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10 Questions with ... John Foxx
January 6, 2014
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WPLJ (95.5 PLJ)/New York (Hot AC) - PD (2012 To Present)
- WNSH (NASH-FM)/New York (Country) - PD (2013 To Present)
- KLIF (i93)/Dallas, TX (Top 40) - PD (2009 To 2012)
- KKMG/Colorado Springs, CO - PD/afternoons (2006 To 2009)
- WFLY (FLY 92.3)/Albany, NY (Top 40) - (2006)
1) What Got You Interested In Radio?
I just kind of fell in to it! I was friends with a few DJs at K104 and I would hang out at the station from time to time. While I was there, the afternoon guy Terry Donovan taught me the board and would help me work on tapes in the production room. Long story short, they needed someone to run the board and I was there, it's pretty awesome how this all came together!
2) What's it like working with the legendary Scott & Todd morning show?
It's unbelievable!!! Those guys are the ultimate pros and Todd has you laughing no matter what! Scott is a legend and is packed with knowledge about this business. Scott is the ultimate Radio DJ and it's been so much fun working with him!
3) What makes the New York or market unique? How does this audience compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
It's massive! There is so much competition and it's so crowded especially in the Pop arena. Everyday you have to ask yourself what are you doing that makes you stand out? What makes you different and more connected to the market than the rest?
4) Hot AC and a Country are two of the hottest formats these days and you're programming both! What are some of the differences between the Country and Hot AC listeners? Likewise, how are they similar?
What's great about these two formats and especially PLJ is the passion of the audience. The PLJ listener loves the music and bleeds love for WPLJ and Scott and Todd.
When it comes to Country in this market, its electric! The audience is so passionate about the music and is beyond excited that they have their own hometown Country station! Our audience is very responsive to anything NASH does.
5) How are you using social media to market your radio station?
In so many ways! We just want to be a part of everyone's everyday life and connect with them about the things they care about. Social media is big deal for us! It's a great way to connect with your audience and extend your reach.
6) What are your thoughts on the growth of digital radio and how are you promoting your online brand?
Online is a big deal and in my book it always has been. We do some amazing things on the air, and it's all about relatable content. The digital landscape allows us to extend the great things we are doing on the dial, and we continue to stimulate the audience in the digital world. This allows us to really bring our audience on a back stage tour (so to speak) or give them a front row seat to their favorite artists, events, community happenings and so much more. We put a lot of focus on creating a highway between the dial and digital.
7) As digital revenues for radio grow, are you starting to see online ads migrate from "value-added" and "non-traditional revenues" to a bigger part of the bottom-line that may eventually require a separate sales staff?
I think there is a ton of value there! You can reach both the listening audience and a unique audience that's connected because of your online content. There is definitely room for a sales team to sell this all day along with station sellers selling 360 packages.
8) Do you have a Social Media Director on your staff? If so, how does this person interact with your programming staff?
I have a handful of people that lend creative and strategy to our social media plan. Most of them are on the programming team because I feel it's so important that whatever we do, it has a connection to the identity of the product.
9) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio, Pandora, cell phone/MP3 players, and the Internet these days?
I think it's priceless...I believe, as a listener that YOUR station you grew up with and love is the most powerful point. When a radio station anchors in to the fabric of a community and the listener's lifestyle there is no competition with the other outlets. I believe terrestrial radio can have the best relationship with their audience.
10) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
Trust your instincts and take some chances, when you have that feeling about something you are probably right.
Bonus Questions
What is the most rewarding promotion or activity your station has ever been involved with to benefit the community or a charity?
Scott and Todd have been doing something really special, and this will mark 22 years!
Each year around Christmas they broadcast live from Blythdale Children's Hospital in Valhalla, which is a hospital for terminally ill children. They even have a wing named after the Scott and Todd Show. Each year Rob Thomas joins the team along with other artists who have included John Mayer, Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews, Train, Gavin DeGraw, Vanessa Williams, and so many others. Scott and Todd have raised over $4 Million Dollars for Blythdale.
In your opinion, what is that special magic that makes a hit record "a hit?"
You just feel it! When a record can connect in so many different ways and mean so many things to so many people. You know it's a hit when you can listen to it back to back to back!
What advice would you give people new to the business?
Soak up and learn as much as you can and be versatile. You need to be great at a lot of things these days and show a lot of value!
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