10 Questions with ... Rob Clement

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Promotions Assistant for Cox Media Group in Athens, GA. Graduated from the University of Georgia, was hired by Tod Tucker in Oklahoma City as a promotions director.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

Ever since I was a kid, I knew I wanted to work in the entertainment field. As I explored all the aspects of media in college, I realized that radio was the best opportunity for me to marry some of my favorite technical skills like audio production and editing with a performance element of entertaining people on-air and reading scripts for commercials.

2. What led you to Tyler Media/Oklahoma City three years ago?

I had worked with Tod Tucker for a Top 40 station as a student at UGA. Tod moved to OKC to be closer to his family and offered me the promotions job with Tyler Media when they were trying to build a Top 40 station. I was excited to explore a new, smaller city and have proudly made Oklahoma City my home.

3. Congrats on being promoted to MD. What do you love most about working at 92.9 The Edge?

Thank you! I've loved alternative rock for a long time, and it's been a while since OKC has had an alternative station so it's nice to expose people to what has happened in the format in the past few years while bonding with people over the music. The excitement from our listeners is what keeps me going.

4. What's it like working at Tyler Media?

It's a great atmosphere. The people are very laid-back and easy to get along with, and the small size of our company means I'm on a first name basis with the owners. It's a great place to start a career.

5. How do you like to discover new music?

I like to be on the leading edge of new music, so I find myself constantly checking All Access's Future Releases to see what's coming soon and how soon I can listen to it.

6. What are music meetings like at The Edge?

I normally have a list of about 5 songs that I take to our OM, Buddy Wiley, after I've listened to them with Tod. Buddy and I debate the merits of each song and see whether they can fit in on The Edge.

7. What may surprise people to learn about the station?

It was originally a top 40 station, and shortly after Thanksgiving 2015, we were told to flip the format. We had only 3 weeks to get all the music together, build clocks, approve a logo, build a website, and be ready to go before Christmas. The station launched on December 23, I flew to Georgia the next day to celebrate Christmas with my family.

8. Describe your typical workday.

During a typical day I schedule the music for The Edge and its sister station V103, record a show for V103 and assign promotions assistants to represent the stations on the streets. I like putting my headphones on and listening to new music while I work.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I made it my mission when I moved to OKC to try as many local restaurants as possible and get to know the food and the culture. Now everyone asks me for restaurant suggestions but they'd be surprised to know that I was the pickiest eater in the world when I was growing up.

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

My dog, Rueger, who I adopted in November.

Last non-industry job?

I worked at an ALDI for a little while right out of college while I continued my job search before Tod offered me this job.

What are your hobbies?

Cooking is one of my favorite hobbies, I make an amazing salsa.

First record ever purchased?

The first one I specifically remember saving up my money to buy myself was "American Idiot" by Green Day. I'm sure I'd bought more music before then but that is a purchase that stands out.

First concert?

Avril Lavigne. Simple Plan opened for her in Duluth, GA in 2003

Favorite band of all-time?

Duran Duran, believe it or not.