10 Questions with ... Kyle Guderian

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Except for a two year hiatus at a ski resort in Vermont, I have been employed in the radio business since the age of 14 as an air personality, Marketing & Promotions Director, MD, APD, PD, Director of Digital Solutions and Ops Manager at places like KGWB/Wahpeton, ND, KAGE & KWNO/Winona, MN, WFBZ & WKBH/La Crosse, WI, WEJE/Fort Wayne, IN, WEQX/Manchester, VT, KPNT, KSHE, KFTK, KIHT/St. Louis, and WKQX & WLUP/Chicago.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I am a radio brat. My Dad has been in the radio business for longer than I've been alive. He owned and operated a brand new start-up FM in our hometown so I had the opportunity to watch a radio station be built from the ground up. I also watched my Dad sell advertising, be the morning guy, and act as GM while my Mom was the office/traffic manager. My brother and I would spend countless hours sitting in the control room and messing around in the production studios. It seemed only natural that I choose radio as a career path because it was such a natural part of my life.

2. What stands out the most from your first job in radio?

I can definitely recall the lack of technology when first starting out. I remember the commercial log was hand written, we were playing carts, reel-to-reels, 45s and a small collection of CDs. Our music scheduling software was 3x5 color coded index cards where you pull from the front and put it in the back of the stack after you play it. Voice tracking was a thing of the future.

3. What are your responsibilities as OM of Emmis/Chicago?

I oversee day-to-day operations involving the programming, marketing, promotions, digital, and production departments. I work hand-in-hand with Q101 PD Tommy Mattern and Loop PD Rick Balis.

4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

The good stuff; I live in one of the best cities in the world, work for a great company like Emmis, and get to be involved in a highly creative environment on a daily basis. On top of that, I get to work closely with (and learn a lot from) Rick Balis, Tommy Mattern, and Rick Cummings.

As for what I like the least... I struggle to come up with anything worth mentioning.

5. How has the PPM impacted Q101?

Everything matters in PPM so it's fair to say the music, personalities, imaging, contests, and marketing are more focused. The music consistently delivers on expectations, the personalities know how to get and keep your attention, the imaging gets the message across quickly and creatively, and the contests connect with the lifestyle of the listener. Without a doubt the game and rules have changed, so we've adjusted our playbook accordingly, but I don't feel like we've gotten lost in just tactics either. We're just as interested in giving listeners a reason to come back to Q101 as we are in keeping them tuned-in while we have them.

6. What is the strongest daypart on Q101 and what makes it so successful?

Each daypart is successful because the music, personalities, imaging, contests, and marketing are what they should be. Since you're forcing me to choose, I'll say Electra because she's been in that daypart the longest and consistently delivers on what her listeners expect out of her. She knows who she is and stays true to that on a daily basis -- day after day. I don't think you'll find a better air personality suited for winning in a PPM environment than her. She's witty, brief, and bright with a great following on social networks that help extend her brand outside of the 10a-3p daypart.

7. Tell us about your new night jock Tim Pogo and why he stood out from all the other candidates?

We like Pogo because he is able to communicate with the listener both on-air and online, knows Chicago, has TV hosting experience and is very comfortable in front of a camera (video is important to us). He is good at attracting friends, followers, and fans on social networks, does solid show prep, is comfortable in both bars and retail stores and, for what it's worth, has a good voice too!

8. What do you like best about living in Chicago?

The obvious answer is the food. I've had some of the best dining out experiences of my life here. A close second is public transportation. I don't use it everyday, but it's there when I need it.

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

It's called gratitude. And that's right.

10. What would surprise people most about you?

I'm big into Zen and spirituality. I go to a Zen center every week and start most days off with quiet meditation. I say most days because I have two daughters -- a five-year old and three-year old that sometimes wake up insanely early.

What are your hobbies?

Exploring Chicago with my wife and two daughters

Last non-industry job?

Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont

First record ever purchased?

Taco - Puttin' On The Ritz. I was 7 years old and just got a turntable for my birthday.

First concert?

The Smithereens in Fargo, North Dakota

Favorite band of all-time?

Jawbreaker.