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10 Questions with ... Molly Cruz
January 30, 2017
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WZSR in Suburbs of Chicago from May of 2011 - November of 2015
I went from Intern → Promotions Assistant → Overnights → Promotions Coordinator + Nights → Afternoons
I was also on-air weekends at WXSS/Milwaukee from 2013-2014
1. What Got You Interested In Radio?
I went to school to study videography ... but I stumbled into radio and instantly fell in love! I ditched the whole video thing and pursued radio! I got an internship at WZSR/Chicago a month into school. Nine months later, I got hired on as a part-time promotions and the rest is history!
2. What makes the Milwaukee market unique? How does this compare to other markets you have worked at?
Milwaukee is a WEIRD market! A lot of songs that work elsewhere sometimes don't work here! There's a lot of rock and country lovers in this market too, so we definitely factor that in when deciding which songs to add.
3. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Wow. Where do I start?? There are many, but one that I see a lot is the influence of OTHERS when it comes to the music we put on our stations. Honestly, I think we are losing the PASSION in picking the right music for our specific markets. There are a lot of things that influence music adds, but one of the most important should be YOUR audience. Markets differ from state to state. I think the issue is that a lot of stations (CHR and HAC) sound exactly the same. There's no unique sound. Everyone is playing the same songs and there's no special sauce to differentiate one from the other.
4. How are you using social media to market your radio station?
Entercom as a whole has definitely upped their game in the social media realm. We just had a visit from our corporate team to re-evaluate our goals. A lot of it comes down to increasing frequency and knowing WHO you're talking to. The Mix jocks have really mastered Facebook and cracked the code on how to connect with our listeners. It's not all memes and recipe videos. Sharing our lives and continuing to have that personal connection with them has really proven to be a strong suit of ours.
5. Today's listener can now access music on their mobile device and stream customized radio and music-on-demand. What effect are on-demand music services such as Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Slacker and others having on the radio and music industries?
Well, according to a lot of recent studies ... it doesn't have much effect at all. Radio is still the top dog.
6. How do you stay in tune with your audience?
I use my personal Facebook a lot to stay up to date. It's a quick and easy way to stay connected. You can never go wrong with hitting the streets too! Whether that be at remotes or charity event. I think it's important to get out and MEET your listeners instead of hiding in a studio all the time.
7. How are you using new technologies in your personal life to listen to music, and what observations have you made about how today's listeners use technology?
I use Spotify a lot. I think the biggest observation I have made about technology and today's listener is the effect it has had on their attention span. Everything is at the tip of our fingers now. It's so accessible and easy to get what you want, when you want it. Or so easily get rid of what you don't want. Don't like that song... SKIP! That plays a big role in our industry because it makes it that much harder to entertain and keep our listeners attention. You gotta work hard for that TSL!
8. Who do you consider your radio mentor(s)?
I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for my friend, Joe Cicero (PD at WZSR). Joe was the very first person to put me on the radio at WZSR in 2010! He continued to work with me doing weekly (and very painful) airchecks. He has stayed one of my best friends even after my departure.
Brian Kelly was/is a HUGE catalyst of my career. We met while I was doing weekend shifts at WXSS/Milwaukee. We kept in touch and he decided to pluck me out of the cornfields of McHenry County to help him program WMYX. I am eternally grateful that he took a chance on me. I am very lucky to learn from one of the best and most respected programmers in the business.
9. What is the most rewarding promotion you've ever been a part of?
WZSR hosts a 36 hour radio-thon for a domestic violence shelter every year. The long hours were 110% worth the impact we made.
10. What advice would you give people new to the business?
Be eager. Work for free as long as you can. Do everything and anything you can at the radio station. Meet everyone. Make yourself readily available at all times. Proving that you are a team player and you are eager to learn will get you places.
Bonus Questions
What do you do in your spare time?
I have a one-year old pup, so I spend a lot of time with him! Walking and going to the park. When I'm not with my pup, I'm usually with my boyfriend at a concert. We are both music lovers :)
Who is the most amazing talent you've worked with?
That's tough. We have A LOT of really talented people here at the Entercom Milwaukee building. I am very lucky to work with all of them. My BF is also a former radio programmer. I might be biased ... but he's pretty talented too :)
What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I really enjoy blues music! It's one of my favorite genres. I own some vinyl, but prefer seeing it live. I go to Chicago Blues Fest every year with my parents. It's one of my favorite weekends of the year!
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
I actually wanted to be a teacher. I probably would have gone to college to pursue that if I had the money to do so after high school.
Tell us what music we would find on your playlist right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?
You'd find A LOT of The Beatles and a lot of current music. I am constantly scouring the Internet to find new music. I'd say 90% of the stuff I listen to on a daily basis is crap ... 10% is good ... only 5% has a chance to make radio.
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