10 Questions with ... Jeff McCausland

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

I started my radio career in 1990 in sales and management for eight years.  I left when much of the consolidation in the '90s.  I spent 17 years in television with the local Fox affiliate and went through three ownership changes.  I returned to radio in 2015 where I was Market President for the IHeart cluster.  I joined Rocking M Media a year ago. 

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I grew up listening to Rock radio and always loved it. In college I studied English but took some advertising and marketing classes. When I graduated, I thought radio sales would be a fun way to make a living.

2. Give us some insight into the Wichita market.

Wichita has some strong heritage stations in the Country and Rock genres. There has been a lot of syndication and outside voicetracking added as companies have reduced headcounts.

3. Tell us about the stations you oversee as GM.

Our company acquired four stations in the market over the last three years. BOB-FM (KIBB) is our Adult Hits station. It has been a stalwart in the market for several years. We are developing three new stations. We have country station (Kansas Country - KKGQ) that plays '90s-based music with a heavy dose of Red Dirt. We just launched a Classic Hip-Hop station, 92.7 The Blast (KWME). The market loves it. Our Triple A station is Flight 100.5, which we launched last December.

4. What prompted you to do offer a Triple A station?

I have been a big fan of the format for many years. When we started analyzing the market, it was apparent there was a real opportunity for the format here. The response from listeners has been terrific.

5. How would you describe the music on KVWF?

We've been on the air less than a year, so it is really still evolving. I feel we have a nice blend of new and established music. We try to pay tribute to good songs that didn't get the radio play they deserved. Our listeners are telling us they appreciate our different approach with the deeper cuts, a larger play list and local music. They really trust us to introduce them to new and unfamiliar music.

6. Besides you, who else is directly involved in programming KVWF?

Our on-air team: Greg, Brent and Mark. We are all different ages and have different tastes and backgrounds. We vet all the music as a team.

7. Do you offer any specialty programming?

We don't currently.

8. What are your biggest challenges as an independent broadcasting company?

Limited resources. We are a small family-owned company that is growing quickly. Our team is made up of folks who wear many hats. They have to be dedicated and creative.

9. What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?

We are an underrated medium. I have seen seismic changes in media during my 30-year career. I have watched the Internet completely change the newspaper and television business models. Radio continues to be relevant and effective in a world of streaming, smartphones and satellite radio. As station operators, I think we need to stay hyper-local.

10. Fill in the blank: I can't make through the day without ....

... music! I am always listening to music on the radio, my phone, computer and smart speakers. I listen everywhere: home, car, work, gym, golf course.

Last non-industry job:

I sold suits at a men's clothier right after college. My first radio boss came into the store on a sales call. He hired me two weeks later.

First record ever purchased:

My first 45 was "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder; first album was "Rock & Rollover" by KISS

First concert:

Uriah Heep at age five. My mom was a hippie.

Favorite band of all-time:

I couldn't name one favorite, but I have probably been listening to the Rolling Stones for as long as I can remember.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time away from work?

Working in the garden, playing golf and spending time in Colorado.