The Infinite Dial

Edison Media Research presented the awards for the 30 most promising young talents in Radio at the Conclave 007: Radio Under Construction.

The luncheon held to honor these radio professionals took place on Saturday June 30th in Minneapolis. Bob Eubanks addressed the audience with entertaining clips from his hit show, "The Newlywed Game." Edison President and Co-Founder, Larry Rosin, spoke about how important these young talents are to the radio industry. He encouraged them to continue on in their achievements and contributions to radio.

Larry also announced that this was going to be the first of an annual 30 Under 30 Talent Search. A new search for Edison's next 30 Under 30 will take place at the end of this year and will be celebrated at the 2008 Learning Conference in Minneapolis during the weekend of June 26-28th at the Marriott City Center, Minneapolis.

Congratulations again to Daniel Anstandig, Michael Bryan, Buck Head, Chase, Tommy Chuck, Matt DuBiel, Jon Daniels, Spero Dedes, Fisher, Rob Garcia, Scott Herrold, Jeremiah 'J.' Hicks, Matt Johnson, Kane, J Kruz, James Kurdziel, Bo Matthews, Dustin Matthews, Maynard, Jared Mims, Drew Murrell, Chris Oliviero, Chris Pickett, Jana Rogers, Romeo, Nadine Santos, Brad Savage, Patrick 'Nick' Thomas, Adam Uytman and Ryan Zimmerman.

Name:
Adam Uytman

Current Title/Position/Company:
Programme Director, XFM London

Bio:
Following heavy involvement in community, student and numerous other radio projects since the age of 15, I joined the launch team of regional radio station Beat 106 in Central Scotland in 1999 in my final year of study at Glasgow University. During this time I gained wide experience in all aspects of programming through roles such as Station Producer, Newsreader and Presenter – this included a year on mid-mornings where I achieved the show’s highest figures to date. From 2001 until 2004 as Music Manager I was responsible for programming the musical output at the station and helped take the Beat 106 to it’s highest reach figure of 509,000.

In March 2004 I moved to Birmingham, joining EMAP as part of the launch team of rock station Kerrang! 105.2. As Head of Music I was responsible for shaping the musical direction of both the new FM service in the West Midlands and the existing national digital service. In June of 2005 I was appointed Programme Director of the station, and during my time achieved a 55% increase in regional audience and a 40% increase in national audience. I also led the team to win, amongst numerous other industry accolades, 4 prestigious Sony Gold Awards, including Station Of The Year.

Most recently in January 2007 I joined GCap Media as Programme Director for XFM London, tasked with refocusing the station in order to gain significant audience increases in the most competitive radio market in the UK.

Name:
Rob Garcia

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director – WZBZ/WGBZ-FM & WMID-AM Atlantic City, NJ

Bio:
A life long resident of New Jersey, I got my start at a small radio station in Vineland, NJ (WVLT-FM) My first duties at the station was to get the church shows on the air Sunday mornings. Shortly after that, I was moved up to a Saturday air shift and eventually went on to hold down full time afternoons, then mornings and the music director position.

After many successful years at WVLT, I ventured down to the Jersey shore to work part time at WAYV-FM.

Margate communications came knocking in December of 2001 and I left WAYV to become the production director for WZBZ, WMID, WTTH. A short time later, I was offered and accepted the PD position at then Dance/Rhythmic WZBZ-FM.

Not to long after, Equity Communications, owner of WAYV & WZXL bought our Margate cluster. I retained my programming position with WZBZ while flipping the station to CHR/Rhythmic and taking it to # 1 in our first book. I also added programming duties for Classic Oldies AM, WMID and Urban AC, WTTH.

I currently reside just outside of Atlantic City with my wife and 2 pets and loving every minute of working with South Jersey’s best radio company, Equity Communications.

Name:
Michael Bryan

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director XL 106.7-Orlando & Kiss 95.1-Melbourne

Bio:
Radio is what I do. I've been in love with the radio since I was a little kid. Born 3/21/1978 in the small town of Greeneville TN, I'm a second generation broadcaster. My father (Darrell Bryan) spent over 30 years in our industry and I was literally under his feet in a Production Room from the time I could walk. My first 'official' radio job happened in 1992 at age 14. I started by board-opping Sunday Morning preachers at my dad's radio station -- WSMG in Greeneville, TN. By 15, I was completely hooked. My dad would have to pick me up from my Saturday Night show, because I couldn't drive. He'd coach me on the way home. I literally spent all of my high school and college years working at multiple radio stations in East TN (Greeneville & Tri-Cities) fighting for every second I could get "on the air."

In addition to actually working at radio stations... Since 1997, I've had my own company called "Radio Cafe." Radio Cafe is a Creative Services company specializing in both Creative Web Design & Radio Imaging. We've imaged radio stations from major markets like Boston to small towns like Paducah. In addition, RC has created industry Web sites ranging from state broadcasting associations to Imaging Services like A-Town Sound.

In May 2000, I graduated with a Broadcast Management degree at East TN State University in Johnson City. The same week of my graduation, I started my first full-time job doing nights at Hot AC WRQQ (Star 97) in Nashville. Within 6 months, I had the opportunity to move to WNVZ (Z104) Norfolk as Midday Talent and Imaging Director. After two years (at age 24), Entercom promoted me to the Assistant PD job at WEZB (B97) New Orleans. 15 Months later, at 25, Entercom moved me to Greensboro-NC as Program Director of WOZN (The Zone). After two years and a successful format flip to Variety Hits in Greensboro, I was given the opportunity to move back to Z104-Norfolk with Entercom as the first new Program Director in over 12 years. It was a killer opportunity with a tremendous staff. After a successful 15 months back in Norfolk-- and a great 7 year run with Entercom, I got the call from Clear Channel to move to Orlando! I'm currently diving in as new PD at CC's XL 106-7/Orlando and Kiss 95-1/Melbourne.

I've been married to my high school sweetheart (Rachel) since 2001. We have a 2-year-old daughter (Greta) and a furry Shetland Sheepdog named Simon.

That's my story. Thanks so much for considering me for this honor. I'm sort of blown away.

Name:
Nadine Santos

Current Title/Position/Company:
Music Director: In Charge of all music airing on Power 1051 and our HD Latin station Power Latino. Schedule day to day programming of music as well as on air jocks, phoneops, and board ops. Liason between record companies, management companies and Power 1051. Help with Promotional ideas and events. On-Air Personality: On-air jock from 2a-6a Monday thru Friday and Saturday nights from 10p-2a

Bio:
Born and raised in a Puerto Rican home in New York, Nadine Santos has been engulfed in music from birth. Surrounded as a child by mainly Latin influenced music, her love for the art has always been in her blood. From dancing, to singing, Nadine used this form of expression to help her not only grow mentally and emotionally, but also get through some of the roughest times in her life. Her father passed away when she was just 8 years old so Nadine turned to music as her escape. Always watching MTV and VH1 she was introduced to the genre of Hip Hop, and it was love at first sight. Realizing that Hip Hop took over her heart and R&B was in her soul, it took no thought to acknowledge that this is what she wanted to do in life. Somehow spread this love to others.

Nadine got her degree in Recording Arts after attending Full Sail in Orlando Florida, one of the world’s top schools for this field. Shortly after, she landed a job in Music Publishing. While the experience was eye opening, it wasn’t the right place to conquer her dreams so she took a chance in radio. Starting as a phone operator at the newly founded Power 1051 in New York in 2002, Nadine quickly worked her way through the ranks. Even though Nadine was considerably young, nothing would stop her from doing what she set out to do. In 2004 she was promoted to the Programming Assistant position for then Program Director, Michael Saunders, where she absorbed every possible bit of information she could about radio, and how to take it to the next level. In 2005, she was offered a position as Executive Assistant to the President of Atlantic Records, Julie Greenwald. She went over to the record company side for a few short months before Clear Channel and Power 1051 came back and asked her to return as the Music Director of the station. A position she had admired and long waited to have. Nadine returned and again worked her way through the ranks, eventually landing the on-air position for the overnight show as well as a newly developed co-host slot on the Saturday Night show, The List.

Nadine has received many accolades including being written about in several newspapers, as well as being featured in New York’s Crain’s Magazine for her work. She was honored as Music Director of the Year in 2006 by her peers and S.I.N Network. Nadine hopes to continue on this ladder of success and keep striving for new achievements. Constantly learning from those around her, staying humble and working hard are what she says keeps things moving in the right direction.

Name:
Kane

Current Title/Position/Company:
Morning show host for WIHT-FM/WASHINGTON DC, afternoon personality for WFLZ-FM/TAMPA, FL & host of the syndicated Sunday Open House Party.

Bio:
Kane wasn't always the center of attention -- or very popular. Growing up in Danbury, CT. he was ran with the geeky "art" crowd. Picked on by jocks, made fun of by the burnouts and turned down by the cheerleaders, Kane had an uneventful childhood. Rather than dating, he spent time drawing and doing creative stuff. He also interned for WKCI-FM, KC101 in New Haven, CT. where he painted offices, cleaned vans and was accused of sleeping with the Program Directors wife (he was only 16). It was then that his passion behind radio was fueled. He continued to drive an hour to intern for free until he graduated high school in 1995.

Kane was accepted to Syracuse University's school of Visual and Performing Arts and was going to pursue a career in advertising and design. While attending college, he volunteered for Z89, one of the two radio stations operated by the University. Still very green, Kane experimented and tried to refine his on-air style his freshman and sophomore years. He was "asked to leave" the station in June of 1997 because he said "ass" on the air. He was told that "this was not 'New York" and "you can't do that kind of thing in radio." He was hired a month later to do nights on the new sign on WWHT-FM, Hot 107.9 across town. Spending days in classes, and nights with the asses, Kane was courted to move to Florida and join the legendary staff at WFLZ. In 1998 he made the move from the land of snow to the sunshine state. He's been in love with 93-3FLZ ever since. Kane's show has always been about the masses.

He is also syndicated to several hundred markets with the highly successful Sunday Night Open House Party, which carried on great stations like WIHT/DC, WXKS/Boston, WFLZ/Tampa, WAKS/Cleveland & many more.

Kane's newest adventures take him to Washington, DC. to host mornings at Hot 99-5. His Tampa afternoon show will be broadcast from his home-studio. Kane has been awarded the Radio Music Award for CHR Air Personality Of The Year 2004 as well as A.I.R. Awards for best evening drive show and best new talent. He's had the chance to talk to every major artist from Usher to Britney, 50 Cent to Mariah. He's even had his own television show.

He speaks regularly to Elementary and Middle schools about the importance of education and volunteers his time to various events throughout Tampa Bay & Washington, DC. He's an accomplished artist and aviation enthusiast and is finishing work on his pilot's license. Kane lives in Gaithersburg, MD. with wife, their two dogs and cat.

Name:
Daniel Anstandig

Current Title/Position/Company:
Vice President, McVay Media Consulting

How did you get your start in radio?I started on-the-air when I was nine years old at WELW in Cleveland--and with a five watt FM transmitter out of my parents' basement. At age 12, I began at John Carroll University, working at WUJC. At age 15, with the help of several private investors, I started an Internet-Radio Station, which established partnerships with Microsoft, Telos, and Interep Radio Sales. The station was sold in 2000.

Seven years ago, I began working on various projects for McVay Media, including programming syndicated shows. Since then, I have worked with clients to grow ratings, revenue, and business/marketing strategies for companies like Clear Channel Radio Interactive and the Clear Channel Format Labs, recording artists Jewel and Jim Brickman, Tesh Interactive, Regent Communications, Mental Floss Magazine, The White House Commission on Remembrance, International Publisher Glencoe-McGraw Hill, Jones TM, and various AC, Hot AC, and Christian broadcasters around the world.

What are your career goals?
My passion is creating entertainment that connects and moves people. In the coming years, I would like to see myself further facilitating radio’s entry into the new media/interactive content era. I enjoy working with people, and I'm passionate about the evolution of entertainment into the interactive world.

I am also an entrepreneur at heart, and I have been blessed at McVay Media to have a mentor like Mike McVay, who values and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Working with creative people and helping people and organizations grow. Every day is a new surprise and challenge.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Many broadcasters are distracted and mystified by the complexity of new technology (internet, cell phones, satellite, etc), and they forget that we’re still in a content competition. If the programming was boring on terrestrial radio, it’s going to be just as boring on internet-radio.

While it may be true that some listeners are using iPods or cell phones for music simply because the device is sexier, it’s also true that people will gravitate to entertainment that personally engages them. Most people use iPods and cell phones because their own music playlist and/or exercise of choice in entertainment feels better to them than subjecting themselves to the-same-old-thing on terrestrial radio.

The challenge for radio right now is NOT “finding a way to recreate the same programming on a new device.” The challenge is “finding a way to create better programming… and also making it accessible on a new device.”

There are plenty of radio stations that have won over the years by default, because they were the best thing available. The increased acceptance of new media and abundance of narrowcast entertainers means that there will always be someone else playing the listener's favorite song better, faster, and more often than broadcast radio.

Every day, I have the pleasure of working with some of the best and brightest talent in the industrypeople who really get that content is the winner, not just the delivery system. I would hold Clear Channel Content Research and Development up as a great example of true innovation and “outside the box” thinking. Their team, lead by Tom Owens, approaches entertainment at a level far beyond “where to schedule the liners.” The development of the “Format Labs” and new media programs such as “Stripped,” SMS Text Messaging, and podcasting has opened new doors for a lot of radio stations.

Another client, John Tesh, has developed one of the most attractive content vaults on the web with www.Tesh.com. The new Tesh “IntelliCast” media stream is a great example of new media that lets the listener drive their own entertainment experience while spending time with one of our brands.

...and anything else you would like to pass on.
This is a great time in history for music lovers to be alive. Music is more accessible now to consumers than ever before. We live in a world of instant gratification. Want reggae? Want polka? It can be in your headphones in thirty seconds or less.

Every new instant-gratification-music-service, from iPods to cell phones, challenges radio stations to create programming that transcends the popularity of any particular song or artist. I'm excited to be in radio at a time when the bar for creative and "connective" programming is raising.

This is a cultural renaissance. Now, you don't need expensive equipment to create audio art. If you can find a computer and audio software, you have a blank canvas. Radio's end-user is now more empowered to create their own entertainment experience--becoming the artist/musician themselves, or becoming the Music Director themselves.

This time in the entertainment industry is only for people who are consistently creative, brave, and enthusiastic.

Name :
Patrick Thomas

Current Title/Position/Company:
Executive Producer "Big D and Bubba Show" Premiere Radio Networks, host of "Nick and Drew" KTUX Shreveport and producer and co-host of "Country Spirit" on WSIX in Nashville.

How did you get your start in radio?
I got into radio at the suggestion of my 11th grade history teacher, Ann Labiche. She said, if I was going to get a summer job, then I should apply at the local AM radio station so that my constant talking might be put to good use. I started out at KANE-AM in New Iberia, LA. I moved to Baton Rouge at 18 and within a year I was doing a shift on all 5 Clear Channel stations there. I started with Big D and Bubba in 1999 and we have built something that was long thought to be impossible... A successful syndicated Country morning show. We are now on 36 stations from Atlanta to Seattle. I started doing Nick and Drew in Baton Rouge before the BD&B network moved to Nashville. Though Drew and I are both producing successful morning shows in other formats, we both love Rock radio. Nick and Drew has been our outlet for all the bits we dream up that wouldn't work on our other shows. It is both a hobby and a practice field for us. We decided that living in different states wouldn't stop us from doing the show. So, we use the technology available to us to make it sound like we're sitting in the same studio every night (in a city that neither of us live in).

What are your career goals?
I would like to continue doing everything I’m doing now, but with greater success. I like to see BD&B syndicated on over a hundred stations. I'd also like to syndicate both "Nick and Drew" and "Country Spirit." I know that sounds a little optimistic, but I think it's a good possibility.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the creative part of my job. I love dreaming up outlandish bits that might make other people laugh. I also love the people (ok, not all the people). I enjoy working with people who are interesting. If I can say one thing about Big D, Bubba, Drew and Devon O'Day (the host of Country Spirit) it's that they are very fun to work with.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Focusing on content is the only way to separate ourselves. We also need to work with sales instead of treating it like an "evil necessity" as a PD of mine once called it. If we think there are too many spots or if the spots are bad, we should work to fix that in whatever way we can. It is possible to make good radio and make money. If we don't figure out how, we will all be in big trouble.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Don't sit around griping about how bad things are. Accept the technology and the low budgets and all the things that people constantly whine about and DO THE BEST YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU HAVE! That's the only way to get yourself into a position to eventually make things better.

Name:
Chris Oliviero

Current Title/Position/Company:
Vice President Programming CBS Radio

How did you get your start in radio?
Intern for the Howard Stern show

What are your career goals?
Be a productive part of radio's next wave of reinvention and rebirth. Our future is even brighter than our past.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Understanding the magnitude and the importance of the history of our great stations and in some way being able to help write the next few chapters of that story.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Not believing the baseless misinformation of external forces that like to predict gloom and doom for our industry, and going one step further and actually speaking up loud against it.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Find a mentor that believes in you and your ability, which is priceless. Then remember to return the favor to someone else in your shoes in the future.

Name:
James Kurdziel

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director/WEDG-FM

How did you get your start in radio?
I started as in intern on The Shredd & Ragan Show. Then like pretty much everyone else, I did anything I could to stay in the building. The nice thing is that I’m where I always wanted to be, and I didn’t have to move all over the place. That would’ve been terrible.

What are your career goals?
I don’t really think that far ahead. What can I say? The Empire Strikes Back had a huge affect on me. Where you are is more important than where you’re going. My ratings are great, but I want them better. My station is topical and relevant to my market, but I can improve that on a daily basis. My goals are to keep getting better each day. When you work on what’s in front of you, the rest will come together. I never liked those 5-year plan folks. What’s the point of that? It will never happen the way you planned, so it’s a waste of time.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Writing. Whether I’m writing bits with my afternoon show, clever promos or even sweeps. I love that I can just sit down and be a writer sometimes. Can you entertain, get a message out and keep interest? It’s challenging and by far the most under rated part of radio. I don’t really like dealing with people, so anything that I can do by myself is great.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Two things. First, I’d like to see the companies catch up with our ideas. Many companies have made great strides and that’s great but there’s more to do. We all want better web content, but we can’t always have it. That’s tough sometimes. The only other challenge that I see a lot is the lack of pride in this industry. We’re the most consumed mass medium in the world. But sometimes it feels like we let everyone kick us around. Maybe it’s because that’s what high school was like for most of us. Here’s the thing…if free radio (terrestrial is a stupid word for it) were going away, it would’ve been gone the first time an 8-track player when in a car. People still use us. They want to love us. But we’re too afraid now. We’re afraid for our jobs, afraid of the FCC, and afraid of our own listeners. But it can be better. We’re integrating our brands now. Our stations, websites, and other content can be offered as one experience. That’s so great. Can newspapers, magazines and even local TV do that? Nope. We’re going to get it and thrive in the future. Simply because we have to.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
You can totally dip French fries in the foam of a Guinness. Seriously. I learned that and it’s awesome.

Name:
Jeremiah J Hicks

Current Title/Position/Company:
Apd/Md/Nights WQHH

How did you get your start in radio?
I got my start in radio by being a breakfast intern for Mason & Company on FM 98 WJLB. At the time, my sister Courtney Hicks, was the Morning Show co-host on FM 98 WJLB, and one day she decided to bring me to work with her and that’s exactly what I did, I worked on breakfast orders soon becoming the best breakfast man in the stations history (Never messing up a order). My skills quickly landed me an internship in the Promotions Department.

What are your career goals?
Program Director within the next year or MD in a Top 10 market along with an air-shift. Continue to brand my name and make friends within the industry. Maybe some ownership somewhere down the line.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Free food & free food…. Developing relationships with good people.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from you perspective?
Finding out how to pull in listeners?
With so many other alternatives to choose from such as mp3 players, I-pods, satellite, internet.
Radio needs to find a way to pull listeners to the medium, which has to go beyond the hit music!!

What have you learned that you would like to pass on to your fellow under thirty-somethings?
-Always treat everyone with respect, always give compliments and don’t ever burn bridges.
-Help someone & find someone to help you
-Ask questions?????

Name:
Matt Johnson

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director, Afternoon Jock for CHR/Mainstream WXKB-FM/Fort Myers, FL (B103.9)- Owned by Beasley Broadcasting

How did you get your start in radio?
I interned at WHEN-AM/Syracuse (620WHEN) as a junior in high school

What are your career goals?
To help usher radio into its next life

What do you enjoy most about your work?
No two days are alike. Different challenges everyday.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Realizing that it’s the entertainment business, not the music business.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings? Actually communicating with people in the community you serve is waaaay more important than “developing content delivery systems” for radio’s survival and for there to be a “next” radio generation.

Name:
Jared Mims

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director WZZP/WKFN Saga Communications-Clarksville TN/Hopkinsville KY

How did you get your start in radio?
I began as an intern for Clear Channel in Jackson TN. After a semester of fetching lunch and pulling CD’s for air talent, I was hired part-time and moved up from there. While in Jackson, I was lucky enough to work for great programmers in Brett Sharp, Roger Vestal, and AJ Martin. With their guidance, I was able to learn and grow as a programmer.

What are your career goals?
For me, it’s not so much about market size. I am very happy with my current role in Saga. Sure, I would like to serve as a regional program director or consultant one day. But for now, I’m taking advantage of my situation and learning as much as I can.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
First, it has to be the people. I’m sure that we could all share stories about some of the people we’ve met while working in radio. More than that, I enjoy everything that radio has to offer. Whether it’s being creative, being on-air, or dealing with listeners in general, it’s all very exciting.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
We have to remain relevant. The listener makes the choice and now there are more choices than ever. It’s a constant challenge that will force us to be both creative and innovative.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
You should involve yourself in all aspects of radio. Learn how each department works, and support them as best you can. Also, use the resources given to you. Don’t be afraid to call someone to get some advice.

Name:
Dustin "Fletcher" Matthews

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director, WFXH Savannah/Hilton Head, Triad Broadcasting/Adventure Radio

How did you get your start in radio?
Like many of my peers, I grew up making tapes and "playing radio." When I was 15 I did a school job shadowing program at WIMZ in Knoxville, the radio station I grew up listening to. That's all it took to put me over the top. After that day I applied at my local radio station, WCRK, in Morristown, TN. By 16 I was working a weekend airshift for WIMZ.

What are your career goals?
I want to continue to be successful in Alternative Radio Programming. Eventually I would love to become a Director of Programming and one day consult.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Being creative. Developing and executing fresh concepts and promotional ideas is always thrilling to me. Just sitting down to Microsoft Word and cranking out a page of copy never gets old.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Competing with other media outlets and staying relevant to our audience. We know this will always be a challenge and it will only become more difficult. I think of this as a good challenge! This will force us to be consistently innovative in what we offer and how we interact with listeners.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
1) Get involved in every aspect of your radio station. Don't keep to yourself in programming. Take the time to sit down with a GSM or Business Manager... or custodian! Ask them questions and let them know you care about their passions too! It can only help your station's success.

2) Never forget to be a listener. When you're an "under-thirty-something" it’s easy to go to events and meet your audience. Remember that will always be a key to success. We should strive to never become the "old jaded radio vet!"

Name:
Chris Pickett

Current Title/Position/Company:
Operations Manager. Hot AC (KVUU) and a Soft AC (KKLI) Colorado Springs

How did you get your start in radio?
I auditioned for a children's radio network (Radio AAHS) affiliate at a mall in Denver. I got a call back a week later and became the Kid Radio Sports guy! I got to interview Broncos and Nuggets players and even got to introduce Denver to the mascot of the brand new Colorado Rockies!

What are your career goals?
To stay happy! Not a market size guy... just want to have enough freedom to be in control of my own destiny and make enough money for my family and me to be able to live comfortably.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The best part of working at Clear Channel in Colorado Springs is being able to create experiment and strategize without being shut down. I have made changes on my radio stations that would have made a lot of GM's or OM's uncomfortable. Some of them worked, some of them didn't, but I'm allowed to try new things. Who wouldn't love a situation like that?

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Being able to stay relevant in an ever changing competitive landscape. We've got internet-only broadcasts, iPods, satellite radio, television and your competitor across the street. I think that in order to continue to stay relevant, programmers are going to have to give some control up to their audience. How much and how it's executed will determine future success.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Keep doing your thing. Sometimes you'll be right and sometimes you'll be wrong. You'll make mistakes, some bigger than others, but you have to stay confident. You can't let other people determine your outcome. There will be people who just don't like you, no matter what, and that's okay. At the end of the day, you have to be able to say you gave it all you had.

Name:
Jana "Rogers" Lopeman

Current Title/Position/Company:
Managing Partner, WMOM-FM

How did you get your start in radio?
My family's been in the business for years...so I guess you could say by hanging around radio stations and picking up on things from an early age. OR you could say by starting out as a part-timer/weekender running CD's and doing all of the production nobody else wanted, and working my way up from there.

What are your career goals?
I'm a bit undecided. Whatever it is, I'd like to be having fun doing some aspect of radio. I could just as easily enjoy being a midday jock as I could manage a station or doing programming alone. I'd be happiest, I think, if I could be working with my family running one or several stations, and all of the miscellaneous jobs that go with that so...that.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like helping people when I come to work. Be it helping an intern present the news more effectively, helping a listener find their lost dog on the air, or help a local charity raise funds through our radio station, those are by far the best things about getting up every morning.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
I think it's going to be keeping competitive with new and emerging forms of entertainment technology, and I believe strongly that it's entirely possible. We just have to stay CREATIVE!!

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
ALWAYS take the opportunities to learn more, and try things out, even if they seem over your head. ALWAYS take immediate accountability for your mistakes, be thankful if you get the opportunity to learn from them.

Name:
Maynard

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director/Mid-Days/Sandusky

How did you get your start in radio?
I was an intern at KQKQ Sweet 98 in Omaha(RIP). I was just looking for something to do to keep busy on the weekends. Then I fell in love with radio and haven't looked back.

What are your career goals?
I'm in the process now of redefining my goals. I LOVE being here at Sandusky and here in Seattle; so there is not much out there that can compete with this. I would love to be a group programmer. I would also love to Program in LA, Phoenix, or San Diego; but who wouldn't?!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Strategy, startups, turnarounds, and coaching!!! I love helping people get to the next level! I love seeing their eyes light up after all those years of hard work have finally paid off for them.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
The biggest challenge for radio in comparison to other mediums out there is differentiation. I believe we should conform to an extent, but not at the price of differentiation. I think there is a reason the people that listen to terrestrial radio are still listening. Let's not stray too far away from what they actually love about us! Sell the city, sell the music, sell the station!

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Way too much to write here. I hope to always keep an open mind and keep learning. When it comes to programming within our own medium, I say "It's not 20 years ago, so don't program like it is." The landscape has changed. Don't compare yourselves or your stations to how they "used" to be...It is a different world; so don't be afraid to break the monotony, be innovative, and take risks....Just because it worked or didn't work 15 years ago, does not mean it will or won't work today. Be true to your gut!

Name:
Buck Head

Current Title/Position/Company:
Buck Head Show/ Morning Host KKRZ/ Portland Oregon/ Clear Channel

How did you get your start in radio?
At the age of Seventeen, I started a life changing internship under BJ Harris and Dominic Theodore (truly father figures) at WFLZ in Tampa, FL. From washing vans to running boards to finally getting the big break, everyone at WFLZ from Kane to MJ made me the Talent I am today.

What are your career goals?
I will be working hard to maintain great ratings as one of Portland’s Top morning shows as well as working on syndication, starting an afternoon talk show and a super secret idea that everyone will experience soon.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Laughing makes this job fun, exciting and easy. Working with an awesome team of management and co-workers is something I have learned shouldn’t be taken for granted.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
I worry for future talent. Big winners will be companies that believe in Talent driven local radio and educate beginners on how to show it.

...and anything else you would like to pass on.
Check us out! www.buckheadshow.com

Name:
Spero Dedes

Current Title/Position/Company:
Radio Play-By-Play Announcer/Los Angeles Lakers

How did you get your start in radio?
During my senior year at Fordham University in NY -- with the help of a professor (who is now my agent) -- I was able to land a gig as the sideline reporter for the now-defunct XFL's NY/NJ Hitmen on ABC Radio. It was a chance to work as a professional while still in school. From there, WFAN Radio hired me to work overnight updates. It was my first chance to gain major exposure in the New York market.

What are your career goals?
From the start, one of my career goals was to be the Voice of an NBA team. While I never dreamed it would be for the Lakers, my career has taken me to Los Angeles. From here, the next big jump I hope to take one day would be to the network level, be it in radio or television. But for the forseeable future, I hope to stay in my current position with Lakers for as long as they'll have me. It's just too much fun.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The spontaneity of it. The anticipation of each game. Walking into the arena, and not knowing what to expect on a nightly-basis. NBA players are so gifted, there is always that chance you'll see something special. And when Kobe Bryant is on the floor every night, there is an "once-in-a-lifetime" feel to my job.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
As someone who’s still new to this business and still learning, I don't pretend to be an expert in predicting the future. But right now, the onslaught of Satellite Radio seems to be an enormous threat to "terrestrial" radio, and the format we grew-up on. On the most basic level of competition, more content with fewer commercials will always be more appealing to listeners.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
I've learned so much since I've been out of school these past 6 years. First and foremost, it's that there's a job out there for all of us -- if we sacrifice. In college, I was warned about the competitive & cut-throat nature of this business, and that "making it" in New York would be nearly impossible. But the industry has exploded. There are so many wonderful jobs out there, so many chances for a young kid to make his/her mark. I say it's a great time to be young & hungry.

Name:
Tommy Chuck

Current title/position/company:
Program Director WFLZ Tampa, OM Clear Channel Format Lab CHR Channels

How did you get your start in radio?
I was one of the lucky ones born into the business. My dad and uncle operate WEMB and WXIS in Erwin, TN. I did my first board shift at age 7 pressing buttons for a Major League Baseball broadcast.

What are your career goals?
Director of Programming for a major radio broadcast company

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Coaching air talent and developing the game plan. In my second life, I'd love to be a high school basketball coach.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
STEP 1: Getting the entire Programming Department to ask for, listen to and actually ACT on feedback from the audience regarding content they are interested in listening to between the music.

STEP 2: Getting comfortable with the fact that doing so will probably mean making uncomfortable changes to historical "radio fundamentals."

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
When you are young and handed power, it's easy to get a big head. Remember, that we are lucky. Don't spoil it by being a jerk to people.

Name:
Romeo

Current Title/Position/Company:
Music Director/Nights
WHTZ New York
Clear Channel

How did you get your start in radio?
I started at age 15 at WKYN in St. Mary’s, PA running weekend overnight PSA's. I am very grateful for Bob Stevens who sprung me out of the record store I was working at to do radio. He would come in the store and buy the entire product for the station. It was an unrated market with no label service. Apparently he liked "my ear" as many of my recommendations made it on the air. I later became APD and mornings a few years later. From there I spent time in Erie, PA; Johnstown, PA; Nashville, TN; Salt Lake City, UT; Detroit, MI and 6 years now in New York, NY.

What are your career goals?
To stay at Z100 as long as I can! No, really, I'd love to own a small market station someday. Much like job Stevens did years ago in St. Mary’s, PA. I would be the GM/ PD /APD/ MD/ GSM/ LSM...and probably the morning guy. I would also love to consult radio and travel the country working with clients.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The feeling I get when driving home every night past the Statue of Liberty. I love hearing records we just added for the first time in my car. I don't think I could be truly happy in any other industry. Radio is my life and I love life.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Adapting to the technological advances of the user. We have done a fine job at Clear Channel implementing our own mobile service and social networking websites. We now have the ability to text message a listener exactly when their request will play- how cool is that?!?!? With our social networking sites listeners can be more involved with the station than ever before on a one on one level. As long as we continue to grow with the user, we should be fine.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Never stop learning. Absorb every piece of information that passes your way. Ask a lot of questions. Know who your audience is. Study them from head to toe and deliver them quality entertainment. You can never know enough about your target demo- spend time with them every day!

Name:
Jon Daniels

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director/Afternoons
94.3 WMJC / Long Island, NY
Long Island Radio Group, Inc.

How did you get your start in radio?
When I was in college at Cornell, I was lucky enough to get an opportunity on local station WVBR. Cornell didn't have its own radio station, but at WVBR, I was able to get on the air, and learn the business, and actually became President/General Manager there for three years. Here on Long Island, I got an internship at the old WLIR, which helped take my career to the next level.

What are your career goals?
To be a successful programmer & manager, working for a great company in a great market...and perhaps loftier titles that would have me overseeing the programming of multiple properties.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love how it's different every week, every month, every year. There's always new music, new ideas, and new challenges. I also love the variety of tasks we do: from being on the air, to interacting with clients, to conducting research, to creating promotions, to meeting the listeners in the field. No two days are ever the same!

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
**Getting younger generations to "use" radio the way their parents do, where it becomes a primary source for music & local information.

**Finding a way for competitors within the industry (and even within local markets) to work together to ensure that the future for our industry is strong. With new technologies developing, what's more of a threat to your station: the station across the street, or the internet?

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Victory Is In The Details. That's one of my mottos...getting the basics done is simply not enough. Mine the details to ensure that your plan really is a winner. Work hard to ensure that all the details of whatever you're doing get done the right way.

Name:
Drew Murrell

Current Title/Position/Company:
Executive Producer - Envision Radio's syndicated AC Morning Show Murphy, Sam and Jodi (cheap plug for my bosses)
Host - Nick and Drew, 99X KTUX and hopefully soon to be nationally syndicated (soon to be owned by the lovely and talented people at GAP broadcasting)

How did you get your start in radio?
My Mom and Dad used to go to karoake night at a Chinese Restaurant in our hometown on Longview, TX. One of the hosts was Neil McCoy and the other was the APD/MD of KYKX. Mom harassed him until he let me "audition" for a job. When I went up to the station he had two girls up there, one he wanted and the other was her sister. I distracted the sister while he worked his game. I never told his girlfriend, who my Mom knew, and I got hired. I didn't to go on-air for 6 months till the over night weekend guy failed to cover his shift.

What are your career goals?
Nationally syndicated Active Rock Morning/Night show!!!

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Freedom to create...I can't paint, I can't sing and I can't act but I can talk. Radio allows me to create content, whether I'm talking about my life or shooting a video, and I have the freedom (ok not as much as I used too) to move and entertain people. Plus I can wear shorts and flip flops anytime I want to!

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Giving a voice to younger on-air talent! It seems that radio is consumed by cliques continually hiring buddies. It is sad that I've been the youngest full-time in our cluster for about 6 years. If you want to think outside the box then try including voices who haven't been in the box! More often than not, jobs are filled and never even posted. How can you say you've hired the best talent (live or voice-tracked) when you haven't left the shallow-end of the pool?

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Use your advantages. Our group is the first to be fully immersed in technology, use it. Record everything, film everything, take pictures of everything. Ask questions about the software and programs you use. Chances are they do more than you think. Our elders and current bosses grew up with three ways to communicate: print, TV and radio. Don't let the word radio confine you. The more ways you interact and entertain your audience the larger your brand grows.

...and anything else you would like to pass on.
If you need a Active Rock Night show, Nick and Drew will increase ratings, increase revenue and decrease expense. Check us out at www.nickanddrew.com. (I know this shameless but what the hell)

I really do appreciate this award! It is truly an honor to be mentioned with the other 29 winners and I look forward to seeing you at Conclave.

Name:
Chase

CurrentTtitle/Position/Company:
Operations Manager - Emmis Austin Radio (KBPA, KDHT, KGSR, KLBJ-FM, KROX), Program Director - KDHT

How did you get your start in radio?
I was working for a private DJ company in Youngstown, Ohio and Tom Pappas, the PD of WHOT, found me and hired me at the age of 15.

What are your career goals?
To be a VP of Programming and eventually a group president or owner.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The people. Radio has the most amazing personalities, and I love being a part of what they bring to their audiences.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
The ability to stay relevant. Radio has lost its appeal in many ways, and it's our challenge as in industry to win our audiences back in our favor in the evermore diverse media world.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Never stop learning. I am in my current position because I have had amazing mentors who taught me to keep an open mind, ear, and heart. This business is all about people, and giving the people what they want. That includes all of those that we work for, that work for us, and that we reach everyday with our brands in our communities. Oh... and as a quick aside... you might want to check out this little internet thing. It just might be something someday.

Name:
Bo Matthews

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director WMMS/WAKS

How did you get your start in radio?
Started in radio as an intern in Youngstown. I was waitin' tables at a local Pizza Hut. Waited on a radio personality and told her that I would be interested in radio and she told me to call for an internship. I called, and called, and called. Finally -they got annoyed enough with me to let me in the building. I have been annoying people since.

What are your career goals?
My goal is to continue learning new things about our medium and our audiences. Then take what I have learned and apply it to my radio station and help teach others how to apply it in their situations. I have an education degree, and am very big on learning and passing along knowledge to others. I enjoy showing peers new things and seeing the light bulb go off. It's difficult to de-program people when they have been doing things a certain way for
years, but it can be done.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy learning new things and applying them-- then scrutinizing the results. I think its wise to always be trying new things, while realizing that not all things work. If one out of ten new things work-- I think that is good. (as long as you realize when to bail on something that isn't working.)

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
I think the overall audience perception of radio as a medium is a difficult challenge. We are a medium that hasn't changed (in the audience's mind) for years. They don't know about all the advancements we have made behind the scenes to create the on air product. Many of the technological advancements we use are designed to make our lives easier, and allow us to create an on air product with less people. Until recently, there sadly hasn't been much energy put into getting the audience to understand that WE have grown with them. Its imperative that we get our audience to understand that we are MOVING with them technologically, online and with what we can offer through our HD platforms.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
I have learned that its essential that WE LEARN as much as possible. Learn how to do everything, and keep learning about new ways to advance yourself and the medium. NEVER say "Just because" or "that's the way its been done forever." Question everything... Have a "NEED to know WHY we do that" attitude towards everything. If you can't figure out WHY you are doing something, then ask yourself... "Should we be doing it?"

Name:
Brad Savage

Current Title/Position/Company:
PD with WCNR/Charlottesville (Saga Communications)

How did you get your start in radio?
My start came early, via a "Shadow Day" during 9th grade business class. I went to shadow PD Tony Powers at KJJO/Minneapolis "KJ-104" and never left. Later, I became a staffer of REV 105/Minneapolis initially through a high school work experience program.

What are your career goals?
Eventually, I'd love to end up in a consultant type role for Triple A, Rock, and Alternative stations. I love to travel and listen to different radio markets, and I want to be the guy that the local staffers curse out when they hear I'm coming to town! "What does the stupid consultant know anyway?" :-)

What do you enjoy most about your work?
My favorite thing is making an impact in people's lives. Whether it's introducing them to a new artist, playing their favorite song, or just being a part of a community event it is so powerful when we are able to impact their lives!

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Staying relevant, especially among younger listeners! With all the various technologies available now or coming soon, we need our brands to mean something and be more powerful than ever.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
I would say to gain an appreciation for the engineering side of the business, and how the signal and transmitter actually work. Also knowing something about I.T. and computer networking is helpful. Finally, befriend the engineering staff. Be nice to them! They are the ones you have to call at 3:30am to drive out to the tower site if something goes wrong.

Name:
Scott Herrold

Current Title/Position/Company:
Program Director & Air Talent - 100.3 The Kross/ Tulsa (Adonai Radio Group)
Air Talent - 106.9 K-Hits / Tulsa (Renda Broadcasting)
Air Talent - 96.3 WDVD & 93.1 DRQ / Detroit (ABC Radio)
Air Talent - 102.5 WIOG / Saginaw (Citadel Broadcasting)
Program Director - 88.1 The Escape / Plymouth (PCCS)

How did you get your start in radio?
My high school had a 200 watt radio station (WSDP) in Plymouth, Michigan. I auditioned my freshmen year as an air talent and was the Program Director by my senior year. While still in high school, Alex Tear & Garett Michaels hired me at Planet 96.3 in Detroit. I worked for Planet 96.3/96.3 WDVD and later added duties at 93.1 DRQ while I completed by business degree at Eastern Michigan University.

What are your career goals?
To own my own radio cluster while keeping my marriage blooming! My original goal was to launch a commercial Christian rock radio station specifically targeted to teens, and we accomplished that with 100.3 The Kross. Now I see a need to create a business model for teen targeted radio that balances profitability and staff equity. Since few companies are specifically targeting teens, they haven’t grown up with the same love for radio that we had. I wouldn’t mind programming KROQ in Los Angeles either….

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I love the creative freedom. When you love your job you never work a day of your life. Music can guide and comfort people, it can impact culture positively. Plus it’s a lot more fun that my previous job- marketing pet products.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
On air relevance. Many of our radio stations have become continuous liners. The fun on-air vibe has been squelched by all the formatics. We’ve taken the art out of radio and created a systematic science. We need to rebalance because we’re not giving our target demographic much more than her ipod is giving her. We need to get the buzz back!

Innovation. We need to find a new business model for teen targeted radio. It needs to be very event driven. We need to find a way to make the web side of our radio business profitable. I think we can learn a lot from the way professional sports promote events, technology and sponsorships.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Radio is a lifestyle, not a job. Make sure your wife understands the radio lifestyle before you get married. Choose your battles. Talent development is the future of this industry. A great program director is a coach. Treating your employees well creates loyalty. As a program director, you must prioritize your efforts around your show because it is your product. Don’t let your show focus be stolen by tedious meetings, imaging zings and personnel drama. Delegate.

Name:
Matt DuBiel

Current Title/Position/Company:
Director of Programming 9 FM Chicago/News web Radio Company

How did you get your start in radio?
I started as an intern for Steve Dahl at WMVP AM 1000. I interned for what seemed like forever and had some amazing times and learned a lot, from some of the best.

What are your career goals?
Over the next 5 years I would like to help make News web Radio Company the best it can be from a ratings and revenue perspective in Chicagoland. It's a wonderful company to work for. I'd love to be in a position to take over for our GM Harvey Wells 10 years from now... In my spare time, I am focused on making Blue Collar Radio T a ratings and revenue success for owners and general managers throughout the country who need a lifestyle radio format that is fresh and will deliver results. My friend Mike Noonan and I co-founded Broadcast Barter Radio Networks and another project we have in the marketplace is a daily radio vignette hosted by Donny Osmond, for Oldies and AC. We'd like to see that reach the 25 station mark this year. Station ownership has always been a dream of mine for the long term.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I really enjoy the processes of bringing things to life on the air. I enjoy helping clients reach people who will use them. I take a lot of time to interact with our listeners via email and phone calls.as well as onsite, and that is something I dig. Making a connection with people and their lives is something radio does well when it works.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Radio's biggest challenge is staying out of radio's way. The biggest successes in the future of radio (I think) will come from the stations, talents, and programmers who truly connect and reach an audience first, and then figure out how to sell to them and monetize it all. Build it, then sell it. Radio is going to have to check the ego at the door, because the frequency is going to be just a small part of the big picture down the road.
Starbucks might have more cume that any station before long.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
It can all change in a blink. You meet everyone 3 times in this biz.. As much as we love radio, there is more to life..and if you don't see it now, you will when it is too late. So take vacations and get out of the office and talk to real people! Work hard and play hard.

Name:
Fisher

Current Ttitle/Position/Company:
PD / WMXB-FM Richmond (Cox Radio)

How did you get your start in radio?
After calling my fave “local” radio station (WBLI) and harassing the DJ’s for a bit, I started at WUSB-FM (college radio) at 11, helping out, doing news…just being a dork. Then at 14, I started interning at WBLI-FM (Long Island).

What are your career goals?
I just want to keep doing what I love doing every day and get paid for it! I want to continue growing within Cox Radio and learn as much as I can. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I have been given great opportunities and I want to continue to take advantage of them.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
We get paid to entertain others while they live their lives!

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective? Staying creative and not evaporating into the background. Radio 15 years ago was more exciting than it is today. Major companies have white-washed radio and made carbon copies of itself. We need to make radio stand-out and calm down on watering down our content, you can’t say time and temp without the risk of getting in trouble.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
Never stop learning!

Name
Ryan Zimmerman

Current Title/Position/Company
Operations Manager - 100.3 The Bear, 104.9 EZ Rock, The Team 1260 - Standard Radio Inc.

How did you get your start in radio?
Swing announcer in Lloydminster Alberta, Canada

What are your career goals?
To be a General Manager in a Major Market and own my own station.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The amazing people I am surrounded by and the "high" you get from seeing a huge promotion or event come together and blow everyone away.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
Technology. Ensuring that we ALWAYS remain relevant - especially to the next generation.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
To listen more than you talk - the people above you corporately, as well as consultants, VP's, etc. are there for a reason - listen to them and LEARN. Always remain humble. It's ok to make mistakes, provided they are coming from the right place. Surround yourself with good/positive people ALWAYS.

Name
J-Kruz

Current Title/Position/Company
Programme Director
Morning Presenter
X107.1
dms Broadcasting
Cayman Islands, British West Indies

How did you get your start in radio?
I started volunteering at a local cable TV station at age 14. Within a few weeks they had me editing on an AVID, running studio cameras, and doing field shots. I got my first taste on-air as the "Youth Reporter; on a news magazine program.

I was lucky enough to attend a school district that had a 200 watt FM station inside the high school; WSDP. I worked my way up from a jock to Promotions Director to PD. I credit this experience with giving me a head start in my career because Terri McCormick, PD at WTWR Tower98 in Toledo, OH hired me as a weekend jock before I graduated from high school! Six weeks later, the PM drive guy left at WTWR and I was promoted to Afternoon Drive. (It wasn't until after I departed Tower98, I revealed to my PD the "personal reason" I had to voicetrack the last hour of my show one night during my first week on-air -- I had to walk in my high school commencement ceremony that night!)

What are your career goals?

I'm truly blessed to have accomplished the goals I set out about five years ago. I’ve lived and worked in New York City, was a Creative Services guy, got to play radio on the station I grew up listening to in Detroit, and now I'm programming. (The whole tropical island thing was a nice bonus.)

I think the way we interact with the "radio" will be different 10 years from now. Right now on Grand Cayman, there is a wireless internet system, WiMax, which allows high speed internet access from anywhere on the Island. It created a truly a "geek moment" in my car when I had my laptop on the passenger's seat listening to Z100 and KTU in New York while driving home. Or when my GM and I were running late to the bar to watch the Stanley Cup playoffs; I fired up my laptop, turned on my SlingBox, and he happily watched the game from the passenger's seat on live television. This same internet technology is being deployed across the US. There are WiFi receivers currently on the market to tune in any internet radio station.

Now... what does all this mean for my career goals?

In the not so distant future, I think the line is going to blur between internet station, cell phone delivered radio, terrestrial, and satellite. DJ's may become VJ's. You might be placing your cell phone into your car's docking station to receive a couple hundred radio stations or tuning in your WiMax receiver in your car to an unlimited number of stations from around the world. Perhaps we move toward a LastFM.com model, with a system that learns what type of music an individual wants and customizes the experience to suit their specific taste. Those dreams and ideas of get me fired up.

Does it mean I'd turn down the opportunity to stay on the terrestrial side of things? Not at all. I don't necessarily have the goal of programming Z100 in New York, however if your name is Tom Poleman and you're reading this… Hi Tom. The beautiful thing about my present situation is that I don't necessarily have a definite "next move" planned out.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Without a doubt, it has to be the freedom to make things happen quickly and working in a building full of great people who “get it.” I find it interesting when I read the trades and I see a list of shout outs someone is giving to every person in management who is above them. That’s cool, (and in two seconds I’ll do the same) but what about those who surround and inspire on a day-to-day basis?

I love working for my GM, and not in that "I want to thank so-and-so for the opportunity to blah blah blah" way. Steve Jones is a smart programmer, great businessman, and all around nice guy. He leads by example and never, in the year and a half we've worked together, have I ever heard "just do this because I said so." (And these kind words aren’t just to make up for the blatant Tom Poleman solicitation.)

Our Promotions and Marketing Director is from Australia and has done major market (or “capitol city” as the bloke would say) radio. He totally gets it. Our PD/Morning Host on our cluster's rock station is Ben Maxwell, and even though I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a perfectionist beyond belief, we are on the same page on a lot of things and he knows how to do great radio –especially a compelling morning show! The PD of our AC station? The guy has more radio experiences than Marconi and could rival his technical and engineering skills. The PD of our Caribbean station has a passion for the music like no other. And the shocker... I like our Sales Manager! Our sales and programming staff are relatively young which creates a real passion and energy in the building.

Something else that's pretty neat? Most of our staff actually hang out on the weekend together. The beach, restaurants, clubs... and a weekend Wii session is never out of the question.

The under 30 radio geeks aren’t aware of how “radio used to be” other than the stories from the veterans. We’ve grown up in the industry under consolidation, voice-tracking has pretty much always been there, we weren’t around for the boss jocks and six figure jock salaries, and many are accustomed to having someone else tell us what to play each week. I enjoy selecting music without any outside influence from labels or "corporate", making programming decisions on a local level, and having the freedom and ability to take chances. It’s all very refreshing.

What are the biggest challenges ahead for radio, from your perspective?
50 Minutes of Non-stop Music? 10 In A Row? Let's get real. Is this what we expect people to get excited about? I can get 10, 20, or 2400 in a Row from my iPod, (plus play that knockout brick game too.) I see the next 10 years of radio as a rebuilding and reenergizing period.

Next time you sit down at the hot new restaurant in town, take a look around. How many guys in their 60’s are in there actively conversing with women in their 20's? Have the 60-somethings even found the restaurant yet? How can we expect anyone other than a 20-something to effectively relate to a 25 year old woman who's working overtime to pay off her school loans, sneaking in a MySpace update, then rushing across town to see her boyfriend before they both watch Grey's Anatomy together (interrupted by the buzz of a Blackberry of course) and then head out to the local night club?

We can't.

In the CHR world, I believe we should support and develop more young female programmers. We need PD’s who update their Facebook because they genuinely enjoy it, not because it’s a “task” on a to-do list of weekly station maintenance. We need those who grab US Weekly and Cosmo off the supermarket rack, not from a table in the jock lounge. After all, who knows what a 25 year old female wants better than a 25 year old female?

As a whole, the next generation of radio needs to stand up and lead. Take chances and develop new ways of conveying an emotion on the air. We need to recognize and learn from those who kicked it old school, but realize the landscape is a little different than it was twenty, ten, or even five years ago.

What have you learned that you would most like to pass on to your fellow under-thirty-somethings?
If I could offer one suggestion to anyone who's seriously contemplating a career move -- let me share this: market size doesn't matter. After experiencing a place like NYC and then living in an environment where the tallest building is a seven story hotel, I’ve truly learned it’s all about being happy with your surroundings and your situation (making money is nice too.) I love New York and the Cayman Islands in different ways, but both make me happy and both drew me to them for a reason.

Anything else you would like to pass on?
Yes. Can my fellow programmers and I make a pact on something? Beginning in 2008, we will never do a "be caller 9 and win now" contest ever again. Thank you.