10 Questions with ... Michele Diamond

NAME:Michele Diamond POSITION:Program Director STATION:WROX MARKET:Norfolk (#40) COMPANY:Sinclair Communications, Inc. BORN:8/21 in Honolulu, Hawaii RAISED:Everywhere. I'm an Army brat

LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB:

The cosmetics counter at Phar Mor. Thanks for reminding me.

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Started in research at WNOR in 1993. Moved to WROX as soon as they would take me (1995) and worked my way up. I've been hosting The Punk Show live Sundays from 7-10p since 1999.

FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED:

Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight

FIRST CONCERT:

Ozzy Ozbourne & Def Leppard (Blizzard of Oz tour) Woo hoo!

FAVORITE BANDS OF ALL-TIME:

Just one? Ouch. The Clash.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I'm not. I just love music and I can't play any instruments.

2. Why was 96X successful in the Spring '05 Book?

Oh, please. Are we going to start talking about Arbitron's ability to get diaries in the hands of 18-34 year old Alternative males? I don't want to go there. The real story is this: Jay Michaels as OM. He's a promotional dynamo -- very creative and very brilliant. I'm so glad we became a team.

3. You told me this was the best book in the station's history. What were the highlights for 96X?

Persons 18-34 Mon-Sun 6a-Mid we were ranked 4th in the market. We were 3rd and 4th Persons 18-34 Middays and Afternoon drive, respectively. We did even better with the 18-34 year old Men ranking 2nd Mon-Sun 6a-Mid and Afternoon Drive and 1st Middays.

4. What are you most proud of from the Spring '05 Book?

The fact that we beat all of our rock competitors in Middays and Afternoon Drive Persons and Men 18-34! It wasn't just a "rock" book, we were up but the bad guys were down!

5. What is your biggest challenge at the station?

Finding the right balance between promotional ideas and promotional budget.

6. Tell us about your on-air line-up with a brief description of each jock?

This should not count as one question. We have Mancow in mornings. Kristi Michael does 10-2p. She's gorgeous and funny and is a radio legend in this market. At 2, Mike & Bob take over the airwaves and make me laugh out loud for four hours until the night shift with Alfredo Torres. He's a living, breathing musical encyclopedia.

7. What would surprise people most about 96X?

We're still family owned.

8. What do you like best about your job?

I get to do what I want when I want.

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

John DiMaio.

10. If you wanted to completely change careers today, what would you do?

Win the lottery.

What are your hobbies?

My kids (2), my animals (4), and college.