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10 Questions with ... Miguel Fuller
September 3, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- 2003-2005 Worked part-time while in college at WDMG The Big Dawg in Douglas, GA. I board op a NASCAR race like a champ!
- 2005-2008 I held several positions at Clear Channel/SavAnnah, GA. I started as an intern, then went to weekend/swing on WAEV (97.3 KISS FM). Once I graduated college in 2007, they brought me on full-time as Operations Assistant and Producer/Traffic for AM Savannah with Bill Edwards on Newsradio 1290 WTKS.
- 2008-2011 - Producer/Co-Host on "That Guy" Kramer In the Morning on WILN (Island 106)/Panama City Beach, FL
- 2011-2012 - Producer/Co-Host on "That Guy" Kramer In the Morning on WSJT (Play 98.7)/Tampa, FL
- 2012-Present - Morning Show Host on The Miguel Show with Mandy & Holly on WILN (Island 106)/Panama City Beach, FL
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
A real big learning experience! Thanks to people like John Wetherbee, Chris Alan and Russ Francis, I learned how to be a detail-oriented worker. I always knew I wanted to be in radio, but I had no clue how much business there was to be done. Even down to writing exciting, creative promos, each person worked with me to get it through my head. I'm so glad my first few years in radio were spent there. I felt like I was going through my Master Class of radio.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I've always been fascinated by morning radio. Growing up in Atlanta there were so many morning shows to take in. Barnes, Leslie and Jimmy on 99X. Steve and Vikki on Star 94. Listening to them, I learned about the power of radio. My PASSION blossomed for radio when The Bert Show came to town. Listening to Bert, Jeff, Melissa and Jenn while in high school, I witnessed how four people can sit in a room and truly change the course of their listener's day. They had the ability to connect with their audience that fascinated me to no end. That's when I knew I wanted to host my own show and try to change people's lives like I witnessed them do it when I was in high school.
3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
For a small market, it's actually VERY competitive. I believe we have six live morning shows in our market. That means you have to come with your A game EVERY morning. Listeners in this market are very loyal and have long memories, so you always have to find new ways to engage your audience and connect with them.
4) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
We TOUCH the listeners. I've never worked at a station with such passionate listeners. I believe that comes from the heritage of the brand (22 years) and the talented people who have sat in my seat before me. Everyone has done a wonderful job to build a relationship with the city. That's why on air I reference the listeners as family. They feel ownership of the station.
5) What are you doing social media-wise?
Active, active, active! I try to treat Facebook and Twitter as a reality show. I believe listeners are going to find their celeb gossip from TMZ, etc. But they can't find my co-host Mandy burning dinner for her family and feeling like a failure. People connect with posts like that. Or viral videos and pictures that serve as a distraction for listeners while they are at work. I try to keep us top of mind for listeners outside of the morning show.
6) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
Social media plays a big part. On Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, we follow and add every single listener back that we can. It's hard to get out and touch EVERY SINGLE person, but people feel special when you write Happy Birthday on their wall. Also being open to charity events and just being infused in the fabric of the community. If there's something going on in town, we try to be there.
7) What is your favorite part of the job?
Helping and connecting. I love hearing from a listener, "I have an hour long drive every morning but I feel like I have my three best friends with me every morning." Making people smile brings so much joy to my heart. In my mind I want our content to come through the speakers and give you a big ole hug. I love that connection with listeners.
8) Do you have a favorite hobby outside of radio?
Even though I live MINUTES from the beach, there's nothing I love more than a nice dinner and a big, dark, cool room to watch a good movie in. I'm a movie freak! My friends beg me all the time to spend Sundays on the beach. I would much rather take in a movie!
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Smile and be positive. Life is going to happen. Crap is going to fall apart. But it's how you react to problems and negativity that truly shows your character. Being able to smile in the most stressful of situations make you a better employee and co-worker.
10) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Say yes. Don't walk into a situation with preconceived notions. Be a sponge and listen to what people are telling you. Work harder than anyone in the room. When it feels like no one is watching, they are. You have to be on your game at all times. Be polite. My Mom told me a long time ago that being nice and kind will get you far. It's amazing to me how few people are just decent.
Bonus Questions
Name the artist/act (living or dead) you'd love to meet and why?
John Mayer. For the love of God I've been trying to meet AND see this man perform live. For some reason it just never seems to happen. I've been addicted to John Mayer's music since a friend in high school gave me a burned CD and said, "My sister's friend was roommates with this guy named John, listen to this CD and tell me what you think." That was in 2002. I've been trying to meet and see him perform since then. One day...
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