10 Questions with ... Dana Taylor

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

WFSY Panama City, FL, WOMX Orlando, FL

1. How would you describe your first radio gig?

An exercise in “how bad do you want it.” I started as an overnight jock and it was a major lifestyle adjustment for sure. It definitely made me hungry to climb the clock.

2. What led you to a career in radio?

I wanted to be a television News Director. My first job offer in media was in radio, though. I just never left.

3. In an industry that often finds people on the move, incredibly you’ve been at Mix since 1994. What was your role when you first joined the station?

My starting role at both stations was overnight jock. It’s something that will never leave me. You have to work hard to get noticed. I mean, how many people were going to make a point of listening to my show between midnight and 6a? Work hard and get noticed. It’s still true today for a Brand Manager/morning show host.

4. You rock mornings--how does the Jenn & Dana morning show set the table for the rest of the station’s broadcast day?

We want people to wake up with us! That means that we also have to want to wake up with each other. You can’t feign chemistry. We’ve always been the “Picking You Up, Making You Feel Good” station. We pass that baton all day, every day.

5. Who has been your favorite guest on the show and who would be a “dream guest” that you’d love to have come in and plug in across from you?

I’ve been here for nearly 28 years. The list of quality guests is long. Kevin Hart is my all-time favorite, though. He came in long before he acquired the fame he has now, and has been a guest on the show post-mega stardom. He’s an active participant when he’s on. We’re not on his show - he’s on ours. He always respects that and plays along. Dream guest? Another comedian. I wouldn’t say no to Eddie Murphy.

6. Programming and mornings can make for a long day. Any secrets on how to make sure that all of it gets done?

Priorities, boundaries and a basic to-do list. Cultivating a staff who know how to stay on task and get things done. Also, practicing good kaizen. Develop a solid system, continuously perfect it and, hopefully, see that it leads to continuous improvement and growth.

7. “Local local local” has always been radio’s mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community? Do you ever get to do cool stuff at the theme parks?

We’re just opening up and really getting back to that. My favorite event ever was Fleetwood Mac and Cheese. A young kid, around 11-years-old, jumped into a kiddie pool filled with mac and cheese to fish out our last pair of Fleetwood Mac tickets. That was 20 years ago. Fast forward 15 years, I was hosting an event for ‘Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.’ A woman came up to me and said that she’d phoned her son the night before to tell him that she was going to see me the next day. He has his own kids now, and that story is the story the whole family talks about at Thanksgiving. That’s what local radio can do - something super silly but totally memorable (mac and cheese) and impactful (Making Strides.) Our station is three generations in with that one family. I think that’s powerful. Connections like those will always be the goal.

You’ll hear locals say that Orlando is more than theme parks. We are also more because of our theme parks. I can’t think of an event we haven’t been lucky enough to be a part of - the opening of Galaxy’s Edge and Pandora at Disney World, Wizarding World at Universal Orlando, and just about every coaster at SeaWorld including a new launch coaster called Ice Breaker.

8. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

People are the brand. Never lose sight of the people behind the brand. Their ability to connect with an audience, staff, community is what has the power to make your brand survive and, hopefully, soar. Same for your personal career.

9. What were your favorite stations growing up as a kid? Jock(s)?

I’m an Air Force brat. I went to junior high and most of high school in Japan. My local radio station was FEN (the Far East Network) and I lived for Casey Kasem’s Weekly Top 40.

10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?

I’ve had six program directors/brand managers over the course of my career in Orlando. I appreciate them investing in me. My career really grew under Bobby Smith - who is now with Audacy/Philadelphia. I also had one former PD, Dennis Martinez, who made me do a lot of things that I really didn’t feel I had time for. Flying off to see an artist is fun, but I felt that I needed to be at my desk plugging away. He challenged my priorities and systems in all sorts of ways, and put a lot on my plate. I could’ve either pushed back from the table and said, “I’ve had enough,” or eaten it up. I ate it up.

With the Amway Center at your disposal and an unlimited budget, which 3-5 artists would you pull together for a station show?

Taylor Swift - She’s as impressive offstage (even more so, actually) than on. Which is saying a lot.
Adele - She will always be the hottest ticket in town.
Harry Styles - Because you want the crowd to scream.
Pink - She has the power to make even one three-minute song feel like an event.
Beyonce - Why the heck not? I’ve got the budget - haha!