Isaac Fineman Interview 3-4-16
Isaac Fineman
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
The Heart Share Group, LLC
Career Capsule: Isaac has nearly twenty years of experience in sales, marketing, and leadership development. Throughout his career, he’s been privileged to be a part of winning teams that have launched successful initiatives in both business and ministry. Isaac is a consummate people person and possesses a natural skill for helping The Heart Share Group’s clients connect with their audience. Born into a military family from the Space Coast of Florida, commitment and creativity runs through Isaac’s blood. Simply put, Isaac Fineman has the skill, the drive, and the heart to see your organization achieve its full potential.
- Isaac, Tell us what’s new at Heart Share, new with you… etc?
At The Heart Share Group, LLC, we are excited about the new year and the new opportunities that it will bring. We are called to empower Christian nonprofits to meet their full potential. Christian radio is a big part of our business model and we are privileged to serve alongside some of the best leaders in the industry.
2. Tell us about your role at Heart Share?
I am the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. My role is to come alongside our ministry partners and assist them developing in three major areas within their organization: marketing, fundraising, and leadership development. Our team at Heart Share does this through various strategies, campaigns, trainings, etc. Another responsibility that I have is helping our president, Jack Eason, steward our team well. We have some incredible team members and are about to bring on some sharp interns for the Summer. We strive to be a “product of the product” by modeling for our clients what we teach them to do within their organizations.
- Regarding your career, what are you most proud of?
I’ve been blessed to work for several fine radio stations from my first radio job, a small, local AM news/talk/sports station, to working for a successful Clear Channel Media cluster, to working for one of the Southeast’s most popular networks. And of course, I’ve worked in all kinds of roles in radio. I am most proud of and most thankful for my parents who laid a tremendous foundation for me to know and love the Lord Jesus Christ. He’s been so faithful through career transitions and in life in general. All glory and honor goes to him!
- What is the ONE thing you must have everyday to do your job?
Technology. DUH! 🙂 No, seriously though…faith. I mean, not to sound hyper-church, my faith in Christ is paramount to my ability to be in relationship with God and to serve others. One of my favorite verses of Scripture is Acts 1:8 which says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” I am lying to myself, my team, and those we partner with if I don’t recognize my constant need for faith and the power of the Holy Spirit in my life.
- Where will future Christian radio air talent come from?
It’s sad to me to see so many Christian colleges with radio ministries selling off their assets. Not only does that affect local Christian radio, but it also means that current and future generations may not have the same opportunities that many of us have had — the privilege to lay the foundation necessary to launch our career and ministry.
Future talent will come from visionaries that are willing to do what is necessary to invest into the next generation. Where are the leaders?
Have you and I taken the time necessary to find one or two folks to mentor and disciple? Some of my greatest “life lessons” have been learned through mentors that made the time to pour themselves into me — walking through life together. It has meant so much to me and now I am privileged to give that gift to others.
Side note: Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that colleges are teaching students all they need to know for real life, their careers, and the realities and challenges of ministry. It’s going to take ministries 3X the amount of work that it used to in order to produce the results they’ve enjoyed in the past. Ministry is messy. It takes time and money. That said, it’s eternally worth it.
- Do you feel syndication is good or bad for Christian radio?
It depends. We know the challenges that many small and medium market stations face. Syndicated programming, when formatted and imaged well, can be a great addition. Local should always be a station’s goal.
- Generally speaking to the industry what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio?
There are several. Some of my thoughts can be seen in my response to Question #5.
- Who are your radio heroes and influences? and why?
I love Christian radio. I thoroughly enjoy listening to the big stations that sound sharp, have tight playlists, and have developed a solid brand. But as for heroes…my heroes are the small to medium market “Mom and Pops” and even “Grand Mom and Grand Pop” stations that have paid their dues and have survived and “get it.” “It” being good radio. They offer solid, local Christian ministry to their audiences. They may not always have the biggest budget and the best imaging, but they have huge hearts for God and strive every day to serve him and his people. And most of all, they connect with their audience by being visible in the community and they don’t settle for status quo — they constantly innovate.