Interview w. Matt Sneed WPST DJ

The second media professional I got in contact with at WPST was DJ Matt Sneed. Every weekday at 5pm Matt plays an hour of commercial free hit music for the drive home from work. I made contact with this individual through my Advanced Radio Production professor John Mozes. I told Mozes that I needed to complete an assignment with WPST, and I knew he had friends that worked at PST. Professor Mozes got in contact with Matt through e-mail, and then Matt e-mailed me back. Matt seemed to be pretty busy and told me to e-mail him the questions I wanted to ask, and he would send back the answers. I will be able to integrate the information I got from Matt very easily into my station profile assignment. He is an on-air personality, and the data I gathered from the interview can be used in many different categories.

Matt's Pics with famous people.

Matt got started right after college by going to various radio stations around the Bucks County area. He knew he wanted to be an on-air personality, and felt like it was something he could do for a long time. He always felt like he had a good sense of humor and could relate to listeners in several ways. Matt finally found a spot he could call home when he landed the job at WPST. Matt also added that in this business you might have to deal with the word "NO" a lot. He said it was important to keep putting a constant effort into whatever profession I choose, and not let a little disappointment get in the way of my goals.

When I asked Matt what he liked most about his job he said the atmosphere of where he works. He enjoys working with his co-workers a

nd he loves "jockin'." Matt is a very familiar voice to PST listeners, and has a number of fans that enjoy what he does on the air. Matt loves his fans, and enjoys bringing them the music they love, and adding his own spin to it. When I asked Matt what he dislikes about the job, he responded, "nothing." I feel Matt is in a great spot in his career, and has no complaints (at least thats what he told me). This is the type of job I could see myself at in the future. I know Matt is having a good time doing what he is doing.

When I asked Matt about the future of PST and how he thinks new

technology will effect the station he feels nothing will change. While Matt doesn't deny that the industry is constantly changing he explained, "It is up to the jocks, and the people involved with the station to adapt with the new technology, and continue to flourish." This is a key ingredient for radio stations being able to create income and to keep doing what they love. "Its up to the people," Matt continued.

When I asked Matt what suggestions he had for students he added that its important to do whatever it takes to get experience. He told me to try to get "on the air" at the college radio station, so I can get a familiar feel for what to expect. He told me that experience in this business is your number one ally. He told me to take any internship possible, and to do everything I am told while working. He added, no matter how dumb or useless it seems like what your doing is, just do it. He added that people like hard workers, and that he knows what it takes to get "on the air," and its not easy. "Remember hard work is key," he concluded. He also said that it helps to be outgoing, and have a fun personality. People want to be entertained thats why they are listening!

Matt's Blog

www.wpst.com

Interview w. Lydia Rios WPST

In my first interview with a media professional I contacted Lydia Rios from WPST. Mrs. Lios is Vice President of PST and is general sales manager of the station. It was not easy getting in contact with Mrs. Lios. I tried calling the station a number of times, and left countless voice mails on her machine. Once I noticed I was not getting called back I began to e-mail her, and other media professionals at PST. Finally, Mrs. Lios got back into contact with me through the phone, and we set up an appointment for me to come down to the station and conduct a brief interview. The information that was given to me from the interview is very valuable to my station profile assignment. Because Mrs. Lios expertise was in sales/advertising, and it is going to be simple to correlate her knowledge into the advertising/sales part of the assignment. Mrs. Lios also knew a lot about the station and shared much of her knowledge with me. The data I gathered from the interview will be the backbone of my station profile assignment.

When I asked Mrs. Lios how she got into the advertising part of her job s

he said it was unplanned. Lydia knew she wanted to be involved with broadcast in some way, but never saw herself in the sales department. She knew she was a good talker, and was always able to persuade people into doing what she wanted to do. She felt like it would be a good fit for her personality. Lydia started from the ground and worked herself up to the position she is in today. She started off as an intern in college, and slowly progressed. She kept explaining to me how important it was to get my foot in the door.

When I asked Mrs. Lios what she liked most about her job she answered me very quickly and said, "The people I work with." When I was at the station I noticed Mrs. Lios was very outgoing with her co-workers, and I could tell they appreciated her very much. Everybody seemed like they were working together to accomplish one important goal (making the station money through advertising). It made me want a job like hers where I could be friendly and outgoing with all my co-workers, and be able to enjoy myself while making a living. This is something I will search for when looking for a job in the future. When I asked what she disliked she answered quickly as well. Mrs. Lios does not like to be away from her children and family. The job can be demanding at times, and the hours can be draining.

Mrs. Lios thinks new technologies will not have an effect on WPST. She feels the radio station is currently flourishing, and does not see satellite radio posing a threat. She went into talking about the PST website and how it has helped improve the station, and how the station was getting positive feedback from the majority of listeners. She told me that some listeners are beginning to listen to PST by streaming it from their computers, and other mobile devices. Mrs. Lios thinks that in the next 5 to 10 years PST will remain the power house radio station that it is today.

Mrs. Lios made it very clear to me that if I wanted to pursue a career in radio I must take every opportunity that I can. She said that current interns now at PST do not get too much hands on experience, but they are getting their foot in the door just by being around the station. She told me that there is no room for laziness in this profession, and the harder I work the more pleased I will be with my career. I admire Mrs. Lios because I can tell she is doing what she loves, and making solid income. I could see myself on the sales side of a radio station just because I feel I can learn the trade and be effective.

www.wpst.com