10 Questions with ... Eric Johnson

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Radio’s been in my blood after seeing a remote broadcast when I was 12 in 1974. With the money I made from my paper route I would buy sound equipment and set up a bedroom radio station. Got my FCC license at 16 and went on the air at WRDR in Egg Harbor New Jersey.

Then I moved on to stations in Atlantic City, and skipped college to focus on being a jock. Worked on the air at WPST Trenton, WSNI Philly and WAEB Allentown, where I was promoted to PD. Then on to WKSZ Philly, where I was the last PD of Kiss 100 and the first PD of Y100!

Stayed there till ’94, when I got the APD gig at WIP Philly. In 1999, WKXW (NJ101.5) came knocking and I spent 19 awesome years there. Started here at WPEN Philly 97.5 The Fanatic 12/4/18.

1. What prompted you to go into radio? Why radio?

Radio has been the only thing; not really sure what prompted me. My mom always played the radio in the kitchen, listening to either WIP Philly or WOND Atlantic City. Loved the personality aspect of those two stations, even as a 10 year old. Once day at a Boy Scouting event, WFPG Atlantic City was doing a remote broadcast, and I was mesmerized! I wrote a letter to Howard Green, then the owner of WOND, and he invited me for a tour of the station in 1974. You never forget your first visit to a radio station! This year I celebrate my 40th year in the business; It’s all I’ve done.

2. You just came off a very long run at New Jersey 101.5, 19 years if I counted correctly. What would you say are the most important elements that have made that station the unique success it's been since its inception and under your direction?

In 1989, the founders of the format, Bob McAllen, John Dziuba, Walter Sabo, Jay Sorensen and Perry Michael Simon, deeply understood how “media underserved” New Jersey residents were. Typically stories in New Jersey were relegated to “kicker” stories by the NYC and Philly media. Knowing this and that the WKXW signal covered 75% of the state, it was decided to name the station after the state and that everything on the station would reflect on life in New Jersey.

I arrived 9 years later in 1999 and amplified this even more by making sure we were on the right topics on all aspects of life in New Jersey. Prior to my arrival, the station leaned to more political topics. During my stay, we balanced that out with fun and lifestyle. I also obsessed on the weekend music and strived to give it the sound of a party at the shore. We played a lot of songs the party cover bands would play at shore bars and on the beach. Of course the main tune-in reasons there are traffic, weather and news… and it’s up to the talk show hosts to be compelling to stretch out TSL.

3. The Fanatic job is a return to your roots in a way, back to Philadelphia sports radio but this time in charge at the rival to WIP. What do you see as your advantages and disadvantages in taking on the challenge -- how do you approach building on the Fanatic's foundation and taking on the crosstown giant?

I only worry about the things we have control over. WIP has about a 25 year head start in sports radio branding and their morning show, and has a long term agreement with the Eagles; I can’t do anything about that. The Fanatic has a strong foundation and on-air personalities, and a very desirable demographic breakdown and median age! Lots of assets here to work with.

4. In a possibly related vein, how much of a personal advantage is it that you're a local? Philly is seen as a parochial market, favoring "their own," but that's been inconsistent. How important do you see it that you and your air staff are rooted in Philadelphia and its sports scene?

While being a huge ingredient, being local is not the only thing that will get it done. Being local certainly helps with a point of historical reference and makes it easier to have the fans relate to the personality, but the main key is how entertaining, relevant, opinionated and unique the air talent is. We are lucky here at the Fanatic, where our hosts possess these qualities and are from the region. Because of this, the local passion oozes from their pores!

5. While we're on the Philly thing, what's your favorite Philadelphia sports moment of all time (regardless of whether you were working it or just a fan)?

The 2008 World Series and the huge victory parade downtown! Hoping for another parade week! Go Birds! E-A-G-L-E-S…Eagles!!

6. At The Fanatic, you have two of the key play-by-play contracts -- Sixers and Flyers -- but not the Eagies or Phillies (and you have the largest local college sports franchise, Villanova basketball, on your AM side). How important is play-by-play to a sports radio station?

Play-by-play bolsters a station sports image… and the Sixers and Flyers are great marketing partners! Tom McGinnis with the Sixers and Tim Saunders and Steve Coates with the Flyers are among the best in the business, and the station sizzles when they are on.

Both teams are in a position for a playoff run, and that’s the time we see the play-by-play ratings sizzle!

7. Who have been your influences, mentors, and/or influences in the business?

8. Of what are you most proud?

Personally, I’m proud that we were able to raise our kids Steve 27 and Lindsay 25 here in Media PA (about 15 miles sw of Philly) without moving around “town to town and up and down the dial”.

Professionally I’m very proud of the 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy coverage we provided at New Jersey 101.5.

9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________.

...my wife Linda…after almost 30 years we are having fun… and she’s tolerated my mistress... radio!

10. What's the most important lesson you've learned in your career?

Be nice to people, but don’t get walked on. I’ve had people tell me in the past that I’m “too nice”…. I don’t know, I just believe in treating people the way I want to be treated. Don’t hotline the talent unless they are about to lose a client…or the license!