Great Radio, Great Sales People
I just learned that our Sales Manager at the station we used to own just went to work at KNXR in Rochester, MN.
This brought to mind several recent nuggets of information. First, was Seth Godin's fantastic article on Passion vs. Pop.
He talks about making a choice - are you going for the larger "Pop" audience, think Olive Garden - or are you going for the "Passion" curve, think Ciola's neighborhood Italian restaurant. And, more importantly, do you have the guts to stick to one or the other?
When I first read Seth's article - I thought of radio, and my mistakes. (It's sure more fun to remember our successes, but we learn more from our mistakes.) When I owned KEEZ, I often wasn't content at being the best "pop"station possible, so would program music and features that I thought to be more hip and cool. Because I wasn't willing to commit, we were doomed to drift into the valley between the two curves - neither "true" enough to appeal to those passionate about music, but not "pop" enough for those interested in the latest popular music.
Mark Ramsey is a broadcast strategist that really gets this concept.
KNXR in Rochester Minnesota is the best example of a "passion" radio station. Tom Jones (No, not that Tom Jones) has owned and operated the station for years. He program's beautiful music - what an unsophisticated guy like me would call 'Elevator Music."
He does it right, and is absolutely true to his audience. He is a world class engineer - and his station is the best sounding in the world. He digitally samples all of his own music without compression - he still employees engineers to assist voice talent. Every aspect of the process is about the brand promise he has with his audience.
The listeners are fanatical fans. They send in money to support a commercial station. KNXR plays ads - but in a true way - few, if any produced ads. No jingles accepted, nothing to insult their audience. He turns down the inane, shouting crappy ads that pollute the commercial dial.
Now I learn that Greg Soderberg is joining KNXR. Greg is simply the best radio salesperson I have ever met or heard tell of. He worked for our family for 20 years - and constantly amazed us with his performance.
Greg simply worked hard, listened to his customers, and cared deeply about their success. Every day, every year, he showed up early and worked later. His clients loved him.
He was not a push over, however. He is passionate about his product, and would not hesitate to demand the attention and respect of his clients.
Matched with fantastic owner operator like Tom Jones, the two should do very, very well.
This brought to mind several recent nuggets of information. First, was Seth Godin's fantastic article on Passion vs. Pop.
He talks about making a choice - are you going for the larger "Pop" audience, think Olive Garden - or are you going for the "Passion" curve, think Ciola's neighborhood Italian restaurant. And, more importantly, do you have the guts to stick to one or the other?
When I first read Seth's article - I thought of radio, and my mistakes. (It's sure more fun to remember our successes, but we learn more from our mistakes.) When I owned KEEZ, I often wasn't content at being the best "pop"station possible, so would program music and features that I thought to be more hip and cool. Because I wasn't willing to commit, we were doomed to drift into the valley between the two curves - neither "true" enough to appeal to those passionate about music, but not "pop" enough for those interested in the latest popular music.
Mark Ramsey is a broadcast strategist that really gets this concept.
KNXR in Rochester Minnesota is the best example of a "passion" radio station. Tom Jones (No, not that Tom Jones) has owned and operated the station for years. He program's beautiful music - what an unsophisticated guy like me would call 'Elevator Music."
He does it right, and is absolutely true to his audience. He is a world class engineer - and his station is the best sounding in the world. He digitally samples all of his own music without compression - he still employees engineers to assist voice talent. Every aspect of the process is about the brand promise he has with his audience.
The listeners are fanatical fans. They send in money to support a commercial station. KNXR plays ads - but in a true way - few, if any produced ads. No jingles accepted, nothing to insult their audience. He turns down the inane, shouting crappy ads that pollute the commercial dial.
Now I learn that Greg Soderberg is joining KNXR. Greg is simply the best radio salesperson I have ever met or heard tell of. He worked for our family for 20 years - and constantly amazed us with his performance.
Greg simply worked hard, listened to his customers, and cared deeply about their success. Every day, every year, he showed up early and worked later. His clients loved him.
He was not a push over, however. He is passionate about his product, and would not hesitate to demand the attention and respect of his clients.
Matched with fantastic owner operator like Tom Jones, the two should do very, very well.
This entry was posted by Mike Nolan, on
Sunday, May 18, 2008.
You can leave your response.
May 28, 2008 at 9:52 AM
I thought you had a great young programmer who doubled your Arb numbers and cume of the station. Which probably made it easier to sell. Hope is well with the Nolan Family.
--Jeff Nixx
May 28, 2008 at 1:08 PM
Jeff always tried to steer me in the right direction! Nixx had a great sense to where the top of the curve was - I just could have been a bit better at listening!