10 Questions with ... Jeff Pierce

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Clear Channel/Portsmouth, NH - OM - June 2007 - Present
• Clear Channel/Bangor, MN - OM - 1996 to 2007
• "92 Moose" and "B98.5" Augusta, MN - 1994 to 1996
• WXKB/Fort Myers, FL - 1993 to 1994
• "95 Triple X" Burlington, VT - 1989 to 1993
• And some other stops in the Green Mountain State

1) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?

I went to college to be a history teacher and ended up playing around at the radio station. So I decided to go pro and when I get there I will let you know.

2) What do you like best about working in this format?

The challenge of Hot AC is what I like most and getting the balance right to appeal to a 35 year old female.

3) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

Depth in the bench, having a well trained talent pool to draw from is becoming more of a challenge.

4) Your thoughts on Syndication and Voice-Tracking?

Voice tracking when done correctly is a valuable tool.

5) What approach do you take after a soft book?

You need to take it back to basics, look at what you did week by week and look at what worked and what didn't.

6) How do you stay in touch with the latest music trends?

Listen to the radio.

7) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air? (dead air ... forget a mic was still on ... etc.)

I was sick with the flu and actually passed out during an overnight shift for about an hour, until the morning man came in and woke me up.

8) What was the most successful low budget promotion idea your station ever did?

"A Turkey An Hour" has been my favorite, the week leading up to Thanksgiving. It's cheap and the phones ring off the hook!

9) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Honesty is the best policy, at the end of the day all you have is your integrity.

10) What advice would you give people new to the business?

Learn everything you can. The utility player is becoming more and more valuable in our industry.

1) What do you do in your spare time?

Watch TV.

2) What are your hobbies?

Watch TV and listening to the radio.

3) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

That I bungee jumped twice in the early 90's. Both times live on the radio.

4) Favorite artist you have met?

Van Halen (Sammy Hagar edition).

5) Do you have any good stalker stories? Misty requests? "Fatal Attractions?"

No but my first wife was a listener, hence the first wife part.