January 18, 2019

What’s the strongest message radio can send to the next gen of programming and air talent to attract them to our business?

Orlando, WLLD: If you’re a creative and connected communicator, there’s only one medium that can match what you bring to the table with client challenges and strategic moves and that is radio.

Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Our reach is as strong as ever, the possibilities and opportunities are there and we absolutely need young people to guide us properly to continue to keep our brands relevant for the next generation of listeners.

Jonathan Shuford, WRVW: We’re listening to them! If we continue to ignore what they want and what they listen to and what they expect, we’re going to lose them not to our competition but to other sources of media.

Mike McVay, Cumulus Media: Breakdown the barriers you see before you. Refuse to accept the status quo. Each new generation has the opportunity to break what isn’t broke and make it better.

Jammer, WEZB: Get into radio. It’ll be a fun life. You’ll love it!

Valentine, WBHT: Talent/Personality are key. That human connection is something radio has and the rest do not.

Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia: The same percentage of Americans tune into radio today as they did in 1970. Life in radio is ever-changing, ever-evolving but better than ever, come join the party.

Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: “The canvass is blank and you have to creative autonomy.” (But we actually have to MEAN it).

Matt Talluto, WBYR: Don’t plan on getting rich! But if you keep your ego in check and head out of your ass, you’ll do fine.

Kevin Kash, WIYY: Believe that our business is alive and ever present in this evolutionary world. Be persistent, be talented, be seen.

Toby Knapp, WASH: We have your back so you can do your job. Go create and kick ass!

R Dub! Z90: I don’t think it’s a message, rather actions.

Zac Davis, WRVQ: Strongest message: Be patient and know that a good idea can come from anywhere and anyone on your staff. Pay attention to influencers and if you can’t follow trends, have staff close to you that does.

Kobi, WNRW/WLGX: Despite reports of the death of radio. Music on the radio will never die!

Mike Miller, WZFT: You can hear music anywhere but it’s what you hear between the records, on the radio, that makes it special, and that could be you.

Jagger, WKCI/WKSS: Be true to who we are and that mentoring is so important. If we want to attract people to our business we need to teach and guide them, and to help them grow and that in turn helps radio’s growth as a compelling media.

Jeff Hurley, WLAN: We’re in generation hot-take mode now and everything’s a hot-take. I don’t really care about your hot-take if you don’t have a credible base to build it on. You have to build your base and foundation and take your game to a higher level with audience engagement that truly matters in our business, and that will make a difference.

Buzz Knight, Beasley Media Group: Be bold and be resilient.

Max Volume, KOZZ: To attract an audience and engage them in their community. To break new artists and showcase the popular ones. To be a voice.

Todd Shannon, WAPE: Radio still has reach and this mature business model needs a fresh set of eyes in many places. So get business and marketing classes in because it’s not all about majoring in broadcasting anymore. Then bring some new ideas to the table. If you have something to say and express, you’re going to be given the platforms. But you have the business sense, the marketing sense, the digital sense to understand the various platforms to get that message out.

Matt Johnson, KSLZ: Connecting in a real way with real people matters.

Mike “OD” O’Donnell, WKRZ: We are unique entertainers and we can deliver far more than just music.

Fish Boy, WKRZ: We have an unmatched effective medium that no one else can tap into it…often imitated but never duplicated. Bring your unique talents and creative minds to our business and help the medium move forward.

Rick Vaughn, KENZ: Think for yourself. Be strategic and unique. Disrupt the medium’s mad dash to mediocrity. Work for people who value various points of view.

Raphael Opida, WIOQ: Radio is FUN. It’s more than just cracking the mic and talking between the songs. You are a star on-air, online, and on the streets. Radio’s reach is bigger than ever with the dawn of smart speakers. Radio still curates and spotlights trends in pop culture. Wanna be a part of it? All you need to do is show up and hustle.

Sassy, WKXJ: You won’t have to worry about barbecue with all the barbecue trade you can get (LOL). It also helps to be outgoing and crazy…like me!

Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
What are your hopes and/or expectations for the music cycle for 2019?
e-Mail your responses to: jodorisio@fmqb.com or bburke@fmqb.com