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10 Questions with ... Adam Schraf
July 2, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
When I was 17 and a senior in High School I got an internship on the Nancy and Newman Morning show on Bob 94.9. After a few months, I was offered a part-time role with the market and eventually started overnights on 99.3 Kiss FM/WHKF. I began filling in more on the station which led to hosting mornings on Kiss from 9-11a. Then I became the full-time traffic reporter for Total Traffic for the Harrisburg market. In May of 2013 I became the PD of V97 in Williamsport.
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
My first radio gig was a lot of fun, hard work and a great learning experience. There were many weekends that I was teching for a remote Saturday afternoon, going back to the station to voicetrack and after that, hosting an overnight shift until 5a the next day.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
Well, when I was about 10 or 11 99.3 Kiss FM launched in my hometown, Harrisburg, PA. I started listening to the morning show, The Morning Mess with Jason, Kelly and Gavin, and the night show, The MnM show with Mike Miller, and when I found out that those people on the radio actually got paid, I thought it could be a cool job. (I loved reminding my PD at Kiss, Mike Miller, who I used to listen to when I was 11 years old!)
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Since I got into radio relatively recently, radio's current state is all I really know. Right now along with being the PD of V97 I am also the Digital Content Director for all of Clear Channel/Williamsport.
4) What are you doing social media-wise?
Facebook and Twitter are really an extension of our actual radio stations. We use them in a similar fashion; we tease content that is on the station's website to drive traffic to its social channels, as well as inform and engage listeners and gather feedback.
5) "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
I believe that being local is even more important for a station like mine in a small market like Williamsport. We try to participate in as many local charity events as possible and lend our voice to the community. Also I do my best to make V97 sound like a Williamsport station, whether that is talking about something specific in the town, or with sweepers that showcase Williamsport.
6) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love having meetings to try to come up with promotions. Seeing everyone throw their ideas out there ... in the end a little piece of everyone's idea gets implemented into the promotion and then we watch how it plays out.
7) What's the coolest promotion you've EVER been involved with?
For a couple years in a row, 99.3 Kiss FM teamed up with FM 97 and B104 to put on a big concert. It was so much fun, and I really learned a ton about how to pull something like that off.
8) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?
I am a huge fan of Kane. I am fortunate enough to have his Sunday Night Show on V97. He is just so good at making a connection with female listeners, not to mention how funny his morning show is!
9) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
99.3 Kiss FM in Harrisburg - and I was so lucky to start my career there.
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Work hard, do what you are told, ask questions and don't be discouraged if it feels like it is taking a while for you to get "your big break." It took me more than three years to get a full-time gig and it was worth the wait.
Bonus Questions
What was your last non-industry job?
I was a cashier at a local grocery store. That job didn't last long after I was hired and getting paid in radio. It just was not as much fun.
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