10 Questions with ... Govia

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• Afternoons/nights - WPIA, '06-'09
• Afternoon producer - WXRK (92.3 Now)/ New York, '09
• On-air/voicetracking - WZPW (Power 92.3)/Peoria- '09-'10
• PD/afternoons-nights, WBEA, '09-present
• PD/afternoons- WPIA, '10- present

1) You're at WPIA, but you're still involved daily with your former station, WBEA. Explain...

Back in August of '10 Mike Rea gave me the opportunity to program WPIA. This set me up to program 101.7 The Beach in the Hamptons AND 98.5 Kiss-FM in Peoria. I left Long Island to focus on the re-launch of WPIA. As it stands now, I am in Peoria mainly, and I fly out to Long Island one week a month. During the summer, I will be in the Hamptons a little more frequently.

Using "Logmein" makes it possible for me to schedule, insert production, perform my afternoon show and any other tasks. My show in Peoria is 3p-8p CT. On Long Island, it's 4p-8p ET. My clocks are pretty much the same in both markets. The music is a tad different as both markets have different trends, but for the most part, a hit is a hit. With two different databases, though, I have to schedule both stations separately. I have staff on Long Island to help with the phones. Most bits I do in Peoria re-air on Long Island the following hour. When voicetracking, I have cart codes assigned to each break. I put each of my breaks into the system through "logmein" and "dropbox." I then put sec tones on my breaks. This allows the breaks to play over the intros of the records. Imaging is also similar in both markets, but with two different voice guys, which makes for lots of copying and pasting. I phone in weekly for promo and programming meetings to keep everyone on the same page. As difficult as it may seem, I have a great staff on both ends to pick me up if something slips through the cracks. So far, so good.

2) How would you describe your first radio gig?

A learning experience. I had the luxury of freedom of creativity, which helped me to learn what works and what doesn't. I thought I was the coolest dude that ever lived because I was 20, and people thought I was cool because I talked on the radio. Looking back, I was a cool dude, but far from the coolest dude ever. Now I am yelling at jocks for doing the same things I did when I first started. I'm getting old ... and I'm not getting any cooler.

3) What makes your station unique?

Compared to the rest of the stations in Peoria, I think 98-5 Kiss-FM has a "major-market" sound. We implement the "PPM" rules as much as possible. Our sweepers run over the ramps of records. The playlist is tight. Jock talk breaks are quick and to the point. We play the hits and we play them often. On-air giveaways are "priceless." No "dogfood" prizes. When PPM comes to Peoria in 10 years, we will be ready.

4) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?

There is a lot resting on my shoulders... I wouldn't have it any other way. Keeps me busy and out of trouble. I have learned so much wearing hats that I didn't even know I was capable of wearing. It's all about just getting stuff done. The more hats I wear, the less of a chance I have of catching herpes or any other STI. PS: They are called STI's now, not STD's.

5) What is your favorite part of the job?

Getting feedback from listeners and peers. It's nice to know that all the hard work put into the product has paid off. Whether it's feedback on the music we play or a bit I did on the air, good or bad, it's an awesome feeling knowing I am able to impact someone's everyday life with the airwaves.

6) What is the most challenging part of the job?

Keeping up. There is a lot going on in our lives and in the world. You could have the stations sounding exactly as you pictured, website caught up, promos lined up, then BAM! Bin Laden's dead. The job never ends. No matter where you are, in this industry, you have to be in work mode 24/7. When you slip up, the fools across town should and will capitalize. I stay on top of my MySpace 24 hours a day.

7) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently

Not really a huge promotion, but effective and semi-entertaining. We lined up meet-and-greets for each show we had tickets for and we positioned ourselves as "The station introducing you to the stars." People will do just about anything to meet their favorite artists. So we kinda halfway exploited them. Social media is a good tool to prevent clutter on the air. So we had people post pictures of things you wouldn't usually care for people to see. Such as: The inside of your fridge, make-up-less pictures, or nasty feet.

8) Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?

Scooter a.k.a. Weasel does mornings on KISS. He is also the OM of our cluster. He is my saving grace! At one time I was the sole person in programming for Kiss. He came through and has really backed me up. I still have the same responsibilities, but it is a great feeling to know I have someone with experience and management skills to back me up and help get stuff done. He is pretty good on the air, too.

Aaron Tyler ... smart man! He sounds great on the air and he gets social media. He's a fellow radio nerd... he picks up lots of important tasks that need to get done, and he finishes them good. Great behind-the-scenes guy.

9) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?

BLOGGER! It is all about social media these days. With the bigger radio groups having staff designated to blogging and social media 24-7 it is hard to keep up. Not all of us have that luxury so we have to stay on top of all breaking stories. It's tough to keep up with all of that when you have so many other things going on.

10) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?

Having a job in this industry is a privilege. Don't get comfortable. Never stop pursuing excellence. Never stop learning. We are blessed to have the careers we have ... and there are a lot of squirrels trying to get nuts out there. When you lose your flare, there is a fresh piece of meat out there ready to prove they're hungry for success like you were when you were pushing for an opportunity.

What's the best sweeper/liner you've run on your stations?

"Govia Loves Moms... that is all." Running this sweep backfired on me a little. Moms try to get in my pants a lot these days. I never thought a woman would use the pick-up line: "I have three beautiful daughters ... and they all love their mommy" on me. I can't complain, though. That's the way the cookie crumbles.