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10 Questions with ... Adam Schraf
June 7, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- August of 2009-June of 2010: Intern For Nancy and Newman in the morning on WRBT, BOB 94.9 Harrisburg
- December of 2009-September of 2012: Weekends and Swing and general helper at BOB 94.9 and WHKF, 99.3 KISS FM.
- September of 2012-May of 2013: Traffic reporter for Total Traffic. I was on all the iHeart Stations in Harrisburg, Lancaster, and Williamsport. Along with traffic I stayed on as a swing jock on 99.3 KISS FM and BOB 94.9. I also picked up weekend and swing shifts on FM97 WLAN, Lancaster, B104 WAEB, Allentown, and V97 WVRT Williamsport! I stayed on those stations until December of 2014 and it was really great for me to gain all that experience! Thanks, Mike Miller, JT Bosch, Derrick Cole, Eric White, Kyle Anthony and Jeff Hurley!
- June of 2013-December of 2014: Program Director of V97 WVRT Williamsport and Digital Content Director of IHM Williamsport
- January of 2015-Present: Afternoon Drive and Imaging Q92, WDJQ Canton, Ohio
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Everything I could have asked for!!!! Being an intern on a morning show that had been on the air for almost ten years at the time (now pushing 17) has been so valuable to my career. Nancy and Newman have such great chemistry and they are able to make such a connection with their listeners, it was an amazing learning experience!
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
I'd say the thing that makes us stand out the most is we are live 5:30am-midnight. I don't know of many other stations in similar sized markets (134) who can say that. Going from working for iHeart to a mom and pop has been very interesting. It is very different. I can't even say that it's good different or bad different, because the bottom line is the goal has been the same at every station...entertain listeners!
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Not really. However, my situation is certainly the exception, not the rule. I came from a job where I was running a station by myself, running 5 station websites and tracking 4 out of market stations which was a great learning experience for me. When I was hired on at Q92 they told me my first priority was to deliver a content driven afternoon show. I have picked up imaging for the station but I am certainly not complaining.
4) What are you doing social media-wise?
Obviously, engaging listeners using Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Nothing new there. Facebook Live is a pretty sweet new toy for us and we have seen some pretty good results from doing that. Also, I try to connect with as many listeners as I can via Snapchat. I do my best to look at the "Stories" they post and if they are in the car and I can tell they are listening to my station, I will send a Snap thanking them for having us on in the car or whatever. I think it helps humanize us to the listeners and shows them that we really do appreciate them making us a part of their lives!
5) What are your favorite showprep sources?
I of course have a couple prep sites I go to and I really find that it helps to condense the Internet for me. But my best showprep is just living life. People watching has sparked some of the best stuff I have done on the air. Whether I hear a couple of 20-something women bitching about their mother-in-laws, or if my upstairs neighbor's dog wakes me up at 6 am every day...It's real and it is relatable to the audience.
6) Who handles your imaging, and what voices are you using?
I am producing everything! We use BC at bcvoiceover.com and he does a hell of a job for us! By the way...imaging is not my strong suit and I would always love a quick critique...hit me up and I will send you some of my stuff for you to tear apart!
7) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
I think Q92 has a huge advantage here. I am actually the only person on the airstaff who was not born and raised in North East Ohio. Megan, of Megan & Christian in the morning, is the in-game host for the Canton Charge, the local 'D League' basketball team. She also does work with the Cavs! Nikolina, does middays along with being the PD, and she does a great job of talking about the city and seeing listeners out which really makes a difference. She is also, always doing appearances as a local celeb at charity events which is GREAT PR for the station! Our night girl, Alyssa, is a recent Kent State Grad, (but you wouldn't know that from listening to her) so she is literally living the life of her target audience. Me and Christian, from the morning show, spend a fair share of time at local bars hanging out. It always spawns content on the air that resonates with our listeners. Also, one of the most important parts to being local is looking good when you are out! Our promotions guy, Zach, does a fantastic job at that with an above average attention to detail!
8) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
WOW...So many! I am one of the luckiest guys around when it comes to learning from great people! It would be unfair to say one influenced me more than another. To name a few in no particular order...Nancy and Newman both showed me what it means to connect with your audience. JT Bosch taught me you can always make the best out of something that may not be the greatest on paper if you really work at it. Mike Miller has spent so much time making me suck less on the air, it's unreal. Thank you man! Bob Hauer and Derrick Cole have both talked me down off so many ledges. Thanks for not letting me do half the stupid crap I would have if it wasn't for your advice!
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
"Because we always did it that way," is the most annoying response to, "why do we do _________________ like this?"
10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
I think we need to remember that there are so many places for our listeners to consume music. What can we do to be better than their phone with their aux cord plugged in on their way home from work? If you can answer that question I don't think radio will be going anywhere!
Bonus Questions
For someone vacationing in your market, what one thing would you say they "must see"?
Depends on when you are here. If you in town on July 22nd of this year, I would say you HAVE to get tickets to our show with Flo Rida at q92radio.com. Any other time of year, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame is a must see!
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