The APTS Public Media Summit is the largest annual gathering of public broadcasting general managers and community leaders who come together to explore issues that are vital to the future and mission of public service media. The 2021 Public Media Summit was held virtually Monday, February 22 - Tuesday, February 23, 2021. Enjoy the videos of the Summit presentations below.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. ET
Welcome to the 2021 Public Media Summit
Molly Phillips, Executive Director and General Manager, Iowa PBS; Board Chair, America’s Public Television Stations
President’s Annual Address
Patrick Butler, President and CEO, America’s Public Television Stations
Presentation of the 2021 Champion of Public Broadcasting Awards To Governor Eric Holcomb (R-IN)
2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. ET
Race Relations, Diversity and Healing Divisions
Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and founding director of the Smithsonian Museum of African American History and Culture
Interviewed by Margaret Hoover, Host, Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
2:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. ET
Recognition of Summit Sponsor and Supporters
Stacey Karp, Director of Communications, APTS
Tela Hansom-Pitt, Manager, Member Services and Marketing, APTS
2:50 p.m. - 2:55 p.m. ET
Greetings from Filmmaker Ken Burns and Judy Woodruff, Anchor and Managing Editor, PBS NewsHour
- Watch a recording of these remarks by Ken Burns.
- Watch a recording of these remarks by Judy Woodruff.
2:55 p.m. – 3:10 p.m. ET
Presentation of the 2021 Excellence in Innovation Award
Presented by Jefferi K. Lee, Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
To Anthony Padgett, President and CEO, SCETV, and Dr. Stephanie Frazier, Vice President for Education, SCETV
Presentation of the 2021 Pillar of Public Service Award
Presented by Brigadier General (Ret.) Leo A. Brooks, Jr., Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
To Andrew Russell, President and CEO, PBS SoCal and KCET, Los Angeles, California
3:10 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. ET
Greetings from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Ranking Republican, Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
- Watch a recording of these remarks by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).
- Watch a recording of these remarks by Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO).
3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. ET
Datacasting, Next Gen TV and Beyond
Susi Elkins, Director of Broadcasting & General Manager, WKAR Public Media, East Lansing, Michigan; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
Mark Newman, Executive Director, Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations (IPBS)
John Taylor, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, LG Electronics USA
Madeleine Noland, President, Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC)
Q&A
4:15 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. ET
Greetings from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Host of Finding Your Roots, and Dr. Penny Schwinn, Tennessee Commissioner of Education
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Dr. Penny Schwinn.
4:20 p.m. - 4:55 p.m. ET
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives to Strengthen Station Service
Moderated by Milton Clipper, Clipper and Company; President Emeritus, Public Broadcasting Atlanta
Nikki Bethel, President & CEO, Emma Bowen Foundation
Nia Lartey, Fellow, Emma Bowen Foundation
Norm Silverstein, President & CEO, WXXI, Rochester, New York
Ajamu Kitwana, Board Member, WXXI, Rochester, New York; VP/Director, Community Impact, ESL
Tashanda Thomas, Chief Human Resources Officer, WXXI, Rochester, New York
4:55 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
APTS/APTS Action, Inc. Annual Membership Meetings
Molly Phillips, Executive Director and General Manager, Iowa PBS; Board Chair, America’s Public Television Stations
5:00 p.m. ET
Summit Day One Ends
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
2:00 p.m. – 2:05 p.m. ET
Welcome to Day Two of the 2021 Public Media Summit (APTS Members Only)
Andrew Russell, President and CEO of PBS SoCal and KCET; Board Chair, America’s Public Television Stations
2:05 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
The New Washington: Political Landscape, Federal Advocacy and Appropriations Strategy (APTS Members Only)
Carol Kellermann, Lay Trustee, Thirteen/WNET, New York; Board Member, America's Public Television Stations
Keith Kennedy, Principal, Kennedy Enterprises and Former Staff Director, Senate Appropriations Committee
Jennifer LaTourette, Vice President, Van Scoyoc Associates and Former Chief of Staff to Rep. Steve LaTourette
Danica Petroshius, Principal, Penn Hill Group and Former Chief of Staff to Senator Edward M. Kennedy
Dom Ruscio, Partner, Cavarocchi Ruscio Dennis Associates and Former Senate Appropriations Committee Staff
Kate Riley, Vice President, Government and Public Affairs, APTS
Jennifer Kieley, Director, Government Relations, APTS
Colleen McGowan Florio, Congressional Liaison, APTS
Q&A
3:00 p.m. - 3:10 p.m. ET
Ten Years of Protect My Public Media (APTS Members Only)
Cait Beroza, Lead Digital Advocacy Strategist, APTS
3:10 p.m. - 3:50 p.m. ET
The State of the States: State Advocacy Strategy (APTS Members Only)
Garrett T. King, Former Board Chair, Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA): Board Member, America's Public Television Stations
Will Glasscock, Legislative and Policy Consultant, APTS Action, Inc.
Phil Cox, Founding Partner, 50 State; former Executive Director, Republican Governors Association
Colm O’Comartun, Founding Partner, 50 State; former Executive Director, Democratic Governors Association
Q&A
3:50 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
BREAK
4:00 p.m. – 4:10 p.m. ET
Presentation of the 2021 National Advocacy Award
Presented by DeAnne Hamilton, Executive Director and General Manager, KBTC Public Television, Tacoma, Washington; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
To Ron Pisaneschi, General Manager, Idaho Public Television
Greetings from Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Founder and Co-Chair of Public Broadcasting Caucus, and Congressman Fred Upton (R-MI), Co-Chair of Public Broadcasting Caucus
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Congressman Earl Blumenauer.
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Congressman Fred Upton.
Presentation of the 2021 David J. Brugger Lay Leadership Award
Presented by Craig Fugate, Former Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
To David Steward II, Immediate Past Board Chair of Nine PBS, St. Louis, Missouri
Greetings from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chair, House Appropriations Committee, and Congressman Tom Cole (R-OK), Ranking Republican, House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services, Education and Related Agencies
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro.
- Watch a recording of the remarks by Congressman Tom Cole.
4:10 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET
Managing Through Adversity: Growing Funding, Creating New Partnerships and Enhancing Services
Moderated by Edward Ulman, President & CEO, Alaska Public Media; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
Franz Joachim, General Manager & CEO, New Mexico PBS, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
Dr. Laura Hunter, Station Manager & COO, Utah Education and Telehealth Network (UETN) and KUEN, Salt Lake City, Utah; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
Larry D. Unger, President & Chief Executive Officer, Maryland Public Television; Board Member, America’s Public Television Stations
Q&A
5:00 p.m. ET
Conclusion of the Summit
Patrick Butler, President and CEO, America’s Public Television Stations