Media Sales Institute

Institute Overview

MSI 2012 Application Form

The Media Sales Institute is an intense twelve-day workshop designed to introduce 35 graduating seniors to the nuts and bolts of media sales as a career, offered by the Department of Radio, Television and Film and sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation (NABEF). The NABEF Media Sales Institute serves as a pipeline to funnel excellent students into the business of media sales. During the thirteen-day program, students are immersed in a fast paced learning environment. Professionals from the industry serve as the Institute’s “faculty” and are prepared to offer employment to selected graduates.

In 1999 when the Institute was conceived, we had a dream that the partnership between NABEF and the Howard University Department of Radio, TV, and Film would produce winners and that the broadcast industry would be the better for it. Founding fathers Chuck Sherman and Ernie Fears, Jr. believed that we had a formula that would assure a steady stream of media sales personnel offering diversity to the industry. With the generous support of NABEF and support from RTVF, we are pleased to report that the formula has worked. NABEF-MSI at Howard University has graduated eight classes for a total of 240 students. Of that number most are working currently in entry, mid, and top level sales positions in approximately Twenty-five companies

The NABEF Media Sales Institute Potential Students:

To apply for the NABEF Media Sales Institute, students must have graduated by the beginning of the program. Prospective students must complete an application form generally available in February, and submit a 500-word essay describing why attending the NABEF Media Sales Institute will be valuable to them. In the essay please address these specific topics: (1) Career goals, (2) How media sales are involved in those career goals and, (3) how attending the media sales institute will further those goals.

The NABEF Media Sales Institute Potential Faculty:

The individuals who agree to serve as faculty are responsible for the following: (1) organizing and developing a specified agenda topic into an appropriate class session, (2) conducting and compiling appropriate research to share with participants, (3) delivering a professional level workshop complete with instructional and training aids in the form of power point presentations, handouts, and/or audio/visual materials. Workshop sessions run from one to three hours and usually include question/answer periods and other interactive activities.

The NABEF Media Sales Institute Potential Recruiters:

For the final two days of the Institute, each student prepares a randomly-selected simulated media sales pitch which is offered in the morning as a 7-10 minute presentation before a field of professional recruiters. The afternoon is spent in scheduled one-on-one interviews. At this time, recruiters have an opportunity to meet and talk with students face to face.

The NABEF-MSI Staff — Roles and Functions

The core staff members (director, program administrator, financial administrator, and 3 interns) work a 10 month schedule from October through July. The other staff members (facilitator and 5 additional interns) work for a concentrated period in and around the 10 day Institute. The roles and functions are as follows:

  • Vicci Lovette Saunders (Director)
  • Lesley Bowers (Program Administrator)
  • William Cole (Financial Administrator / Business Director WHUR-FM Radio)
  • Jay Holloway (Facilitator)
  • Student Interns [8]: (3 interns – October- July; 5 additional interns – June only)