Vanilla, homogenized, non-descript….those are just a few of the terms that come to mind when looking at the radio landscape over the past ten years with the rise of syndicated programming and the dearth of locally-based content.
As a radio account executive friend of mine said recently, “I hope that you love Ryan Seacrest because pretty soon, that’s all you’re going to hear.” Now, I have nothing against Ryan Seacrest, Michael Savage, Rush Limbaugh and the other syndicated hosts who dominate the airwaves in 2009, but there needs to be more local flavor in the daily radio listening diet.
That’s where WKXL comes in. Billed as “Your Hometown Radio,” this Concord-based station features all locally based programming on subjects as wide ranging as business, arts and culture, sports and health. It’s information from your neighbors and about your neighbors. It’s also an incredible showcase for some very talented people in our community.
I had the good fortune last month to be a featured guest on Chris Thompson’s “The Business Advantage” program. In his “non radio life,” Chris is the founder of Catch 22 Solutions (www.catch22solutions.com), a sales performance consulting company. Catch 22 Solutions helps companies and sales professionals accelerate sales performance by enhancing and improving their current selling process.
Prior to founding Catch 22 Solutions, Christopher was a Director of Sales at PC Connection, Inc., a Fortune 1,000 company that sells technology products and services to consumers, businesses and government agencies. Christopher was responsible for the sales performance and professional development of corporate sales executives in their first twelve months with the company.
Given that pedigree, Chris is the perfect host for a program that centers on the business related issues of the day. And let me tell you, he comes to the table completely prepared….I was never more impressed with the level of questioning and the depth of thought that went into an interview than I was on this occasion. Chris knew his subject deeply and crafted his questions in such a way that they provoked thought and stimulated conversation. In short, it was the quickest hour I’ve ever spent on the air. To listen to the archived version, visit Show #18 on the following web page: http://www.wkxl1450.com/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4292&Itemid=113.
Thanks to Chris and the rest of the WKXL team for proving that community radio is alive, vibrant and still resonating with audiences who are tired of the same old tired formula. In an industry that has increasingly gone bland, they’re interjecting a sorely missed flavor and providing a tremendous community service.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director