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10 Questions with ... Bekah Berger
August 16, 2016
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Foot in the door- two days after I graduated from the University of Rhode Island (I bleed Rhody Blue) I began working as the GM's assistant at what was then Citadel Communications in Providence. Transitioned that into Promotions/Marketing Director for WPRO (News Talk) while also producing/filling in on morning drive. I added on a part-time weekend gig hosting, "This Week in Entertainment with Bekah Berger" on Saturdays and producing a Saturday morning show for current WPRO morning host Gene Valicenti. In August 2012, I joined the crew at Hot 106 doing middays (didn't have to move much- it was right downstairs!) and also became their Promotions/Marketing Director. I started Hot 106 morning drive officially in November 2015. I also began Q105-FM (New London, CT) middays in May 2015.
I apologize that that was well over 140 characters.
1. What got you into radio?
Growing up, I was obsessed with consuming pop culture. I had taken over my mom's Entertainment Weekly subscription when I was eight. I used to rush home from school to watch Total Request Live on MTV. Whether it was sports, news or music, the radio was always on in my parents' car and the people, "coming out of the radio" fascinated me. After my first radio internship at 17, I was hooked.
2. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Unlike all of the other girls in my class I never wanted to be a veterinarian. Every morning before school/work my dad and I would watch NESN Sports Desk. I thought the women anchors/reporters who knew so much about sports were so badass. Originally I wanted to be a badass sideline sports reporter running in heels after athletes and wearing a big, giant snow hat on cold game days.
3. Was it tough getting used to waking up early? How late do you sleep in on Sunday?
Everyone I've talked to says, "you're never going to get used to waking up early" and they're so....RIGHT! I LOVE staying up and watching TV- it's what I'm best at. Adjusting to, "going to bed early" has been tough- especially because The Bachelorette is on until 10 (sometimes 11 when ABC wants to ruin me.) I consider sleeping past 9 am a victory on Sunday (wine helps.)
4. You've also done promotions and marketing with HOT 106. Has that experience given you additional insight to your job with the morning show?
YES! I've learned the importance of sponsorships, :05 tags and securing promo relationships through my experience with promotions which translates into my morning show position. Promotions and programming are a beautiful marriage. Like Tom Brady and Gisele; you can't have one without the other.
5. Aren't you a newlywed? How does your husband handle your celebrity status?
I LOVE a good transition-speaking of marriages- why yes. I became a Real Housewife of Rhode Island on 4-16-16 (#LightsCameraAmaral if you're curious.) Considering I met my husband while he was doing stand-up comedy (I sent him a creepy Facebook message later that night) and he has a background in acting I'd say we, "share" the status.
6. I know it's very early in the marriage to have a "celebrity pass" but who would you choose for your "celebrity pass"?
It's never too early. I had a pass(es) before we were married. You can have more than one, right?
In no particular order:
- Ryan Gosling
- Idris Elba
- Channing Tatum (I know, so basic.)
7. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
If I could find a job where I could watch TV and write about it and get paid for it...I would probably do that. Or maybe find some sort of study that would pay for, "side effects from too much TV binge watching."
8. Like it or not, you are connected to Dan Hunt, Bethany Kent and the Providence Radio Mafia. Who is really the brains behind the operation? Dan or Beth?
I love being connected to the PR Mafia which is why, if I tell you, well...you know the rest.
9. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
I want to be an audience member during reality TV reunion shows. I have great RBF for it. Also, if I was just a little bit smarter, I'd love to be on Jeopardy. I hope I'm not the only one who watches alone and blurts the answers out loud.
10. What aspect of your radio "game" would you like to improve on as we head toward 2017?
I think I want to get more organized with my talk topics. The storage on my phone is constantly full (that notification is THE WORST) because I'm always screen-shotting different articles, photos etc. Also, I need to step up my Snapchat game.. I have to put eyeliner on before I Snap, though.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
I grew up on Sunday dinners at my grandparents' house. Meatballs, lasagna and all of the pasta, please. (PS- here's something fun and, "local" instead of red pasta sauce we call it, "gravy" around here...yes, for real.)
Do you have a favorite social media app?
In order:
- Instagram (@bekahberger)
- Twitter (@bekahberger)
- Snapchat (@hot106prov)
- Facebook (Facebook.com/bekahberger)
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