10 Questions with ... Derrick Cole "DC"

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

• WILI/Connecticut - Nights
• WPKF/Poughkeepsie - PMD/MD
• Premiere Radio Networks - Producer/Imaging
• WKSI/Winchester - PD/Afternoons
• WLAN/Lancaster - PD/Middays
• HeartMedia Wilmington, DE - SVPP
• WKSS/WKCI/WWYZ/WBLI/WSPK and more - On-Air

1) So ... you're spending a lot more time in the car these days. Tell us about your new responsibilities.

The good thing about driving is I actually listen to the radio. As we all know, in 2017 this is something that can be difficult to do. Also, listening to new music just sounds better in the car compared to the office.

When it comes to new responsibilities ... there are a lot more meetings, calls and people! In Lancaster, it's only WLAN in the building with a small staff but in DE we have five stations, morning shows and just more people.

2) What's your strategy when you go into a new market? What's the first thing that you do?

Observe, listen and ask! I love to hear the challenges from the sales teams, concerns from programming, and figuring how things are currently set up. People don't like change ... I've experienced it every gig. So, I try to quickly get people to understand my energy and to realize I am on their side and want to win too.

3) Congrats on the Fall book. WLAN is #1 once again. What were some of the highlights?

Elvis Duran is a beast, not just in Lancaster but in markets around us. We also don't have what I've heard called the Howard Stern effect ... a dramatic drop in listeners after the show. WLAN remains strong all day long.

4) FM97 is the kind of station that can actually step out on Rock-flavored tracks, and singer-songwriter tracks. What new music like that is working for you right now?

Currently James Arthur was something that made sense for WLAN to support ... sounds great and the reaction in the market has been positive.

5) How does the radio landscape in Delaware compare to Lancaster?

I'm still learning, but Delaware is interesting. The Philly stations have a big impact, but Delaware is its own market, and the people who live and work here are Delaware media-oriented. The stations not only need to have strong content, but need to make sure they have their own identity to meet the expectations of the Delaware audience.

In Lancaster, we have shared target listeners, but WLAN owns the format in the market. With Harrisburg, Reading and even Allentown all relatively close, we use this to our advantage to partner with our other regional stations and win together when it makes sense.

6) Who handles your imaging, and what voices are you using?

Damian Rhodes, who also handles afternoons, tackles imaging for WLAN. To say he's good downplays to his abilities. Damian has an ear for imaging, and continually educates himself and adapts to imaging trends. There are days he comes into my office with imaging ideas because he's streaming other stations to find them. Chad Erikson is my male voice and brings the station a life of its own. I love his sound for FM97. Lastly, shouting out to my friend Ashley Cavaliere, iHeart/New Haven, who is my female counterpart to Chad. The combination of these two really make the station sound great.

7) Run down your line-up following the Elvis Duran morning show.

I handle the 10-2p show, which is such a disappointment following Elvis Duran. I feel bad for my listeners sometimes!

Leah Tyler has the 2-4p show and IS the demographic. She sounds great and is able to relate to who we're talking to.

Damian Rhodes does 4-8p ... Lancaster and Damian go hand and hand. He's been with WLAN over 10 years, sounds great on-air and has a connection with the audience most strive to have. I cannot tell you how many times I'm at an appearance and listeners ask "Hey, are you Damian?"

Toby Knapp (WIHT) does nights on WLAN and as a former morning show host on the station, Toby understands Lancaster and goes above and beyond localizing his show for us.

8) Who would be a "dream guest" to have on your show?

At one point I would have said David Duchovny (huge X-Files fan), but it actually happened a few years back! Right now, I would love to be able to talk to Paul McCartney, but I would want my mom to be there to conduct that interview with me.

9) Who is your favorite air personality not on your staff and why do you like them?

Kane is someone I've always loved to listen to. I first was exposed to him on Open House Party a few years back and loved how he interacted with his callers. There are surprisingly so many jocks that sound fake or forced with listeners, but Kane always made it natural.

10) What do you see yourself doing in five years? Where would you like to be?

This was always a hard question because no matter how much you try to plan your future, it is going to change. If you asked me five years ago, I can assure you the answer wouldn't be what I'm doing now and that is not a bad thing. Where would I like to be? Hopefully still doing radio!

What's the best sweeper/liner you've ever heard?

Still one of my favorites from WDAQ in Danbury, CT where I started. The station was #1 in all dayparts except night's one book so the night guy had a sweeper that said "#1 for Today's Best Variety, until 7p ... It's JoJo, on 98Q!"