10 Questions w/ former Q101.1 APD/MD Jacent Jackson

Subject:

Comments:
: 10 Questions with ... Jacent Jackson : NAME: Jacent Jackson : TITLE: PD/middays : STATION: WLUM : MARKET: Milwaukee : COMPANY: Milwaukee Radio Alliance : BORN: Cape Girardeau, MO : RAISED: Champaign, IL : BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS: : 1993-98 -- I worked for Alternative stations in the Midwest that no longer exist. As a Music Director, a morning guy, a night jock, and so on... : 1998-2004 -- PD/afternoons for KQXR/Boise. Later picking up PD duties for sister Rock station KJOT. : 2004-2006 -- APD/MD at WKQX (Q101)/Chicago. : May 2006-Present -- PD/afternoons at WLUM/Milwaukee. : LAST NON-INDUSTRY JOB: : Waiting tables in college. : FIRST RECORD EVER PURCHASED: : Prince "1999" on cassette. : FIRST CONCERT: : Willie Nelson at the Illinois State Fair. : FAVORITE BAND OF ALL-TIME: : Pearl Jam, Afghan Whigs : 1. Why has WLUM been a successful Alternative station? : Most successful radio stations know who they are, work to be who they are, are famous for some genre of music, and are consistently entertaining in between the songs. I guess we are successful because we defined ourselves two and a half years ago and have worked to sharpen our focus and entertainment value ever since. It takes forever to burn in an image and we're starting to see ours payoff. : 2. What are the station ratings highlights from this past year? : What's exciting is that we have great ratings on a 4-book Arbitron average. Our latest 4-book average puts us #1 with Men 18-34, #1 with Men 25-34, and #3 Adults 18-34. Our last two books especially have helped us solidify our leads in key demos. Having a leadership position with Men and Adults 25-34 has helped get us more avails and opened some doors for us in revenue. : 3. What has been your biggest accomplishment at the station? : Getting people to take FM 102/1 seriously. This is a station that has been through several format changes, so it is tough to get one to stick. This is an ongoing goal, but it feels like we are getting some kudos and are beginning to establish ourselves in the market. You can't accomplish this goal on your own. I've been fortunate to have an ownership with Willie Davis and Bill Lynett who allow us the freedom to make this happen, a supportive GM in Bill Hurwitz, and a staff that believes in what we are doing and stays positive in getting the job done. : 4. What has been the biggest change at the station in the past year? : Our former MD Chris Calef left to pursue an MBA, and we hired former 91X'er Stephen Kallao to do afternoons and APD. He brings a different mentality to the image of the radio station and has helped us solidify our on-air lineup. I think we've got the best on-air lineup in the market right now. : 5. How would you describe the music and imaging on FM 102/1? : We are a rock station with pop sensibilities. We are imaged in a seriously unserious way. : 6. What type of new music features and specialty programming do you run on the station? : We are running an indie rock show five nights a week called "Indie Soundcheck." It helps us broaden our radio station and fits into our ethos as an independent radio station. We have a new music feature on the weeknights as well. We will occasionally do "All Things Alternative No Repeat Weekends", and "Smells Like The 90's Weekends" (Record labels love our specialty weekends.) : 7. What do you find most exciting about your job? : If you can imagine something, you can do it. It's a great creative outlet. : 8. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you? : That I spent a year or so in my career blazing Hip-Hop and R&B for aolradio.com. I created a Classic Hip Hop and an Urban AC while there. Programming internet radio is pretty interesting stuff. : 9. What is the one truth that has held constant throughout your career? : Gravity. The Pythagorean Theorem. Truisms will get you in trouble right now. Change is constant. Stay on the wave. : 10. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid? : 94.5 WLRW in Champaign IL. They were a Top 40 in those days. I liked John McKeighan in mornings and Joe Caruso at night. I also liked WPGU for their progressive music. I learned about The Replacements, REM, Husker Du and other great modern rock stuff from PGU. It influenced my early musical tastes. : Bonus Questions : What's the best part of living in Milwaukee? : The temperate climate and healthy menu options. I also really like that they use any excuse to party. I've never seen a city with so many festivals. : (All Access)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

Enter verification code: