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Betsy's
Career Capsule
Oddly enough, I got the 'radio bug'
while cleaning offices at WLRY/Rushville, OH. Once I spent two years
of college figuring out what I wanted to do I landed at Mount Vernon
Nazarene University and worked at WNZR while I got my degree. After
graduation I ventured to the ‘Left Coast’ to work at KDUV FM in
California for over two years. Currently I'm at WAY-FM and loving
it!
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
Christian radio is really an animal all to its own. Where else can
you go to work, put in your time, and get things accomplished while
at the same time change lives forever? Sure... a church, or some
other Christian entity... but where else can you blend music,
artists, listeners, staff, etc into this copasetic way of getting
Jesus into the hearts of listeners from teens to grandma and grandpa
at-the-same-time?
All in all, business is just what we have to make sure keeps the
ministry alive fiscally. Its ministry that keeps the 'business' full
of integrity, heart, and passion.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago?
2003... can you believe it was only the second season of American
Idol? Yea... wow. Imagine where our prep would be without that show
and the stories for the last several seasons! In all seriousness
though, I bring A.I. up because just like they share 'real life'
stories and happenings, so too has Christian radio turned a page in
being more real, more transparent, and more in tune to technology
and how to use it in our markets.
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of a Christian
radio Promotion Director?
Aside from being wicked-creative, I'd say an important
characteristic of a Promotions Director at any station needs to be
someone that's willing and able to be a friend to the listener.
For me personally I love the 'everyone gets to play' mentality. I
don't care WHO the listener is (barring a criminal record ha!) I'll
find a way they get to 'play' and serve. One thing I learned from
Tommy Kramer and he etched in my very brain is to 'be of service to
the listener'. We do that on-air, but off-air we have to find ways
to do that too and plugging people in and letting them do their
thing along side of you is powerful.
4. What criteria do you require for a promotion to air on your
station?
There MUST be a connection to the listener. A REAL connection. Like
sending Girl Scout cookies to troops in Iraq means a lot in the
Huntsville market because of the high military presence here (one
connection) so we do 'Cookies for Troops' and tag team with the
local girl scout troops (a second connection) to make it happen.
The truth is all this 'caller #9' and 'let’s do everything on a
website form' is HIGHLY non-personal. We must, must, must share
experiences on and off air.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
(See answer 4 )
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
I've only had limited contact at this point so I'd have to critique
it later ha! Shameless plug: record reps... phone me, lets
brainstorm!
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing
Christian radio today?
Where's the next wave of talent coming from and how will we
cultivate them? I know, I know, I'm just 25, but that’s one of the
things I hear a lot of PDs and GMs I've come into contact with
lately asking and I completely agree. It’s about finding talent,
investing in them, and giving newbies a chance. I'm forever grateful
to all those that have given me a chance to play in this industry
and as someone that's been blessed by other's generous mentoring and
patience I'm all for searching far and wide for those diamonds in
the rough.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
Be a friend. Think about what the best-most-awesomest friend in your
life does and do that for your listeners.
9. What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as
innovators today?
Oh geesh, where do I start? Several of the WAY FM stations are doing
amazing things. Cobi Knight in Fort Myers is blowing my mind with
his creativity on facebook apps alone! Then there's WPOZ who has
floored me for years with what they are able to do in a market the
size of a small African country. There are truly so many stations I
could list, but truly if you are taking risks on technology and
trying new things you rock in my book!
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
If we aren't living on a Mars colony by 2013, then my best guess is
that Christian radio would have continued to grow and evolve over
that 5 year span and we'll see an influx of P1's and donors since
Christian radio has been more readily available and 'hip' to the
current teens and college students than ever before in our short
history.
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