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10 Questions with ... Paul Goldsmith
January 12, 2009
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NAME:Paul GoldsmithTITLE:Brand ManagerSTATION:Air 1 Radio NetworkMARKET:NationalCOMPANY:Educational Media FoundationBORN:December 19, 1981, Kokomo, INRAISED:NW Indiana (but I consider Chicago home)
Brief Career Synopsis:
Promotions Director for WONU, Promotions Assistant for WJMK, Illinois Regional Manager for K-LOVE, Marketing Director at WAYF (WAY-FM), Brand Manager for Air 1 Radio Network.
1) What was your first job in the industry? Did you have any mentors early (or later) on?
The summer before my junior year in high school, I signed up for a summer radio program at the Gary Career Center. They cancelled the program after the first day due to a lack of interest. I kept showing up anyway and eventually they started paying me for an air shift on WGVE (slogans include "Gary's ONLY FM station" and "Gary's Voice of Education").
My greatest mentor early on was Greg Dellinger. When I first met him, he worked as Jonathan Brandmeier's "Man on the Street." Greg went on to work for a decade as the "G-man" at Radio Disney and in the process showed the Disney company (and myself) how radio promotions are done in Chicago and nationwide.
2) What does a "brand manager" do exactly?
We manage listener/station relationships in three easy steps: 1) Create awareness of the station among the types of people willing to listen. 2) Learn as much as we can about our listeners. 3) Ensure EVERYTHING the station does is consistent and meets or exceeds the expectations of those listeners.
3) Who is your favorite on-air personality NOT at your station?
Christian radio: Brant Hansen (WAY-FM) and Lisa Williams (K-LOVE). They both are really smart and have huge egos. Okay, well, only half of that statement is true. Favorite personality of all time: Dick Biondi (WLS-FM). Dick is the nicest and hardest working guy in radio.
4) What does Christian radio need to do to break through to a mass audience on a more consistent basis?
Be relevant, excellent and entertaining (in that order). If we do those things, people will actually want to listen and not feel obligated just because a station is "safe for the whole family."
5) What are the greatest challenges in your position/job?
Like politics, all radio is local. The greatest challenge in my position is managing relationships with listeners in 39 states.
6) And what are the greatest rewards in your position/job?
The greatest reward for me is that my job doesn't feel like a job. I get paid to be creative and learn from a lot of really smart people who work here. Oh yeah, and our listeners tell us daily that Air 1 is changing lives. Talk about rewarding!
7) If you were just starting in radio today, and you knew what you know now, would you continue forward? Why?
Absolutely. If I didn't love what I was doing, I'd stop doing it.
8) Who has had the greatest impact on your life: spiritually, personally and/or professionally?
Spiritually and Personally, my wife, Maryanne. Professionally, Eric Allen (Assistant Director of Programming of Air 1 & K-LOVE).
9) If you could have any other job outside radio or the music business, what would it be?
Political Director
10) If bungee jumping from the Golden Gate bridge was allowed, would you try it?
Only if it were for a radio promotion and doing so would make the news.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you read everything or nothing? Do you have any favorite magazines, books, newspapers?
I read everything - online. First stop every morning: Drudge Report
2) What music are you listening to right now?
I have a Zune and the last thing I listened to was a Seth Godin audio book. I listen to music on the radio.
3) Cat or dog person?
Dog. I have a Jack Russell terrier named "Jack." Creative, I know.
4) Describe your favorite meal.
Anything involving a variety of sauces
5) What is your favorite quote?
"The price of greatness is responsibility." (Sir Winston Churchill)
6) If you were stranded on a desert island, what three things would you want to have with you and why?
My wife, my 6-month-old son, my G1 Google phone
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