-
10 Questions with ... Gina Juliano
November 14, 2006
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. -
NAME:Gina JulianoTITLES:MDMARKET:United StatesCOMPANY:Yahoo! MusicBORN:Huntington Beach, CARAISED:Huntington Beach, CA; St. Louis; Mesa, AZ
Please outline your radio career so far:
KSHE/St. Louis, 1992; VH-1, New York, 1993; WKQX (Q101)/Chicago, 1993-1996; KRNA/Iowa City, IA, 1996-1997; WLRS/Louisville, 1997-1999; WARQ & WMFX/Columbia, SC, 2000-2003; WAQZ/Cincinnati, 2003-2005.
1) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment that made you realize "this is it?"
I've always loved music and knew I wanted to work in the media. I went to Purdue University for a degree in Telecommunications, TV & Radio. Working for KSHE 95 and going to Lollapalooza in 1992 made me want to have a career in radio. The killer lineup included Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ministry and many more. I was there from beginning to end getting to meet some of my favorite artists. It was one of the greatest days ever. That sealed the radio deal for me.
2) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
I absolutely would do it all again. I've experienced amazing things most people can only dream about.
3) What career path would you be following had it not been for this industry?
I would have had a career that made me rich. I would have been bored, but I would have been rich.
4) What makes your station or market unique? How does this compare to other markets or stations you have worked at?
I program Internet radio, which is unique in itself. I have a lot more freedom and astonishingly accurate feedback. I have access to exact numbers on how many times a record was listened to or not listened to. We can even tell the moment someone skips the song. We also use search data on what our users are searching for on yahoo.com and music.yahoo.com when making programming decisions. This data is incredibly precise and in-depth. It's also an incredible feeling knowing that my stations are broadcast all over the country. I have millions and millions of listeners each month.
5) What can we be doing with our station websites to better our stations as a whole?
At many of the radio stations I've worked at we didn't utilize the station's site at all. There is a huge opportunity for interaction with the listener and the ability to produce non-traditional revenue. There's also the opportunity to run promotions that a programmer might usually pass over. They might be promotions that are not considered "big enough" or clutter because of existing on-air features. A programmer could move the promotion to the station's site and let it run itself. A station's website can also be value-added for clients with banner ads or links. It can also be used to gain the "coolness factor" by providing listeners with exclusive content like an in-studio performance, etc. The possibilities are endless. Should I go on?
6) Describe your weekly music meeting. A) What is the process when you listen to new music? B) Approximately how important by percentage is gut, research, sales, video play, and chart position when determining the status of a record?
At Yahoo! Music, we check the "going for adds" each week on wonderful sites such as AllAccess.com and add records placing them in the most fitting stations. We also have the ability to test out any record we want to. This could be based upon gut, more cuts from a new record or just throwing in a favor for someone. We can test music and get extremely accurate information on it. Our radio player has a skip button, and we get very detailed reports every week on which songs are being skipped in which stations. It's too complex to really go into the specifics, but I assure you it's the most accurate research out there.
7) What's the best concert you've been to so far this year, and why?
Porcupine Tree. They're extremely talented musicians with a unique sound that absolutely blows you away. It's mega prog rock at its best!
8) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
It's not about being right, it's about doing the right thing.
9) What is the best advice you would give to young programmers/promotion people?
1. Don't compromise your principals. 2. Be honest and do the right thing. 3. Protect your reputation, because you only get one. 4. Network with everyone you can. 5. Always be prepared and make smart decisions. 6. Learn as much as you can, and don't fear change, because it's going to happen anyway.
10) As you look back over your career, any regrets? Missed opportunities?
It's only regret if you didn't learn anything from it. I feel so fortunate to have my current position. I love where I live; I have so many awesome opportunities and the ability to learn and grow. I also work with amazing people and am able to share my experience and creativity.
Bonus Questions
1) How did you get your present job?
I found out about the job through a connection. Then I diligently worked hard to get this amazing position. I knew it was exactly what I was looking for. I also have a great reputation in the business and had been in radio for close to 15 years. I've also paid my dues. It was time to be happy again working in the music industry.
2) What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you? The worst?
The best: Be yourself. The worst: Be yourself.
3) Your radio or records dream gig?
The one I have right now.
-
-