10 Questions with ... Marcus Osborne

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

DEMO:

Twenty years as an on-air, producer, writer, content creator for various radio, TV, newspapers, and websites in the San Francisco Bay Area. Some of which include The Oakland Tribune (music reviews), KNBR-A, 106 KMEL, 98.1 KISS FM, 95.7 The Wolf, Alice 97.3, KNEW Talk 910, KPIX/CBS 5, KBHK/UPN 44, SiriusXM (EXTREME Talk), The SMF Show (syndicated), Total Traffic Reporter.

1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?

I'm getting my entertainment fix as an OM at the world-famous Punch Line Comedy Club in San Francisco!

2) Some people get discouraged or enlightened with the business when they actually step out of it for a while. Tell us your observations from the outside.

I just think the industry needs to start taking risks online AND on-air. We're a fairly "safe" industry. Radio needs to take a cue from television's evolution. Going from decades of very formulaic, safe programming to what we now see as the new "Golden Age." I could go on and on about this. But basically, it's time for our industry to recognize that audience's entertainment palates have matured to the point where not only is it okay to take a few risks, audiences WANT unique, edgy, multi-platform content.

3) Do you plan on sticking with radio?

As long as they'll have me!

4) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?

Eighteen months.

5) What's the best way to get your foot in the door?

Ha ha ha ha ha! Clearly I don't have the answer to that one! Knowing people. Networking. Having a solid demo and resume is good, but more often than not, PDs and OMs already know who they want to bring in. So the best move is to have a buddy on the inside who will advocate for you. And even THEN it's a crap shoot!

6) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?

I'd love to host a talk show about anything but sports and politics. There's plenty of that. Here's where I think radio can afford to take some risks. There's a reason that more and more people are turning to podcasts. And that's what radio needs to be paying attention to. Why not program a Talk station with live, local shows about niche topics?

7) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)

How honest can I be here? Ha ha ha ha! People generally ignore you completely unless they're interested in at least interviewing you. Heck, I'm not even sure they send out rejection letters anymore.

8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?

Interesting question. I listen just as much as I always have, but my station choices are vastly different.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

May not seem like much to others, but I was the co-host of a morning show on a Country radio station in SF. And our show was a top-10 fixture. Huge accomplishment for a Country outlet! Black dude, Jewish due, gay dude and a strong feminist in a format that generally has a conservative audience? We killed it!

10) If you were offered a similar position to what you were doing for considerably less money, would you seriously consider taking the job just to stay in the biz?

Good question. How much is "considerably?" Ha ha ha ha! Sure, of course I would. It's a different industry now. And I'm a different guy now too. Money is important, but it's definitely not the most important consideration for me these days. I'm looking for a challenge!

Your favorite new diversion is ...

Binge watching! I mean I watch every. Single. Show and movie on Netflix and Amazon and Hulu ... it's a sickness. I'm so into it I'm launching a podcast about it ... but more on that later...