November 5/6 2025 | Berlin, Germany
SESSIONS
NOVEMBER 6 2025
A big shoutout to all speakers. Without this year's volunteers from the community, the following would not be possible! Celebrate your peers on stage!
Special thanks to GAVRIL, who brings the sound to life this year at Warming Up and in the Artloft. The DJ and producer hails from Milan – and when he’s not with us, you’ll find him featured on MTV’s Big 20 for fresh, trending club music. Feel free to connect and share!
09.40 | OPENING
09.45 | MORNING MOTIVATION
RADIO IS F*** ALIVE!
Alex Kind
artloft
Alex is CEO of STAR FM Maximum Rock, a leading rock radio brand in Berlin. With over 30 years in the radio industry, he has shaped programming, digital strategies, and brand experiences that keep radio vibrant in a streaming world. From redefining audio content to building communities around music, Alex proves that radio is evolving and thriving. Let’s explore why radio is more alive than ever, together with him!
10.00 | OPENING SESSION
ALL ABOUT MUSICMASTER CS
Scott Wirt
hands-on kitchen
Among MusicMaster users he needs no introduction. Scott is on the software’s splash screen for decades. In a Q&A session, the Vice President and Chief Developer of MusicMaster provides insights into the inner world of the MusicMaster Client-Server Edition.
11.00 | SESSIONS
CHASING EXCELLENCE
Christos Papadas
artloft
Christos rose through the ranks to Music Director and Program Director - leading a major Athens rock station to #1 multiple times. As Group Operations Manager and now GM of Menta 88, Pepper 96.6 and the fast-growing Happy 104, he’s known for smart programming, audience-first strategy, and remarkable rating climbs. Hear his insights on building listener-winning sounds, programming for growth, and leading music stations in competitive markets.
11.00 | SESSIONS
PROGRAMMING FOR THE STREAMING GENERATION
Jens Kopel
hands-on kitchen
With a strong background in radio and digital music, Jens brings a unique perspective on how streaming platforms curate, personalize, and deliver music to millions of listeners worldwide. At Amazon Music, he helps shape content strategy, blending editorial creativity with data-driven insights to craft listening experiences that truly connect. Let’s explore what radio can learn from it.
11.45 | SESSIONS
STATE OF PLAY:
THE ONE WITH THE NEW FRIEND
Kevin Hopkins
artloft
Our very own Kevin from ON AIR takes the stage again. And Kevin wouldn't be Kevin if he didn't have some technological ideas up his sleeve to make your workday easier and smarter, and (yes) a little more fun. The one with the new friend: I’ll be there for you…
11.45 | SESSIONS
PROGRAMMING WITHOUT BORDERS: HOW CULTURE SHAPES THE SOUND OF A STATION
Jay R Smith
hands-on kitchen
From the U.S. to Southeast Asia and the Middle East, Jay has built radio brands that resonate across languages, markets, and mindsets. In this session, he explores how local culture, language, and listener behavior influence every element of programming — from rotations and clocks to imaging and station identity. He reveals what it takes to adapt a format for new audiences while keeping the brand’s core sound consistent, engaging, and authentic.
14.00 | SESSIONS
THE DUTCH PANEL: INNOVATION, CREATIVITY AND COLLABORATION IN ONE OF EUROPE'S MOST LOOKED AT RADIO MARKETS
Anton van Lieshout, Martijn Biemans, Vincent de Lijser, Youssef Oul-Hadj
artloft
IMS² turns orange! Some of the brightest minds from Dutch radio scene will be on stage together as an absolute premiere: Anton van Lieshout (Mediahuis), Martijn Biemans (Qmusic), Vincent de Lijser (Talpa Network) and Youssef Oul-Hadj (Hear Hear Amsterdam) will explore with us how innovation, creativity, and collaboration shape one of Europe’s most looked at radio markets.
14.00 | SESSIONS
MANAGING A RADIO STATION IN THREE LANGUAGES: RADIO SWISS CLASSIC
Sébastien König
hands-on kitchen
Sébastien curates repertoire and oversees MusicMaster for the entire Classical/Jazz team at the Swiss public broadcaster SRF. Beyond broadcasting, he brings a creative edge as a multilingual voice-over artist and an active force in cultural associations. Hear his perspective on programming classical and jazz formats, shaping cultural radio, and inspiring audiences with music that resonates.
15.00 | SESSIONS
THE COMPLETE STORY OF MUSIC SCHEDULING
Joe Knapp, Scott Wirt
artloft
From a groundbreaking idea to the world’s leading music scheduling software, Joe’s vision has influenced how radio stations across the globe shape their sound. Together with Scott Wirt, MusicMaster’s Chief Developer, Joe shares insights from more than 40 years of advancing the art of music scheduling.
PARTNERS
