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10 Questions with ... Laurie Cantillo
June 9, 2009
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NAME:Laurie CantilloTITLE:Program DirectorSTATION:77 WABCMARKET:New YorkCOMPANY:CitadelBORN:Casper, WYRAISED:Denver, Littleton, Parker CO
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KOA Radio (Denver) reporter, assignment editor, morning news co-host, executive producer, acting PD (13 years)
KTAR Phoenix Program Director (2 years)
KFYI/XTRA Sports 910 Phoenix Program Director (6 years)
Oprah & Friends, Program Director, Chicago, (2 years)Highlights include taking KFYI to #1 market position in Phoenix, toppling a heritage station. Nominated R & R PD of the Year 2005, launched Oprah & Friends on XM in September 2006.
1. What was it about radio that drew you to the business as a career?
I am passionate about writing and I appreciate the power of words. Radio engages your brain and is the most intimate of all media; it's the town hall of our generation. I'm excited to come to work every day because I love the creativity, the adrenaline rush, and the thrill of the unknown.
2. About what are you most passionate these days?
I get the biggest charge out of identifying and developing new talent. I have an ear for what works and what doesn't. I love to experiment with unique (some would say crazy) approaches and ideas that will attract a new generation of listeners.
3. Talk radio's been polarized, politically, for some time now. How important is it for a station to "pick a side"-- is there room for not-easily-pigeonholed voices anymore?
There is too much emphasis on labels such as conservative vs. liberal and local vs. national and not enough emphasis on "is it entertaining?" The reason some liberal and female-targeted programs haven't succeeded is they put their mission ahead of the needs of listener. There is absolutely an appetite for more diverse programming; our industry needs to give our best and brightest permission to take risks and think beyond what's worked before.
4. You're getting a lot of attention through being mentioned by Imus -- how do you feel about being a more public figure? Are you okay with that or do you prefer to be behind the scenes?
I enjoyed a lot of notoriety when working on the #1 morning show in Denver. I'm long past that now, and I'm comfortable both behind a mic and behind the scenes. Do I mind being the "idiot boss"? Heck no... I jab back in my blog on imus.com, and I'm honored that I have my own joke: "You can ring that doorbell forever and no one will answer". My kids think it's a scream. Imus is a great entertainer who truly understands satire. He can insult me all he wants as his ratings continue to rocket in the younger demos.
5. You walked into WABC with stellar credentials, but it's a heritage station with an established lineup and image. How do you put your own individual stamp on a station like WABC -- what have you done so far, and how aggressive do you feel comfortable being in shaking things up?
77 WABC is the #1 talk station in America, and the sales staff is hitting it out of the park, even in this wretched economy. My role isn't to blow up WABC but to build on a superstar line-up and usher the brand into the 21st century. We are focusing on topic selection, creating synergy among day parts, and better pre- and post-promotion of our great content. We've launched a major reimaging overhaul that is paying off in younger demos. Our web site is more interactive and with more fresh content than ever before. The next project is clearing out the clutter on weekends and creating more time slots to audition and develop new talent.
6. After your Oprah experience, what's your gut feeling -- is there a future for "talk for women"? Is that a format or can talk for a wide audience deliver more female listeners than standard-issue talk radio presently does?
There is absolutely an opening for female-targeted talk. For starters, don't patronize us by saying it's "for women". Don't assume that women only want to hear women on the radio and we want to hear a coffee klatch talking about sex. Women crave news but we don't dig the bloodsport of politics the way men do. Please give us some credit: we care about more than guys and what was on TV last night. Women are keenly interested in politics, money, health, parenting, and spirituality. No one is doing this well, and there is a pot of gold for those who get it.
7. Who are your mentors, influences, and inspirations?
I've had many great mentors along the way; those who've had the biggest influence include Lee Larsen, Bruce Kamen, Kris Olinger, Gus Mircos, Robin Bertolucci, Gabe Hobbs, Randy Michaels, Sean Hannity, John Gehron, Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and Steve Borneman. I admire all not only for their talents but for their high ethics and good hearts.
8. What do you do for fun?
I'm happiest when I'm outdoors; I live in a glass house in the woods, I own a cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and I'm the ultimate weekend warrior. I love travel, hiking, whitewater, photography, and running. I've finished a couple marathons and climbed most of the 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado. The outdoors is the perfect bookend for the stimulation of midtown Manhattan.
9. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without ______________.
...humor... I look for the funny side in almost everything.
10. What's the best advice you ever got? The worst?
Best: Don't forget that radio is supposed to be FUN! Runner-up: As long as your kids love and respect you, it doesn't matter what everyone else thinks.Worst: Forget about a web site...the internet is a fad.
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