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10 Questions with ... Mia Mance
June 27, 2023
Have an opinion? Add your comment below. Does being a mom influence your management style now?
YES, being a mom, you just have less time for BS. Everything is calendared, planned, sent through filters of is this good for the station, the community, for the people you are talking to every day.-
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started with FOX Sports as an intern while attending the University of Arizona. We covered two radio shows, a TV show and college game day coverage with ESPN. After college, I returned home to Atlanta and randomly met 95.5 The Beat while they were out at a remote, I asked if they were hiring on their promo team as I was doing promo modeling around Atlanta and one week later, I was hired by THE BEAT. From there Austin at the Beat helped me get On Air and do my first aircheck, which led to my nightly feature called the Hip Hop Headlines and led to a weekend show- THANKS MAVERICK AND LEE CAGLE. From there, Phil Becker put me on full time at WJFX in Ft. Wayne, IN in middays, then moved me to afternoons where we had record breaking listenership! I got picked up by Janice Whittemore and Big Dog to become the MD/Middays at KTLA in Fargo, ND. Made a major market jump from Fargo to Minneapolis when Tony Fly and Sam Elliott picked me to lead middays on the NEW 96.3 NOW, which led to TV on the CW and lots of visits to Hollywood for red carpets with MTV and E!. From there I took a brief break from Radio, messed around in independent Radio and then bounced back to Bismarck, ND taking on my first Program Director gig for KKTC (HOT 97.5) where we killed it in ratings and revenue. iHeart came calling and I got picked up to cross the street and lead KYYY (Y93) which was the competing Top 40 station in the market. In Bismarck, ND I got the call from Gabe Reynolds and Tony Lorino to be a part of what they were building on WXYY and 10 years later I am still in Savannah leading WXYY.
1. What got you into radio?
Simple, I LOVE music and people! My mom and I blasted the Radio everyday, especially growing up on V-103 in Atlanta.
2. What did you dream of becoming when you were a kid?
A performer- I was the kid in every musical, theatre, dance recital, choir. I spent a lot of time on stages as I was growing up.
3. What would you like to do better as an air personality and programmer in 2023?
I would like, through my work, remind people that LOCAL RADIO STILL MATTERS! No one else is going to show up to the family event, the business ribbon cutting, the fundraiser for women or kids, no one else is going to scream and post about your business the loudest, no one else is going to know your kids' names, shout out the local high schools, local heroes or events happening in your own zip code.
4. Does being a mom influence your management style now?
YES, being a mom, you just have less time for BS. Everything is calendared, planned, sent through filters of is this good for the station, the community, for the people you are talking to every day. I maximize every work hour and my child goes to events, comes to the station, people follow her and want to include her in promotional events.
5. What would probably surprise most people about living and working in Savannah?
Savannah is one of the best cities in the world- The People, The Culture, The Creativity, The Generosity, The Arts, The Music Scene, Fashion Scene, Food Scene and living next to the beach well that is the GOOD LIFE!
6. If you weren't in radio, what do you think you'd be doing professionally?
Making people smarter in life and media.
7. Got any hobbies?
Yes, I am a gym rat. Five days a week you can catch me at Planet Fitness. Hey, Planet Fitness, read this and please let me endorse you!
8. If you could be on any TV reality show or game show, which would you want to be on?
The Kardashians, just so Kris Jenner could make me a billionaire brand.
9. American Idol, The Voice or America's Got Talent?
Idol!
10. Who were/are some of your mentors, both in radio and outside of radio?
Great question, I think my greatest career advocates have been John Austin, Maverick, Lee Cagle, Phil Becker, Janice Whittemore, Gabe Reynolds and Aaron Wilborn. They really have a deep understanding of the business of Radio, while also still having fun and keeping up with the constant evolution to keep our work relevant.
Also, shout out to my husband, Attorney Chad Mance he is a brilliant businessman, his business savvy has made me a better businesswoman.
Bonus Questions
If you had to eat one type of meal every day for a month, what would it be?
SUSHI, hands down if there is a meeting or interview with sushi I will be there.
You are alone and stuck on a deserted island. You have a ton of batteries and a portable entertainment center featuring a DVD/CD player. You only have 3 movies and 3 albums for the next 3 months. What 3 movies and cds would you want on hand?
Movies
1)Pretty Woman
2)Goonies
3)Purple Rain
Music
1)Prince "Purple Rain"
2)Michael Jackson "HIStory"
3)Mariah Carey "Greatest Hits" -
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