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10 Questions with ... Beata Murphy
August 8, 2023
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Started in radio in 1999 at WLLD in Tampa, FL, while still in college. While at WLLD, worked my way up from intern to Assistant Program Dir/Music Director when she finally left in 2006. In 2006 became the West Coast RHY National at JIVE records. Then in 2013 went back to work in radio as the APD/MD at the legendary KIIS FM. In January of 2022 I was promoted to the PD of KIIS FM
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
ALL FUN! It was a bunch of 20-year olds running a radio station, what could go wrong?
2. What led you to a career in radio?
It was completely by accident! I was working as a bartender at a restaurant in St. Petersburg and one of my friends who was a waitress at the time got a job at the new station intown, WLLD and asked if I wanted to come hang out with her at the station since it was a weekend overnight shift. The show was an EDM Mix show Fridays 1a-5a. Week after week I went with her, I started help produce the show, the show grew in popularity, so they added Saturday nights as well. Then about 3 months in everyone realized I actually didn't work for the company, lol. That's when I became an intern and her we are today.
3. As someone completely new to radio when your career got rolling at WLLD (WiLD 94.1)/Tampa what were you doing when you first started there and what were you doing when you left?
I was just a friend producing a Dance show, coming up with branding ideas for Sales working for free just having fun. By the time I left I was off air APD/MD.
4. Was going to work at a label something that you'd been thinking about?
Not necessarily, but by the time I left WLLD I knew there really wasn't any more growth there in the building. So I knew I needed to look outside of the market if I wanted to continue to grow my career. I was up for a couple PD gigs in other markets and out of nowhere John Strazza called and asked if I would be interested in working with him at Jive. Something I learned early on was 'always take the interview,' so I did. I flew to New York and I loved the team and I knew right away I wanted to work with them. There was nothing really holding me back in Tampa so I took the job and never looked back.
5. You joined the staff at Jive Records in 2006 for National Promotion duties – based in Los Angeles. The label had an incredible roster with boldface names all over the place. How was that transition for you? And do you remember which was the first station that you called to work a record on (and did you get the ADD)?
The transition was pretty easy for me and it's because I was already friends with good amount of the PDs and MDs at Rhythm. I was just calling my friends which was pretty great and we had amazing records so it was pretty easy. First station I called was probably B96/Chicago and Erik Bradley - he has always been on of my closet friends in the industry.
6. Had heading back to radio been a career option that you'd been mulling?
No it really wasn't. I got a call one day from John Ivey and he wanted to talk about a possible opportunity he might have at iHeart. I didn't even think it was for the AMP/MD gig. Once he told me what the job was, how could I say NO, it was the legendary KIIS- FM
7. In 2013, John Ivey recruited you to return to radio and join the KIIS-FM staff. 8 years later you ascended to the PD chair (essentially replacing Mr. Ivey). You made your way through the ranks and were APD/MD prior to landing the big chair, how did you know that you were ready for the job?
I don't know that you KNOW you are ready but I had a great teacher. Being able to work with Ivey for so many years and learn under his leadership is one of the things that helped get me ready.
8. Ryan Seacrest and team hold down mornings. Not an atypical situation to be sure, and his passion for the medium is well known. Do the two of you meet on a regular basis to discuss strategy, etc.?
Yes we do. Ryan is very involved with his show and the station. He wants to know and be part of what's going on. His passion for radio is awesome to witness. I'm really lucky to have such a superstar talent who is so engaged with the brand and staff.
9. How can the format make sure that potential Gen Z and Gen Alpha listeners are being properly served?
First and most important being where they are! Your brand needs to be visible everywhere because if you are not it won't matter what content you produce they won't know about it. Then it's all about the content and being relatable to them.
10. What's your all-time favorite backstage memory?
There are so many fun ones, I don't know if I could possibly pick just one.
11. If you could take a spin in the custom 'All Access Back To The Future Delorean,' which legendary station from the past would you like to work at for a week?
Being at the POWER PIG (WFLZ/Tampa) when they first launched would have been fun - talk about a radio war!
12. What was your favorite station(s) to listen to when you were a kid? Jock(s)?
I had two: in Boston it was Kiss 108 and in Tampa WQYK.
13. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
Through my career I have had mentors at different stages. Orlando was the first person to really help and show me radio. John Strazza showed me the ways of the label side, Ivey really help develop my skills as a programmer and Thea Mitchem, who has shared invaluable wisdom and support.
Bonus Questions
What is the Song Of Summer 2023?
It's a Taylor Swift Summer.
What will you miss about All Access the most?
The community.
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