10 Questions with ... Lazlo

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I was the first one to go on-air at WPLA in Jacksonville. Then went to WPLA/Jacksonville, WIIS/Key West, WBUZ (The Buzz)/Toledo, WKRK (K-Rock)/Detroit, WYCD/Detroit, KRBZ/Kansas City, KNDD/Seattle, and here we are again at KRBZ.

1. What has led to KRBZ's recent big ratings spike with PPM?

Ratings come and go, but right now we are on a roll. We have backed off spins on currents and made the station more palatable to the cume but continue to take chances with new music. It's a give and take and finding the right balance.

2. What are the ratings highlights for the station?

We are top 3 18-34 P and 25-54 P.

3. What is the strongest daypart on The Buzz and what makes it so successful?

Each daypart is built to accomplish different tasks at different times. Our morning show pulled a 13 share 18-34 women. Mornings has to be dominant player 18-34 women for us to be successful. In afternoons we need to do better with men and grab a little bit of that upper demo. We're in 2nd 18-49 Men. I think it is important to look at what is available in the market and where you can accomplish your goals as a station and attack those areas.

4. How has the PPM impacted the way you program the station?

We have to make sure every second is right. When we go into commercials, the music rotations, the content is all stuff we should have always been doing, but the room for error is now zero.

5. How has the PPM changed the way you manage your air staff?

There is a real focus on scheme and formatics and much more detail on why we do things and when we do them.

6. How much are you balancing gut with research when making decisions on new music?

New music is all gut and the gold music is all research. If I'm right, research will tell us if it will move to gold or not.

7. What makes The Buzz unique?

The Music, the personalities, and the idea behind the brand.

8. What recent promotion has caused the most excitement with your listeners?

Our Keggs & Eggs is a great way for bands to interactive listeners. We had 800 people waiting outside at 6a to drink beer and see Mumford & Sons. Don't know that translates to ratings but it is good for listener loyalty.

In the world of PPM we may be finding out the best promotion just may be no promotion. With PPM we are noticing the less on-air promotions the better.

9. What has been your biggest challenge at the station?

In the end we are still a boutique format and ratings will come and go. It's great when we get them and a long sad process when we don't. I go from idiot to genius and back on a weekly basis now.

10. What are you most proud of from your two stints at The Buzz?

That we are still here and we have stayed true to our core belief. There is room for a true Alternative station in the Midwest. It can be done.

When you're away from work, what are you music listening habits to the radio, iPod, online, etc.?

I, like so many people in this business, have a hard time listening to music on the radio without trying to figure out categories and why a commercial played where it did. When I listen to the radio becomes strategic for me, so if I just want to relax I listen to Sports Talk radio. I figure those guys have no idea what the f*ck is going on so I don't try to figure it out.