Format Shmormat: Radio Breaks Bands
Terrestrial radio is still a vital avenue for popularizing music. As the radio market has atomized into multiple formats and sub-formats, it has become a challenge for musicians to define themselves for the gatekeepers of airplay. What are the distinctions between 'Alt Rock,''Active Alt Rock,' and 'AAA' formats? How should bands approach DJs and music directors?
Presenters
Jim McGuinn joined 89.3 The Current in January 2009 as Program Director and on-air host, moving to the Twin Cities from Philadelphia and WXPN. Ever since seeing the Clash during his first concert, McGuinn has been hooked on rock 'n' roll-whether he was working on radio programming, playing bass, or teaching university level courses such as "Rock and Roll Cinema and Radio History" at Drexel University. McGuinn has received numerous accolades for his innovative programming, including the 2008 Best AAA Air Personality by Radio and Records and being named the 2010 and 2011 Program Director of Year for Non-Commercial AAA at the FMQB Triple A Conference.
Jeff Pollack is the CEO of Global Media & Entertainment for Pollack Media Group, one of the music industry’s top prognosticators of musical trends. His insight and revelations play a large role in determining what consumers see and hear over the airwaves. In the past 25 years, PMG has grown into one of the largest music and media advisory firms with worldwide clients including MTV, VH1, CMT, National Geographic, Microsoft, Harpo Inc., movie studios, managers, artists, radio stations and magazines. More recently Pollack has moved into the digital media space working with notable clients such as Meebo, Kyte, Akoo, Hip Cricket, Playphone, Modlife, OurStage etc. on strategy and business development.
As a producer, Pollack Media Group has participated in some of the largest music events of the past decade including Live 8, U2/Green Day’s Music Rising performance at the NFL's reopening game at the Superdome, Live Earth, 2002 Salt Lake Olympics, Movies Rock, 70th Anniversary of the Apollo Theatre and many others.
Jeff served as Creative Music Consultant for the MGM TV series "Fame L.A.” which garnered an Emmy nomination for its theme song; on-air music correspondent for "Good Morning America”; Executive Music Consultant on Pavorotti's televised concert event for Bosnian war victims featuring U2 and others; Co-producer of "Net Aid", the largest Internet event in history; Executive Producer of Quincy Jones' Lincoln Memorial pre-inauguration event, "Call to Reunion" on HBO; Co-Executive Producer of Billboard Music Awards honoring George Harrison; Executive Producer of "Love Rocks,"; EIF’s Humanitarian Award honoring Bono, with performances from No Doubt, Lauryn Hill, R.E.M., Cher, Drew Carey, Ray Romano, Kevin Nealon, plus guest appearances from Tom Cruise and Kevin Spacey.
Jeff has also worked on over 30 films as a consultant and music supervisor, four of which received best song Oscar nominations, the latest being the Academy Award winning ‘Crazy Heart’.
Since 1992, Jeff has additionally been a credible and objective source for the entertainment industry by providing his music preview of the hottest new bands and artists to radio and TV networks, radio stations, artist management, studios, agents and other key execs in the music and media business.
He also is one of the founders of the Big Bang Conference, a high level gathering of industry leaders focusing on the latest developments in the digital media and music space, as well as a regular contributor to the Huffington Post on the music industry.
Here and now:
-WXPN, Assistant Station Manager for Programming.
-Editor founder of Some Velvet Blog.
-Never have, never will work for commercial radio.
-Public media all the way.
-Board member of PRX, Public Radio Exchange.
-I teach social media, learning and organizational dynamics at University of Penn and St. Joseph's University.
-Winner of various awards, etc.
-My two teenage boys are P1's to their iPods and P1's to Q102 in Philly.
-I love music.
-I don't have cable TV and I read a lot.
-I read a lot of music blogs.
-I am a social media-aholic
Friday, March 16
