10 Questions with ... Barb Richards

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my career here in Ft. Wayne in 1976. I moved to Casper WY, Ogden UT; South Bend, IN; Cleveland, OH; and then back to Fort Wayne in 1984 and I have been here every since!

1) What are some of the challenges you face as a programmer in today's radio environment?

Time management is the hardest thing because we are dealing with smaller staffs. We have four people to do EVERYTHING! When I first started in Fort Wayne we had more then four people on our morning show!

2) What is it about your station that you feel really makes it cut through?

We have great community involvement and a staff that has been in this market for a long time.

3) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?

Fort Wayne is a very competitive radio market. Non-profits have to love Fort Wayne media because they have competition over who gets what event!

4) Is Arbitron's Personal People Meter (PPM) currently available in your market, or in a neighboring market? What are your thoughts on this new ratings technology?

Hopefully I'll be retired before PPM makes it to Fort Wayne!

5) How are you using social media to market your radio station?

We've done really well with our Facebook page boasting over 5000 fans! We keep it interactive! We get people to respond and use their responses on air!

6) What has been your station's biggest accomplishment?

When the Columbine shootings happened, we brought our community together with a mile long construction paper "prayer chain." We boxed it, flew to Columbine and put it in their park. It is part of their museum there in Littleton. That, plus our work as a Children's Miracle Network radio station. This year we will be able to reach over $1,000,000 raised for the kids at The Riley Hospital for Children. Love, love, love being able to pay it forward!

7) How would you describe the music and imaging on your station?

I love my voice guy. We use Scott Glaser and he is so great. The promos he voices adds to the entertainment value of our station. His ad-libs are very hip and cute and really makes people pay attention to the promos. LOVE HIM!

8) Tell us what music we would find on your MP3 player right now and what is it you enjoy about that particular selection?

I am in love with Bruno Mars music. I listen to the CD all the time. I want Bruno music playing while I am hanging out with Jon Bon Jovi. Is that wrong of me?

9) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?

BE NICE TO EVERYONE because you never know when you might need them. That is the way I work because I know it works. That's why I have a rolodex of people who I can call and get done what I need to get done! Be kind, be nice, be considerate, treat them as you would like to be treated. It always comes back to you ten fold!

10) What do you consider the key to your success?

Being real. I am who I am on the radio and off the radio. I found my passion with using my radio station for the good of others and I believe that shows in everything I do. I am so blessed with the radio career I have been given. I never take it for granted. It has allowed me to experience much, and affect others in a positive manner! What a great purpose!

1) What was the biggest gaffe you've made on air?

Instead of calling them "Mormons" I called them "Morons" ...and I was in radio in Utah at the time. I'm surprised I made it out alive!

2) Besides your own, what format would you like to program and why?

Before I totally hang up the headphones I would like to be on a Christian station for awhile. I have things to share!

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

We ripped off Oprah Winfrey when she gave away the $10,000 to communities. We gave five listeners $100 and one amazing woman turned it into $40,000 in cash and a donation of books for a charity called, "Kate's Kart!"