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10 Questions with ... Maynard
August 20, 2013
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started at the legendary (may it rest in peace) Top 40 KQKQ (Sweet 98)/Omaha doing promotions and eventually full-time on-air. After that, I spent about six months in Eugene, OR at Top 40 KDUK, doing nights, music and imaging for both KDUK and the sister Rock station. From there, I transferred to Top 40 Z100/Portland as APD/MD/nights. Next, I moved to Spokane to be PD for Hot AC KZZU and Rhythmic KEZE before making the jump to Seattle, where I've been for over six years now.
1) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
I have been told that we have the most competitive and compressed market in the country, and I completely agree. When it comes to mainstream music, we have three full-signal Top 40s with very few musical differences, a couple Top 40s with smaller signals, a Dance station, and three Hot AC stations, two of which could almost report as Top 40s.
2) What makes your stations unique? How would you compare them to other stations you've worked at?
Click 98-9 is unique because during a time when Hot ACs everywhere are trying to be Top 40s, we try to remain in the Modern AC world. I personally love this type of music, and most markets continue to leave a huge gap between Hot AC and Alternative. MOViN 92.5 is unique in its history and development unlike any station that I've ever heard of. I honestly think it's one of the best-kept secrets in radio. MOViN has the same name, same voice people, and nearly all the same jocks as when we were a Rhythmic AC station, playing seven '80s or '90s songs per hour.
Successfully winning with women, we were forced to flip to Top 40 in a risky offensive battle, when CC acquired our other competitor. From that point on, it became a two-against-one station battle, which is now a three-against-one station battle. KQMV has broken PPM records for Seattle in several discrete cells over the last 12 months, while being in the most competitive environment that I'm aware of. Before sounding like I'm taking the credit, I truly am not. Our staff is like the Seattle Seahawks; stacked with talent, ambition, and incredible camaraderie and cohesiveness. We are fortunate to have aggressively gone after some of the greatest talents that had been downsized by other companies, who have turned into rock stars for us!
3) Are you wearing more "hats" than you have in the past?
Gladly! I'm always looking to take on new challenges, and further enhance my experience. I wish I had more time.
4) What are you doing social media-wise?
Our Top 40 has one of the most active Facebook pages in the nation, frequently getting 15-20% of our 60,000 person base commenting, sharing or liking our content. We have someone who heads up social media for each station, who continues to amaze me in how they use our Facebook and Twitter pages to drive page views on our websites. How do you ignore something that 75% of your audience checks multiple times per day?
5) "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
We are aggressive on the streets, doing it old school. We shake a lot of hands, kiss a lot of babies and go to the listeners; we don't wait for them to come to us. Seattle is a very large metro, so strategy is needed here as well so that we are not wasting our time and resources. Our building is filled with brand-builders, and this is another tool to help us achieve that.
6) What is your favorite part of the job?
I love to schedule music, albeit now I do it at about 1 in the morning on my couch, rather than having time to do it at work. Many in my position no longer schedule music; not only do I love it, it's way too important for me not to make it a priority.
7) What is the most challenging part of the job?
Competing against stations led by the most creative and talented people I could have ever dreaded having to go up against. Even the stations that aren't my direct competitors are stacked with legendary local talent, and programmers who I've tried to emulate, with incredible leadership qualities. The only time I am grateful to have competition this intense is when I travel to other markets, where it becomes evident that working in Seattle, where the other stations don't settle for even a second of mediocrity, has made me better in ways nothing else could.
8) What's the coolest promotion you've been involved with recently?
"Jubal's Birthday Party in Vegas." We took 120 listeners and our entire staff to Las Vegas for two sleepless nights.
9) What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
KIIS FM LA and KROQ! If I knew then that I would be in radio now, I would have paid better attention ;)
10) What music do you listen to when you're not working?
I'm always working.
Bonus Questions
What was your last non-industry job?
While working my way through college, I worked part-time in radio. During that time, I also sold and delivered chips to grocery stores, while also helping run a retail gift shop in Omaha. Working 50-60 hours a week is nothing compared to those days.
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