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10 Questions with ... Scott Hennen
February 21, 2006
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NAME:Scott HennenTITLE:GM/Talk Show HostSTATION:WDAYMARKET:Fargo, N.D.COMPANY:Forum Communications Company (locally owned)BORN:10-22-64, Sioux Falls, S.D.RAISED:Mostly in Montevideo, Minnesota
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Born into a radio family. Started part-time on-air at 12. Full time by 9th grade. First GM gig at 24 Worked for:
KDMA, Montevideo, Minnesota
KQWI, Clarinda, Iowa
KOKK, Huron, South Dakota
KMGM, Montevideo, Minnesota
KMGM Montevideo, Minnesota
KYCK, Grand Forks, North Dakota
KCNN/KZLT, Grand Forks, North Dakota
WDAY, Fargo, North Dakota1. Your parents were in the radio business- when did you decide you wanted to be in radio yourself?
I honestly can't say, because I've been doing it since I was 12. Some of my first memories as a child were of being at the radio station with Mom and Dad. I've never even thought of a different career. Why? It's all I know. But I love every second of it. It's not work. I've been on the air, sold spots, been PD, Om, GM, talk host and engineer...helped to build 2 FM's from the ground up and I loved it all.
2. What are you passionate about?
My wife Maria and 3 kids (Alex-9, Hannah-6 and Haley -2 come first. The rest of my family. Beyond that, radio and the business and next (with my talk show host hat on) conservative causes, including the continued effort to fight and win the war on terror.
3. Fargo is a highly competitive talk radio market, with two of the top three ranked 12+ stations in the format, plus another mostly-syndicated talk station and a sports talker in a relatively small market with a limited number of local signals. To what do you attribute the success of talk in Fargo?
Good old fashioned full-service radio. 80+ years of it. Our station hit the air in 1922! Not a week passes without listeners coming up to me to reminisce about a WDAY personality from years past. This station and in more recent years, our closet competitor, have invested in personalities and in the resources to cover the news, follow our unpredictable weather (with a team of 4 meteorologists on WDAY!), entertain them, inform them and serve the public, just like the FCC intended.
4. You've served in the unusual dual position of GM and talk host more than once now- usually, the combination is PD-host, but you're running the show and doing the show, too. What are the biggest challenges in doing these two jobs at the same time? What are the best rewards and worst pains of each?
Biggest challenge: time. Never enough of it. But I have a great support staff including my brother who produces the talk show and it simply the best in the business and we get the job done.
The rewards are seeing our success as a station and the growth of the show I host. WDAY has so much heritage, yet had slipped prior to our turnaround effort. To see it retake its proper place among the most listened to radio stations in the region is very gratifying.
5. You get a lot of big-name guests on your show- who's the most memorable guest you've ever had? Who's on your wish list?
I'm a big fan of The President, but his wife was/is among my favorite Hot Talk guests. She's a national treasure. Vice President Cheney comes on a couple times a year, Karl Rove is a regular. However since the war started in Iraq, I've most enjoyed talking with members of the armed forces and their families. What a blessing to have the Armed Forces we have. During the actual invasion we had 2 reported imbedded with the troops. They'd call by sat phone and we'd conference them with family back home. Heartwarming radio.
On my wish list: the Pope. Do you know anybody at the Vatican that could make that one happen?
6. You were at KCNN in Grand Forks when the Red River flood of 1997 hit, and you were able to keep the station on the air and work with FEMA to help the city recover. From that perspective, and in brief, what do you think really happened with FEMA's recovery efforts in New Orleans?
FEMA's hierarchy blew it. But they had a lot of help. The Mayor, the Governor, the feds. It was a perfect storm of failed leadership, sadly.
7. Of what are you most proud?
Personally, our kids. They make my wife and I very proud every day. Professionally, for my part in the turnaround of WDAY ratings and revenue.
8. Who are your mentors and inspirations in the business?
Stanley Hubbard and family. I love family broadcasters that are not afraid of letting their families run the show. And our CEO Bill Marcil. He's done marvels with this locally owned company, while rebuffing countless chances to sell. All in the name of serving the communities we do business in.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________________.
...a good laugh.
10. What's the best advice you ever got?
Best: Always tell the truth, it's much easier that way.
Worst: All the stock tips from 9/10/01.
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