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10 Questions with ... Vinny Brown
June 5, 2007
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NAME:Vinny BrownTITLE:OMSTATION:WBLS-FM & WLIB-AMMARKET:New YorkCOMPANY:Inner City Broadcasting CorpBORN:Queens, NYRAISED:Queens, NY
Please outline your radio career so far.
Programmed stations in Hartford; Raleigh; Pittsburgh; Washington, DC; and New York.
1) What was your first programming job in radio?
Hartford, Connecticut.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I started out as a musician. I play saxophone. One day I happened to visit Gary Byrd, who at that time was doing nights at WWRL early on. From there I was hooked.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes, definitely.
4) Describe your programming background?
As an air talent I had experience not only in Urban radio, but also Contemporary Hit radio [Top 40], Rock and both mainstream and Urban AC.
5) How do you account for the fact that you have spent most of your career programming in New York?
I know radio, and I know the market. I am a native New Yorker.
6) Where do you see the industry and yourself five years from now?
Hopefully we will continue to grow.
7) Of all the things that might be available to make your job easier, what would you like the most?
I'd like to have more time to get more things done. It would be nice to be able to do more research with a larger sample base.
8) Are you wearing more hats this year than last?
I think any of us who are involved in programming in major markets are being forced to wear more than one hat.
9) WBLS has had tremendous ratings success this year. How do you account for the overall improvements?
We have a good team. We work hard. Steve Harvey has given us a good lead in with his morning show. The rest are secrets that I've learned over the years.
10) What do you view as the most important issue facing radio today?
Probably Arbitron's switch to the Portable People Meter (PPM).
Bonus Questions
What are some of the accomplishments you have achieved in your long and storied career?
Well, for 20 years, I've been fortunate to be able to program in New York, which is the #1 market in the country.
In addition to that, you've received recognition from both community and civic organizations.
Yes, I've been recognized three times by the NAB. I received the 2000 Salute to Excellence award, and I received the Living Legend Award in 2001. And most recently I was nominated by Radio & Records for the 2006 Industry Achievement Award for "Program Director Of The Year."
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