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10 Questions with ... Chad Rufer
February 6, 2007
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NAME:Chad RuferTITLE:PDSTATIONS:WINK-FM (Wink 96.9)COMPANY:Fort Myers Broadcasting CompanyRAISED:Des Moines, IA
1) What was your first job in radio? Early Influences?
I was lucky enough to go to a high school in West Des Moines, IA that had a 100-watt radio station KWDM, which still exists today. KWDM was a great training ground for me and many other great broadcasters including GREG CHANCE at KKDM, and DAVE SMILEY at WZPL. I got my first "real" radio job in '94 working for KLYF. At the time, KLYF was the massive AC station in Des Moines owned by Palmer Communications. I owe a lot to the great talent on that station like MICHAEL FLITTIE, KENN MCCLOUD, DAVE CAMPBELL, TIM WHITE, and GREG CHANCE all of whom took me under their wing to help me succeed.
2) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I would be flying for the airlines. I was already to go to college for aviation, and then BOOM, the radio bug bit my butt. Now, I just stick to kissing JOHN REYNOLD'S a$$ for a ride in his glass panel 182.
3) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
I truly believe the industry will be in a better place in five years. It appears as if mid sized broadcast companies are being revitalized and will invest in people, promotions, and other resources that radio needs to be a strong competitor against the satellite radio. In five years, HD radio should be much more developed then it is now, and the cost of an HD radio should be reasonable enough for a typical consumer to purchase one. As for myself, in five years I would like to be a VP of Programming, consultant, or Group PD working for a broadcast company who empowers their people to do remarkable radio.
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with satellite radio and Internet these days?
By being local. That is the only way we will win this war. In many markets you listen around the dial, and you could stream a particular station in a different state and no one would know the difference; that is a problem. Good programmers realize that there are countless music options for consumers including satellite, internet, IPODs, etc, but none of them can localize the way radio can. Satellite is not going to be raising toys for the kids in the local hospitals cancer unit, or helping the local high school cheerleading team raise money to go to nationals. Satellite has very entertaining talent and IPODS and Internet play tons of music; but none of them can localize the way a good radio station can.
5) How is the relationship between programmer and record label changing? For better or worse?
I believe things have started to improve over the past few months from what I refer to as "Elliott's Thing". With few exceptions, both programmers and labels know where the boundaries are. There are still gray areas, but we are learning more and more every day. Both industries are in a time of rebuilding, and the employees that are left are doing the jobs of three or four people making time for communication tough. I believe I can speak for both industries and say we all need to get better at communication. Label reps need information from programmers to do their jobs better, and the same goes in the other direction. E-mails only take 10 to 20 seconds to send, and in the end can help both parties do their jobs better. It is very funny how we are in the communication industry and most of us suck at communicating.
6) If you could add any one full time position to your budget with no questions asked, what would it be?
An off-air Promotions Director. We have an amazing midday talent who tries to balance both duties but it is not the easiest thing in the world. I wish I had the budget to hire MARC APPLE here in Ft. Myers. CBS/Seattle is lucky that my budget wouldn't be big enough to bring him here.
7) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
My former night guy JOJO who is no longer in the business. JOJO pushed the edge every time he opened the mic, and on more occasions then I care to count almost got fired. He was one of the most remarkable jocks that ever hit the market. There were many people who hated to love him, and they did every night to the tune of nearly a 50 share one book.
8) Besides your own, what is your favorite radio format?
I loved doing Top 40. Doing promotions that were on the cutting edge of pop culture and helping the music industry to break songs was unbelievable.
9) What's the closest you ever came to getting arrested for an on-air stunt?
One of my former night guys almost got locked up a few times; which story would you like me to share? The time he shot a bottle rocket into another air studio? How about when he told a lady to smack her kid to win a prize? Or, I could tell you about how he said women should not be police officers? Ummm? Or the time he sent his intern into a Chinese massage parlor for a "Happy Ending?" Why don't you shoot me an email for one of those stories?
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers?
Network! Network! Network! Create a circle of like minded programmers who want to win just like you and brainstorm with them, pick their brain, and don't be afraid to seek advice from them about situations you may not have been in. If it wasn't for people like MIKE PRESTON, DAVE SHAKES, ROB SCORPIO, JEFF JOHNSON, TODD LAWLEY, JON ZELLNER, SEAN ROSS, MIKE DONOVAN, and BOBBY IRWIN I wouldn't be where I am today.
Bonus Questions
1) As you look back over your career...any regrets? Missed opportunities?
I look back on a few opportunities that I turned down and wonder, "what if?" For the most part, just like Sinatra says, "Regrets, yea I've had a few, but then again, too few to mention."
2) What is your favorite TV show?
Desperate Housewives. Should I have admitted that publicly?
3) I Can't Make it through the day without _____________?
GULP, spending too much time playing on my Sidekick III.
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