1. Tell us about your market
and how it is unique?
Central Florida (Orlando/Daytona
Beach/Melbourne) is home to lush green tropical
vegetation, beautiful beaches and nice people from all
over the US. Actual Florida natives are hard to find!
The most unique aspect of our market is that above and
beyond the 2.3 million who call Central Florida home, in
any given week there are almost 1 million people here on
vacation from all over the world!
2. What is the most
fulfilling aspect to you personally about Christian
radio?
Radio is all I have ever wanted to
do since I was a child. The ability to use something
that I love so much to carry out the Great Commission is
very exciting.
3. Here is your chance to
testify on behalf of your station...How has God used
WPOZ?
It has always been our heart and
purpose to serve the community we live in. In 2004
Central Florida faced the direct impact of three
hurricanes. During Charley, Frances and Jeanne, Z88.3
was one of the only radio stations that DIDN'T
rebroadcast television audio during the storms. The
entire Z staff was under lock down at our studios and
Central Floridians were able to ride out the storms with
trusted friends via their battery powered radios. After
the storms while most all of the TV and radio stations
in Central Florida were quick to jump back into regular
programming, Z88.3 continued to serve by airing critical
county by county shelter, food, water, ice and supply
information until county emergency managers declared
that the need was over. As the Emergency Alert System
LP-1 station for Central Florida we transmitted over 150
activations during the storms which were immediately
rebroadcast on almost every radio station, TV station
and cable system in the 8 counties of Central Florida.
Through serving our community we have heard story after
story of how God used a song on the air or the
comforting tone of one of the Z jocks to help people and
their families through the fear and uncertainty of the
storms and their aftermath.
4. What is the criteria that
determines if a song receives airplay on your station?
Format appropriateness, lyrics,
production quality and research history of the artist
(if available) all come into play. With a limited number
of slots for currents, we take adding a new song very
seriously.
5. What kind of promotions
work best for your station?
Promotions that give "Kate"
something that she wants but wouldn't or couldn't
normally give herself. Promotional events that her
entire family can enjoy together are also home runs.
6. How do you think Christian
Record labels can better serve Christian radio?
All things considered, I think the
record labels do a great job of serving us.
7. In your opinion what are
the biggest obstacles facing Christian radio today?
The biggest obstacle is a lack of
vision. The success of stations like Z88.3, KLTY, KSBJ
and many others have proven that Christian radio doesn't
have to be a 1 share format with minimal impact on their
marketplace. With attention to knowing and serving a
narrowly defined target listener with quality,
consistency and focus, a Christian station can have a
major impact in their market and for the Kingdom.
8. What do you believe is the
primary role of the Christian radio air personality
today?
To be "real" on the radio. Who you
are off the air is exactly who you should try to be
every time the mic goes on. This is probably the single
hardest thing for most air personalities to get a handle
on, but listeners can detect a "fake" and will never
truly bond with you or the station if they sense that
you are presenting yourself as being something that you
are not.
9. What (if any) other
Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators
today?
89.3-KSBJ is constantly trying to
figure out how to have a bigger impact on Houston. It is
a healthy obsession since the more lives they touch as a
station, the more people are exposed to the Good News! I
am inspired by the passion of Tim, Jon and the KSBJ
staff.
10. Where do you see
Christian radio in 5 years?
Hopefully owning the female 25-54
demo in every market where CCM radio exists. Since Kate
usually controls the radio in the minivan, if you are
her favorite station you have also gained access and the
ability to impact her husband and kids.