Brandwidth On Demand

  Elaina Smith has become one of the strongest women performers in radio. While working at Entertainment Tonight and The Insider in L.A.,  Elaina found her true passion was radio when she got an opportunity to work with San Diego's wildly popular Dave, Shelly & Chainsaw morning show. She caught the bug and never looked back. Since then, Elaina has hosted shows in San Diego, Florida and now over 100 stations simultaneously on NASH Nights Live each night.  Most recently her "With Elaina" has been added to the Westwood One lineup. Elaina is a Gracie Award-winning broadcaster, who recently added “actress” to her resume when she was asked to appear as herself on the series Nashville. You might also recognize her voice as the newest addition to the ACM Awards announcing team on CBS along with radio co-host Shawn Parr. Elaina is also the host of the popular “Women Want to Hear Women” podcast.   Complete show notes at www.brandwidthondemand.com  

Steve Reynolds spent most of his career doing morning radio. When the time came to transition professionally, he made the commitment to help talent stay relevant, real, and entertaining. Steve emphasizes the art of connecting with and entertaining the audience, focusing on what motivates the audience to return to a show each day, and the prep it takes to stay successful. Please check out his complete bio and links in the Show Notes.   http://reynoldsgroupradio.com/ http://www.brandwidthondemand.com        

You probably know the name Rob Barnett from his high─profile stint as President of Programming for CBS Radio, which is just the tip of the iceberg.  Rob Barnett Media is a strategic content partner delivering talent, development & audience to networks, producers & brands. He’s hired and developed A-list talent and launched original series at MTV, VH1, CBS, and Audible/Amazon. He also founded one of the first online studios and networks for ten years: My Damn Channel. His complete bio and links to some of his impressive creations are in the show notes. www.brandwidthondemand.com

Ryan Wild is the PD at Emmis Radio’s HANK-FM in Indy.  After an impressive run at Milwaukee’s KTI Country, and Omaha, where he served as operations manager for NRG Media’s Sweet 98, Power 106.9 and The Keg, Ryan shares his views on what ingredients make a winning brand in any size market. In this episode, Ryan candidly shares his experiences on both sides of the radio hiring desk, as well as the ‘secret sauce’ that has been a common thread in making him one of the most loved, respected and feared PD’s in radio today. Complete Show Notes: www.brandwidthondemand.com

Dave Beasing has programmed some America's most innovative radio stations including The Sound, and Star 98.7 in Los Angeles.  (He’s also the PD who gave Ryan Seacrest his first full-time radio job!) Dave advised hundreds of media properties – radio, TV, cable, web – as Senior Consultant at Jacobs Media Strategies. Now as technologies evolve, Dave’s creativity keeps him in the middle of the action as the founder of Sound That Brands. Key Takeaways you won't want to miss: (2:30)  Dave discusses what radio can learn from the current explosion of podcasting and shares insights from the most recent Podcast Movement in Philadelphia. (3:22) Tips on how radio can use podcasting to create smart solutions for radio advertisers, without hurting your station brand. (4:18) Dave outlines the best ways to roll out and execute an online strategy, and offers four steps for radio stations to catch if they’ve fallen behind ─ even if t don’t have unlimited resources. (5:10) The ONE lesson on-air talent should ALWAYS keep i

Beverlee Brannigan exudes a passion for radio. Local radio. From on-air to PD to Group VPP to GM, she's always worked hard to connect listeners and advertisers with the communities served by each brand. She has always demonstrated that it's the job of each station brand to make a difference in its market. No surprise she's assembled an inspired group of air talent, entertainers, content producers, sales professionals, journalists, and leaders. Beverlee is widely considered by the industry to be a trailblazer for women in Country Radio and is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards.  Now as SVP/P for Summit Media, and President/GM of their six-station cluster in Wichita, she brings her award-winning insights to us! Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:  (3:26) Beverlee discusses the one thing may have held back her career progress, and why it didn’t! (4:09) A key difference between how men and women approach professional advancement, and lessons EVERYONE can learn from it.  (6:50) The key trai

Some of radio's top performers share lessons they’ve learned along the way, that they WISH someone had told them when they were first starting out. Hear from top stars like  Cadillac Jack, Morning host - KICKS 101.5,Atlanta Dede McGuire, Nationally syndicated morning host – K104/Dallas & Compass Media Drew Lee, Morning co-host – KTLK, Twin Cities JT the Brick – Las Vegas Sports Network & The FAN Jay Philpott, PD – KLOVE 105, Minneapolis Jill Strada, OM – Cox Radio/Miami Jim O’Hara, OM and WLLR Midday Host – IHeart Radio, Quad Cities, IA Jonathan Drake, OM and Mix 9X.X Afternoon host – Saga Communications, Champaign, ILTop Karen Dalessandro, Afternoon host – 96.5 WKLH, Milwaukee  Show notes at www.brandwidthondemand.com  

As we explored in Brandwidth, if you were to start a radio station today, you’d want it to be TECHNOLOGICALLY in synch with rapidly changing consumer capabilities.  You’d need to be CREATIVELY in synch with all co-branded platforms.  Importantly, Innovation is the only sustainable strategy for creating long-term value.  Neal Sabin and Rick O’Dell are doing just that. Neal serves as President of Content and Networks of Weigel Broadcasting. There, he’s been instrumental in creating numerous networks including Decades, ME-TV and ME-Too, and now MeTV-FM radio, which has taken Chicago by storm and is now available as a syndicated format. He also oversees the company’s TV stations in multiple markets  Rick O’Dell is the consummate Chicago radio veteran, perhaps best known for as Chicago’s pre-eminent authority on smooth jazz programming, as the longtime Program Director of WNUA. Previous stops included soft-AC WCLR, and he now oversees programming on the soft rock/oldies station branded as Me-TV FM. Together, t

Sean Ross is a fan of radio programming and content in every form and on all platforms. He’s VP of music and programming for Edison Research, working on audience research in all formats and around the world. He also provides programming consulting and music scheduling to more than a dozen stations throughout North America. He’s also the author of the influential Ross On Radio column in Radio Insights.  His writing also appears in Billboard, the RAIN Newsletter, Radio-Insight and other notable publications. In his spare time, Sean also authors liner notes for compilation and greatest hits releases and is a recognized industry expert on music and radio who has been quoted in USA Today, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, NBC, the Associated Press and numerous other news organizations.  Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:   (1:50) The trends Sean sees on the horizon for radio stations and listeners.  (2:44) A preview of the way Sean

Last time, Heather Cohen of The Weiss Agency shared insights on what it takes to get the attention of an agent when going for 'the big gig'. (If you missed it, we encourage you to click over to Episode #085 first.) This time Heather continues sharing insights with an episode focused primarily on The D.I.Y. Negotiator -- those who may not yet be ready, or in the market for, agency representation. Whether you learn some new tips, tricks and techniques or are just reminded of things you may have forgotten, we trust that the knowledge shared in this episode can help you achieve greater success! Complete Show Notes: www.brandwidthondemand.com

Heather Cohen is Executive Vice President of The Weiss Agency, a broadcast talent agency which represents and develops the careers of many of the industry’s most successful local and syndicated personalities. Heather joined the Weiss Agency directly from GreenStone Media, LLC, where she was Vice President, Programming.  Previously she served as  Assistant Program Director for New York’s legendary WOR.   Among her many awards, she’s been named radio’s “Woman of the Year” by Talker’s and is consistently among Radio Ink Magazine’s Most Influential Women and was featured on the cover last year. Heather also judged the Tony Awards for eight seasons, so she clearly KNOWS talent!  Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: (4:07) What criteria does a top agent look for when considering whether to represent a new talent?  (5:07) Heather explains why having strong cross-platform skills are no longer optional, but expected when seeking a new position.  (6:30) For those who may not have talent representation. Heather

Let there be no doubt, Scott Innes is a radio guy through and through. After working at stations in various markets, his hallmark became an uncanny knack to do character voices. Then, Hollywood called. Scott became the official voice of Hanna-Barbera’s famous cartoon character, Scooby-Doo, and eventually other characters. He’s also given voice to over 1,000 talking Scooby-Doo items such as toys and video games and has appeared on countless TV shows like The Tonight Show, Fox and Friends, and others. On the radio, Scott’s s been voted “favorite On-Air Personality” for three years running Parents Magazine, and he won Air Personality of the Year by the CRB in Nashville and was voted the Academy of Country Music’s Air Personality of the Year! Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: (2:01) Scott shares how his love for radio and all things audio lead to mastering cartoon voices.  (3:52) Now it can be told: the ploy that earned Scott a spot on the Hanna-Barbera roster, and ultimately filling in the footsteps o

Chris Baker started coming to Omaha as a comic in the early 90's working at The Funny Bone Comedy Club. The great audiences and experiences quickly made Omaha his favorite stop on tour. After Talk Radio stints in Miami, Kansas City, Houston, and Minneapolis his dream opportunity opened up at Omaha’s regional powerhouse KFAB. During his afternoon drive show, Chris likes to mix the serious with the absurd or as he “… a mix of the salt and the sugar" sometimes known as "Road Range Relief" Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: (2:00) Lessons learned in the transition from full-time comedy to radio.  (3:15) Things to look for to make SURE you’ve found the right radio ‘home’, and how to keep it that way!  (5:35) Chris shares important advice for any radio person who’d like to take their ‘show’ on stage.  (7:44) “Get-R-Done” with another prominent Nebraskan who also practices both comedy and radio.  (11:41) Ways to define, polish and make the most of the ONLY thing an on-air performer can ever REALLY contr

Miami radio’s Paul Castronovo IS Florida.  He co-hosted “the Paul and Young Ron Show” in South Florida for almost 3 decades on stations including WSHE, 94.9 Zeta and most recently Big 105.9. Then one day, Young Ron decided to retire and the radio empire became The Paul Castronovo show. Still the same lunacy, but with a new crew backing him up. While Paul was born in Brooklyn he’s a U of Flordia grad, a rabid Gator fan, and you will most likely find him fishing on weekends. He's also president of Castronovo Vineyards, as well as a husband and a dad. He’s a family guy, an Italian guy, and he likes the camaraderie that combination brings to radio. Here to tell us all about it..and more!   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:  (1:28)  A Brandwidth on Demand FIRST ─ a top market morning host who was originally FORCED into radio! (3:42)  One surefire “TELL” that a new station employee is probably NOT going to last.  (4:27)  Tips for the care and feeding of your next GM or PD, and survival tips for dealin

Many consider the DeDe McGuire the hardest working woman in radio…and with good cause! A trailblazer and industry leader who has been entertaining radio audiences for years, DeDe is famous for her entertaining, empowering, and enlightening approach. After co-hosting the nationally syndicated “Doug Banks Show”, DeDe is one of only a few women in America to host her own major market morning show, based at K104/Dallas, and syndicated by Compass Media.  If you check her bio in the show notes, you’ll wonder how she gets it all done ─ but she does!  Top Takeaways You Won't Want to Miss (1:30) DeDe shares how an open career mind it led her from TV news to Country Radio major market mornings by age 22 and network radio soon after!.  (3:59) DeDe shares secrets learned from some of her most influential role models, and lessons any winning show can use.  (5:15) How to tell whether someone in radio is willing to make it a CAREER, or just have a J-O-B. (6:28)  Dede discloses the two things that make any story more

If the idea of changing positions or even stations makes you hyperventilate, we’ve got PROOF that it can be done…done well, and lead to better things.  Michelle McKormick began her radio career at Grand Rapids rock station WGRD holding a variety of positions there, including music director and morning co-host. Then she moved to JERSEY 101.5 the legendary FM Talker...before returning to Grand Rapids and what is now https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMAX-FM (WMAX). In 2002 she made her way to Detroit to work at WKRK before returning to Grand Rapids for a stint at WOOD-AM, and now stars at WLAV-FM, weekdays on the Tony Gates Show with Michelle McKormick!   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss: (1:12) Michelle discusses the biggest area of change impacting personality radio shows the past year ─ and tips for tackling it.  (2:30)  The  MOST important pointer for JOINING a former competitor’s morning show, and how to make sure everything comes together.  (3:30) Beyond executing a great show, Michelle outlines

Ryan Jenkins knows Millennials. He’s been speaking professionally as a Millennial and Generation Z keynote speaker for hundreds of clients such as Coca-Cola, John Deere, Salesforce.com, Johnson & Johnson and many others. His top-ranked generational insights have been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and SUCCESS Magazine. His internationally recognized blog, podcast, and Inc.com column inspire and equip thousands of people every week. We link to all of these resources and his best-selling book, The Millennial Manual: the Complete How-to Guide To Manage, Develop and Engage Millennials in the show notes. Ryan is certainly qualified to speak as “THEE” expert on Millennials, not only because he studies them…he IS one!   Biggest Takeaways You Don’t Want to Miss:  (2:27)  Why American radio is serving more generations than ever, and how to serve these various audiences better.  (4:36)  Based on his research of generations, especially millennials, if radio DIDN’T exist, how would Ryan design an audio se

Anyone in radio more than a few quarter-hours in radio has likely heard the name TERRY PATRICK!  After a 13-year career as a successful Air Personality and Program Director at well-known stations in Southern Florida, Atlanta, and Cleveland, Terry was recruited by the famous Research Group, rising to the position of Senior Vice President and Partner.  As a consultant and coach to the coaches, Terry has offered insights to most of America’s most noteworthy broadcasters…including: The Disney Family, Entercom, IHeartRadio, Viacom, Cox Broadcasting and CBS.  He’s helped to propel nearly 60 different radio stations to Number One in the coveted 25-54 demo. This includes the iconic WBEB in Philadelphia …12-time Marconi award winner for "Radio Station of the Year.  (1:33) Terry reveals his “can't-miss’ recipe for a WINNING station. (3:41) One QUICK, AFFORDABLE tip that could help stations UP THEIR GAME tomorrow. (4:38) The MOST IMPORTANT element to really bonding with our audience, that radio simply CANNOT DO ─ a

This time, Brandwidth On Demand heads for the border…the NORTHERN border, as we hear from Canadian broadcast pro Matt Cundill.  Professionally, Matt started while still in college in Nova Scotia.  His station stops include CHOM 97.7 in Montreal, The Bear in Edmonton, then was hired by one of the biggest companies in Canada, Corus Entertainment, where he wore a number of hats including his ‘real job’, Programming Power 97 in Winnepeg.  Since 2014, Matt has operated a successful consulting firm, coaching stations, talent and their online efforts.    5 Things You Won’t Want to Miss!  (1:35) Get Matt’s biggest takeaways from The Conclave and Podcast Movement this summer.  (2:51) What are the biggest DIFFERENCES and SIMILARITIES between radio operations in Canada and the US?  (3:21). Why Canadian listeners tend to be more loyal to their radio stations and local personalities.  (5:32) How does Canadian radio compare to US stations when it comes to mastering “Brandwidth” assets: (Email, social media, streamin

Andrew Lee is the APD and morning co-host of KTLK, Minneapolis, branded as the Twin Cities News-Talk 1130.  After leading WSKY in the Gainesville market to dominance as one of Florida’s first talk FM stations, Andrew was next tapped to program then-Journal Broadcasting’s KQTH “The Truth”/Tuscon ─ and turn it into another successful FM talker. Next stop, the Twin Cities where Andrew is now reunited with his popular Arizona morning host Jon Justice for the Justice & Drew morning show.  In his ‘spare time’, and Andrew also co-hosts 'The Minnesota Beercast' with Andrew Schmitt.   Key takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss:  (1:30)  The unusual career turns that led an audio engineer and sound designer into radio hosting, Programming and now, large market mornings!  (2:50)  Ways to tell whether your station REALLY embraces creativity, or is just paying lip service. (4:45)  Andrew’s discoveries and lessons learned about ANY on-air talent finding their authentic ‘take’ on any given topic.  (5:52) Drew shares key cons