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Cari's
Career Capsule
1995 KBUY-FM (board-op),
1996-1997 KACV-FM (college air talent),
1998-2000 KWLD (college station manager, music director, air
talent), 1999 WRRS-FM (intern), 2000-2002 Metro Networks, Westwood
One (news bureau chief, anchor), 2000-2003 WQEN-FM (morning show
producer, air talent), 2003-current WDJC-FM (promotions director,
air talent)
1.
Personally how do you keep the ministry in the “business”?
First, prayer! Second, personal
appearances. "Face time" with our listener is good to keep "why we
do what we do" in perspective. Responding to listener calls and
emails also play an important role in keeping ministry in focus.
2. Overall, how is Christian radio different today, from 5 years
ago?
Christian radio is more focused on providing an intimate connection
with our listener. Music is important, but she has a MILLION other
methods to get music. However, Christian radio's personal connection
to her is irreplaceable. I feel like our industry sees the value in
that now, better than five years ago.
3. What do you think are the main characteristics of a Christian
radio Promotion Director?
Integrity, creativity, team mentality, and organization. Promotions
Directors should serve their listener with the proper agenda and in
a memorable manner. Being a team player is also paramount. Without
team input, nothing I do would be successful. I am surrounded by
talent and I love to use my resources! Projects that include our
entire team make me beam with pride, because our team beams with
ownership of the project's success.
Promotions Directors are a strange breed in that we need to be
detail-oriented and creative, a total dichotomy. If you're not
strong in details, you need a team member who is working very
closely with you, who is.
4. What criteria do you require for a promotion to air on your
station?
First and foremost, it has to serve our listener. Secondly, it has
to promote our station.
5. What kind of promotions work best for Christian radio?
Community related promotions works best for Christian radio.
Listeners expect community service from our format and they respond
well to it. Artist-driven promotions also work well because our
listener shares something in common with the artists by
default...faith. When a listener spends even a little bit of quality
time with an artist, the listener's love for that artist and the
radio station then runs very deep and wide.
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
Building and maintaining relationships with Promotions Directors
as much as they do Music Directors. See above.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
The immediate gratification of ipods and myspace. Our music is very
accessible...and on-demand. We have to be better, and more, than a
music player for our listener.
8. What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio
air personality?
To
connect with our listener. That means laying our ego aside and
surrendering to service. Everything we do on the air should be
defined by how it serves our listener.
9. What Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators
today?
When I travel, I
LOVE listening to Air1. Their overall sound...from music, to
imaging, to content...is solid. They are relevant with ministry at
the forefront. And I have mad respect for
WPOZ-FM. They're kicking butt and taking mainstream names.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
In
five years, gone will be the days of, "How do we keep listeners from
switching the channel?" The question will more likely be, "How do we
keep listeners from choosing (insert technology) over radio?"
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