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10 Questions with ... Kevin Jackson
August 1, 2006
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NAME:Kevin JacksonTITLE:PD/MDSTATION:WTGZMARKET:Auburn/Montgomery AL (#151)COMPANY:Tiger CommunicationsBORN:in the pre-Watergate Nixon era, in TexasRAISED:in Florida (giving me the love of water) and Texas
1. What makes The Tiger a successful Alternative station?
You can define success in many different ways. One measurement is the fact that our billing has been the highest in station history over the last couple of years and while that does have a lot to do with our sales staff, I do think our product has become an easier sell. I also think we are successful because when it comes down to it we have an on air staff with a good deal of experience that loves being on the radio and that comes across to the listener.
2. How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
Auburn is probably unique for a market of its size because of its closeness to two other markets, Montgomery, AL and Columbus, GA. With Auburn in between the two, you definitely have a lot of outside influence on this market, which can make it more competitive especially since those markets know our 25,000 students have money to spend and will easily make a 35 to 40 minute drive to spend it on something worthwhile.
3. Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?
I could but that is a staff secret. Seriously though, I think the on-air staff here gets along better than most. We don't all have the same interests, but we do all care about the station and most of our disagreements come from a place of passion rather than from apathy. We're on-air live from 6a-7p with Steve Ocean in mornings, Marti Jackson in middays, and myself in afternoons.
4. In what ways has The Tiger changed in the past year?
I think we have gotten better at maintaining the focus of the station, from the music to the promotions we have done. At this point, the staff knows what to do, we just have to execute it properly. We have also added some additional stuff to help the varied interests of the listener. We are now airing "Loveline" nightly and we have also started a show called, "Midnight Distortion" where we air stuff that is a little bit harder edged that we may not play fulltime or if we just want to see how well something reacts. We also have a revamped website that updated the look of the site.
5. What makes your station unique?
The simple answer is the music but I'll mention the same things I have been preaching about the station ever since I have been here. First, we reach into the Montgomery market and fill a gap for that market with limited power. Second, we are centrally located not only to Columbus and Montgomery but we are less than 2 hours from Birmingham and Atlanta and our listeners are often from those markets as well so it is not a problem for them to make the trips for shows. Also, independent ownership. See the picture at the top of the page. That's the guy who makes decisions on the music.
6. What would surprise people most about you?
My undying love of clog dancing. Ha, just kidding. Usually it's that I'm a bit older than I look. I actually still get carded occasionally, which I find hilarious. Otherwise, it might be that I actually taught Freshman composition as a graduate student in Texas.
7. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?
Checking my email
8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Always be honest with people, especially the people you work with.
9. Of all the things you have done at WTGZ, what are you most proud of?
I'm proud of bringing musical stability to the station and developing what I feel is a solid entertaining afternoon show.
10. Where do you see yourself in five years?
Depends on whether or not I win the lottery. If I win, sleeping on a large pile of cash surrounded by many beautiful women. If not, I'll either be doing something in radio (in a larger market) or something with a creative outlet of some sort.
Bonus Questions
What are your hobbies?
Golf (although I'm terrible at it), reading, movies, hanging out with friends, traveling, and drinking.
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