This session helps students develop the skills to shine on-camera, on-air, and on-screen, whether anchoring news, sports, or entertainment.
Nicole Buchmann
Studio 10 Executive Producer & Host
WILX News 10, Lansing
Owen Oszust
Sports Reporter
WILX News 10, Lansing
Session Location: Hall of Legends (2nd Level), 10:15 am
Storytelling & Trust in Sports
Industry veterans from FanDuel Sports Network will discuss how telecasts are more than just showing the game, they tell the stories of the teams, players, and how each game unfolds. Discover how stats, graphics, interviews, and behind-the-scenes access enhance the storytelling process and bring fans closer to the action. The session also explores how production teams build trust with players, coaches, and audiences to create authentic, engaging coverage that resonates beyond the final score.
Jason Dizik
Live Event Producer, Detroit Pistons & Tigers
FanDuel Sports Network
Session Location: Beaubien Courtyard, 10:15 am
Educator Roundtables with SportsCaster.com
Join SportsCaster.com in this informative session and meet up with like-minded educators. First, learn about SportsCaster and what it has to offer your program. Then, join a conversation about trends we're seeing in high school sports media; Creators vs. Broadcasters and the rise in popularity of high school sports content.
Breakout Session Group 2 | 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Discover the next round of sessions, meet more industry pros, and keep the momentum going! Dive in, stay curious, and make the most of it!
Session Location: Gate F, 11:15 am
Career Conversations: Broadcasting & Beyond Roundtables
In this fast-paced roundtable session, students rotate between tables hosted by media leaders. Each table focuses on a practical career topic, from acing interviews to pitching yourself to employers.
- Elevator Pitches: Learn how to pitch yourself (or your station) in 30 seconds with confidence and impact.
Stephanie Lundberg, General Sales Manager, WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo
- The Hardest Interview Questions: Get strategies for answering tricky interview questions like a pro.
Mark Jaycox, VP/Market Manager, Midwest Communications, Inc., Lansing
- Resume & Demo Reel Do’s and Don’ts: Discover what hiring managers really want to see, and what to avoid.
Jade Springart, Program Director & Afternoon Host, WRIF-FM, Detroit
- Networking in the Real World: Find out how to make authentic connections that lead to career opportunities.
Carly Munoz, Assistant Brand Manager, Priority Health, Grand Rapids
- What Hiring Managers Really Look For: Hear directly from decision-makers about the skills and traits that get candidates hired.
Ryan Cole, Assistant News Director, ABC12-WJRT, Flint
- Career Paths You Might Not Expect in Broadcasting: Explore unique and lesser-known roles in media that could be your perfect fit.
Ian Rhodes, Production Manager, WDIV-TV, Detroit
- From Internship to Full-Time Job: Tips for turning a temporary role into a career-launching opportunity.
Shannone Dunlap, EVP & General Manager, Black Diamond Broadcast Group, Central & Northern Michigan
- Building Professional Confidence Early: Learn how to project confidence in interviews, internships, and the workplace.
Max White, Digital Executive Producer, WXYZ-TV, Detroit
Session Location: Gate G, 11:15 am
Crisis Coverage: Reporting When News Breaks
When breaking news happens, reporters have to react quickly, accurately, and responsibly. This session explores how journalists prepare for fast-moving events, balance speed with accuracy, and deliver stories under pressure.
Karen Drew
Anchor/Reporter
WDIV-TV, Detroit
Nick Monacelli
Anchor/Reporter
WDIV-TV, Detroit
Brandon Wirth
News & Sports Director
Big Rapids Media Network, Big Rapids
Session Location: Hall of Legends (2nd Level), 11:15 am
Fact vs. Fiction: Spotting Misinformation in the Digital Age
With misinformation spreading faster than ever, journalists play a vital role in verifying facts and protecting public trust. This session teaches practical strategies to identify false content and ensure credibility in reporting.
Marie Osborne
Director of Community Affairs & News
Cumulus Media, WJR-AM, Detroit
Curtis Paul
Digital Media Director
Cumulus Media, Detroit/Ann Arbor
Seth Wells
Morning Anchor/Executive Producer
WILX-TV, Lansing
Session Location: Beaubien Courtyard, 11:15 am
Educator Roundtables: Hot Topics in Media Education
Join fellow educators for an engaging roundtable discussion on today’s most relevant topics in media, journalism, and broadcasting education. Share ideas, challenges, and success stories with peers who understand your classroom.
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