The Infinite Dial

Title: Assistant Program Director/Music Director (KTWV/Los Angeles - 94.7 The Wave)

Who is Blake? "I started as a phone op at KFMB-FM (Star 100.7) in San Diego during my spring breaks/summers when I was 13 years old. That's when I first got the radio bug. I made my way to Los Angeles to work as a Programming Intern at KBIG/KOST. I quickly moved around the company, and began working in the Promotions Department; also helped as a board op in the Programming Department where I was doing the brutal 2a-9a shift. After a few years as a production and programming assistant, my climb continued and I became the Programming Coordinator for KBIG. Recently, after working for Clear Channel, I left KBIG and now work for KTWV (CBS) as the Assistant Program Director/Music Director."

What would your dream job be? "If I was faster...a few inches taller and had another 50lbs on me...I'd be trying out for the NFL - Next best would be a Program Director"

Who has been your greatest influence? "Besides my little brother - My mentors have been my greatest influence. Starting with Jhani Kaye, Dave "Chachi" Denes and currently Paul Goldstein - I joined KTWV since last August (2007) and in the time that I've been apart of The Wave, Paul (Programming Guru) has already made me a better player in the game."

What is the one format that you can't believe nobody has done? "A request based format - via the internet/text. I've seen programs that are doing some cool web page requests for maybe a specific day part or hour - and I've seen stations that have done it for a day or a weekend. We have so many options to choose from now - and we can buy/listen to what we want...when we want. I believe to have a listener controlled station with the right technology in place could be a huge success. I'd be curious to see how it would hold up in a market."

How could radio do a better job of attracting younger listeners? "Really looking at how younger listeners live - being apart of everything - If I had the opportunity, I would have my stations branded all over video games. The Grand Theft Auto series would be a perfect - especially for a younger demo station. You listen to "Fake Radio" in the game - with online play why not incorporate streaming to the game. Now when there not at home playing they can still turn on the station they were just listening too."

How will radio remain relevant in a digital world? "We have to evolve with the digital world and the rapid development of new technology. Every newly released cell-phone, MP3 player and online program will have the ability to access online content. Additionally, streaming car radios are coming soon - you're no longer going to be fighting for every person listening in their car locally - it will be global. We must become an intricate part of the new cross-platform devices that our introduced to the public, and not think of it as someone cutting into our piece of the pie - but using it to our advantage."