10 Questions with ... Ryan Giles

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

1997-2004 -- KEGE (93.7 The Edge)/KXXR (93X)/Minneapolis, unpaid intern to Promotions Coordinator; 2004-2006 -- KDOT (Rock 104.5)/Reno Promotions Director & Webmaster; 2006 - Current - KMYZ (Z-104.5 The Edge) & KTSO (94.1 The Sound) Promotions Director & Webmaster.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Listening to WCCO-AM on the clock radio in my grandparent's kitchen growing up, it was on 24/7! Then in high school, I fell in love with 93.7 The Edge.

2. What are you most proud of since joining KMYZ?

Coming in five years ago with a whole new management team and re-establishing the Edge brand in Tulsa. Bringing back the staples that made Z-104.5 The Edge popular in the 90s such as The Edge Homegroan CD" (local music) and The Edge Birthday Bash with great success. And selfishly, making our office look like a Rock N' Roll museum. Listeners come into our lobby to pick up prizes and next thing you know, they bust out their camera phones and are taking pictures of the memorabilia on our walls. We have everything from The Beatles to Johnny Cash to Metallica on the walls.

3. What are your day-to-day duties at the station?

Running two promotions departments, two station websites, overseeing our social networking sites, manage three part-timers and our street team, sales meetings with clients, and writing a lot of proposals.

4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

1) Working for a family owned company; 2) Just being able to work in radio everyday. I always say that even my worst day in radio, is better than most people's good days.

Least: Not having a full time Webmaster in our group and dealing with our station vans when they need to be fixed.

5. What recent promotion has caused the most excitement with your listeners?

The Friday before Easter we hold an Easter Egg Hunt at the back lot of our building with our Morning Show, Greg & Chuck, called "Easter Greg Hunt". This was our 3rd year doing it, and the response was overwhelming. Most of the prizes were concert tickets. Listeners started lining up at 4a, it was our biggest turnout to date and we had more people than prizes. We didn't turn anyone away and made sure everyone left with something when it was all said and done. "The Edge Eliminator" contest would be a close second because it makes for great calls on air!

6. How is the station utilizing Facebook?

It's another way to connect with our listeners. We're using it to set appointment listening for specific station features, when to listen to win prizes, and secret Facebook contesting for our "fans." We use Facebook to inform listeners about new content we post on our station website. Our DJs are always updating it from the computer in the studio.

7. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

Working with a very limited budget, we have to get creative at times because believe it or not we don't have a secret pile of cash we can just go to when we need it.

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Having a good laugh everyday with a co-worker or my wife. You have to have a sense of humor to work in radio.

9. What are you most passionate about?

Owning the streets! We have to look better than our competition and that starts with training your staff and having an eye for detail.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I make killer salsa and I've become quite the handyman around the house.

What are your hobbies?

Fixing up our house and yard (I blame HGTV), Snowboarding, taking care of my Koi Pond in the backyard (it teaches patience), and teaching our dog Izzy new tricks!

Last non-industry job?

Worked at the Deli counter at a grocery store.

First record ever purchased?

Run DMC "Tougher Than Leather" on cassette. I still have it!

First concert?

Haha... I always fess up to this one... my mom took me to see Nelson in 1990 at the Orpheum in Minneapolis. I made up for the Nelson debacle with my second concert, which was Iron Maiden and Anthrax at Target Center.

Favorite band of all-time?

Iron Maiden hands down!