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10 Questions with ... Kelly Dzanaj
May 27, 2019
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. There is no room for an ego. You can be proud of your work and you should be, but check yourself at the door. We are all in this together and a station (along with everything else) is only as strong as its weakest link. Be a teammate not a dictator
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I went to Penn State (Let's go, State!) and at the beginning of my senior year; I was lucky enough to get an internship with the morning show. My position was essentially rotating co-host/producer and as I approached graduation, they offered me the full-time gig of co-hosting the AM show just as long as I could be a Sales Account Executive at the same time (lot of hats, long days ... you know the radio drill!). After doing that for two years post-grad, I accepted a position with an advertising agency in Pittsburgh that I loved and about six months later, a co-host position for afternoons opened at 100.7 Star. I was offered the position and two-and-a-half years after that, I took the show on as the lead!
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
Important. I was taught from day one that this industry is insane, fast-paced, total madness -- and I fell in love with all of it. I encourage everyone to start in a small market if at all possible. It allowed me to grow personally and professionally without all the pressure.
2) What led you to a career in radio?
My inability to shut up, to be honest. I knew I could shine in an atmosphere with creative people. I do a lot of talking, but really prefer to listen. Radio always seemed like the ideal medium to me -- as a listener and a broadcaster. I've been a fan since I can remember.
3) You're a relatively new mom, how is that going for you?
Motherhood and radio don't always go together like yin and yang, but we're working it out. Our weird hours make for some unique schedules on the family-front but I have the best "village" in the biz so they make it easy. As far as on-air content, I've never related to my audience more. I have a core group of men and women who have been with me for the past six years and seen every big life event go down (meeting my husband, engagement, buying a house, getting married, having our daughter). It's nice to have a group of virtual friends watching the journey while giving me much-needed guidance. We're a tribe.
4) Social media is such a big part of the landscape. Do you have any go-to engagement features?
Social media has given me the ability to walk the listener through my life, whether it be in studio or at home. Radio has changed so much just in the short nine years I've been in the industry; our audience deserves more than the :30 talk break. If we want them to let us into their lives, we need to do the same.
5) "Local, local, local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep the station visible and involved in the community?
Our station is by far the most visible in Pittsburgh as far as community events and involvement. We always want the community that supports us to know it goes both ways. I also do a weekly segment called 'Local Love' where I feature places/people in the city doing awesome things.
6) What is your favorite part of the job?
My favorite part of this job is to get to connect with people. I truly enjoy learning about their backgrounds, what makes them tick, what they like to do and how I fit into that puzzle. I don't take a single day for granted.
7) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
In October, our city fell victim to a mass shooting that took 29 lives. Our station, along with our sister station Y108, put together a sold-out benefit, A Concert For Unity: To Rebuild and Reopen Tree of Life Synagogue. We had performers like Dan + Shay, Chris Jamison, a Pittsburgher from Season 7 of The Voice, and an Emmy-winning local rapper, Frzy. We ended up raising over $56,000 that went directly to Tree of Life Synagogue. It was incredible to watch so many people pack a historic theater in downtown Pittsburgh and know we were helping our community all at the same time.
8) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?
Michael Che from Saturday Night Live. I enjoy dry, stoic humor. I think we could go back and forth for days.
9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
There is no room for an ego. You can be proud of your work and you should be, but check yourself at the door. We are all in this together and a station (along with everything else) is only as strong as its weakest link. Be a teammate not a dictator.
10) Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I consider anyone who has taken the time to aircheck my show and give me advice as an influence in my career. I am also inspired by my fellow women in radio. We have a seat at the table now and I am happy to share it with them.
Bonus Questions
If someone were coming in to visit Pittsburgh, what would you make sure that they saw?
I would take a visitor to our beautiful North Shore. It has incredible views of the city and is home to two-thirds of our professional sports teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Pittsburgh Pirates. I'm a great tour guide, too! Just call me!
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