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Mike's
Career Capsule
Mike celebrated ten years at WCVO (the River) in November; previous
stops include Radio U, & WNZR.
1. How
has WCVO evolved over the last few years?
The biggest
change was re-launching as 104.9 the River five years ago. Since
then we’ve been on a continual journey to better serve our
community. One of the best initiatives we’ve launched was the family
friendly promise. We’ve pledged that the River will be safe for
every member of the family & we back it up by asking our listeners
to let us know if they feel we’ve broken that promise. It gives
people a real sense of involvement in making the station better.
2. Has WCVO made any changes due to economic situation, been
affected in any way?
The typical
changes that wise managers of money try to make in similar times,
watching income and carefully evaluating expenses. Our management
team made adjustments early last year and that has helped us to
weather the current situation well.
3.
How is Columbus and your surrounding market a unique Christian
market?
Columbus is the
number one sports town in the U.S. Our research has shown that The
Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an important topic even with
our core females. Columbus a bright spot in the state, it is the
only big city in Ohio that is growing. That gives us many
opportunities to reach out to those that are new to town and looking
for a place to belong.
4. What criteria do you require for a song to be played on your
station?
After it passes
the family friendly filter, it’s about quality and the artistic
needs of the moment. We’re very picky, we always work to build
consensus within the programming team before we make an add.
5. What kind of promotions work best for WCVO?
Ones that give
listeners ways to connect with or help others. These include The
Family Name Game, Home for the Holidays (flying listener’s family
members to town) & Winter Relief (listeners nominating friends in
need to receive $500 toward winter heating bills).
6. How do you think Christian Record labels can better serve
Christian radio?
Labels are doing
an excellent job. The promoters that I work with are top notch.
7. In your opinion what are the biggest obstacles facing Christian
radio today?
A break down in
relationship, it is a general problem in the radio industry. We’ve
got to be ready and able to change. What we’ve done in the past is
not what will work as we move ahead, we need to move beyond
providing great music and into building relationships with
listeners.
8.
What do you believe is the primary role of the Christian radio air
personality?
To be
interesting, a friend to those who listen.
9.
What (if any) Christian radio stations do you consider as innovators
today?
I tend to think
more of people, Brant Hansen, Tate Luck, Jake Sommers, Dean O’Neal,
Jeff Cruz, Beth Bacall. They are all great at building
relationships.
10. Where do you see Christian radio in 5 years?
I think
we’ll see the stations that are truly connected to their listeners
grow.
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