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10 Questions with ... Kristen Havens
November 16, 2021
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started out in Springfield, MO, where I’m from, as the Promotions and Events Coordinator for all the Mid-West Family stations there. I married the KQRA afternoon jock, Brock and we soon became a duo in the industry. So when Mid-West Family SW Michigan called to give him a morning show, they created a position for me as well, thankfully! I was doing administration for sales and became the event specialist which then turned into supervising traffic, to managing promotions. Then I was doing on air cameos during the Plan B Morning Show on WIRX and got my own shows on WIRX and WYTZ. After earning my programming stripes, I asked for the opportunity to fill a position of Assistant Director of Content for all our stations in SW Michigan and luckily, they took a chance on me. I grew substantially in that position which has created the current opportunity I am in now. This spring, I accepted the position of Director of Content of all 4 of the music stations for Mid-West Family in South Bend, IN specifically focusing on programming Live 99.9 and moving my midday show there.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Board op on the brand new KOSP (92.9 The Beat)/Springfield, MO. I felt super cool listening to music and getting paid for it! It was in this tiny box of a room in the old station building which sat in a strip mall.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Love?! I was dating that rock jock I mentioned earlier so I was getting to know everyone at the stations. They needed help with several things...board op, event and promotions assistance, street team, etc. and I could use the extra cash while I was finishing college so I stepped in from time to time and loved it. Eventually the Event Coordinator position opened up and I applied which started my official full time career in the industry.
3. How do Brooke & Jeffrey jumpstart the station’s broadcast day?
Big radio stations have big morning shows! Brooke & Jeffrey are highly rated, the top morning show in South Bend, and they really lift up the station bringing in a lot of listenership.
4. What does it mean to you to get into the studio and crack the mic for your midday show?
It’s where I get to forget about the managerial stuff and let loose! My favorite part of the day!
5. Who would be a “dream” guest to come and plug in across from you in the studio?
Taylor Swift...yep, I am a Swiftie! I think she is phenomenal. Besides storytelling on air, I’d love to sing my heart out with her from songs on Red (Taylor’s Version, of course) and Folklore, during commercial breaks. She could bring all of her cats in and we could drink grande carmel nonfat lattes in our cardigans. In my head we would have the best chemistry on air, but reality I would be fan girling too hard to complete sentences.
6. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community? Especially as we move forward in a post-pandemic fashion?
During the pandemic we adapted right away. We ran “shop local” campaigns to help community businesses, did virtual broadcasts and interviews, and created new entertainment content online and on air to stay visible and involved. We have still adopted much of those things, but we’re also back out there in the community face to face as much as possible, safely, at a distance. Notre Dame is big here especially during football so doing tailgates and being part of that crowd. Any other community events as much as possible, as well. Partnering to fundraise with local organizations is important, especially right now as there’s still a lot of recovery happening from the pandemic.
7. What’s it like to operate with the fabled Golden Dome over your shoulder?
While I am fortunate enough to have a view outside, it does not face the Golden Dome. It’s a big part of our cluster. WSBT carries the games and we do a lot of contesting with ND tickets. Not being from the area, I have become quite the fan of this historic organization. It’s a lot of fun being an affiliate!
8. What is the most challenging part of the job these days?
Technology. I have two offices. One at the stations’ building and one at home. I also have 3 laptops. Keeping track of everything can be overwhelming. Also, tapping Engineering for an IT situation at home, is frustrating on both ends.
9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
KQRA (Q102) Springfield’s Rock Station. I would get into trouble during computer class for logging onto the Q102 website to put in my Frequent Rocker keywords.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I’d say John Kimmons in SpringMO taught me everything about events and promotions to start me off. Once I landed in Michigan and Indiana (aka Michiana), I got a slew of mentors! We pride ourselves as a “teaching hospital”, meaning we build up internally to take over those next big roles. So, I’ve had the privilege to be trained, coached, and mentored from our President/GM Dave Doetsch, along with VP/Content Paul Layendecker, and VP/Business Development & Innovation Zack East in Michigan. My husband and WIRX Plan B Morning Show host, Brock, has also been an awesome coach when it comes to being on air. Working in South Bend now, our GM Bill Gamble is showing me everything he knows so I am getting a mastery class in operations and programming.
Bonus Questions
If budget was no object, which 3-5 acts would you pull together for a station holiday show?
Budget was no object...what does that mean?! HA! Ok, 5 acts for a stellar Holiday show for our listeners: Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, Justin Bieber, and Post Malone.
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