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10 Questions with ... Jon Costantino
February 24, 2009
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NAME:Jon CostantinoLAST WITH:WFNY/WXRK (FREE-FM)/New YorkPHONE:(917) 658-7549EMAIL:joncos@verizon.net
Please begin by giving us a brief career history ...
I've been producing talk shows for over 10 years, working for companies like Fox News Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio, CBS Radio and United Stations Radio Network. I have been lucky enough to work with hosts like Alan Colmes, "The Radio Chick" Leslie Gold, Opie & Anthony, and Don & Mike. I have also pretty much done every timeslot there is to do, from mornings to late nights.
1) How are you occupying your time, besides looking for a job?
I've done a bunch of writing for websites, reviewing books, movies, TV shows and, um, "libations." Being able to express the opinions like I was able to when I was on-air helps to not just pass the time, but also makes sure I keep creatively active.
2) Do you plan on sticking with the music/radio industry?
This is the business that I love, and I would hate to see it fall into the hands of people who don't have the passion like I do, so I want to stick with it. Plus, I'm damn good at it!
3) What's the longest stretch you've had on the beach?
This is the longest so far (18 months), and it feels like an eternity!
4) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?
Besides All Access, I make sure I subscribe to the e-mail blasts from every radio industry website there is. Also, the job sites for the various broadcasting companies help as well, because then you can contact people on the inside to see if the jobs are for real.
5) What is the next job you'd like to obtain?
I would like to either be a Senior/Executive Producer on a national show, or maybe go
into programming. Finding the next big show is always something that interests me.
6) How are you finding the "courtesy level" at places you've applied? (Callbacks, e-mails, rejection letters, etc.)
Actually, people have been really nice. Even when I send blind resumes to people I have never met, they have all gotten back to me, even to say they don't have anything. And ex-bosses have all been great, so never forget anyone you ever worked with ... EVER!
7) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?
After sending a blind resume, a PD called me in for an interview to talk about a potential job, which he said he would discuss with me when I got in. Then his first question when I sat down was, "So, what are you doing here?"
8) Are you spending as much time listening to radio as you used to?
MORE! Now that I don't have to worry about what the competition is doing or if I'm being influenced by other shows, I have the radio on all day. I'm listening to sports radio more than I ever had before, and I'm learning a whole new side of the business because of it.
9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?
When I worked at FREE-FM, I got to be the drive-time afternoon producer on the station I listened to growing up, and got to work in Howard Stern's former studio every day. Plus, it was the job I was on the air the most, which is something I had always wanted to do after 10 years of being pretty much behind the scenes exclusively.
10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?
Intern, intern, intern. Spend as much time as you can in radio stations, and be ready to do anything. My first internship was when I was 17, and I still use the skills I learned on that job today.
Bonus Questions
Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?
"The Night Of The Gun" by David Carr. Carr was a drug-addicted drunk, then got himself cleaned up, and is now the media critic for The New York Times. He lost his job many times over because of his habits, and now he works for one of the world's most respected newspapers, because of his talent. If he can make it, why should something like unemployment stop us?
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