The Infinite Dial

Title: Content Director at WFUV

Who is Rich? "Rich McLaughlin recently re-joined WFUV-FM in NYC as Content Director, where he is overseeing the launch of the station's brand new web and HD Radio service focused on independent music. He also produces and hosts "This Is Only A Test," the pilot program for the new service. Prior to joining WFUV, Rich was the Program Director for Alt Nation and Left of Center, two radio stations heard on Sirius Satellite Radio. He was with Sirius for nearly seven years, helping to create several of the company's radio stations before its' national launch in 2002. Rich also hosted a weekly music show on Left of Center called Cooking With Pappy, and interviewed artists ranging from Yoko Ono to R.E.M. to Courtney Love. Rich was born in the Morris Park section of The Bronx, and was raised on Long Island. He graduated from Fordham University in 2001 with a major in Communications. It was during his time as a student at Fordham that Rich first worked at WFUV in the music and sports departments. Rich is married and lives in Westchester."

What would your dream job be? "R.E.M.'s official biographer"

Who has been your greatest influence? "I've had a few major influences in my career. However, the two most important influences have been Rita Houston and Meg Griffin. Rita Houston, WFUV's Music Director, showed me the ropes at WFUV when I was a student at Fordham working at the station. It was the experience I gained working alongside Rita that gave me the confidence to pursue a career in broadcasting. Meg Griffin gave me my first opportunity in the business after I graduated from college. She brought me to Sirius Satellite Radio to assist in the programming of her two channels. The integrity and strength of character Meg has shown throughout her career is a great example to me as I continue to build my own."

What is the one format that you can't believe nobody has done? "I come from the world of satellite radio, where just about every format is, or has been, represented. There's a channel on Sirius called Faction that I really enjoy. It embodies what the action sports lifestyle is all about. Musically it ranges from hard rock to hip-hop. The on-air staff is filled with professional skateboarders, surfers, freestyle skiers, etc. I'm not holding my breathe for that format to show up on the FM dial, but it certainly speaks to a lifestyle and young audience."

How could radio do a better job of attracting younger listeners? "This is a major issue because so many younger listeners have turned their back on radio after being ignored for so long. Plus, changes in technology have shifted younger listeners away from radio. For starters though, radio needs to do a much better job of developing programmers who can relate to their audience more effectively. Right now many stations geared towards younger listeners are being run by programmers who are out of touch with that audience."

How will radio remain relevant in a digital world? "Radio will remain relevant as long as the content is unique and engaging. Radio is no longer only competing with itself, but with the Internet, iPods, etc. I do think music radio is slowly moving in the right direction in this particular area. Stations finally understand the importance of the Internet as a necessary tool for success. The radio frequency is just one, of what should be several, outlets for radio stations to show off their content. If radio continues to learn how these different technologies can work in unison, it will remain relevant in a digital world."