Life is pretty good nowadays for McConnell Adams, best known as “Man@Large.” As Director of Programming Alaska CHR for New Northwest Broadcasters, Adams has taken his knowledge from the “lower 48” and implemented a winning strategy in a place that’s surprisingly producing some great radio and ratings…Alaska!
McConnell “Man@Large” Adams
McConnell Adams, better known as “Man@Large,” is loving life in a place you may least expect…Alaska! But the cold temperatures can’t cool off the red-hot ratings his station is achieving under his leadership. Adams’ radio career began in Dallas in 2001, and since then he’s done it all from being an on-air talent, to promotions, to production and imaging, to programming. As PD of KFAT 92.9/Anchorage, he recently posted some of the best numbers in its station’s history and he now finds himself serving as Director of Programming Alaska CHR for New Northwest Broadcasters. Adams has taken his knowledge from the “lower 48” and implemented a winning strategy in place that’s surprisingly producing some great radio and ratings!
eQB presents excerpts from the October FMQB magazine
Up Close: KFAT/Anchorage Director of Programming McConnell “Man@Large” Adams
“We’re still part of the U.S. but there is a very independent spirit here. We play a very important role in people’s lives. We are their connection to new music and entertainment.”
“We had to refocus, play the hits, and make it a station for everyone, not just a segment of the audience. We were just blessed with the #1 position in the market. Something we haven’t seen at this station in 9 years!
“We’re well rounded and focused. Not too Hip-Hop, not too Dancy, not too Urban, with a dash of the Pop songs that fit. We knew what we wanted and molded KFAT to be this fun Rhythmic station for everyone. We are careful and balanced.”
“We have to be live and local to compete. We have to have faces and personalities to welcome everyone to the party and let them interact with it. You can’t get that just from voice tracking. Here they want to touch their local celebrities and we let them do that.”
“Our biggest success has been our text messaging campaign. Our website is the place to go for our listeners. They long to be involved with us and to reach us and that’s a goal of every promotion.”
“We had to get away from what was a perception that we were this hardcore Gangsta Rap station. The flood of Dance-driven Rhythm records has the ladies loving us! It’s fun and the energy is very female friendly. You can also see other artists embracing it.”
“You have to stay focused and patient. Sometimes things happen and you have to be calm, evaluate, plan, and execute. Also be prepared to fail, then remember how you got back up.”
“Find something you care about because when you help out the passion shows. Find a cause. Reach out and ask people what you can do. You help your community and they will help you.”
** QB Content by Bob Burke **
