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10 Questions with ... Jim Roberts
October 31, 2006
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NAME:Jim RobertsTITLE:OMMARKET:South Bend, IndianaCOMPANY:Schurz CommunicationsBORN:Chicago, IllinoisRAISED:Chicago/Detroit
Please outline your radio career so far:
WILS Lansing, MI - 09/1993 to 04/1995
WHZZ Lansing, MI - 04/1995 to 04/1996
WNSN South Bend, IN - 04/1996 to present1) What was your first job in radio? Influences?
It was at a country station in Lansing MI, WILS. It was challenging, but I worked with some great people and learned a lot. Early Influences include anyone working in the Lansing market in the early and mid-nineties. I just tried to soak up as much as I could from everyone I was listening to. A ton of great talent came out of the region around that time.
2) 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 was exposed to some of the best radio had to offer...those personalities got me hooked. The first time I cracked the mic....I just thought talking up records was the coolest thing ever.
3) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Content creation. Music stations have primarily focused on distributing other people's content (music). As we look to take advantage of new platforms, the focus needs to return to creating our own content...local news, information, and engaging personalities that are in touch with the community.
4) How do you feel terrestrial radio competes with the satellite radio and Internet these days?
Terrestrial radio is competing very well. Satellite is a great product, but their business model to this point is in question. They can't keep losing a billion dollars a year (combined) and stay in business very long.
5) What can we be doing with our station web sites to better our stations as a whole?
We've got to keep creating more web-only content. The web gives us tools we've never had before like on-demand, video, text, etc. We've got to use every one of them.
6) What's your take on current music? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same?
I think it's great that Country is starting to stretch it's legs a bit. Taking some chances while still keeping the core happy. I'm still fascinated by the continued impact American Idol is having across the music spectrum. I think it's a good thing for radio, but I'm still not sure.
7) As an air-talent how has industry consolidation helped or hurt you? What effect has industry consolidation had on the way you program your station?
I do think it's tougher to find and develop new talent. The talent is out there, it's just a lot harder to find. We've eliminated the traditional training grounds with automation.
8) We've seen the Imaging Director position develop in the last few years. What will be the next job/position developed?
Director of Digital Content. In the next year, everyone in our programming department will spend a portion of their day working on web publishing, audio/video podcasts, text messaging, RDS, PAD, HD multicasts, etc. The Director of Digital Content will be similar to the current Production Director and will distribute and oversee the workload.
9) What will convince you to add a song that you feel isn't right for the station?
Nothing really. If it ain't right...it's just not getting on.
10) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
If you don't absolutely love this business, go do something else. You'll be a lot happier.
Bonus Questions
1) Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
Fine...It's Justin Timberlake. Now can I please have my balls back!
2) How do you handle a confrontation between two people on your airstaff?
Cage Match! Of course it works, if it didn't, everyone would still be in the cage. (Ok, so I stole that line from "The Office," but I am going to try it one day).
3) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff?
Roe Conn from WLS in Chicago. He's funny, smart, likeable. He's the complete package. And for a guy who split with his former partner Gary Meier, only to re-build the show to even greater success...that's probably the most impressive thing.
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