10 Questions with ... Mike Moore

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Program Director for Entercom/Portland's KWJJ (99.5 The Wolf) for the last six years, Mike Moore has spent almost 17 years programming great Country radio stations across the U.S. During that time Moore has experienced great success and ratings at WWKA/Orlando, WWYZ/Hartford and WSIX/Nashville. Moore continues to be a progressive leader, creative thinker, talent coach and marketer. In addition to his duties at KWJJ, Mike serves as Entercom's Director of Country Programming and on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association (CMA).

1) How did you catch the radio bug so early, and how old were you when it happened?

I remember listening to the radio at a very early age... Mostly AM Top 40 stations in Minneapolis like 1130 AM WDGY and 1500 AM KSTP. In high school I became very interested in the CHR battle between 99.5 WLOL and 101.3 KBWD. Early in my college career at The University Of Minnesota, I began doing phone bits for WLOL and the radio bug bit me.

2) Who were some of your favorite jocks growing up in Minneapolis?

John Hines at WLOL - he got me into the business. (I was the voice of President Ronald Reagan for the Hines & Berglund morning show.) I also loved Craig Hunt, Alan Kabel, Bill Lee, Greg Thunder, the legendary True Don Blue and Humble Billy Hayes, who were Top 40 jocks in Minneapolis. Minneapolis had really entertaining radio in the '70s and '80s.

3) You've programmed some great radio stations in your career, including WSIX/Nashville and WWKA/Orlando. How is Portland different from these markets and how are they also similar?

Every market I have worked in is different. Certain artists do better than others. The audiences respond to different things. In Nashville you were basically programming to two separate audiences. The Music Row industry representatives and the normal people who worked at places like Kroger. I have always been a fan of tailoring what you do to your particular market. This isn't "a one size fits all" situation. Stations that win consistently are the ones that truly tap into the unique characteristics of their marketplace.

4) In your bio you refer to yourself as a progressive leader. What do you think is your strongest talent is?

I am always striving to do better and that's what I challenge my staff to do. I don't believe in doing the same things over and over again. I always ask the question, "How can we improve upon what we did before? How can we make this promotion better than the last time we did it?" The only way we'll get better as a radio station is to out-do what we have done before. Surrounding yourself with people who naturally want to strive to do better is also a key.

5) As a programmer, what are some of the differences in your job now as opposed to when you first started? Are you still having fun?

Radio has definitely become more of a "business." Budgets are a bigger concern than ever. We are fighting for the audience's attention harder than we have in the past. The competition from other entertainment sources is greater than ever before. All that said, radio is still a very powerful medium when done right. I am still having fun because I LOVE a challenge.

6) Portland has the reputation of being a great city. In fact, it's actually nicknamed the Rose City. What are some of your favorite things about the area?

I love the people. Overall, they are very friendly and it reminds me a lot of growing up in Minneapolis. I love all of the entertainment options we have. We have a thriving downtown with great restaurants and a thriving arts district. We are just an hour and a half from the beautiful Oregon coast and we're an hour and a half from the mountains for snow tubing, skiing and snow boarding. It really is a great place to live!

7) What are some of the biggest challenges that our industry faces today?

I think one of our biggest challenges may be that some advertisers consider us "old media" and are more focused on the shiny new thing. Some of them don't realize that radio engages our audiences on many different platforms. We now have email databases, social networking capabilities and mobile marketing opportunities in addition to the over-the-air messages we have always delivered.

8) With everything you do, do you still have time to listen to music? What are some of the artists you are high on as we enter 2010?

I try hard to listen to everything that crosses my desk. As for what will be big in 2010, I think Justin Moore will be a big star. Also, The Band Perry is perhaps the most exciting thing I have heard in years! I think both will be big break-out acts of 2010.

9) Aside from being PD of KWJJ, you're also the Director of Country Programming for Entercom. Is that quite a challenge juggling work with your family life?

Apart from the travel to our other markets, it's not too tough. When I am home, I make it a priority to be home for dinner and to put my daughter to bed every night. We also do what we can to make our weekend time special. I am very blessed professionally and personally.

10) What are some of your favorite things to do with your family during your down time?

Most of our activities revolve around our daughter, Madison. We spend lots of time at the Oregon coast, The Oregon Zoo, local museums and seeing shows at our local theater companies. Thankfully Portland has lots of kid friendly activities. Trying new restaurants on "date night" is always nice too; this city has some great restaurants.

1) You grew up in Minneapolis, yet you're a huge NY Yankee fan. How did that happen?

My grandmother was a fan for as long as I can remember and I guess it sort of rubbed off on me. Wow, 2009 was a great season!

2) Have you been to the new stadium, and how does it compare to the house that Ruth built?

I meant to make it to the new stadium during last season, but never got there. I have already planned a trip for this summer!

3) Portland has a reputation as a great food town. What are some of your favorite foods and some of your favorite restaurants?

Portland does have great restaurants. My favorite type of food is Chinese, but I also love Italian. As far as restaurants, I would recommend Sungari Pearl, Andina, Departure, El Gaucho and Ten 01.