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10 Questions with ... John Clark
March 14, 2006
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NAME:John ClarkTITLE:PresidentCOMPANY:CRG Radio NetworksBORN: 12/18/63 in Dawson, GARAISED:Dawson, GA
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
Began my radio career at WDWD-AM/FM, Dawson, GA in 1979. Was PD at WGAF/Valdosta, GA and GM of WARI/WIZB-FM, Abbeville, AL before joining United Stations in Washington, DC in 1987. Since then I've worked at Unistar Radio Networks in New York, Westwood One in New York, DC and Atlanta, and Premiere Radio Networks in Atlanta. After a brief stint at Liberty Broadcasting, I started CRG in the Fall of 2004. This is my 20th season playing in the network/syndication league!
1. What led you to the radio business?
It's a story like many others- I loved listening to all the far-away stations on AM at night as a kid. When I was in high school, I heard the local station had weekend openings, so I went in, made a demo, they hired me, and I'm still around today. I was 15 when I started.
2. What are you passionate about?
I'm passionate about the radio business, always have been. I can't imagine doing anything else. This business has taken me places I never thought I'd go - from rural South Georgia to New York City. Of course, there are some aspects of the business that disappoint me, but after all these years I still love it.
3. You're an independent in a field dominated by a few big companies with affiliations to group broadcasters- what opportunity did you see when you started CRG, and what can CRG offer stations and shows that the bigger companies can't?
I saw a lot of good independently produced shows with potential; they just needed coordinated affiliate relations and marketing efforts. Having spent a long time at major networks, I had developed the experience, knowledge and contacts to help these programs grow. So, the match was there, and it's worked out very well.
Having worked at the bigger companies, I know they can sometimes be slow to react to an affiliate's need because of various channels and layers. CRG has no layers, so we're able to respond quickly. Being a smaller company, we're able to be more flexible to fit station needs. For example, some of CRG's shows don't require stations to sign a contract or fill out affidavits. Some don't have any restrictions on when the show may air. Stations love it.
4. As a former PD and GM, you know what it's like to be approached by syndicators from the other side- has that experience made your approach different from other affiliate relations specialists over the years?
In some ways, yes, because I understand what PDs and GMs are up against, but I don't know that it has changed my approach. It's a cliche, but treating people like I want to be treated is big in my book, so I work hard to stick with that approach. I don't think stations appreciate the "have I got a deal for you" approach. I certainly don't. They know their market far better than I do, so I focus on trying to fill any needs and present ideas that have worked elsewhere.
5. How do you see satellite radio affecting the syndication business, if at all?
I don't see it affecting syndication as much in the short term for talk programming because great content is going to win out and syndicators provide stations with great content. As satellite radio grows, there may be fallout from syndicated shows on satellite radio competing with themselves on local stations. Stations may take issue with exclusivity guarantees. That has happened some already. Unless big changes are made in music radio, I do see satellite radio having a major impact, because it offers so much variety. I think more FM music stations will go talk as a result... and I believe you'll see a variety of talk formats, not just political talk.
6. When people come to you with shows they want to syndicate, what do you look for? What makes a strong candidate for syndication?
Patience is very important. I don't mean to sound crass but everyone thinks their show will be on 200 stations within a couple of months and it's just doesn't work that way. It takes time to develop a good show and it takes even longer to get stations to drop what they have on now and put a new show on the air. The content needs to be unique and the show must be well produced. A good track record on a local station helps too.
7. Who are your mentors and/or your inspirations?
My grandfather. He was the epitome of a gentleman and his wise words still resonate today.
8. What do you do for fun?
Piddle around on my farm down in South Georgia. I'm also one of the few lifelong hardcore Atlanta Falcons fans.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without __________________.
...the grace of God.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
The best...I go back to my grandfather who told me that whatever happens always pray for wisdom...it works.
Possibly the worst...my friend Dave in Atlanta once said "come to Atlanta - there are plenty of radio jobs up here!" I ended up with a job loading boxes. My next move was to network radio in DC, so it had a happy ending. Dave's still a good friend, and I love to remind him of that advice.
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