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10 Questions with ... Scott Miller-Fiske
September 5, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Scott Miller-FiskeTITLE:OM/PDSTATIONS:WDOK 102.1MARKET:Cleveland, OHCOMPANY:CBS RadioBORN:April 11th Chicago, ILRAISED:Chicago/Cleveland
Please outline your radio career so far:
WPVL-Painesville, OH 1985, WBKC-Chardon, OH 1986-1988, WNCX-Cleveland, OH 1988, WDOK Cleveland, OH 1988 - 1999, WYOK (Star 104) Mobile, AL/WJLQ Pensacola, FL 2000, WDOK Cleveland 2000 - (now)
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
Growing up in Chicago I listened to the "Big 89-WLS." John Gehron (one of my heroes) made that station so huge. I'd lay awake at night and imagine I was a DJ.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
YES! YES! YES!
3) How do you position the station musically and why did you choose this direction?
AC has such a large footprint it's silly not to take advantage of it. Yes we're current, recurrent and gold. There truly is NO other format with the broad scope of music than AC.
4) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?
Listen anywhere to everything and watch other mediums. The cream rises...
5) If you are wearing more hats this year than last, what area is suffering and how are you handling that?
Finding better ways to organize. I've actually thrown out all electronic forms of planning. I write EVERYTHING down. It's old school but it works.
6) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
There is NO competition. I could go on forever but I'll put it this way. Satellite/Internet are good portals to receive specific content if that's what you want, but they can't create the unique opportunities we can locally. WDOK can be at two different locations "stuffing the school bus" with donated items for needy kids to use to go back to school. We'll make an EVENT of it with multiple layers but ultimately it will benefit the community "locally" and only terrestrial radio can do that.
7) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
I see the industry thriving. I see the pendulum swinging the other way when it comes to local talent and the development of local content. I see HD as a wonderful vehicle to expand the choice while still remaining local. Me personally, I'm going to hang up the radio thing and become a professional drag racer.
8) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Our capacity to over think the very basic benefits of radio. We're not selling our localism, our immediacy and our ability to effect change in the community. Campaigns against satellite and I-Pods send the wrong message. Instead of telling them what "they're not" we should be touting what "we are". Sell the benefits.
9) Just about every market has a station flipping to "Jack," "Bob," "Max," etc. What are your thoughts on this new format? Will it go the distance? Or is it just a fad?
EVERYTHING is a fad. Everything evolves. There is a place for Jack, Bob; Max etc. a long as there's demand and evolution. If it doesn't evolve and demand goes away...hit the road Jack!
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
There are many paths to success. Explore all options and opinions. There's a difference between "focus" and wearing "blinders." Being focused means being aware.
Bonus Questions
Underwear: Boxers or Briefs?
Commando! (Not really. It's Boxer-Briefs)
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