Post on 01-Apr-2015
So you want to Work in Radio?Dick Stone
Programme Director, 96-106 Capital FM
Capital FM
• We used to be Trent, Ram and Leicester Sound. • Number one radio station in the East Midlands with 568,000
listeners per week.• Cover the East Midlands, over 2 million population.• As a network, Capital brings Hit Music and great content and
contests for people in touch with NOW…
You might have seen our TV ad
Global Radio
• Capital FM• Heart FM• Classic FM• LBC• Choice• XFM• Gold• The UK’s largest Commercial Radio company• Also Global Talent• Global Publishing• Global Charities
What does a Programme Director do?
• I’m responsible for everything that comes out of the speaker• I hire, fire and coach the presenters• I organise where and when our brand is seen (along with the
Marketing Manager)• I protect the brand, and approve arrangements with Sponsorship
and promotions• I listen ALL THE TIME- the radio is always on in my office, even
during meetings• I liaise with my Boss, (Group Regional Programme Director) and
other Programmers across the Capital network.• I update online, plan and design content for the station for the future• I’m responsible for all compliance (Ofcom)• I’m involved in all association we have- ie, the Capital FM Arena-
attending meetings etc• I listen to a lot of demo tapes from prospective presenters
Other Job Roles in Capital- for example
• Presenter
• Producer
• Journalist
• News Editor
• Marketing Manager
• Crew Chief
• Street Stars Team Member
A typical commercial radio station organagramMANAGING DIRECTOR
PROGRAMME DIRECTOR SALES DIRECTOR
NEWS EDITOR
JOURNALISTS PRESENTERSPRODUCERS
S&P
SALES EXECS
MARKETING MANAGER
PROMOTIONAL STAFF
A reality check
• Positions in RADIO are in short supply.
• Competition for those positions is high.
Qualifications• Journalist- Degree in Broadcast Journalism• News Editor- Degree in Broadcast Journalism
and management experience• Marketing- A qualification in marketing of some
form, or lots of experience in marketing roles.• Producer- Experience and Demos• Presenter- Experience and Demos• Street Star member (Promotional Staff)-
availability, clean driving licence and personality
Qualifications
• Back up plan
• Experience- particularly if you go onto Further Education
• Student Radio- Now considered one of the best routes into professional radio.
Broaden your base
• How many strings in your bow?
• Darren Fletcher and Iain Carter
• Two different routes
Determination
• Small number of jobs
• Large number of candidates
• Flexibility and willingness to learn
Presenters
• Competition here is very tough
• I’m looking for great talent
• In control of a multi million pound organisation
• Experience is king (hospital and student radio, community radio)
• Work experience (Over 16)
• Demo
My Advice
• Have a back up plan.• Get all the education you can.• Student Radio. It can be your training ground.• Get to know people in radio- often it’s who you know not
what you know which can get you in the door.• Show determination, but stop short of being a pain.• Be willing to learn, and be willing to listen.• Be a student of media, study what is happening in the
media world and keep up to date on latest events.• If you have a talent- get some training- have a coach.
QuestionsQuestions
Thanks for your attention