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10 Questions with ... JJ Prieve
November 2, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WPGU/Champaign, IL 1998-2000 - Production/Imaging Dir./MD/Nights/receptionist
- WBZA/Rochester - 2000-2001 - Productino Dir./Promotion Dir/AM Show Producer
- WZNE/Rochester - 2001-2002 - Imaging/Weekends/Promotion
- KRFR/Bakersfield - 2002-2004 - Imaging/Nights
- KKXX/Bakersfield - 2004-2005 - PD/Imaging
- WWMP/Burlington, VT 2005-Present - PD for eight stations, and everything that comes along with that
1) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I'd be an utter failure as a computer engineer, and probably pirating software to make ends meet.
2) What is the biggest misconception about your station?
That it's piped in...this baby is 100% local! Can't help it if it sounds so big market :)
3) What makes your station or market unique?
Everyone thinks Burlington is this unique snowflake, but it's really not. Country kills here just like it does everywhere else. The rest of us are just trying to be #2-5. There is no special sauce that only works in Burlington. Guys like to rock, women love John Mayer. MP103 is really just making sure we play John Mayer.... A lot.
4) What do you like best about working in this format?
The lack of structure. That's also what I hate about it most. There's no right or wrong way to do it, which makes it challenging. The good thing is, when it works I'll get all the credit (insert maniacal laughter here).
5) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?
The music is catchy and the imaging is creative. They are both tight as hell, and give the station its identity. We're filling the void a jock would normally fill with the imaging, so it has to have personality. I took a lot of the style for the imaging from the Variety Hits format it used to be for the past four years.
6) What research tools do you use to program your station?
My small intestines. Guts are a big part of what I do. I also have a great relationship with my consultant, Gregg Cassidy. He has a story for everything, and at least 17% of the time, they are relevant!
7) How do you feel about the new royalty rate increases for Internet radio and proposed royalties for terrestrial radio?
It's dumb. Take away terrestrial radio and labels lose their main promotional tool. Yeah, the Internet is great, but the vast majority of the world doesn't get their music that way.
8) What type of features do you run on the station?
We run a weekly promotion called "FACEBOOK FRIDAY(tm). We promote the hell out of our Facebook page, and invite listeners to become fans. Every Friday we give away gift cards from local businesses and big concert tickets. It's a great feature for the sales staff to sell, and the listeners LOVE it!
9) How are you using new music technologies to work with the music you program on your station, in production, and in your personal life?
I don't even have a functioning CD player in my office. Everything is digital... I've been waiting for this for about 10 years!
10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Bigger is not necessarily better. It kills me to listen to bigger market radio and know that my little stations in Burlington, VT sound WAY better!
Bonus Questions
1) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Embracing the new world order.
2) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
Broadcasting on a WI-FI radio station. Thanks Google.
3) What do you do in your spare time?
Play with my four kids.
4) What are your hobbies?
Playing with my four kids.
5) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
I have four kids.
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