10 Questions with ... Justin Wright

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

My first gig was in my bedroom studio when I was 12 ... from there I went to WNKS/Charlotte; WLNK/Charlotte; WXLK/Roanoke; WSTW/Wilmington, DE; WNVZ/Norfolk; WAZO/Wilmington, NC and WFIZ/Ithaca, NY.

1) What do you do to maintain a positive mental attitude and stay motivated?

I remind myself that if you haven't been fired at some point in your career, you will. If you truly have been bitten by the radio "bug," motivation comes naturally.

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

I have my own web design business. If I can't be creative on the radio, at least I can use the web as a creative outlet. (www.ifusionentertainment.com).

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

This is it ... six months.

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

Give me an audition shift ... let me show you what I can do.

5) What has been your best resource for finding out about job openings?

Really? Is this a valid question? All Access, of course. It has become the industry leader over the years and no one comes close.

6) What's the craziest thing you've ever done to get a job?

I once sent my package to a PD in a diaper with "Tired of the same old shit?" written on it. And I sent him a pizza with "Hire Me" in pepperoni.

7) Are you finding salaries/benefits lower than you ever thought, about the same, or have you seen some pleasant surprises?

They are about the same as they have been over the years. Small markets still pay in Ramen noodles, medium-sized markets you get Hot Pockets, and large markets, $25k.

8) What's the most unbelievable question you've ever been asked in an interview?

Tommy Frank asked me, "What is your #1 goal as a jock?" The correct answer ... "Reported Listening." It doesn't matter how many people you have listening to your radio station if they aren't writing it down ... Brilliant.

9) What has been your biggest career accomplishment?

Tommy Frank hired me to be his APD/MD and to help launch the first Top 40 in Ithaca, NY in 15 years. The day after we launched, I found him dead of a heart attack. I became PD with NO staff. I hired a full staff on minimal budget and made the station #1 in every daypart in women 18-34 in our very first book ... and it stayed at #1 during my tenure.

10) Having been through all you have dealt with in this biz, what advice would you give people trying to break in?

I am a firm believer in "If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life." If radio is for you, you'll know it. Be prepared to work crazy hours and do ridiculous things at first. Be prepared for rejection ... and brutal aircheck sessions ... and other jocks with egos... If you really love radio, stick with it NO MATTER WHAT and you will come out on top.

Any books you can recommend to people who need something inspirational to read?

Creating Powerful Radio - By Valerie Gellar.