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10 Questions with ... Jill Weindorf
November 16, 2009
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
I started my career in concurrent positions with WEA Distribution and Elektra Records while in college at Arizona State University.
1. What got you interested in the record business?
Crazy love for recorded and live music.
2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?
WPLJ/New York, when I was growing up in Jersey
3. What may surprise people the most about the Concord Records Group?
The diversity and depth of the catalog and current roster is astounding. Our catalog encompasses everything from Pablo, Milestone and Prestige Records on the jazz tip to a huge Urban roster, including the legendary Stax label. We also have Fantasy Records, which counts "Charlie Brown Christmas" and the entire Creedence Clearwater Revival catalog, all in addition to an A+ list of Adult Contemporary/Smooth AC artists. Then we have the Starbucks partnership label, Hear Music, which is everything from Paul McCartney, John Mellencamp and James Taylor to newcomers like Anjulie.
4. Where do you get your greatest pleasure in doing record promotion?
I enjoy different aspects of my job for different reasons. I am amazed by how hardworking and dedicated my staff continues to be, so I really love that interaction -- the creative process of introducing the artists to radio. It takes a lot of planning some times. Recent campaigns with new artists like Anjulie and N'Dambi have been great challenges and have already begun to show the promise that we already knew they had. Bottom line: It's the chase that lights me up, and to be able to work with people who are so darn good at what they do. We have a lot of heart!
5. What are some of your biggest challenges as an independent record label?
Our challenges are not unlike those of a major-owned label. We struggle with the level of risk it sometimes takes to compete in this economic downturn ... just like everyone else.
Having worked for both I don't feel much difference. I actually think I like being indie better, though; it seems sweeter when we win.
6. What kind of tactics do you use to effectively compete with the majors?
I don't have a field promotion staff. I have two nationals and a coordinator whose job description includes a tag line of, "...and whatever else needs to be done!" So I hire a select group of indies to help support our airplay efforts. I also really just try to know my audience. When I'm calling a radio station or a video outlet, I try to be as knowledgeable as I can be. I'm respectful of people's time and am pretty enthusiastic. I don't know if these are "tactics" .... more like just good business practice.
7. Biggest change that you'd like to see in the business?
For record companies, we should release fewer records, make them better and support them longer. Every label I've worked for has the expectation or, at minimum, the craving that aspires fast and profitable results, yet the majority of the most successful projects I've ever worked have been products of slow-build marketing campaigns.
For radio, I'd like to give them all a hug, a lollipop and a sense of serenity for more than a moment. The pressure on them is massive. I also think that corporate national programming is a mistake. Local programming makes better radio. It's the way that radio will differentiate themselves from satellite, CDs, and iPods. Being members of the community with real live jocks on the air, playing music that reflects the market would be a big change I'd love to see.
8. Where do you see the industry five years from now?
Digital service providers and social networking will not be "rising;" it will be the main consumption point for entertainment. Physical CDs will continue to decline. The artist 360-deal will continue to flourish, but the labels will figure out how to maximize them.
9. What's the wildest thing you ever did to get "the add" at a station?
I'm not giving away my trade secrets here!
10. What is your best advice for up-and-coming promotion reps?
Be patient. Be respectful of people's time. Understand that we are in a relationship-based business and that it will take time for your relationships to develop, but if built correctly, they can serve you well in good times and bad.
Bonus Questions
Who are your mentors?
These have been the major ones: Suzanne Berg and Brad Hunt both taught me the fundamentals of radio promotion and gave me a shot when I was just a kid with some promise and too much energy. For that I will always be thankful.
David Neidhart was tremendous in helping me make the transition from a great promotion person to an actual promotion executive. He helped me develop and broaden my skill set and was an amazing role model for me.
Most recently: Margi Cheske and Erica Farber
Last Non-Industry Job:
Customer service rep for Albertson's grocery store
First Record Ever Purchased:
"The Wild, The Innocent, and the E Street Shuffle" by Bruce Springsteen
First Concert:
The Winnie the Pooh Review
Favorite Band Of All-Time:
Bruce Springsteen
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