Press

Michael Freedman Appointed to New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards Advisory Board & Grand Jury

New York, NY | February 27, 2014

New York Festivals World’s Best Radio Programs™  announced the appointment of Michael Freedman, senior vice president and professor at University of Maryland University College (UMUC) to the New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards Advisory Board and Grand Jury panel.

“Michael Freedman brings over 35 years of broadcast journalism experience to his role as Advisory Board and Grand Jury member,” said Rose Anderson, executive director, NYF® International Radio Program Awards. “His creative vision and reputation within the industry will be a tremendous asset.”

“I am honored to serve on the Board of Advisors and hope to be able to add value to the organization as well as to learn from the fabulous Rose Anderson, her team and my fellow board members,” said Michael Freedman. “The diversity of radio programming honored by New York Festivals is a testament to the impact of the medium in the digital age.”  

In addition to his role at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), the largest public online university in the nation, Mr. Freedman is also a professorial lecturer in journalism at the George Washington University. He is executive producer of the acclaimed public broadcasting series “The Kalb Report,” moderated by Marvin Kalb; executive producer for “This Just In!” a weekly radio series on the history and future of journalism; and “American Jazz,” a weekly cultural radio series produced in collaboration with Tony Bennett.

Mr. Freedman’s broadcast career includes serving as general manager of CBS Radio Network News, managing editor for the Broadcast Division of United Press International, leadership press secretary to the Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, vice president of Communications for the George Washington University, GW professor of Journalism and founding executive director of the GW Global Media Institute. 

Throughout his career Mr. Freedman has received more than 85 honors, including 14 Edward R. Murrow awards and five Gold World Medals in the New York Festivals International Radio Program Awards. In 2012, “The Kalb Report” was honored with the Grand Award (Best in Show) by the New York Festivals. Additional honors include the RTNDA Peter Hackes Memorial Award for career contributions to broadcast journalism in Washington, D.C., and the GW School of Media and Public Affairs Faculty Excellence Award.

“As a Grand Jury member I am reminded each year of the superb work being produced around the world on multiple media platforms,” said Michael Freedman. “And as a very proud five-time Gold World Medal recipient and winner of a 2012 Grand Award, I know firsthand the value of an honor from New York Festivals.”

Mr. Freedman is co-author of “The Broadcast Voice Handbook” and a contributing author to "Broadcasting Through Crisis,” “Responsible Journalism”, and “The Encyclopedia of Journalism.” He is a member of The Newseum Educator Advisory Team, and vice-chair of The National Press Club Broadcast Committee, and previously served for ten years as a member of the board of directors of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.

NYF enlists jurists from all over the world to become Grand Jury members. These men and women include some of the most recognizable voices and captivating programming producers in the industry. Entries are judged on production values, organization, presentation of information, creativity, and use of the medium. To view the 2014 Advisory Board and Grand Jury click here.

New York Festivals will honor the 2014 award-winning entries on Monday, June 23rd at an awards ceremony at Manhattan Penthouse in New York City.

The deadline for entering the 2014 competition is March 19, 2014.  For additional competition information click: here and to enter, Log in: here.

Press inquiries should be directed to G Mandel: gmandel@newyorkfestivals.com, Ph: 1 212 643 48001 212 643 4800.

About New York Festivals

New York Festivals organizes advertising and programming competitions for the following brands:

AME Awards World's Best Advertising & Marketing Effectiveness™
The Global Awards World's Best Healthcare & Wellness Advertising™

Midas Awards World's Best Financial Advertising™
New York Festivals World's Best Advertising™
New York Festivals World's Best Radio Programs™
New York Festivals World's Best TV & Films™

Entries to each of the competitions are judged around the world by panels of peers in their respective industries. For more information, go to www.newyorkfestivals.com.