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10 Questions with ... Mikey Fuentes
April 18, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. What is it about TCR that makes the show, and its other programs stand out?
TCR's mission has always been to deliver more than the other shows. On top of having a show that's consistently entertaining with great character development, we provide over 300 videos per year that affiliates can use native to their stations' social media.-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
KFMB/San Diego, CA - First commercial radio gig/Jack-Of-All trades
KPSI/Palm Springs, CA - Late Nights
KKSS/Albuquerque, NM - APD/Nights
KISV/Bakersfield, CA - MD/Nights
KKSS/Albuquerque, NM - PD/Mornings
KFMB/San Diego, CA - Nights/Imaging
KYLZ/Albuquerque, NM - PD/Mornings
KWIE/Riverside, CA - KISS - PD/Mornings
KVIB/Phoenix, AZ - PD/ Mornings
KZON/Phoenix, AZ - Mornings
KWYD/KSRV/KPDA/KQLZ- Impact Radio Group (now Iliad) – Boise, ID – Dir./Programming
KKFR/KMVA/KOAI - Riviera Broadcasting - Phoenix, AZ – Dir./Programming
KSAS/Boise, ID - PD/Middays
TINO COCHINO RADIO syndication
1. What got you started in radio?
I grew up listening to B100, Q106 and Jammin Z90 in San Diego, back then those stations had phenomenal personalities on them. The jocks had the ability to make an emotional bond with the listeners and as the saying goes "women wanted to be with them and men wanted to be like them"...hahaha
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
At the age of 8, my class went on a field trip to a TV station that happened to be a TV/AM/FM combo with the call letters KFMB (see career synopsis for poetic justice). From that moment, I knew I wanted to be on the radio.
3. How natural was the transition from radio programmer to affiliate relations?
Extremely natural mainly because the affiliate portion started out as me just talking to my programming friends about this great show that could benefit their stations.
4. Ever miss the day-to-day programming of a radio station?
No, because in addition to handling the business side of the syndication, I'm also the PD/Coach for the show. I get a taste of the FUN programming stuff without having to wear 20 hats and deal with all the challenges that programmers face in 2023.
5. What is it about TCR that makes the show, and its other programs stand out?
TCR's mission has always been to deliver more than the other shows. On top of having a show that's consistently entertaining with great character development, we provide over 300 videos per year that affiliates can use native to their stations' social media.
6. If you had to work in an entirely different field from radio, what do you think you'd be doing?
Our industry has changed so much but I love radio and feel privileged to be an active part of the evolution necessary to make it viable...so this is a tough question for me, but If I must answer I would probably turn my real estate investment hobby into a full time job.
7. Got any hobbies now that you've got all of this free time?
HAHAHAHA... Between the business side, coaching the show and retaining over 60 affiliates in addition to developing the new TCR PLUS+ weekend show this is almost a full-time job. In my free time I entertain myself by working out, playing with my car collection, and flipping real estate.
8. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
The TCR crew would be hilarious on Family Feud. It's highly likely that we would get kicked off the show based on our ridiculous answers.
9. What do you think the keys are to maintaining relationships with stations, programmers and programming decision makers?
Having a genuine interest in addressing affiliate challenges takes relationships to the next level. Honesty and results are a must.
10. I always ask about mentors but I want to change it up a little. You programmed stations for a long time. Who were some of the record promotion executives and staff that may have been mentors for you as you moved into affiliate relations?
Michael Lieberman is an out of the box thinker and has always been a great sounding board. I've always been impressed by Gary Spangler and his ability to see the big picture. Rick Sackheim is a great example of how to develop relationships. Dontay Thompson and I like to look over the horizon from time to time. I've been fortunate to learn from all of these execs.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
Mexican all day. I'm a professional at Mexican food.
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