September 29, 2023

Where’s the best place to find potential radio talent?

Buster, WIOQ: YouTube and other local content creators, and mix show DJs.

 


Bob Patrick, WXLK: It’s still in our own backyard. You have to develop those people who really want it from the ground up.

Drew Heyman, WHYI: Go to TV. Find someone who’s hungry and who already understands broadcasting.

Jon Zellner, iHeartMedia: Many different ways to discover talent these days, but I’d start with the ones who have mastered social media marketing and have developed a strong following either through hosting a podcast, creating memorable TikTok videos, a You Tube channel, or anything beyond hosting a typical radio show.

Guy Zapoleon, Zapoleon Consulting: Podcasting may be the best way to find a fresh new talent. You find incredibly talented Gen Z or Millennials who may have never thought of radio as a career, and you can provide a larger platform to help them continue their podcasts and promote their shows. For talent already working, I would be scouring social media for posts and catalog any that seemed interesting with a note to periodically check back. you may be catching a great show that’s an anomaly or a weak show early on in the talents development that might continue to improve. You can also always spot fresh new comedian talent at a local comedy club.

Kevin Kash, Free Agent: Best place? How about the unemployment line? Been there, done that…well, currently doing that…again.

Bartel. WKTU: Anywhere and everywhere, you just have to have an eye and ear for identifying talent.

Matt Johnson, WPLW: Social media. Find those ones who love music and are out there and are great at producing short form content.

Toby Knapp, WASH: That’s a good question for Cat Haley in Miami, formerly of Sirius/XM and TIKTOK RADIO… she’s already broken the mold, hit some recent ‘things’ because of the economics of ‘things’ but she has not given up on creating and I first met her when she was at a Morning Show Bootcamp, with no gig, just looking to make a name for herself. Passion means everything. You can’t teach it. You can teach the other stuff. So let’s find passionate ones where they may be. But we best hurry… the clock is ticking… and the talent pool is like the dried-up Great Salt Lake in Utah… unless we commit to fixing it.

Rick Vaughn, KENZ: You check out TikTok and search for the personalities that are conversational, are they talking to me in a relatable manner, are they interesting. I don’t need some corny bull shit, there’s a lot of that on that platform. Also, you just have to keep your eyes and ears open everywhere you go. I hired a mailman five years ago; he now does mornings for me on my Rock station.

Erik Bradley, B96: Social media has some good content creators.

Valentine, WBHT: Best place to find talent is social media. Who makes the best contest for your audience. Radio can be taught, but the art of entertaining is what we need more of.

Nick Ritrovato, Cavalier Radio: College radio.

Mike O’Donnell, WKRZ: Seek out your local colleges that are still teaching communication courses and have a radio station and see if you can find any bright talent. I’ll be speaking to a class at a local college in this market and I’ll have my radar up for any students that have the lights on about the medium.

Brian Mack, iHeartMedia: Podcasts, YouTube…all the places and platforms we need to grow at.

Dom Theodore, Radio Animal Media Strategies: New media obviously, but don’t discount the promo kid who shows passion and promise. I’ve even found someone on a pirate station while passing through his town.

Chris Michaels, FM100: Local TikTok influencers are a great place to start. There are quite a few local TikTok influencers that are creative and know how to promote and grow their brand.

Rich Davis, KDWB: It’s difficult these days, where’s the new bench? If you’re posting a job and someone’s applied, I go to their social media. I look at TikTok primarily for KD and see if they have any personality that reflects potential for Top 40…are they teachable? I want to see if they have even an inkling of passion to want to know what radio’s all about.

Jammer, WEZB: Many talented people can be found emceeing in the clubs on Bourbon Street.

Next Week’s Question Of The Week:
What fuels your work energy each week for your job?
e-Mail your responses to: bburke@deanemediasolutions.com