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10 Questions with ... Mike Killabrew
August 27, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. This is a tough question, because I'm constantly learning, which forces me to have a fluid approach. But, for the sake of conversation, I run everything through our sophisticated rebel archetype. If what we are thinking about doing doesn't fit or doesn't contribute to our overall filter and goal, we don't play it or do it
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
In 1995 I was hired by Harry Guscott at WRUF-FM (Rock 104) while attending the University of Florida. At that time, WRUF was a true, 100,000 watt commercial Active Rock radio station where all of the employees, except the DJs, were professionals. All the jocks were students in the College of Journalism and Communications. From there, Rob Cressman hired me as his music director and night jock at 93X-WMFS-FM in Memphis. After 3 ½ years in Memphis, Troy Hanson brought me to Miami to takeover afternoon drive and be assistant program director of WZTA, 94.9 Zeta. From there, Brad Hardin brought me back home to Tampa to be APD/Afternoon Drive for WXTB. I spent close to a decade in our iHeart cluster in Tampa becoming PD of WDAE/WHNZ and eventually WXTB.
In 2012 I left the radio business, but returned in 2014 where Greg Chance brought me back to iHeartMedia while I was living in Des Moines and hired me to program KDXA and KXNO. After 3 or so years in Des Moines, Brad Hardin, Gene Romano, and Michael Jordan brought me to Indianapolis to serve as SVPP for WFBQ, WOLT, WZRL, and WNDE. 3 years later, Thea Mitchem and Jeff Kapugi brought me to Washington DC to be Director Of Rock Programming for WWDC and WBIG!
1. You've worked with some incredible iconic Rock brands during your career. How does it feel to be overseeing DC101 and BIG 100? When you made the move to DC you said, "These spectacular brands have defined rock in D.C. for decades!" What led you to make the move from Indianapolis to DC earlier this year?
To oversee DC101 and BIG 100 is amazing! I have an incredible staff on both properties who understand vision, discipline, and how to win! DC 101 has a legendary morning show with Elliot In The Morning, 20 years in morning drive on WWDC! There were a handful of particulars, which led me to leave Indy and come to DC. In brief, it was an opportunity of a lifetime! A chance to work in a cluster with a team of people who challenge themselves to improve every day, and simply a group that pushes me to be better then what I am. My children live in Charlotte, NC and geographically DC to Charlotte allows me to spend more time with my kids!
2. Let's focus on the Alternative side. DC101 has been leaning in a more pop alternative direction. Explain.
After we evaluated the marketplace, studied results from in-depth research projects, and speculated on current music cycles, we established that a pop leaning alternative path gave us the best chance to supply our audience with music and content they were asking for. Lisa Worden has been an excellent resource during this time, and she has assisted in making sure we stay disciplined and on our path, which has yielded excellent results.
3. Give us the 411 on DC101.
DC 101 is in a good place! We have an amazing air staff and we are live and local 6a - Midnight. DC 101 is a sophisticated rebel brand that works to provide our consumer with great music, experiences, and memorable content! Radio Hall Of Fame morning show, Elliot In the Morning, kicks off the day, followed by Mike Jones in middays, Roche in afternoon drive, and Klinger finishing up the day. Our promotions, marketing, and digital team are top notch! We kill it promotionally, and currently our digital foot print is pacing to beat goal for the year. We have DC101's Christmas show this fall and we are working on lineups for shows in January and our annual spring show, Kerfuffle. (Can't mention acts at this time, sorry)
4. Congrats on the latest ratings for DC101! In the July PPM, DC101 leaped from #4 to #1 18-34, which was the station's best ratings in over a year. What led to this stellar month?
Thank you! Simply put, our July ratings are a direct result of hard work, working as a team, staying disciplined to our plan, and making sure we hold each other accountable.
5. How much has the station changed since you've taken over as PD?
Greatest change since taking over DC 101 has been our musical lane. Removing a lot of tertiary grunge, increasing our current/recurrent ratios and presenting a more sophisticated façade has been more appealing to our audience.
6. How would you describe your approach as a programmer?
This is a tough question, because I'm constantly learning, which forces me to have a fluid approach. But, for the sake of conversation, I run everything through our sophisticated rebel archetype. If what we are thinking about doing doesn't fit or doesn't contribute to our overall filter and goal, we don't play it or do it.
7. What is your favorite part of your job?
Outside of working with great people, my favorite part of the job is creating memories and emotional attachments for our audience.
8. You've spent a lot of years with iHeartMedia. How many years now? What's it like working with DC SVP/Programming Jeff Kapugi and the company's Alternative team.
I've been with iHeartMedia now for almost 15 years and I couldn't imagine working for any other company. Working with Brad Hardin, Jeff Kapugi, Lisa Worden and Elliot Wood is fantastic! Brad has always been the best, Jeff is a great leader and allows me to do my job and Lisa and Elliot are wonderful resources that help guide me when I'm unsure. I feel fortunate to have access to them!
9. What's your take on the state of Alternative Radio?
I think we are in the middle of one of the best music cycles in some time. Labels have awesome product and artists who are willing to embrace DC 101's vision. The only drawback is there continues to be too many great songs and not enough time and space to develop them. Believe it or not, I actually worry about not being able to develop artists because it's something I really enjoy doing.
10. What are you loving most about living in DC?
I love my job, my team, my apartment, and the new people I encounter on a daily basis. I love that I'm closer to my kids and I enjoy being adjacent to all the interesting political things going on in our world.
Bonus Questions
What are your favorite places to eat in the DC area?
Though I work hard to take care of myself physically, I love to eat!!!! I enjoy Shake Shack, Summer House, Cava, Krispy Kreme J, and any steakhouse!
Favorite food?
Italian. However, if Arnold wouldn't have ate it while training for Mr. Universe, I probably shouldn't eat it J (Those that know me best, will get this)
Favorite drink?
La Croix Key Lime
Share with us your awesome family summer vacation.
My mother, brothers, their kids and my kids went on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise on the biggest ship in the world! It was fantastic, a chance to disconnect from the real world and spend time with my family and my two sons, Barret and Blake, who are 10 and 7 years old.
How often do you get back home to Florida and what are your top priorities when you get back to Tampa?
Unfortunately, I don't get back to Florida often. I haven't been back in several years. But, if and when I do visit, I want to connect with childhood friends, spend time with them and their families.
Are you still watching re-runs of Miami Vice?
Greatest show in TV history! What guy didn't want to be Sonny Crockett. If I can find re-runs, I'll watch it!
What are weekends like for you?
My weekends are filled with lifting weights, hanging with friends, visiting my kids, hanging out with my dog and catching up on things around my place.
Rank your sports teams in order of passion.
Florida Gators, Tampa Bay Bucs, Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays and anyone that plays Florida State in football.
Favorite new band over the past year?
Tough question. If we are really talking about a new or newer band, I'd have to say SHAED. They are local to DC, great friends to DC101 and are having an amazing year!
Anything else you would like to add?
A big thank you to James Howard who was a great resource during my transition from Indy to DC, and thank YOU for reading, I appreciate the opportunity.
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