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10 Questions with ... Adam Star
May 7, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WJKL/Elgin,IL
- WBIG/Aurora, IL
- Clear Channel-Sacramento, CA
- KSXY/Santa Rosa, CA
- KSFM/Sacramento
- KFYE/Fresno, CA
- KSFM/Sacramento, CA
- WXKB/Fort Myers-Naples-Marco Island, FL
1) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
In this market, I have a great deal of respect for the programmers at these heritage stations. Due to this competitive environment our team has to have our game faces on 24-7.
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
I have worked at some really great stations like KSFM in Sacramento, CA. The talent and camaraderie there is parallel to WXKB. The morning show, Big Mama and The Wild Bunch, is heavily involved the community, and they step up when our neighbors call in a moment's notice. They have camped out for hunger, helped save a little league season in a matter of four hours on the air, and so much more. Big Mama is a market icon, and being such a huge humanitarian to the community, the listeners really believed that he was actually running for Mayor (April Fools). Our midday/APD, Joe Winner, has the vehicles at every festival and is a beast on Facebook. Mojo Wilson holds down our station imaging, giving us a big-time major-market sound. Lastly, Babs is the only female on the station; she started as intern just a few years ago and is by far already the dominant female personality in the market. You won't believe the things that this Detroit native says. We mesh as a team, live the lifestyle, and are heavily involved in the community consistently. There is a reason why we are the only station in the market that has been given the Key to the City of Naples and rated the #1 station in the market W18-49 and P25-54. If you want to be above the norm you have to do above the norm things and we do all the time!
3) What are you doing social media-wise?
We really try to utilize our B1039 page as an extension of our broadcast. By being Facebook hound dogs and sniffing out compelling posts and understanding what works has led us to many elite weeks from time to time. Our Facebook Insight stats show a post from Joe Winner a couple of days ago has already reached over 16 million people, and well over 500,000 comments.
Along with our social media, we also like our listeners to go to our station website that our Web Content Director Diana Lurie maintains. Despite having five stations in the cluster, Diana still keeps it all roaring. With her help and the other jocks' dedication to their shows, we have been able to set a cluster record just last month with the highest streaming request in the building ever. We also have a social feature every night on the air by YouTube star Andrea Russett, which is a passion button for our younger end. One of our top goals in 2013 is to enhance our social media and we have done a great job so far.
4) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
Actually, we just wrapped one up. You might have seen my morning man Big Mama and his world-renowned #DunkCity Tattoo that he recently got on his arm to pay homage for the amazing run that the local college, Florida Gulf Coast University, had in the Men's Basketball College Tournament. ESPN, USA Today, The New York Post and so many other media outlets reported on it. We love taking advantage of being live and local. Big Mama has done an amazing job of engaging the listeners of Southwest Florida. He IS SW Florida and has the #1 ratings in all demos to prove it! Mama has done what all great morning men do: He lives the life of his audience and brings it to the airwaves. Big Mama relates to the community and in turn, they en-masse tune in every morning.
5) What's the coolest promotion you've ever been involved with?
I am working on it right now. I am partnering with the American Cancer Society and bringing Breast Cancer Awareness to the forefront and getting the awareness out on a national level. On October 5th, we are going to set the Guinness Book of World records for the most pink ribbon tattoos in a single day. This is a great way to bring awareness in the community and beyond. If you would like to get your radio station listed or to get more information, log on to InkThePink.com.
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
We go out every day and try and touch the lives of the people we serve in our community. You always have to be at the forefront of town involvement. It's how we interact with our listeners, but also how we maintain a strong, local, loyal client base. At the end of the day, everyone is selling something. We go out and sell ourselves well.
7) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Don't talk so much and listen! You can learn something from every person you work with until the day you die. Some you learn more from. Continue to meet and listen to new people and you'll be a genius when you die.
8) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
Radio is so powerful. It doesn't matter what medium you hear it in. Whether it's on your laptop computer or on your smartphone, one constant will remain: Radio will always be the most immediate and current form of portable audio entertainment. It's a very specialized medium and that's what makes it special.
9) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
Born and raised in Lexington, KY. I am a huge University of Kentucky Wildcat fan!
10) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
Tony Tecate, KWYD. He is major-market entertaining, compelling, and always sounds like he is having tons of fun on-air. He can do everything. Big fan!
Bonus Questions
You are getting married soon. Who would you like to sing at your wedding if you could choose anyone?
I would choose Alicia Keys in a heartbeat. However, my future wife just said, "Fat chance, we are getting Enrique Iglesias." I can be right or I can be happy! ... I guess I'll be happy.
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