Indiana RadioWatch: March 9, 2016

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Northeast

Where Are They Now? On March 28, former WISE-TV reporter Kristen Pflum will join WFLD-TV in Chicago as their Saturday and Sunday anchor for "Good Day Chicago." (h/t Robert Feder).

Eastcentral

There's several changes at Cumulus' C&W/WLTI(AM) (1550am, New Castle) and Country/WMDH-FM (102.5fm, New Castle): First, they have a new GM: John Spilman. Mr. Spilman has worked in TV (WXIX-TV in Cincinnati, Ohio) and radio (Emmis Communications in Phoenix, Arizona, Susquehanna Broadcasting in Cincinnati, Ohio), among other challenges. Next, "Nash FM 102.5" morning host Deacon exits. Replacing him is Colin Matthews and Anna Marie. Mr. Mathews formerly produced the "Bob and Marianne in the Morning" show at WRRM-FM in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ms. Marie recently graduated from the Ohio Media School. Third, Mike Lees adds Production Director duties. Finally, Cayla Chiddister rejoins as Local Sales Manager, from Hoosier Ag Today.

Westcentral

Where Are They Now? Former WMGI night jock Brion O'Brion will become APD/MD/PM Drive at KFXZ in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Radio Spotlight

Here's part four of our WTHI(AM) history series. Here's Loren Owens:

Regarding the "olden days" of broadcasting at WTHI in Terre Haute, I did the evening shift (6pm-midnight) six nights a week while going to college at Indiana State. We kicked off a rock format in 1965 under the direction of Ronn Mott. Ronn had moved back to the Terre Haute area following a stint at KIOA and had an idea of how to do radio. The rest of us didn't have a clue.

As I look back on it now (after all, it has been 51 years...), it's probably good that we didn't know anything about radio. We had the opportunity to make all the mistakes on our own.

I got the job simply because I was there. Right place...right time. I was working nights at WTHI-FM and it was a time when FM was the red-headed step child of radio. Very few FM receivers were ever tuned in. I got a tip on a job opening from a friend (Harley Bierce...later to win a Pulitzer Prize as a newspaper reporter for The Indianapolis Star) who was about to graduate ISU and go into teaching. I interviewed for the job as record librarian for the station and was asked if I knew anything about music. I said I did and was asked who wrote a particular classical song...fortunately I guessed correctly and was hired on the spot. After a couple of months of filing albums, the evening announcer of a classical music program (Podium) called in sick. They asked me if I thought I could take over and I assured them I could handle it. I went on the air that night, ended up getting the gig of playing nearly non-stop classical, six hours a night, six nights a week. The perfect job for a college student who need lots of time to study chemistry and genetics (that's right, I was going to go to medical school). When they decided to flip the AM to rock...I got the job. Go figure!

Since I was now going to be doing a "Top 40" radio show, I decided it might be a good idea to dial around and figure how people did this sort of thing. Prior to this time i had no real interest in radio at all. Fortunately, Terre Haute is located on the fringe of some Chicago stations and I listened, through the static, a couple of great ones....WLS & WCFL! Those two stations were engaged in an epic Top 40 battle. The personalities were real "personalities"...the production was spectacular...the music was great and I was hooked on radio.

As far as the on-air personalities who first influenced me, there were a few. I believe that we all end up being an amalgamation of those we learned from. We then roll it all together...a little bit of this...a little bit of that and blend it with our own personalities...then end up who we are. Barney Pip, Ron Britton & Larry Lujack (all of WCFL...Lujack later also with WLS) had the greatest early influence on me and my style. I was also influenced by Dick Orkin (hope I remembered his name correctly) who was the production guy at WCFL. Orkin did a series on WCFL called "Chickenman"...he's everywhere...he's everywhere! The Chickenman series was a parody of a parody. It took TV's Batman to an even more bizarre level. The series was narrated by Jim Runyon (afternoons...WCFL) and taught me how to use humor and SOUND to create fantasy. After all, radio is all about sound and I had grown up in the early TV stage...where the audio was simply an afterthought. "Chickenman changed that for me.

A number of things made WTHI successful. First, it was the perfect storm of young, raw talent with no prior failures and nothing to lose. However, that only works when you have PASSION! We all developed a passion for radio and tried every day to do more and be better broadcasters. We also took that passion beyond the air. We didn't know what it was called then...but we stumbled onto "promotion!" One thing I'll always remember is the time we decided we needed to make a splash in a local holiday parade. Since we billed ourselves as the WTHI Air Force, we went to a local lawn equipment company and borrowed four riding mowers. We then spent many long nights crafting airplane bodies from paper machet'. We painted the planes, drove them in the parade and stole the day. Passion.

Employment Opportunities

Operations Director - West Lafayette - WBAA

Description: Responsible for scheduling prerecorded and live programming on all WBAA content channels including AM/FM/HD2 platforms. Maintain program schedules and logs for all stations. Oversee and troubleshoot broadcast transmitters. Schedule regular and holiday/special programming on automation system. Manage automation system to achieve the highest quality broadcast service for all content channels. Position reports to the Director of Content.

Qualifications

REVISED

Required:

Bachelor's degree.
One year of experience with public media operations.
Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required work experience.
Experience with broadcast automation systems.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Self-starter, highly motivated, along with ability to work well on a number of projects simultaneously and effectively.
Proficiency with computer software.
Detail-oriented, organized, dedicated and results-oriented.
Broadcast operational trouble shooting skills.

Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Broadcasting, Electrical Engineering or related field.
Familiarity with public radio distribution platforms including Content Depot and PRX.
Knowledge of web platforms including NPR's Core Publisher.
Computer troubleshooting skills.

Additional Information:

A background check will be required for employment in this position.
FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible For Overtime)
Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period.
Purdue University is an EEO/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

More, here: http://purdue.taleo.net/careersection/wl/jobdetail.ftl?job=1600021?=en&sns_id=mailto

WIMC/WCDQ/WCVL, Crawfordsville is looking to hire a full time outside sales person with prior sales experience or a marketing/broadcast education. This person will handle some existing accounts plus prospect new businesses in Montgomery and surrounding counties. Must be able to handle multiple projects, meet deadlines and monthly sales goals. Must have reliable transportation. Mail resume and references to dapeach at forchtbroadcasting dot com or mail to Dave Peach, GM, PO Box 603, Crawfordsville, IN 47933. Forcht Broadcasting is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Lake City Media Group (an Equal Opportunity Employer) is searching for a News & Content Director for our local News & Information Station, "News Now Warsaw" (1480-AM & 99.7-FM). The ideal candidate has a clear understanding of fair, balanced and non-sensationalized news radio. Applicant should have a general understanding of news, government and law and the ability to build a successful newscast from start to finish. The perfect candidate will lead our news department and be willing to do what it takes to get the accurate story first. Duties include writing and generating news for on-air and web, interviewing news makers, producing local news casts, attending press conferences and/or meetings, monitoring local scanner traffic for lead generation and will take ownership in our acclaimed news department. Minimum of 1-2 years of small market on-air news experience preferred. Send resume, salary requirements, audio and writing samples to Program Director Kris Lake at klake at lakecitymediagroup dot com. No phone calls, please. Lake City Media Group is part of Federated Media.

89.1 WBOI (NPR News and Diverse Music), and Classical 94.1 WBNI seek a Chief Engineer for the two public radio stations serving Fort Wayne and Northeast Indiana. We are a growing organization in the process of relocating to a new facility in two-to-three years, which will include substantial investments in new equipment, new studios and production facilities. You will be an important part of our team while enjoying considerable autonomy and responsibility as our Chief Engineer.

The Chief Engineer is responsible for all technical and building operations and maintenance. Position reports directly to General Manager, and works closely with the Program Director and other staff. Occasional night and weekend work is necessary, with availability to respond 24/7 as needed. You must have the technical knowledge to operate and maintain two radio stations and all associated operations, be able to climb ladders, work in small spaces and have the ability to lift 50 pounds. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate technical issues to non-technical personnel are important. The ability to solve problems, think creatively, work independently, and troubleshoot is highly valued.

Requirements:

AASEET Degree or similar
5 or more years of radio broadcast engineering experience
Knowledge of FM broadcast and STL transmission systems including combiners
Ability to troubleshoot and repair FM and HD transmitters and associated equipment
Minimum 3 years of experience with Broadcast Electronics AudioVault Delivery Systems for both time-based and control-based satellite automation
New construction involving studio and transmitter sites
Familiarity with FCC rules and regulations
Network administration and IT support for Microsoft Windows Server and Windows 7 & 8 operating systems
PBX management
Drafting budgets for expenses, capital expenditures, and projects
Valid driver's license and means of transportation

The following experience will be particularly beneficial:
· Work with AudioVault FLeX
· Experience with Axia Livewire or Wheatstone Wheat-Net audio over IP solutions
· Knowledge of IP based phone systems
· Familiarity with Microsoft Exchange
· Traffic and music software automation integration
· Engineering remote broadcasts and live performances
· Experience with FTP delivery systems

Please include resume and narrative/cover letter detailing how your experience relates to the job duties and qualifications of this position.

Position is open until filled.

E-mail resume and cover letter to: Peter Dominowski, President and General Manager, at: pdominowski at nipr dot fm.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and do not discriminate with regard to race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.

DLC Media's True Oldies 104.9 WAXI--FM needs a Marketing Consultant. Retail Sales and/or Marketing Sales background. Team Player, energetic, Problem solver. Good people skills and an effective multi-tasker. Must have good computer skills and can create customized presentations. We require a high school graduate with some college preferred. Retail background a plus. We provide basic training and daily support. We offer a monthly Salary/Draw of $2,500 with commission opportunities and bonus money. We pay 67% of your personal and family health insurance premiums. We offer a Simples IRA Retirement plan and will match your contribution up to 3% of your annual income. We provide monthly travel allowance as well as 2 weeks paid vacation plus paid holidays and paid sick days. We have a great team environment. DLC Media, Inc. owns and operates Radio Station True Oldies 104.9 WAXI-FM as well as Memories 107.9 WAMW-FM and The General 95.9 & 1580 WAMW. We have a LMA with Vincennes University's 96-7 Jack FM WFML. We are seeking a local direct sales professional. Candidate must display strong communication skills. The winning candidate will focus most of their time selling advertising on WAXI which serves the Terre Haute area market with our exclusive Oldies format, The Bob & Tom Show, Cubs Baseball, IU Sports, High School Sports and other local programming. While we do offer special sponsorship opportunities we are looking for a person who can probe and find ways to help local retailers with their marketing needs with customized solutions. You must understand retail and the challenges business owners face. If interested, please send a cover letter and resume today to; Dave Crooks, President & General Manager at dlcmediainc at gmail dot com. or mail to 800 West National Hwy Washington, IN 47501. DLC Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WIBC/Network Indiana is looking for a multi-media platform news talent who can gather and interpret content on multiple platforms, including digital (web, social media) and on-air. The position requires the production and gathering of text, images, audio/video, etc. The ideal candidate will have strong delivery, a versatile mindset for varying tasks, and be a natural storyteller.

Please apply online at http://www.emmis.com

Please send your resume' and air check materials to cedavis at indy dot emmis dot com.

G101-3, the world's most interactive radio station, is seeking its next Midday host. You'll do live middays on The G (Adult Top 40) and voicetrack evenings on our A/C sister station. Can you do a great show with phones, remotes and appearances, plus keep yourself plugged into our historic community? We need someone that can hit the ground running! If you think you can handle local, creative radio in a non-corporate environment and blend in with our talented yet dysfunctional staff you can E-mail your info to rickduncan at g1013 dot com ("Midday/Promotions" in the subject line)

Whitewater Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Federated Media is currently accepting applications for the position of Promotions and Events Coordinator for our South Bend Radio Group.

The position encompasses all facets of the radio business on-air, on-line and in person. It requires multi-tasking along with managing people and your own personal time. Problem Solving Skills required.

As Promotions and Events coordinator you will be responsible for, but not limited to:

Working hand in hand with Program Directors and General Sales Managers to plan, schedule and execute contests, promotions, and events.

Hiring and scheduling of part time employees for live broadcasts and events

Implementing Interactive elements of marketing campaigns and events. (mobile, email, online, social media)

Making sure the listener experience at live broadcasts & events is a memorable one

This is a very enjoyable job but requires you to bring your best to the office every day. It is a job where no two days are alike and will be a job that is always evolving to meet the demands of each station's needs. Requires working on evenings and weekends as needed. Two to three years' experience and/or marketing degree preferred.

Interested? Contact Stephanie Michel at smichel at federatedmedia dot com.

Confidentiality assured. Federated Media is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Indiana Country - WKKG - South Central Indiana's #1 country heritage station, is looking for our next morning show superstar. If you can deliver an upbeat, LOCALLY relatable, music-driven show then send me your best stuff. Local is how we win, so you'll be expected to seek out ways to get involved in the community. We offer a competitive salary, great benefits including 401(k), excellent work environment and an exceptional community. E-mail your resume and demo to John Foster, Station Manager at jfoster at wkkg dot com. White River Broadcasting is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

That's all for this issue. Thank you for your continued support.

Blaine Thompson
Indiana RadioWatch

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All pages Copyright Blaine Thompson. Articles, photos, corrections, and other contributions should be e-mailed to the editors.