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10 Questions with ... Doug Ingold
February 8, 2022
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. I started at Compass Media Networks in 2013 handling affiliations for our Music & Entertainment Division across all formats, mostly Rock, Pop and Country. With pride, we have over 7,000 affiliates on behalf of our 100+ content partners and the machine pumps 24/7 52 weeks a year. We are bullish on our industry and continue to make investments in its future.
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1. What made you want to get into the radio and music business and what was your first radio/music job.
I grew up in the Mid-Ohio Valley and our local Mall had a radio station inside and shoppers could watch the DJ’s on-air through the studio window. My favorite was the Great Uncle Dougger. I loved Uncle Dougger. I told my friends; I can do that, and I eventually figured it out.
2. Can you give us a quick history of your Radio background with stations and positions?
While attending Ohio University School of Journalism I got a summer gig doing News on WKYG Parkersburg, WV and did afternoons on crosstown Rock WIBZ FM. Then I split for California and a long run that started in San Diego on Z90FM. At that time, Z Jock’s were still crossing the border into Tijuana to do their shows in Baja. Let’s just say, lots of surf and all the lobster tacos a kid could eat. But then the format flipped, and we were all dismissed. I was lucky and found a home at KSON Country with hot shots like Jack Diamond, Bert Weiss, Bill Macky and Nick Upton. After that I went to Y-95 and got a close-up view of future Hall of Famers Jeff n Jer. Things were going good to great when a disturbance in the force happened. KNAC Long Beach had just flipped formats to Hard Rock. I couldn’t believe that a radio station like this could ever exist. It was a moment in time that I wanted to be part of. I immediately applied and filled the two weekend swing shifts that were open. I would’ve worked there for free. Those air shifts led to Santa Barbara and Programming Rock KTYD into the 90’s.
3. Can you give us a quick history of the labels you’ve worked for, positions and favorite Artists you worked?
Relativity Records Nat ’l Rock Director: Joe Satriani, Lucy’s Fur Coat, Our Lady Peace. ZOO Entertainment’s Nat ‘l Alt Director: Tool and Matthew Sweet. V2 Records VP Promotion: Stereophonics, Moby & White Stripes. And lastly Roadrunner Records Nat ‘l Alt/Rock guy: Slipknot & Nickelback.
4. And now to complete the radio/music biz trifecta, give us a quick history of your background in radio syndication including companies and positions up until now?
Yeah. What a strange trip it’s been. I started Managing Music and Entertainment at Westwood One in Los Angeles in 2006 and really liked my role. My Radio Programming background coupled with my Music label marketing & promotion experiences prepared me for this.
5. Now let’s talk about Compass Media Networks, and congrats on your new promotion with the company. How long have you been working for them and what are your primary responsibilities in your new role?
I started at Compass Media Networks in 2013 handling affiliations for our Music & Entertainment Division across all formats, mostly Rock, Pop and Country. With pride, we have over 7,000 affiliates on behalf of our 100+ content partners and the machine pumps 24/7 52 weeks a year. We are bullish on our industry and continue to make investments in its future.
6. Can you give us a rundown of the Compass Media Networks entertainment shows you are working with?
Well, when I started back in 2013, I had about 10 shows and now it’s over 20. Demand is high. One area that is growing quickly is our Morning Shows. Free Beer & Hot Wings, the recently signed Dave & Mahoney Show, Country’s Big D & Bubba Show and Rick Dees for Classic Hits. CMN’s partnership with Townsquare Media continues to grow with the recently announced launch of six new weekend shows comprising 10 new hours of unique programming including Ultimate Classic Rock, LOUDWIRE Nights, Pop Crush Nights, Taste of Country & XXL Higher Level Radio.
7. Let’s talk about the Free Beer & Hot Wings morning show. How many affiliates are running this show and give us some of this shows ratings success stories.
FBHW are the cornerstone of CMN. They were the first morning show to sign with Compass Media Networks over twelve years ago. The show is heard on over 50 stations nationwide and are consistently the dominant, #1 or #2, ranked morning show on WBUZ Nashville, WGRD Grand Rapids, WBSX Wilkes Barre, WZOR Green Bay, WAAL Binghamton, WZZL Paducah, WRZK Tri-Cities, WWBN Flint, KEWL Shreveport, KBZS Wichita Falls, KSQY Rapid City and the success stories go on and on including the recent additions in Buffalo NY on 92.9 WBUF FM and West Virginia Radio’s WDZN FM Cumberland MD.
8. What else should Rock stations be looking for from Compass Media Networks now and in the future?
There has never been, in my time at a Network, a period of such high demand especially for Rock Programming and Compass Media Networks has made a great commitment to deliver and distribute the best Rock shows in the business. Because of my background in the Music Business, we work closely with Labels and Managers to help expose their new artists. Our Alt Rock Mix Show SKRATCH N SNIFF will be having a KORN Special in a couple of weeks. And LA Lloyd, Host of The Rock 30 Countdown safely returned from this year’s ShipRocked Cruise with unique Artist interviews to bring to the show’s weekly listeners. And finally, 2022 will be a big year of growth for Out of Order with Stryker and Off the Record with Joe Benson.
9. I’d love to get your thoughts on the Rock format. What’s your take on the music and artists at the format today?
I was talking to Toni Gonzalez, Host of LOUDWIRE Nights about this just last week and she summed it up …. “The RHCP just released a new song that's as great as anything they've ever done. The new Halestorm is really good, as are new Ghost and Shinedown songs. Did you pay attention to the year the Foo Fighters had in 2021? They reopened MSG and the Forum, bringing back full capacity shows and that was the tip of their massive year. Metallica brought together musicians of all genres and walks of life for "Blackened," who else has pulled that off on such a high level? Most importantly, there is nothing like the rock community. Rock fans are the best fans. Of course, we have young upcoming stars as well, and their time will come because Rock is all about passion and that passion will never die.” Ingold adds, Rock music isn’t something you sip. You guzzle it, you sink your teeth into, you allow the music to possess you. As Toni said, it's all about the passion of Rock music fans. It’s all good.”
10. Finally, what do you like to do for fun and relaxation when you’re not in “work” mode?
I’m always mixing business with pleasure and then it’s not so much work. You’ll find me at a show, at a dinner, at a game, on a golf course somewhere having fun with our media partners. It’s all about the relationships and friendships that make our businesses successful.
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