2 Lights Media recently interviewed Kathy Salazar, Account Executive at KABG-FM: New Mexico’s Home for Classic Hits!
Q: What station do you represent?
A: KABG-FM
Q: What Market are you in and what is the rank of this market?
A: Albuquerque, NM Rank: 68
Q: What makes your station stand out in your market?
A: We’re a Leader in Classic Hits. Our morning show features Bobby Box, who is a radio legend in New Mexico.
Q: What is your current position with your station?
A: Account Executive
Q: What brought you to radio?
A: I began in TV and then was offered a position in radio.
Q: How long have you been with your station?
A: 2 years
Q: Are you the only person at the station that sells the ½ hour blocks?
A: No.
Q: Are there other stations in your group that offer ½ hour blocks? If so which ones and if not why?
A: KDLW-FM 97.7 OMG Radio also offers ½ blocks.
Q: Has your station ever sold out of block time?
A: Yes
Q: Have you found that more direct response companies are looking to buy more time right now?
A: Yes
Q: We hear all the time that ad revenue for all the major radio groups is falling. In what categories are you losing the most ad revenue?
A: Auto, Retail
Q: Have you seen the long form and other direct response advertisers pulling back due to the recession?
A: No.
Q: In your experience what has long form media brought to your station. Has it been positive or negative?
A: Positive
Q: What feedback have you received concerning the half hour programs that run on your station?
A: Listeners consistently call the front desk for phone numbers for products that they have heard advertised.
Q: If stations don’t currently sell ½ hours to clients like 2 Lights Media would you recommend that they add this form of programming to their stations?
A: Yes
Q: Do you find it easy to work with long form DR companies or are they more difficult?
A: Much easier.
Q: Do you think your listeners would prefer to have a different show each week?
A: Not necessarily. It really depends on the products and whether they interest the listener.
Q: How does your station calculate rates for half hour blocks?
A: It’s based on the number of avails per hour and the time block it will air in.
Q: Do you track your listenership through a service like Arbitron? And if so, have you seen an increase or decrease in listenership during 30 min blocks since they switched to the PPM?
A: Yes, through Arbitron. Albuquerque does not have PPM yet.
