Month: February 2016

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Race for radio mornings heats up amidst change

Music. Mornings. Marketing.

The old adage goes that if a radio station gets those three things right – it will be a success.

But in the Boise market, the morning daypart seems to be in perhaps the biggest state of disarray in quite some time.

Consider:

  • Brenda Mee, center & Kevin Mee, left. Via LiteOnline.com
    Brenda Mee, center & Kevin Mee, left. Via LiteOnline.com

    Friday, KXLT/107.9 Lite FM parted ways with Kevin Mee and Brenda Mee. The pair joined Lite about two years ago after a decade-plus tenure at KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3. Somewhat surprisingly, KXLT won the 12+ radio ratings derby in the fall Nielsen Audio ratings book. (Fueled in part by the station’s Christmas music programming).

  • Kate McGwire recently left KCIX/Mix 106. McGwire was the strong, popular personality who helped drive Mix’s consistently solid ratings.
  • Several stations now run with no morning show (KQBL/92.7 The Alternative, KSRV/96.1 Bob FM, KXLT/107.9 Lite FM [for now at least], KJOT/Rock 105.1), a one-person show (KWYD/Wild 101, KZMG/My 102.7, KIDO/580 AM), or a syndicated national program (KKGL/96.9 The Eagle, KQFC/97.9 Nash FM).
  • KSAS/103.5 FM sometimes features a solo host in Michelle Heart, and sometimes features multiple hosts, adding in station program director Keke Luv and mid-day personality Tawsha Box. It tends to vary from day-to-day.
  • Of the local stations who do program a live, local, multi-personality program – many of them have seen upheaval. KAWO/Wow Country 104.3, KRVB/94.9 The River, KIZN/Kissin’ 92.3, KTHI/107.1 K-Hits and the aforementioned KCIX/Mix 106 have replaced one or both of their morning DJs in the past year or so.

There are some pockets of stability. Paul J. Schneider is the dean of Boise radio and has been hosting with his “new” partner Chris Walton for well-more than a decade at KBOI/670 AM. KQXR’s “Morning After” with Nic & Big J has been going strong for several years.

Also, two new stations have entered the morning game in somewhat non-traditional ways. KTIK/93.1 FM The Ticket re-entered the local morning show race after several years of syndicated programming with former Boise State RB Ian Johnson and Jake Hamar holding down the fort from 7-10am. KNFL/96.5 ESPN Boise is doing a sort-of work-day starting hybrid show from 9-11am with (friend and colleague) Jay Tust from KTVB and BJ Rains from the Idaho Press Tribune.

Bottom line: This daypart is very much in flux – and new shows or combinations of personalities will look for ways to stand out and draw audience. The first place the eyes of many media buyers and radio execs will go when the spring book comes out later this year is the morning show race in key demos – to see if all the changes make for a major swing in ratings points and dollars.

Don Day edited IdahoRadioNews.com for more than five years. Now he tweets a lot.

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Job Opening – Junior Art Director

Mitchell + Palmer in Boise has an opening for a Junior Art Director. From the job listing on LinkedIn:

Mitchell Palmer is a colorful, intense, close-knit family of talented individuals sharing a great space overlooking the mountains above downtown Boise.  The agency needs a solid creative person with design chops—someone who is equally passionate about execution and idea strategy.

Agency ‘fit’ is equally as important to us as individual talent.   While a talented individual with art skills is paramount, Mitchell Palmer prizes real people who love to laugh, play, dream and push boundaries.  We are not a tame group—it is very loud sometimes!

JOB STATS

  • Start Date: Immediate
  • Starting Salary: Negotiable DOE (depending on experience)
  • Relocation Allowance: Negotiable
  • Benefits: 20 days PTO with immediate vesting; 100% health insurance coverage; HSA and POP plans (employee funded); year-end bonus as company profits allow; training and skills enhancement; great coffee… booze… shuffleboard… foosball… darts; retirement plan for mid-2016 is in the works
  • Necessary Experience: minimum 5 years working in a creative ad agency, or agency network including working under a creative director who focused more on big ideas rather than design execution

KEY TASKS:

  • Conceptualize and produce design work celebrating the ‘big idea’: layouts, storyboards, edits and whatever else dramatizes the creative concept in a wide range of graphic applications (packaging; video titling; digital interfaces/tools; installations; brand identity; environmental graphics, etc.)
  • Produce work that is original and effective, and meets the targeted marketing strategy. Recommend surprising solutions.
  • Lead by example: produce creative work of a consistently great standard.
  • Be accountable for ensuring that the proposed creative solution can be feasibly executed within the time and budget given on the brief.
  • Present and explain creative concepts and visual solutions both internally, and to clients effectively; support strategies behind ideas and executions.
  • Support the Creative Directors in all aspects of the creative development process, from strategy development to final design execution.

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

  • Able to clearly differentiate between design execution and the big idea.
  • Able to perform under pressure and work on several projects at a time
  • Strong people skills, internally and externally.
  • Appreciation of how creative concepts adapt across different media.
  • Aware of current trends in producing great advertising.
  • In-depth knowledge of Mac technology, networking, typefaces/fonts, etc.
  • In-depth knowledge of key software programs (Adobe Creative Suite, InDesign, Key Note, etc.).
  • Able to select the best program meeting the need of the client brief.
  • Have an appreciation and understanding for process and structure for overall sanity and efficiency; be an excellent time manager, with the ability to gauge how far to take design within the time allotted.
  • Minimum 5 years creative agency experience.
  • Experience in a large agency network, or creative network, a plus.

If this position, and moving to a top-10 up and coming city boasting loads of outdoor beauty and sporting opportunities is appealing to you, please send your resume, best portfolio samples and web-links to:

Dirk Robinson – COO
dirk@mitchellpalmer.com

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Job Opening – Senior Graphic Designer

This came through my LinkedIn inbox recently:

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Location: Idaho Falls, ID

Job Description:

Responsible for timely concept and design of catalogs, magazines, and other sales marketing materials. Works directly with project managers, copywriters, and other designers to produce high quality design work that meets project objectives. Shows competency in areas of typography, photo selection, production, layout, and packaging design. Online retail experience is a plus.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Conceptualizes and creates design and graphic materials using the appropriate software and computer equipment.
  • Visually communicates the key messages of the company, it’s brands, and products.
  • Ability to produce work in compliance with existing Graphic Standards Manual.
  • Completes design projects as directed by Art/Creative Director.
  • Develops rough and finished illustrations for publication.
  • Creates and specifies art for print or electronic publication.
  • Directs photography for print and electronic publication.
  • Works collaboratively with writers and design team.
  • Presents and defends work to Art Director and Creative Director.
  • Expertise in print production work and ability to produce print ready files.
  • Takes ownership of projects.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Four year degree in Design, Commercial Art, or equivalent.
  • Strong design portfolio that exhibits not only a passion for high-quality graphic design, but also an understanding of marketing and effective communications.
  • Three (3) or more years experience at an ad agency, design firm or in-house creative group.
  • Three (3) or more years experience in a fast-paced creative environment.
  • Is a relevant, career designer; stays up-to-date on industry standards, trends, and best practices.
  • Sharp attention to detail.
  • Ability to troubleshoot technical issues with files and equipment.
  • Competency and experience with the Apple platform and Adobe Creative Suite (including but not limited to: Photoshop, Illustrator, Quark, Acrobat, and InDesign).
  • Understanding of prepress, printing processes and printing papers.
  • Ability to analyze problems and create solutions.
  • Ability to work professionally on his/her own and with teams.
  • Written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work under stress and manage several projects at once.
  • In depth understanding of design, print, paper, and Internet specifications.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities with efficiency and accuracy.
  • A strong track record of exceptional performance and quantifiable results
  • A natural orientation for continuous improvement and problem solving
  • A collaborative approach and willingness to engage in an environment of active idea sharing
  • The ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment
  • The ability to produce consistent quality under deadline pressure while paying careful attention to detail
  • Self-motivation and a strong sense of ownership and accountability

Fore more information about this position, contact Stacie Dagres with High Tech Solutions at 208-906-6205.

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Guess who’s back… back again

What’s old is new again.

Bob Rosenthal via LinkedIn profile
Bob Rosenthal via LinkedIn profile
Bob Rosenthal, director of sales at Cumulus Media Boise has decided to alter his commute a bit – and will step up to the role of VP/general manager at Scripps Boise radio.

If your cerebral cortex is lighting up – yes, Rosenthal has had this job before. The veteran Boise radio exec previously was general manager for Journal Broadcast Group’s Boise operations – both radio and TV – before leaving for Cumulus in 2010. Now, with Journal’s purchase by Scripps, he’ll be once again overseeing KJOT/Rock 105.1, KTHI/107.1 K-Hits, KRVB/94.9 The River and KQXR/100.3 The X – but will not be responsible for the sister TV operations in Nampa.

“I am honored to lead the Boise radio team forward and re-join a broadcast group that shares the same core values that I do,” Rosenthal said in a prepared statement. “I especially see the tremendous opportunities in working closely with our sister TV station, KIVI-TV, to partner on projects that benefit our audiences, advertisers and the Boise community.”

Rosenthal re-inherits a quartet of stations which have seen generally under-performing results of late. Scripps’ top-performing station only posted results good enough for 7th place in the 12+ (107.1 K-Hits). Beyond that, The River ranked 10th, The X ranked 17th and Rock 105.1 ranked 18th.

Rosenthal is also the voice behind the famous “Annnnd that’s another Bronco…” (FIRST DOWN!) chant at Albertsons Stadium for Boise State football.

Don Day edited IdahoRadioNews.com for more than five years. Now he tweets a lot.