NAB Show New York will feature media and entertainment industry decision-makers during several Core Keynote Sessions, which are open to all registered attendees. Featuring an array of speakers and sessions, the lineup includes the Opening General Session and NAB Show New York Impact Award. All keynotes are held in the exhibit hall on Stage 1.

NAB Show New York Opening Keynote

Wed., Oct. 17, 10:30–11:15 a.m.

The Opening Keynote is sponsored by AthenasOwl, and Co-Founders Vivek Khemani and Ritesh Patel will provide introductory remarks to keynotes. The 2018 NAB Show New York will open with a welcome from National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO Gordon H. Smith. While consumers’ ways of accessing content continues to evolve in a digital media landscape, Smith highlights how local radio and TV broadcasters' reliability as the most trusted source of information and dedication to innovating to better serve their communities remain constant.

A “Fireside Chat with Robert De Niro” follows. Actor, producer and director Robert De Niro will headline the Show Opening. In a Q&A with “Deadline Hollywood” Contributing Editor Dade Hayes, De Niro will discuss the future of film and entertainment, drawing on his four-decades in the entertainment business.

Sponsor Keynote: Are You Ready for the Software 2.0 Revolution in Media?

Wed. Oct. 17, 11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

This session by AthenasOwl will focus on how software 2.0 is set to change the media business. The modern media enterprise is compelled to leverage AI-embedded applications and take a new approach to traditional business problems around content, targeting and production processes.

Featuring a panel of C-suite leaders from broadcasters and technology providers, the audience will get an inside look at companies that NAB says are shaping the global media business landscape and what's next for the broadcast and media industry.

Keynote Conversation With ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz and NAB President and CEO Gordon H. Smith

Thurs., Oct. 18, 10–10:45 a.m.

ABC News Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz and NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith headline this keynote session. The pair will discuss Raddatz’s experience as a war correspondent, White House reporter, moderator of both Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, and the importance of broadcast journalism in an era of social media unrest.

“How You Doin’?” Debmar-Mercury and Wendy Williams Celebrate Ten Years of Success Together

Thurs., Oct. 18, 1:45–2:30 p.m.

Wendy Williams, host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” will receive the NAB Show New York Impact Award. The NAB Show New York Impact Award honors the most innovative leaders in media and entertainment for their impact and influence on the overall industry, as well as in the city of New York.

Williams will be honored for her 10 years of success as host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” which attracts millions of viewers every day and is produced live in New York City. The award also honors Williams for her philanthropic work, notably with The Hunter Foundation and the newly announced Be Here Initiative. The initiative is a national awareness and call-to-action drug addiction and substance abuse campaign.

Following the award presentation, Wendy Williams and Debmar-Mercury’s Co-Presidents Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein will participate in a main stage keynote session to discuss their decade-long partnership. The session will focus on Williams’ continued appeal to a large mainstream daytime audience; her unique ability to hold viewers’ interest live for an hour a day on her own; and the show's ability to attract top production talent and celebrity guests.

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WASHINGTON, D.C.--Wendy Williams, host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” will receive the NAB Show New York Impact Award on Thursday, October 18, during the 2018 NAB Show New York. Williams will also participate in a featured main stage keynote session with Mort Marcus and Ira Bernstein, co-presidents of the talk show’s producer and distributor, Lionsgate’s Debmar-Mercury.

The NAB Show New York Impact Award honors innovative leaders in media and entertainment for their impact and influence on the overall industry, as well as in the city of New York. Williams will be honored for her 10 years of success as host of “The Wendy Williams Show,” which attracts millions of viewers every day and is produced live in New York City. The award also honors Williams for her philanthropic work, notably with The Hunter Foundation and the newly-announced Be Here Initiative. The initiative is a national awareness and call-to-action drug addiction and substance abuse campaign.

“Wendy achieved early success as one of the most popular personalities on radio and continues to influence the media and entertainment industry as host of her Emmy-nominated weekday talk show,” said NAB Executive Vice President of Conventions and Business Operations Chris Brown. “She is truly a New York success story, and we look forward to honoring her with this prestigious and well-deserved award.”

Following the award presentation, Williams and Debmar-Mercury’s Marcus and Bernstein will discuss their decade-long partnership in a session titled, “How You Doin’? – Debmar-Mercury and Wendy Williams Celebrate Ten Years of Success Together.” The session will focus on Williams’ continued appeal to a large mainstream daytime audience; her ability to hold viewers’ interest live for an hour a day on her own; and the show’s ability to attract top production talent and celebrity guests.

“The Wendy Williams Show” includes a mix of interviews with celebrity guests from television, film, music and sports. It has been nominated for multiple daytime Emmy awards and is broadcast in 53 countries. Prior to her time on television, Williams spent 23 years on radio where her career culminated with induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2009. Williams has also performed on Broadway and in films and is a best-selling author and fashion designer.

Marcus and Bernstein formed Debmar-Mercury in 2003. Following its 2006 acquisition by Lionsgate, Marcus and Bernstein introduced the new summer test model in 2008 for “The Wendy Williams Show” on the Fox Television Stations. The strategy generated strong ratings, giving Debmar-Mercury the momentum to sell the show to stations across the country for a fall 2009 national syndication debut.

Prior to Debmar-Mercury, Marcus served as president of The Walt Disney Company’s syndication wing, Buena Vista Television, among other high-level posts at Disney and throughout the industry. Bernstein served as president of Worldwide Television for Lionsgate and president of Domestic Television for Cox Enterprise’s production and distribution studio division, among others.