The biggest change in the media today, according to Paul Condolora '82, senior vice president and general manager for Cartoon Network New Media, is the control the consumer has. "On-demand is revolutionizing the media," he told those assembled for the third annual Louis A. Borrelli Jr. '77 Media Summit Oct. 17 in Sheldon Hall on campus.  "We will access media when, where and how we want."

Russell Quy, vice president and executive producer of IMG Media, added "what" to that list choices. "The consumer will choose content," he said.

The top names in the media industry convened on the Oswego State campus to discuss how new technologies and new generations are creating the media of the future.

The daylong event featured classroom visits and small discussions with panelists, highlighted by a panel presentation moderated by Al Roker '76 of NBC’s “Today” show.

In addition to Condolora and Quy, this year’s panelists included Geraldine B. Laybourne, founder, chair and CEO of Oxygen Media; Doug McMonagle, regional director of Inergize Digital Media; and Shelly Palmer, managing director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC.

The panelists had words of encouragement for their young audience as well.

Palmer noted a need for talented youngsters. "You don’t know how much you’re worth," he told the assembled students.

"You are the most exciting generation, very civic-minded," said Laybourne, calling them "the giving generation."

McMonagle urged a communal use for new media, calling on people to use the DVR to "bring the family together," recording shows to watch together when everyone’s schedule is free.

Moderator Roker had a more personal message for the students in the audience. As an alumnus, he said, "I feel blessed I got to go to this school. This school will allow you to do whatever you want."

The summit closed with a moving tribute to a former professor. Borrelli and Roker have started an endowed fund to name the summit in honor of Dr. Lewis B. "Doc" O’Donnell, professor emeritus of communication studies, who passed away Aug. 28. Doc’s widow, Betty, and several family members were on hand for the unveiling of the new logo naming future summits the Dr. Lewis B. O’Donnell Media Summit.

—Michele Reed

Students Key to Summit Success

The panel discussion is a culmination of the day’s events, as the annual Media Summit is really about the students. Panelists spend the entire day of the summit visiting classes to speak with undergraduates. This year, three students were Media Summit interns and seven were selected to act as hosts for Louis A. Borrelli Jr. '77 and the visiting panelists.

The student hosts escorted panelists around campus to speak to classes, attended a luncheon with President Stanley and took part in a reception prior to the panel discussion. These students were fortunate enough to interact with panelists one-on-one.

Broadcasting major Connie Inzinna '08 was the student host for Shelly Palmer of Media 3.0. “Shelly was an incredibly knowledgeable person. I felt honored to host him because he knows so many people in the industry. He spoke to different classes with different topics and changed his lecture each time," she said. "He was a great teacher and motivator for those looking to go into the media field.”

The Media Summit interns began their duties in the spring. Their responsibilities included promoting the summit to students through media coverage, classroom discussion and a poster campaign. They also informed students across different disciplines about how listening to particular panelists could benefit them in their field.

“Interning for the summit really helped me to see what’s available out there, career wise,” said intern and journalism major Anthony Borrelli '08. "Being on the inside of the summit and really involved throughout the day opened my eyes more than just attending the panel discussion. It was a whole new perspective."

— Kristin Quinn '08

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Media Summit panelists react to a question from Moderator Al Roker '76 (far left). They are Paul Condolora '82, senior vice president and general manager for Cartoon Network New Media; Russell Quy, vice president and executive producer of IMG Media; Geraldine B. Laybourne, founder, chair and CEO of Oxygen Media; Doug McMonagle, regional director of Inergize Digital Media; and Shelly Palmer, managing director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC.

Al Roker '76 grants an interview to student-run television station WTOP after the Media Summit panel discussion.

Paul Condolora '82, senior vice president and general manager for Cartoon Network New Media, makes a point for students in a qualitative research class taught by Kristen Eichorn of the communication studies faculty.

Louis A. Borrelli Jr. '77 talks about his career in the cable industry to a class taught by marketing Professor James Molinari '75.

Geraldine B. Laybourne, founder, chair and CEO of Oxygen Media, speaks to students in Professor Tina Pieraccini’s "Gateway to Business" class.

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