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10 Questions with ... Ken Johnson
June 30, 2020
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BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
On air in all dayparts, Station PD, Corporate PD, Network PD. Mkts. Boston, DC, Birmingham, NY, Philadelphia, Wilmington NC
1. Would you share information about your new station and your plans for it?
Super Serve the Audience in Philadelphia and anywhere people want to listen. I find myself very entertained listing to the music on the station.
2. What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Personally: “Class will Last”. Something my father told me. Not easy when you’re being fired but it has served me well. Professionally: “Perception is reality.” Being an Aquarian this one is hard because we generally don’t care what you think.
3. Was Radio a career by choice?
Absolutely. It is all I ever wanted to do since I knew what I wanted to do. I’ve been living my dream. They used to clown me in school for walking around campus in sweatpants with a briefcase. All that was in the brief case was a reel of tape, grease pencil and a razor blade. Dating myself, I know.
4. How challenging has it been to program during a pandemic and racial injustice protesting?
Pandemic is new. Challenges interacting with coworkers and not interacting with listeners. Furloughs, firings and the new normal. Racial injustice protesting not so much. Challenges: messaging without passion or prejudice.
5. What’s your approach to programming?
Philosophy is to entertain, inform uplift and engage. I still believe in brands.
6. Who have been influencers and mentors in your career?
Sunny Joe White, Don Daniels a PD at Greater Media, Peter Smyth former President at Greater Media, Jack Casey former PD at Greater Media, Donnie Simpson and Hector Hannibal.
7. Would you share one of the funnier things that has happened to you during your career?
Sitting with my boss at dinner in Myrtle Beach and he ordered me the Elvis special off the menu.
8. Do you see radio and its other platforms as entertainment or services?
Entertainment mainly but there are some services to what we do.
9. What other radio related projects are you working on?
Podcast, Digital content
10. What changes would you like to see made in radio and the music industry?
Autonomy at stations, a broad approach to programming to include syndication, digital department, and an investment in personalities.
Bonus Questions
What’s your ultimate goal?
Continue to do what I love at a high-level of productivity.
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