The International Radio and Television Society

What The International Radio and Television Society does

The International Radio and Television Society Foundation, Inc. (IRTS Foundation) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered at 125 West 55th Street, 4th Floor, New York, NY. Founded in 1939 as a cross-sector forum for electronic media and formalized with a charitable arm in 1964, IRTS operates educational programs, industry events, and mentorship pipelines aimed at building future media leaders. Its core product portfolio comprises the IRTS Summer Fellowship Program (a 9-week, fully expense-paid experience including paid internship placement, housing, and mentorship), the Future Media Leaders Career Workshop (a free two-day recruiting event), the Faculty/Industry Seminar (a free annual seminar for university educators), the Hall of Mentorship Dinner (annual awards gala), and the Newsmaker Breakfast (annual media-industry panel event). All programs are provided free of charge to participants.

IRTS generates revenue through charitable donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, with donors recognized across tiered levels ranging from Galaxy down to Friend/Patron. Visible donors include the Nielsen Foundation, Katz Media Group, Nielsen, Omnicom Media, Paramount Advertising, A+E Networks, Carat, Hearst Television, National CineMedia, NBA, and Sony Pictures Television. Strategic partners and event sponsors span nearly every major U.S. media company — NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Netflix, FOX, Google, Meta, WPP Media, Publicis Groupe, and the IAB — providing internship placements, speakers, and funding. The organization has no proprietary technology, apps, or API products; its value proposition rests on the strength of its alumni network, brand longevity spanning seven decades, and privileged access to senior media executives. Leadership is provided by President & CEO Joyce Tudryn and a Board of Directors chaired by Mike Law (EVP, Brand Partnerships, TelevisaUnivision), with Vice Chairmen representing Paramount, AMC Global Media, and E.W. Scripps. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

The International Radio and Television Society

Legal name

The International Radio and Television Society Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://irtsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The IRTS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1939 that runs free educational programs, mentorship pipelines, and industry events to build future media leaders, serving college students, university faculty, and media companies nationwide from its New York headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Media Industry Education and Career Development

NAICS

Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Educational Services (611), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDADAHAC

Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts

Education/Education Administration, Accreditation & Policy/Education Funding, Grants & Financial Aid Administration

SECONDARYEDALAOAC

Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development

Education/Student Services & Campus Operations/Alumni Relations, Development & Campus Community Engagement

Keywords

• Media career education
• Nonprofit mentorship programs
• Media industry networking
• Professional development fellowships
• Media leadership training

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Charitable Donations: The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and generates revenue through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors are acknowledged at various giving levels including Galaxy, Platinum, Diamond, Champion, Star, Visionary, Mentor, Leader, Trailblazer, Hero, Legacy, Maven, Pacesetter, Benefactor, Friend, Patron, and Helping Hand categories.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The IRTS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that operates free educational programs, industry events, and mentorship pipelines to build future media leaders. Its flagship offerings include the IRTS Summer Fellowship Program (a 9-week all-expense-paid experience with a paid internship at a top NYC media company), the Future Media Leaders Career Workshop (a free two-day in-person workshop), the Faculty/Industry Seminar (educator professional development), and annual industry events such as the Hall of Mentorship Dinner and Newsmaker Breakfast.

Product overview

The IRTS Foundation operates as a nonprofit educational organization offering a portfolio of programs designed for Building Future Media Leaders. The core offerings include the IRTS Summer Fellowship Program (a 9-week expense-paid experience with internships and mentorship), the Future Media Leaders Career Workshop (a two-day career workshop), Faculty/Industry Seminars (educator-focused professional development), the Hall of Mentorship Dinner (annual awards gala), and the Newsmaker Breakfast (industry networking event). These programs collectively provide education, training, networking, and mentorship to aspiring media professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IRTS Summer Fellowship Program A 9-week all-expense-paid experience for college students and recent graduates that includes an industry orientation, full-time paid internship at a top NYC media company, seminars, field trips, networking events, and mentoring. The program covers round-trip travel, housing at a Manhattan university dormitory, and a paid internship aligned with participants' interests.
• Future Media Leaders Career Workshop A free two-day in-person workshop that allows students to interface with top media companies, gain industry insights, and interview with recruiters from major networks, agencies, streaming platforms, and media companies (including NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Google, and Meta). Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.
• Faculty/Industry Seminar A free annual one-day seminar in New York City that provides university educators and career services professionals with tools, trends, and insights from top media leaders to help them keep their teaching timely and relevant and better prepare students for media careers. Lunch is included.
• Hall of Mentorship Dinner An annual gala saluting top mentors and industry leadership, honoring extraordinary leaders who inspire through mentoring, including awards such as the Gold Medal Award and Founders Award.
• Newsmaker Breakfast An annual must-attend industry event that attracts a capacity audience of media sellers and buyers, featuring panel discussions on current media marketplace trends with executives from companies such as NBCUniversal, Disney Advertising, FOX Corporation, Netflix, Paramount Advertising, WPP Media, and Omnicom Media Group.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Top Media Companies (Internship Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRTS partners with top media companies in New York City to provide paid internship placements for Summer Fellowship participants. These companies align with students' interests and career goals, offering exposure to various sectors including networks, agencies, station groups, tech firms, and social strategy companies. Many company representatives are alumni of the IRTS program.
• Media Companies (Career Fair Participants)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia companies participate in IRTS Career Workshops by sending recruiters and representatives to meet with conferees. Past participants have included major networks, agencies, streaming platforms, and media companies such as NBCUniversal, Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount, Google, Meta, and many others.
• 4-Year Universities and Educational InstitutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIRTS partners with 4-year educational institutions to recruit faculty and career services professionals for the Faculty/Industry Seminar. The program helps educators keep their teaching timely and relevant by connecting them with top media leaders. Faculty from communications, advertising, marketing, business, and liberal arts disciplines participate.
• Omnicom Media GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParticipates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Omnicom Media Group executives serve as panelists discussing industry trends including AI, media marketplace evolution, and advertising technology.
• FOX CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOX Corporation participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Executives from FOX serve as panelists discussing advertising, partnerships, and industry trends.
• NBCUniversalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNBCUniversal participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Executives from NBCUniversal serve as panelists discussing advertising, partnerships, and industry trends.
• Disney AdvertisingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney Advertising participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Executives from Disney serve as panelists discussing advertising and industry trends.
• NetflixminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetflix participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Netflix executives serve as panelists discussing advertising, streaming marketplace, and industry trends.
• Paramount AdvertisingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParamount Advertising participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. Executives serve as panelists discussing advertising and industry trends.
• WPP MediaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWPP Media participates in IRTS Newsmaker Breakfast events as a speaker sponsor. WPP executives serve as panelists discussing transformation, media strategies, and industry trends.
• Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAB serves as a strategic partner for the Newsmaker Breakfast, with CEO David Cohen moderating panel discussions on industry trends, AI, and media marketplace evolution.
• The Walt Disney CompanyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDisney executives participate in Hall of Mentorship Awards, with Debra OConnell (President, ABC News Group and Disney Entertainment Networks) receiving the Gold Medal Award in 2025.
• Debmar-MercuryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-President Ira Bernstein received the Founders Award at the 2025 Hall of Mentorship Awards.
• Publicis GroupeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer Chief Strategist & Growth Officer Rishad Tobaccowala received a Hall of Mentorship Award in 2025.
• FOX 5 WNYWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Host Curt Menefee received a Hall of Mentorship Award in 2025. He co-hosts Good Day New York and FOX NFL Sunday.
• Omnicom Media GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerChief Investment Officer Katie Klein received a Hall of Mentorship Award in 2025. Omnicom Media Group executives participate in IRTS programming.
• Nielsen FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGalaxy-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission to build future leaders in the media industry.
• Katz Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level donor and sponsor. Also participates in IRTS events with executive Christine Travaglini serving on the Board of Directors.
• NielsenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• Omnicom MediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• Paramount AdvertisingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChampion-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission. CEO Jeff Collins serves on the Board as Vice Chairman.
• A+E NetworksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• CaratminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• Hearst TelevisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• National CineMedia (NCM)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• NBAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.
• Sony Pictures TelevisionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerStar-level donor supporting IRTS Foundation's mission.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): CPJ is a nonprofit that promotes press freedom and supports journalists worldwide. It is loosely comparable to IRTS as a media-focused nonprofit organization, though CPJ focuses on global press freedom advocacy rather than U.S. career development.
• Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE): FIRE is a nonprofit that defends free speech and academic freedom through education and advocacy. While thematically connected to media and education, it differs from IRTS as it focuses on First Amendment litigation and advocacy rather than media career pipelines.

Broad incumbents

• National Association of Broadcasters (NAB): NAB is the trade association for the U.S. broadcast industry, providing advocacy, education, and the NAB Show. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-industry association that serves member companies and supports industry workforce development, though at a much larger scale and broader scope.

Direct peers

• Broadcast Education Association (BEA): BEA is the professional association for professors, industry professionals, and students of electronic media and broadcasting, supporting scholarship and curriculum. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-focused educational nonprofit that bridges academics and industry, particularly via the Faculty/Industry Seminar component.
• National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ): NABJ is a 501(c)(3) organization providing educational programs, scholarships, and career development for Black journalists and media professionals. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-focused nonprofit emphasizing diversity, training, and industry networking, with a similar fellowship/scholarship model.
• The Paley Center for Media: The Paley Center for Media is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves media history and runs public programming, education initiatives, and industry events. It is the most directly comparable peer to IRTS Foundation as another media-focused nonprofit that convenes executives and supports industry education.
• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ): SPJ is the nation's most broad-based journalism organization, providing training, advocacy, and ethics resources for media professionals. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-industry nonprofit that delivers educational programming and industry recognition to support media careers.
• Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA): RTDNA is the world's largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism, offering training, scholarships, and awards. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-industry nonprofit that supports journalism and broadcasting careers through educational programming and recognition events.
• Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA): AAJA is a nonprofit supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists through training, scholarships, and career development programs. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-focused nonprofit providing career development, scholarships, and networking for diverse media talent.

Emerging players

• The News Literacy Project: The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan national education nonprofit that teaches students how to identify credible news. It is comparable to IRTS as a media-focused educational nonprofit, though focused on news literacy in schools rather than industry career development.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/topic.php
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-irts-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Radio and Television Society