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10 Questions with ... Jake Weber
June 21, 2005
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NAME:Jake WeberPOSITION:Program DirectorSTATION:KCXXMARKET:Riverside/San Bernardino (#28)COMPANY:All Pro BroadcastingBORN:Fargo, NDRAISED:By wolves
LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:
Working at Burger Time.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KWSH/Seminole OK, KDRQ/Wishek ND, KDDL/Detroit Lakes, MN, WDAY-FM/Fargo ND, KQWB/Fargo, ND (for12 years), and now KCXX.
FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:
Europe - Final Countdown! Yeah, I was "that guy."
FIRST CONCERT:
Rick Springfield (stop laughing)
FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:
U2
1. How did you become interested in radio?
My father is in radio so I grew up in the biz.
2. What brought you from Fargo to Riverside-San Bernardino?
I could not cut it at that level so I came here where there is less competition. It's so much more relaxing going up against LA stations like K-ROCK.
3. What changes have you made since becoming PD?
I moved into a nicer office! Oh and bringing in Dave Beasing from Jacobs Media as our consultant was a much needed help. We are also using the great Steve Stone and Dave Justus as our imaging guys. McGathy out of NY has helped us to be more competitive with their great stable of bands and industry contacts. Turning over the music to Bobby Sato was also a key move to change the direction we are taking the station.
The sound of the station is now friendlier. Before we were a lot harder and aggressive. Now the station sounds fresh, new, and fun. The station has been on the air for 10 years. The way the station sounds today is very reflective of the way it sounded 10 years ago with a lot of new music like The Killers, Modest Mouse, and The Bravery, which fits in real well. We're appealing to 28-40 year olds. It's a 60-40% split men and women right between the 18-34 and 25-54 demos.
Our new websites for the station and Brand X show with live streaming is also helping us connect with listeners.
4. You also co-host The Brand X Morning Show. Give us a little taste on what the morning show is all about?
The show has changed since my old partner left in December to work in NY. Jack Broady, a market veteran and former afternoon guy moved into mornings with me, Gina, and our producer Cisco. Broady was born and raised in San Diego, Gina in Riverside, Cisco is from the state of Washington, and I am from ND. So it makes for a wacky collection of thoughts and views on everything from news to entertainment. There's nothing special about how we do the show, we just have fun and are honest about our lives.
5. What is your biggest challenge at the station?
Since I am from the Midwest, I rely on our GM Bill McNulty to help me with the local mindset. The people in the Inland Empire have a very different view on life from people in the Midwest. So it's important for me to get a lot of input on promotions and marketing in this area.
6. What do you like best about your job?
Working for an independent ownership like All Pro Broadcasting. Willie and Duane Davis are very supportive and allow the staff freedom that a corporate ownership would never allow. I also respect our GM and I feel it's important to have leadership that is not afraid to make mistakes as long as we are working hard to improve the product.
7. What would surprise people most about X103.9?
We really do care about what our listeners think. Everyone talks about how the station is programmed with input from the listener but that is often not the truth. Here at X, we consider all comments and use research and callout to help build a better station.
8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ____________?
Checking in with a friend or two back home in Fargo.
9. If you could work at any radio station, which one would it be and why?
KQRS in Minneapolis. It's a really great station and the people that run it should get a lot more national attention.
10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?
Police officer.
Bonus Questions
What do you enjoy doing for fun?
I am also a Pilot and love flying whenever I get a chance.
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