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10 Questions with ... Jessica Green
October 15, 2019
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook, Snap: Jessica_Z925, Twitter: @Jessica_Z925, Insta: Jessica_Z925
I started out on Z92 (KZRX) in beautiful Dickinson, North Dakota on mornings and later transitioned to Co-Host of Jessie & James in the Morning on Roughrider Country 99.1 KCAD. After two years, hundreds on inches of snow (no joke) and a tornado, I decided it was time to migrate south. In 2010, I took the morning show co-host/midday position on Z92.5 (WZWZ) in Kokomo, Indiana. In 2015 I was promoted to Operations Manager for all three of our stations -- Kokomo's Z92.5 (WZWZ), ESPN Sports 1350AM (WIOU), Rock 98.5 (WMYK) -- kept mornings and dropped middays.
1. How would you describe your first radio gig?
Perfect! I learned everything. Programming, traffic, sales, how to efficiently shovel feet of snow at a time. I was surrounded by good people who allowed me to make mistakes and helped me learn from those mistakes.
2. What led you to a career in radio?
Growing up in rural Northeast Nebraska, there weren't a massive amount of options for radio. I grew up listening to KEXL and US92 out of Norfolk, Nebraska, Both stations were/are hyper local and from time to time would come and visit our small town. I loved music, and I thought radio was cool. I initially attended school for nursing, but after a year, decided to switch to radio and television production.
3. You wear plenty of "hats" on a daily basis. What's your most important time management rule?
I write everything down. I read a book called "Getting Things Done" by David Allen that taught me a specific way to organize not just my thoughts, but my projects. The key being, write everything down-everything! Once it's down on paper or in note on your phone, it's not rolling around in your head and you don't risk forgetting it or not getting it done.
Our hours can relentless, especially when the alarm goes off at 3a there is no way I can expect myself to remember everything I need to get done, when I finally accepted that, my life became easier and I became a more effective leader.
Also, sometimes it's completely appropriate to shut your door, for some of us, it's not an option every day, but it has to be an option from time to time.
4. You also host the Z92.5 morning show. How do mornings with Jessica & Ben set the tone for the station's programming day?
We live by the theme "Turn Up The Feel Good." We are a Hot AC/Top 40 station in a relatively small community (60,000 population), our goal is to have fun and be informative about what's happening in Kokomo. Our number one goal is to give people a reprieve from the daily cycle of negativity while also informing them on ways to be involved in our community, or if they need help, an outlet to provide them with information for the resources they need.
Ben is one of the funniest people I have ever met, and I'm not just saying that. We laugh constantly not just while we are on the air, but while we are off the air. He is excellent at prepping relevant content for the show, and we know each other well enough to know what buttons to push on what days. I think laughter and positivity are contagious and as corny as that sounds, I would rather make people laugh than make them cringe.
5. This is cool-during baseball season you're the on-field hostess for the Kokomo Jackrabbits (summer collegiate Northwoods League). What's been your most fun ballpark adventure so far?
It has been a continuous adventure all five seasons. The staff I work with, some since day one, make it fun and we work together well, but the real win for me is the fact that I get to interact with our listeners face to face thirty nights a year. I get to see them, they get to see me, and we develop real relationships. I get to hear about their lives and get to meet their families and build true, genuine friendships with the people I serve daily.
6. "Local local local" has always been radio's mantra. How do you keep your station visible and involved in the community?
There is no magic trick to this; you just have to be out constantly. We do this in a few ways, all of us serve on committees and boards for non-profits, which puts us with a lot of decision makers. We also go to every community event we can, fundraisers, and sporting events among other things. We all live here, which is important because I can be at the grocery store or at dinner and interact with someone who listens to the station. We're all the same, but sometimes they see us as someone special due to our platform and it's important to be kind and give your time freely to chat with people when you're out. Tip generously, say please and thank you, be nice to kids and just be the genuinely nice person that you are. Even on the bad days and even on the days where you don't want to entertain. You might not remember treating someone unkind, but they will always remember and in the social media age, they won't forget or let you forget.
7. Do the personalities on the stations all have specific social media responsibilities?
Yes, we have a point person for social media for all three stations, who plans and schedules all station content, contesting and overnight items. Every jock is responsible to post during their shows and while at events. Everyone has the freedom to post anytime if something pops up.
8. Who would be a "dream guest" that you would love to plug-in across from you and Ben on your morning show?
My first answer is Ryan Seacrest, I just asked Ben and he said the same thing...while singing Taylor Swift's "Lover" in a silly voice.
We are both big Ryan Seacrest fans, and not just because of his talent, but because of his work ethic. If you want to be the best, you have to work hard all the time.
9. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? Favorite jock?
Early on we listened to KEXL growing up, especially in the mornings getting ready for school. The Breakfast Club with Jeffrey Steffan was very popular at our house. Jeffrey was for sure my favorite, he did and still does a one man show with great content, silly impressions and is in the know on everything going on in the area. I had the chance to have lunch with Jeffrey a few years ago, and he was just as I expected, down to earth, kind and funny. I feel blessed to consider him a friend and colleague.
As time went one, I also listened to KUSO (US92) quite a bit, mostly because of the request hours. I always admired Kristy Green who did and I believe still does middays on the station, because it was nice to hear a woman consistently on the station. My cousin Lacey also works for their group doing news and social media, and that has been really fun for us to trade war stories when it comes to news and responding to the public.
10. Who were your mentors? Who would you say has influenced your career the most?
I have been incredibly blessed to have great General Managers over the years. Steve Stroud in Dickinson, North Dakota hired me when I was 20, and was incredibly patient with bad habits and on air quirks. He allowed me to learn in my own way and didn't beat me up too bad when making mistakes. Ernie Caldemone was the General Manager in Kokomo for a few years, and really gave me the confidence to be a leader. When I was unsure about my talents, he was always sure and had a tendency to push me out of my comfort zone, which I didn't always love at the time, but it made me a better jock and a stronger leader.
My consultant, Gale Parmelee, who constantly pushes me to keep moving forward, to keep things fresh and to be more creative, even when I drag my feet. It's he who has taught me radio.
Mentors would include all who I have mentioned, and also two radio old timers. The legendary Paul Quinn in Dickinson, North Dakota, and Rob Rupe who does afternoons in Kokomo. They have both been around the business longer than I have been alive. The stories they have are priceless, and the skills they have taught me are invaluable. I consider them both family.
Bonus Questions
Which character on a current TV series most reflects your personality?
Let's go with a Netflix series. Allison Brie's character on GLOW, Ruth Wilde. Minus the terrible personal life decisions (for the most part.) She lives for the job. It sounds dramatic, but she's 100% all in at all times, and I think that's admirable. Unrealistic, but admirable and that is something I battle daily. Plus she's silly, and if you can't be silly and have fun on the radio, then why do it?
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