Tom Calderone, executive vice president and general manager of VH1, will return to Buffalo State College Friday to help WBNY-FM 91.3 celebrate 25 years as Buffalo’s Original Alternative during New Media Weekend: An Interactive Look at 21st Century Communications.

Calderone, who earned a B.A. in broadcasting from Buffalo State in 1986, will moderate a panel titled “The Multi-Platform World: Information 24/7” at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 26, in Bulger Communication Center West.

"Anyone who knows me, knows that Buffalo State was extremely important in my education and overall professional development,” Calderone said. “The opportunities and guidance that I received there set me up for tremendous success in my career.

"I’ve returned to campus many times over the years to help mentor students, but I always ended up learning something myself,” he added. “I’m excited to come back and tap into that enthusiastic energy again by moderating this panel with such esteemed alumni."

The panel’s original moderator, controversial publisher Judith Regan, canceled her appearance due to health reasons earlier this week.

Calderone got his start in broadcasting as WBNY’s program director, spearheading the infamous format change to alternative music. In his current position at VH1, he is responsible for the leadership, strategy and management of a network that keeps viewers in touch with the music and pop culture through a wide variety of series, specials, live events and digital media. VH1, one of the strongest brands in cable television, now reaches 90 million households. Calderone also oversees VH1.com and the VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul channels.

Joining Calderone on Friday’s panel will be Ralph Cipolla (consultant, Jacobs Media), Jonathan Cohen (overnight assignment editor, Fox News New York), Kimberly Evering (Web content manager, Northern Virginia Community College; formerly with AOL), Denise Oliver (founder, Oliver Media; formerly senior vice president for programming, Westwood One), and John Rosso (senior vice president, Citadel Interactive Division, in charge of all interactive platforms including those of ABC Radio Networks).

Panel discussions on Saturday, Oct. 27, will cover such topics as media consumer demand, the future of traditional media, and the future of new media. Local media members scheduled to participate include Elena Cala Buscarino (managing editor, Buffalo Rising), Randy Bushover (producer and reporter, WBEN-AM 930), Dave Debo (reporter, WBEN-AM 930), David McKinley (reporter, WROC-TV), Sue O’Neil (program director, WKSE-FM 98.5; on-air personality, WTSS STAR-FM 102.5), and Jerry Zremski (Washington bureau chief, Buffalo News; president, National Press Club).

New Media Weekend activities will culminate in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall, as WBNY reprises the English Beat. Considered one of the most popular and influential bands of the British ska movement, the group headlined the first WBNY-sponsored show in April 1983. Tickets for the 8p.m. show, which features local opening act Lazlo Hollyfeld, are $20 and may be purchased at the Rockwell Hall Box Office, by phone at (716) 878-3005, or online at www.buffalostate.edu/pac.

New Media Weekend is sponsored by WBNY, the WBNY Alumni Chapter, the Buffalo State College Alumni Association, the Faculty Student Association, VH1 and VH1.com. For more information, please contact the Alumni Affairs Office, (716) 878-6001. WBNY’s Alumni Chapter will also be posting regular updates about the weekend’s events on its Web site, www.wbnyalumni.com.

About WBNY-FM 91.3
WBNY-FM 91.3 has been Buffalo’s Original Alternative for 25 years. WBNY is completely student-run and funded solely by Buffalo State’s student activity fee. The station’s 60-member studentstaff, all of whom are unpaid, determines programming on a daily basis. A source for local and underground music since its inception, WBNY also airs innovative talk shows; artist interviews; coverage of special on-campus events; and Buffalo State football, basketball, and hockey games.