Indiana RadioWatch: June 3, 2009

Northcentral

Dave Allen exits on Friday 29 May as interim PD and afternoon host at Federated Media's Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart). Replacing him...

Northwest

WASK Radio Group Country/WKOA (105.3fm, Lafayette) PD/Morning co-host Mark Allen exits after just under six years. Allen will rejoin his former employer - Federated Media - as PD of Country/WBYT (100.7fm, Elkhart) on 1 July. Before Lafayette's "K-105" he worked up at Federated's "K-105" in Fort Wayne - WQHK-FM (105.1fm, Decatur). Allen replaces Dave Allen (no relation/see above), who replaced Clint Marsh, after he exited for GM duties at Talking Stick/Warsaw stations WRSW and WAWC. Marsh is not the GM at "Federated/South Bend" as some trades have reported.

Central

Last Friday (29 May), Dave Newcomer exited as SVP/CFO of the Radio Division at Emmis Communications.

Employment Opportunities

Artistic Media Partners is looking for a dynamic Market Manager for stations in South Bend. Our four station cluster offers an excellent and exciting opportunity for a sales-minded broadcaster. If you are goal oriented and have three or more years of successful sales management experience, please send your resume to arthur at artisticradio dot com. Artistic Media Partners is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WNDY-TV/Indianapolis is currently taking applications for a Videographer/Editor/Producer. Applicants possess working knowledge of Sony XDCam/Avid Nitris editing and the ability to field produce. Scheduling flexibility and college degree required. Please send resumes to: Production Manager, 1950, North Meridian, Indianapolis, IN. 46202 or bhardy at wishtv dot com. No phone calls please. EEO/MF.

Radio Spotlight

Name: Brad Holtz
Job Title: Program Director
Station(s): WTTS/Indianapolis (Adult Rock) and WGCL/Bloomington (News/Talk)
Owner: Sarkes Tarzian, Inc.

1. Who were your early DJ or radio station influences? (Perhaps what lead you to "catch the radio bug.")

Growing up in Indianapolis, I enjoyed WKLR, WFBQ and WIBC (and their personalities).

2. What makes your stations unique?

First, we're truly a local, independently operated radio station - very rare in this day. As an Adult Rock station, WTTS is uniquely positioned in that we're trying to reach a very musically-inclined group of adults. Our listeners love music and lots of it, and their musical appetite is incredibly diverse. In reflecting this appetite, WTTS is able to play quite an expansive selection of rock, from the late 60s up to now. We're also committed to emerging artists and musicians not being introduced on other contemporary stations.

3. What makes your market unique?

The classic rock and country tastes of Indianapolis, in my mind, largely exceed those of other markets. For any station attempting any form of "rock," there are certain tried and true aspects that have worked, and will work, for Indianapolis that go back to the basic "meat and potatoes" rock sensibilities of the market.

4. Who are your mentor(s)?

In life, my father. In radio, I've been fortunate to have worked with some great programmers and managers - John Bradley, Dave Rahn and Dave Benson are three that come to mind who have really shown me a lot about creating great brands.

5. What's the best advice you'd give to those wanting to get into radio?

Be flexible, have an open mind, and when starting out, do absolutely anything and everything you can to become indispensable to a station. Also, have a basic understanding that radio is being redefined each day. The ability to view radio as a source of "unique local content distribution" whose duty is to engage audiences with advertisers will be very necessary as we navigate through the future.

6. Where do you see the radio industry five years from now?

As I mentioned above, I see radio redefined as a distribution source for unique local content. We will always have trasmitters enabling large cumes - our next focus must be engagement. Further engaging local audiences, through their busy lives, with our brands and in turn, local clients. How that is done? The opportunities are endless. I see online video, podcasting and social networking taking an even more prominent role in the local radio mix in the coming days and months. The common denominator for all of these delivery vehicles is engagement. Creating engaging relationships with audiences who engage with our clients is the absolute top priority.

7. What's the most important issue in radio today?

Overall, the cost and staffing structure is changing everyday. With every round of layoffs and restructurings, resources are being challenged. How radio does the job it has to do with the resources it now has is the biggest question out there - and we must think in new ways about how we create great radio under a model that's different from what we're used to. And aside from convinving more local clients that local radio still works, I see two other very pressing issues: first, the new SoundExchange fees and royalties placed on streamers have the potential of killing the streaming model we employ today. This has to be resolved in a far more equitable manner. Second, the proposed performance royalty issue in front of Congress now has the potential to cripple music radio. I'd say that right now, the latter is the single most important issue radio faces.

8. What's your favorite out-of-market radio station, and why?

KROQ/Los Angeles. They are the definition of a flawlessly executed local brand, reflecting the culture and feel of Southern California. Sure, they're a monster heritage station, but the day-to-day work that goes into making KROQ the brand it is is nothing short of magnificent.

9. Who's your favorite air personality that isn't working for you?

Bret Saunders, mornings at KBCO/Denver. The show offers the perfect mix of music, entertainment and information. While letting his personality shine through, he allows the music to be the star.

10. What book have you read that has taught you the most about the radio business?

I think "The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People" can benefit people in any business.

Bonus Question: What's your biggest pet peeve?

Local radio is still doing a lot of things really, really well. Unfortunately, the bad press outshines the good, and I wish our industry's good deeds received a little more light.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.