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10 Questions with ... Nicole Sandler
September 27, 2005
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NAME:Nicole SandlerLAST WITH:WXRV/BostonPHONE:305-653-1159
Career history ...
I started in radio while in college at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, programming and hosting the only rock programs on a Classical NPR station. After graduation, I became Production Director and Producer at News-Talk WNSI/TAMPA. From there, I was APD at WMCA/NEW YORK, and Senior Producer for The BOB GRANT Show; producer for JIM KERR and the Morning Crew at WPLJ/NEW YORK while doing weekends at WRCN/LONG ISLAND; producer of the PHIL HENDRIE morning show at KLSX/LOS ANGELES; morning co-host at KNX/LOS ANGELES; Promotion and Marketing Director at KODJ/LOS ANGELES; and producer of the MARK & BRIAN show at KLOS/LOS ANGELES.
I decided that I wanted to get back to my first love - music! - and I became part of the sign-on team at AAA KSCA/LOS ANGELES, first as midday personality, then as morning co-host, then Music Director. When KSCA was sold (and went Spanish), I went to the ALBUM NETWORK as Rock Editor, a job I really didn't enjoy! I moved south to SAN DIEGO to co-host mornings at 91X until CLEAR CHANNEL decided to flip 103.1 in LOS ANGELES to Triple A, and brought me back as MD/afternoons to sign it on. After the CC-AM/FM merger, CHANNEL 103.1 was sold, went Spanish (notice a pattern here?), and I moved to TAOS, NM to program and do mornings at KTAO. But I quickly learned that you can't move from NY (5 years) to L.A. (14 years) to Taos without going crazy!
So, I moved back to SOUTH FLORIDA to be near my ailing father, and started up VIRTUAL RADIO SERVICES, doing voiceovers, voicetracking for SIRIUS, and other assorted odd jobs. After a brief stint at WXRV/BOSTON, I've moved back to FLORIDA, revived VirtualRadioServices.com and also formed LegacyVideoProductions.com. In the past couple of months, I started the WorldClassPodcast at RadioOrNot.com! All of my ventures are linked from one main website at www.legacygroupunlimited.com.
1. What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?
I started my own business and do my best to make a living, and make sure I love what I'm doing. Aside from looking for voiceover and voicetracking gigs, I produce family history videos for people, so I'm doing something that truly makes people feel good. I'm using my podcast to advertise my video production services.
2. How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
Working! Not having a traditional job is quite time-consuming, so I'm spread pretty thin. I'm also a single mom to a 6-year old, so I spend lots of time playing with her, and doing 1st grade homework!
3. 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.
SOUTH FLORIDA radio is depressing for someone with my musical tastes. It's great if you're over 65, or really enjoy Urban or Hispanic music. I've become addicted to AIR AMERICA when I'm in the car, I listen to motivational CDs (bought the TONY ROBBINS series very cheap on eBay), I've gotten really good with my iPod, and when I'm editing video in my home studio, I listen to great radio via online streaming. I also decided that, taking advantage of technology, I should take control of my own destiny. Everything is changing, and who knows where radio will be 5 years from now.
4. Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
It's in my blood! Even though I hope the video production will take off, I still want to do radio. It's a sickness!
5. What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I'd love to voicetrack a regular shift for one or two stations. I think any more than that and it's too cookie-cutter. I believe that to do real service to your station(s), you really have to know the market-read the local papers, know what's happening there, and sound local. I'd also like to get a couple more stations for imaging.
In addition, I'd love to work with stations as an extra hand. I can do everything from scheduling music to brainstorming promotions, to production, to writing copy to critiquing/working with talent. I can bring major market programming experience to small stations without breaking the budget.
In addition, I'd love to help people start their own podcasts. I just started a podcast for delta401k.com! (The podcast is at 401kpodcast.biz.)
I also just started working as an independent distributor with a company that complements my video production business. It offers people a way to preserve, organize, share and enjoy their photos, both digital and paper. It's a great opportunity for anyone ready to take control of their lives. Ideally, I'd like to help others who find themselves displaced to build their own businesses.
6. How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, emails, rejection letters, etc.)
As I've decided to stay here for my daughter's sake, I'm really only looking for a traditional radio job in SOUTH FLORIDA, and the pickings are few. Some have been very courteous, and one doesn't acknowledge me at all...
7. With consolidation there are definitely fewer jobs, how do you separate yourself from the pack?
I've changed with the times. I have a beautifully-equipped home studio, and want to work with stations to give them the services they need without having to hire me full-time. I'm extremely Selector-proficient, so I can schedule music, write copy, brainstorm promotional ideas, voicetrack shifts, create podcasts... I'm offering whatever a station needs, when they need it.
8. Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
Probably, just not locally! I'm listening online. KBCO/BOULDER, WXPN/PHILADELPHIA and WXRT/CHICAGO are my favorites. In addition, I've been listening to Internet only radio station radioparadise.com.
9. In your opinion, what has been your biggest career accomplishment in the industry?
Helping to create a couple of really great radio stations in LOS ANGELES (KSCA and Channel 103.1), and building a very loyal following (check out the worldclassrock yahoo group). I'm also extremely proud of the work I did with MARK & BRIAN. I produced that show during the 4 years that we topped LOS ANGELES morning radio. We did really creative, innovative, beyond boundaries radio. We broke all the rules, had fun, and had ratings through the roof.
10. What do you miss most about music/radio? The least?
I miss having an outlet to talk about things, whether important or just funny. I miss being in a position to make a difference, especially over that past month since KATRINA. I miss being totally on top of all the new music. I miss communicating with the listeners. I don't miss the politics of playlists and dealing with labels on what records they want added vs. what I think is best for the station.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss. Seriously! It's my 6 year old daughter's favorite book, and it works on an adult level, and is incredibly relevant right now.
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