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10 Questions with ... Mike Marino
October 9, 2012
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
- WSPK (K104)/Poughkeepsie, NY - On-air host/Promotions Assistant
- WBHT (97BHT)/Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA - APD/Imaging/afternoon host
- WHZT (Hot 98.1)/Greenville/Spartanburg, SC - APD/Imaging/afternoon host
- WHTI (H0t 100.9) Richmond, VA - PD
- Swing shifts at Hot 99.5/D.C., Q102/Philly, Z100/NYC and FLY 92/Albany, NY.
1) What led you to a career in radio, and how would you describe your first gig?
I wanted to be part of my home-town station (K104 in Poughkeepsie, NY) in the worst way! I kept knocking on the door until PD Scotty Mac finally got annoyed and let me in! At the time, I was a promotions assistant and worked a remote with Scotty when he asked me "Why don't you try an overnight on-air?" That turned into a steady weekend shift, which turned into a career with the help of Scotty, Skywalker and Terry Donovan. I was a sponge when I was at that station; I tried to soak up everything and get in the studio as much as possible. Same thing applies now ... you can never stop learning in this business.
2) What makes your station unique? How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
Hot 100.9 is a living, breathing, lifestyle-driven Top 40! It's unique for me because we are still growing. It's great that I had the opportunity to be a part of a format change and rewarding to grow Hot 100.9 from the ground up. Cox Media Group has been great, too. We're able to make decisions locally to benefit the Richmond area, while still having access to different research and studies that other companies have done away with a long time ago.
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
I should have a built-in hat rack here in the office! Imaging, music, working with promotions and sales, social media, research and trying to fit lunch in there somewhere! I think it has turned into an industry standard to wear more than one hat.
4) What are you doing social media-wise?
What are we NOT doing with it?!?! Since we're still the new kid on the block, we are building our empire on Facebook/Twitter with local content and celeb mishaps ... and I'm proud to say that we didn't have to buy any fans to inflate our numbers!
5) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
Hot 100.9 has a great image in Richmond. Listeners know the station is fun and we are so happy to hear stories every day of how they spend their lives with us. Besides being visible on the streets (clubs/remotes), we are proud to be a part of "Feed Richmond" at Thanksgiving, "Make-a-Wish" at Christmas and "Cocktails for a Cause," to name a few.
6) If you could add one full-time position to your budget right now, what would it be?
I only get ONE position to add?!?! Hmmmmm ... probably an APD/MD who knows imaging. See? Many hats!
7) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
I'm from the Tri-State area of New York, so I grew up with some of the best: Z100, 'KTU, Hot 97 and K104.
8) What advice you would give people new to the business?
Getting into the 'biz can be challenging. You need to be VERY dedicated to the station, the learning process, working crazy hours, and you need to surround yourself with people who want to show you the ropes. You always remember who first taught you how to do things, so training around talented people is a must.
9) What is the current state of the radio "talent pool"?
It's a kiddie pool now ... and still shrinking! If you're ready to send out your package, you may want to run your demo/resume by some people already in the 'biz who can give you some pointers. Feel free to run it by me if you want! Talent development is one area that is very satisfying for me; I love to help out upcoming on-air stars!
10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
Prove that it's NOT dying! That's what Hot 100.9 is all about. We try to involve ourselves in the community every way possible and show listeners the value of local radio.
Bonus Questions
What was your last non-industry job?
I worked at the Pentagon ... No seriously, at the Pentagon in D.C.! I'm sworn to secrecy about the details!
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