10 Questions with ... Marc “Mookie” Kaczor

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

First of all. I feel fortunate to be doing what I love. It has been an absolute blessing to have worked exclusively in the Southern California market. It’s been fun. It’s been a wild ride.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I was never a good student. Couldn’t find a passion in anything until college radio. Before the music bug got me, I wanted to get into sports broadcasting. My first gig was actually reporting on traffic. In my formative years at Clear Channel San Diego, I saw so many talented on-air folks in one building. DJs like Marco Collins, Hilary Doneux, Steve West, Mojo Nixon, Xavier the X-Man, Jesse Lozano, Mat Bates, Chris Cantore, Tim Pyles and others REALLY inspired me.

2. How long have you been at 88.5? Tell us about how you rose through the ranks to PD.

I’ve been with 88.5 FM (KCSN) for almost 6 years. The larger-than-life Sky Daniels initially brought me in as Music Director, but I definitely had my eye on the station for a few years before that. Even when I was working at KPRI San Diego, I desperately wanted to join the team. I mean… a cool non-comm in the San Fernando Valley? I was sold! Public radio is definitely where it’s at.

It’s surreal to think that I’m now programming the station. We’ve done a lot with the station in a short period of time. I’m proud that we’re raising the profile of the brand, both within the industry and within the market. Our identity has become that of an exciting, modern leaning Triple-A station.

3. You mentioned you conducted a market research study in the past year. What did you discover a about your audience that you didn’t know?

The research was intense. The most favorable music genre was “Classic Alternative.” To an extent, that’s already our center lane. Local music was favorable in the research too.

4. How have you adjusted your programming to enhance what you learned?

Programming is getting a bit tighter. Library cuts are getting a bit familiar. Several staff members, including myself are currently working behind the scenes on some very exciting and innovative things. That’s all I’m at liberty to say. Stay tuned. It’s going to be fun!

5. Los Angeles is an incredibly music rich market. How much do you focus on Local talent? In what ways do you give them exposure?

We are artist advocates. Listen to our “Local Spotlight” feature on the midday show. 4 times a day, every single day, we sell the sizzle out of the local bands. That’s local, independent music right in the middle of the day. The word is getting out and my inbox is flooded with submissions.

We also feature local music on The Nic Harcourt Morning show with Jet, LA Buzzbands with Kevin Bronson, We Found New Music with Grant Owens, Americana Matinee with Kat Griffin and other specialty shows. Localism is baked into the cake of The Independent 88.5 FM.

6. You mentioned how Pop-Up Pledge drives were a new way of driving revenue. Tell us how you came up with the idea and how it works?

Underwriting almost completely dried up because of COVID. It was tough. Everyone had it rough, but even at the height of the pandemic, our members really stepped up for us.

We’re now doing several 4 day “pop-up” pledge drives per year. Each drive features a sweepstakes prize, station gear, a limited-edition shirt or hoodie or vinyl compilation or knickknack or widget or sprocket. We have it down to a science.

“All good music. None of the bad news.” That message has really resonated with our listeners over the past couple of years. 88.5 FM will always try to serve music fans by being an oasis. It’s an obligation.

7. Do you have any special events or experiences for your 88.5 members?

Pre pandemic we were really humming along with “88FIVE LIVE” events for members only. Our rolodex is filled with local venues and club owners. Pixies, Seratones, Sharon Van Etten, Andrew Bird, Liz Phair at venues like Hotel Café, No Vacancy and Amoeba. We even put Anderson East on a yacht in Marina del Rey. Live music is part of the fabric of 88.5 FM.

During the pandemic we went virtual. We created the “Hear At Home” interview series and the “88FIVE LIVE at Home” sessions. We’ve created SO MUCH DIGITAL CONTENT. It’s incredible. All content drops on Twitter, IG, Facebook, YouTube, 885fm.org and a number of podcast platforms.

8. What new artists are you most excited about?

I like Sam Morrow.
I like Aaron Frazer.
I like Shungudzo.
I like a lot of Neo-Soul.
My wife hates it when I run around the apartment singing Chaise Longue by Wet Leg. In her defense, I do it often.

9. What do you see as the most prominent issue public radio is facing today?

We need to counter program against the cookie cutter, corporate consolidation of those big media companies. Stations are already doing this. We need to adapt. We need to bring the demo down and win over the youth.

Let’s focus on localism and community. It’s not good enough to just have an FM signal anymore. Non-commercial stations now have to be content curators and content creators. Get your APP right. Is your smart speaker command easy to remember? Is your station producing original video content?

10. What has been your biggest career highlight?

Getting nominated for Program Director of The Year at the Boulder conference in 2021 was cool. It made me feel accepted into the Triple-A community.

Bringing my daughter to the station to see her first live session. She was just a baby. Courtney Barnett performed.

Seeing Metallica at The Fonda.

There are more… but those instances are memorable.

Do have any local charities or humanitarian organizations you are passionate about?

Jewish Family Service and Food Not Bombs.

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

I’m an avid in-line skater. I also follow the NBA and MLB. Love baseball.

Silver lining of the pandemic?

Definitely working from home and spending so much great family time with my wife and daughter. We laugh. We dance. We have fun!

Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _____?

Several cups of coffee. My wife and I are really into Ethiopian beans right now.