10 Questions with ... Bethany Kent

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Past: 

• Promotions & Marketing Director:
  • WWKX/Providence
  • WRDW/Philadelphia
• Marketing & Events Director:
  • WQHT (HOT 97/WBLS, New York City
 
• National Promotions Director, Concerts & Experiences, Audacy

Present: 

• Director, Music Initiatives, Audacy

1. What got you into radio?

I was lucky enough to intern with a really fun team of promotions managers in Providence at 18 years old. They were all close friends, and I could see they were having so much fun while working hard to make cool things happen. I caught the bug and never looked back.

2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?

I went to ALL the concerts I could as a tween/teen and would find myself watching the production around the show unfolding as much as the actual show itself. I was mesmerized. I wanted to be the person sneakily picking fans from the crowd to be serenaded on-stage with NSYNC or the one randomly upgrading fans in the lawn at an amphitheater. Did anyone else even notice this happening? Probably not but my eagle eye was always watching these things go down. Today, the experiential piece of my job is still some of the most rewarding.

3. Your biggest personal lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic?

I don't think I was alone in wanting to focus more on quality of life in a "post-pandemic" world. For me, that meant being able to live anywhere I wanted, which for now, is back at the beach in Rhode Island near where I grew up. I also made sure to prioritize that my next career move would not only be about growth, but also be working with amazing people. My latest gig as Director of Music Initiatives on Audacy's Central Team is all of that. Chad Fitzsimmons has brought together a likeminded, brilliant crew who work hard and have each other’s backs. We are empowered and treated with respect and gratitude from the top down. I can honestly say we have a blast when we’re together producing events.

4. Your resume now includes Audacy Director of Music Initiatives. What are the key things that this new gig entails?

First off, it’s very exciting and I’m so grateful for the opportunity! I’m working with Chad Fitzsimmons, Michael Martin, and our format captains to ideate on the front end of the many events, experiential promotions, and digital opportunities we have to connect artists with our listeners in meaningful ways. I’m looking forward to connecting with label folks who are old friends and meeting those I haven’t yet worked with to make great things come to fruition. We have scale with over 200 radio stations, yet we are nimble in how we’re able to pull things off in a way that makes us easy to work with compared to our competitors. Plus, we now have a killer lineup of people lead by Brian Thorpe and Josh Pearlman on the event production and promotion execution end of things so labels and management can be confident that as we “return to live”, Audacy is going to knock it out of the park for them.

5. You’ve once listed Dan Hunt as a mentor, and I believe he is someone you consider a dear friend. What’s up with that?

Dan is one of the hardest working people I've ever met. He's a smart and passionate programmer who also understands the importance of building brands. We made amazing things happen in our WWKX/Providence days. We never let being in a smaller market with limited resources stop us. I actually think what we did then really relates to what I'm doing now. My goal is to build strong relationships with our label partners by delivering epic experiences and digital opportunities for their artists to connect in meaningful ways with our listeners.

6. Was there a specific moment or time in your career that you may have manifested a position or gig like the one you have now?

Wow, yes! I was never much of a vision board creator or manifesting type but at the very beginning of 2021, my good friend, Megan Ryte, pushed me to really imagine what my dream job would look like. When I was saying it would be something at a national level, which would allow me to live where I wanted, use my creative side to think of big things, but also travel for events, I was like "THAT DOES NOT EXIST MEG". Well, as she often is, Megan was right, and shortly after Chad Fitzsimmons reached out about joining his team. I'm not saying she's got superpowers but...

7. How did your experience at WQHT (HOT 97)/New York prepare you for your current role with Audacy?

My time at HOT 97 prepared me for ALL the things! Working with such high-level talent both on and off air gives you a chance to soak in their knowledge, swagger, and experience. I was hired by Ebro Darden and eventually reported to Charlie Morgan. Two of the greatest in our business, for sure. Plus, after producing six Summer Jams it really takes a lot to faze me. I'm solutions oriented and just keep pushing through.

8. Who was your first concert experience? What may have been your favorite concert experience?

The first concert I can really remember attending was Richard Marx with my mom and grandma. I remember he was wearing a black leather vest unbuttoned with no shirt underneath and had a wild mullet. My grandma asked if we could try to meet him at the bus afterwards. LOL. I have gotten to see SO many amazing shows over the years so these days I love seeing something unique. I was able to help produce a guitar pull for Audacy's Stars & Strings this past fall. Country folks will be very familiar with a guitar pull but for any Hip-Hoppers like myself, it's generally an 8-10 man jam event where all acts join each other on-stage at once. Our event took place on the 20th anniversary of 9/11 at Pier 17 in NYC with an audience of first responders and service members. The iconic Brooklyn Bridge was the backdrop behind the stage and the beaming towers Tribute of Light were behind the audience. It was really something special to be a part of and a night I'll never forget.

9. What do you think you’d be doing professionally if you hadn’t gone into radio?

Label side? TV production? Events? Selling lobsters off fishing boats at the docks in Rhode Island? *shrugs*

10. Do you miss the buzz of being in a busy radio station every day?

This is a tough one because I do and I don’t! I’m lucky that my job is fully remote which allows me to have some flexibility during the day and also get to work with an all-star team based all around the country who otherwise wouldn’t all be in one place. I do sometimes wish we were all together and do miss that buzz for sure. I do get to travel pretty frequently for events which helps, and I can always hop in the car and go bother Steve Salhany in Boston when I need Hot AC answers - haha.

What would you like to do better, professionally and/or personally as we move through 2022?

I’m excited for the challenge of taking on a new role and ready to make epic things happen. I'm a sponge right now taking it all in and learning from our format captains and regional programming leaders. I encourage label friends, old and new, to reach out and let me be the vessel to help connect your artist with our audience. Let's work!

I mentioned mentors earlier. Who outside of the world of radio, music and entertainment inspires you personally and professionally?

I really look up to my oldest brother. He juggles a lot between his beautiful family and a successful career. My mom always said he has charisma and I honestly think that’s helped his career a lot. He’s a hard worker for sure but also makes people feel comfortable and respected. He’s been making me laugh my whole life and we talk pretty much every day. Also, I plan to charge him $100 for this public love fest.