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10 Questions with ... Chris 'Hollywood' Mann
December 9, 2008
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POSITION:PDSTATION:WERO BOB 93-3MARKET:Greenville, New Bern, Jacksonville, NCOWNER:Nextmedia
1) How would you describe your first radio gig?
WNRV-AM 990, small station in my hometown. I was 15 years old and grew up in that small town in Southwest VA...Pearisburg, about 30 minutes from VA Tech, Blacksburg, VA. It was a 5,000-watter, and that was the last year that they played vinyl. Good times....
2) What led you to a career in radio?
I have never had a backup plan, and have known since I was five years old that I wanted to be in radio. I used to pretend I was a DJ, and would tape commercials off the radio and play my Mom's old 45 records. It has always been about the passion for me. I am living a dream, and I give it to God. I am very blessed.
3) How would you describe the radio landscape in your market?
We have one of the biggest geographical Arbitron Markets in the U.S. - 9,000 square miles, about 10 cites, 42 counties ... lots of diversity ... BIG! We are now the only Top 40, and at 100,000 watts, 1850 feet in the air, we are in a good position. However, that is not an excuse not to super-serve the local communities and always strive to make the station sound bigger than the market.
4) What makes your station unique?
We have really worked hard to develop the "BOB" brand over the past couple of years. Having a great consultant team, Steve Davis & Mark St. John of Zapolean Media, and our parent company, Nextmedia, headed by Steven Dinetz and Jeff Dinetz, who still believe in giving autonomy to their PDs, has been a great advantage for us and has enabled us to really serve the listeners on a local level at all angles. The fact that I have a local staff that is humble, passionate and driven helps us to deliver a superior product that is compelling, and entertaining.
5) How would you compare it to other stations you've worked at?
Well, I have tended to stay for a while at each of my stops. WXLK, K92 in Roanoke, and WAEZ in Johnson City/Bristol have each been highlights for me. Each station had its own special formula. Chris Taylor was the PD when I was a baby DJ at K92, and really gave me my first shot in the biz. That was like 10 years ago. He and Sammy Simpson gave me my first insight into the world of Top 40. Even when I was running Casey Kasem, I always felt like I was part of the team. At WAEZ, I formed some of the best friendships of my life. Gary Blake was the PD there, and was an instrumental part of my direction at that time. On my arrival to WERO, working with Don Parker and Tony Banks, and learning the trade from them was very rewarding. Their knowledge and willingness to share was critical for me. I have been lucky to have that kind of talent surrounding me to learn from.
6) What is your favorite part of the job?
I try to have fun every day. I still love being on the air, and really love working with my staff, each of whom plays such a huge role in the success of the station. The sense of team ... tackling challenges, touching listeners one on one, and seeing the fruits of our labor is what I love.
7) What is the most challenging part of the job?
With the economy and the situation many businesses are in right now, the challenge is to still deliver the same level of quality with less resources, but I like challenges. On President Ronald Reagan's oval office desk, there was a plaque that said, "IT CAN BE DONE." I like that.
8) What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?
Some people may be surprised, but not all: I am a conservative Republican ... lean more moderate on social issues, but I would love to have a beer with George Bush. lol
9) Could you give us a little insight into your on-air staff?
What can I say, I am blessed to have had and have, although small, one of the most passionate, driven, and hard working staffs in the biz! Sustained consistency in what is on the air over the past couple of years, the direction of the music, streamlining of the imaging, focus on the web platform, and being the only Top 40 in the market have all helped us achieve success.
IT IS the small, but passionate local staff that is and has been the heart and soul of the Bob 93-3 operation, and that is heard transcending the airwaves every day in the sense of team and the fun that is heard on the air. Former APD/ MD Beaver ... now Chris Michael's, PD of WABB/Mobile, whom I believe is a star in the making in the industry ... really helped guide and sculpt the sound and direction of Bob 933 over the past two years. Current APD and afternoon chica' Gina Gray is just simply a pro in all she does, and continues that trend! Gina, along with former midday girl and Promotions Director, Jamie ... current Promotion Director, Lauren McCombs, On-Air with Ryan Seacrest and a soon-to-be-announced new night person/MD will continue the evolution of Bob 93-3.
10) What would you like to do to save radio from its "dying-industry" image?
I don't really think the industry is dying. I am an eternal optimist, though. Is the business smaller, and is it changing at all levels? Yes, but I also know this: Terrestrial radio has the ability to touch people's lives, one-on-one like no other medium. If we embrace community, especially now, radio can again show us why it is still relative and worth investing in.
Bonus Questions
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
A radio DJ.
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