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10 Questions with ... Brian Ram
November 8, 2005
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NAME:Brian RamPOSITION:VP/ProgrammingSTATION:WWRX (Top 40/Rhy) and WBMW (AC)MARKET:New London, CTCOMPANY:Red Wold BroadcastingBORN:New London, CTRAISED:New London, CT
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
WQGN/NEW LONDON, CT 1988-2001
WKSS/HARTFORD 2001-2002
WKCD/MYSTIC, CT 2001-2002
WWRX/WBMW 2002- PRESENT1. What was your last non-radio job?
Nothing...I've been doing radio since I was 11.
2. You work for a small broadcasting company, Red Wolf. What advantages do you see in working with a Red Wolf-sized company?
I'm able to walk down the hall to the owner and ask for a raise. We can cut through the red tape that you typically see in corporate America now. We brainstorm, and make decisions quick, often right on the spot. I also have the ability to make many of my own decisions, and not be micro-managed.
3. In addition to being PD, you host the morning show. What's your favorite aspect of being on-air?
I love "feeling" the radio station. It's great to be right in the middle of the operation that you conduct. Besides just loving to be on the air, it's helpful to interacting with listeners, etc. I think it benefits the station, having an on-air PD. I also enjoy doing mornings with "MISS L" she and I have been friends for 15 years.
4. What's the highlight of your radio career to date?
I'd say having the success that I have enjoyed programming these two stations, while using our master plan of programming, and marketing the two stations correctly to maximize audience and revenue. We've had some copy cat stations pop up, along with 3 major tweaks on one of the Heritage stations in our market over the last few years to no avail. We have just done our thing day to day, and succeeded.
5. Beer & pizza or sushi & sake?
PIZZA AND BEER!!!!!!!!!!
6. Is there a young "Brian Ram" on your current staff?
While I have a great staff under me, it's hard to find people with the same passion for the business as I have. Some of the blame is on the industry itself. It's very much harder to start in this business now, than it was 15 years ago.
7. Who do you consider your mentor(s)?
I owe a lot to the old Q105 (WQGN/NEW LONDON) crew from back in the late 80's and early 90's. When I was a kid they showed me the ropes in the business. It's an amazing cycle that the station I grew up with is the one I'm now challenging everyday.
8. A freak gravitational shift has added three hours to everyday. What would you do with those extra three hours?
I'd spend more time one on one with my staff. Communication is key.
9. Feel free to paint with a broad brush...What would you change about the radio business?
The cookie-cutter sound of what is called today's radio. I feel that we have done a great job in making my current stations sound as local, fun, and entertaining as possible. I swear, living close to some Northeast major markets, it sucks to hear how cookie-cutter things have gotten, from small to large market radio. With satellite radio, and iPods in the news everyday, it makes me work harder the make sure my stations are top of mind, and in the eyes (and ears) of the public 24/7.
10. Which new artists do you expect to still be playing in five years?
RIHANNA, YOUNG JEEZY, CIARA
Bonus Questions
If you were to leave Radio today and you could choose any other occupation, what would it be?
I'd be a stay-at-home-dad. Let my wife work.
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