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10 Questions with ... Phillip David March
October 25, 2005
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NAME:Phillip David MarchTITLE:Program DirectorSTATIONS:WIZFMARKET:Cincinnati, OhioCOMPANY:Radio OneBORN:Washington, D.C. April 30thRAISED:Washington, D.C.
BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:
College Radio WERS Emerson College 1980-1983
Announcer 1983-1988 WJYL Louisville, KY
Announcer Feb. 1989-Sept.1989 KATZ St. Louis
Program Director Sept. 1989-1999 WFXE/WOKS/WKZJ Columbus, GA
Program Director WIZF Cincinnati March1999-Nov.1999
Program Director WMNX/WKXS Wilmington, NC Sept. 2001-Sept. 2003
Program Director Oct. 2003-July 2005 WHRP
Program Director Aug. 1, 2005 until now!1) What was your first job in radio?
My first job out of Emerson College was WJYL in Louisville, KY. We had a powerful on air line-up which included Tony Fields with David Michaels, Keith Landecker, Mark Gunn and myself. My influences where Bob "The Night Hawk" Terry, Bobby Bennett, Donnie Simpson, Steve Crumbly, Marc Coleman, and Paul Porter.
2) What led you to a career in radio? Was there a defining moment, which made you realize "this is it"?
I won a prize on the local radio station in DC when I was in High School and heard myself on the radio when they played the contest back on the air. The next day I went to the station to pick up my prize and I saw the gold records on the wall and all the people hanging around looking cool and I knew this is what I wanted to do.
When I hosted a concert in Louisville and I introduced myself and the crowd went wild, that's when I knew I had found my calling. I was no.1 at nights but always on the air and hadn't made a lot of personal appearances at that time.
3) If you were just starting out in radio, knowing now, what you didn't then, would you still do it?
Yes I would do it all again the same way. I learned so much and made so many friends in this crazy game. Most importantly, this is my passion! This is the gift God gave me so I share my knowledge and my talents.
4) Where do you see the industry and "The Wiz" five years from now? What's the toughest part about making the transition to Cincinnati?
Urban radio must develop talent into personalities and do it now! That is where the industry must be in 5 years in order for it to survive. When listeners have satellite radio, cable music channels for all types of music, iPods and downloading, personality will make the difference and save radio. The WIZ in 5 years will be a bigger player in the Cincinnati Culture and Lifestyle, and it will continue to knock down barriers and push for more market acceptance.
5) What's your take on radio currently? Is it as good as six months ago, better, or about the same? Elaborate.
Radio is the same as 6 months ago. In other words, it is becoming stagnant. Radio is struggling to be accepted with all the competition and record labels are letting artist push the envelope of good taste and what is acceptable. Radio needs to produce talent. We need communicators, not clowns and shock jocks with no substance. Record labels need to produce quality music and artists, not these quick hit artists that will not have longevity and will not be remembered 3 months from now.
6) What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career?
Everyday in radio poses a new challenge. No day is the same!
7) What was the transition you had to make in your new position?
The staff is much larger than what I had in Huntsville and I had to get my mental and physical pace up like I was when I first started out in radio. WIZF is very active in the lifestyle with plays, concerts and clubs something is always going on at the same time I making sure we are plugged in to the community and schedule weekly visits to the boys and girls clubs in our area.
8) Of all the skills you have gained through the years, is there an area you'd like to improve?
I love to better at delegating.
9) How well do you think today's urban broadcasters really understand Arbitron?
I believe that working for the major broadcasting companies has made urban broadcasters become more knowledgeable to keep up with demands of being successful. So the more we learn about nuances of Arbitron the better we program.
10) As you look back over your career ... any regrets? Missed opportunities?
No regrets. I've actually made friends from missed opportunities. Steve Harris, Brian Castle, Cy Young, and Doc Wynter developed friendship out of job opportunities that didn't work out for me or with the company they were working for at the time. Everything in our lives happen for a reason; it's part of a bigger plan than we can't see at the time.
Bonus Questions
What's been your biggest disappointment in Radio today?
That the new blood of radio are poorly prepared to grow and take this industry to the next level. That is the fault of the current PDs and administrators, but talent must be willing to learn before they can takeover. I find young announcers expect instant gratification and instant stardom without paying their dues.
What's the best piece of advice anyone's ever given you?
The best advice someone gave me when I got my first program director's job in Columbus, GA. "A PD is like a Baseball team manager -- you have to know each team member's strength and weakness and place them in the right position to make your team win." Once I got that analogy it was off the pennant race.
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