No, this post isn’t about yet another faceless variety station called “Bob.” It’s about a living, breathing personality named Bob – Bob Lester – who can teach us a great deal about how it should be done in 2010.
That’s because for all that has changed in broadcast radio over the decades, one thing is still essentially the same:
Here’s an ad we mocked up for a presentation about the care, coaching, and brand-building of DJs. These job requirements are archaic, given the needs that radio stations now have.
In an environment where voicetracking, PPM, and tight budgets play a role in diminishing the role of the DJ, the fact is that local radio needs strong, multi-faceted, and active personalities in order to be viable in a changing world where Pandora and iPods are rapidly becoming common choices.
We have developed presentations designed to help stations and their personalities redefine the role of the DJ in order to better contribute to the industry’s changing needs. And along the way, we occasionally run into a personality in a local market who is making a difference.
Our poster boy for this blog is Bob Lester, half the morning show at KWHL (K-Whale) in Anchorage. While not always the case, it is probably a truism that it may be even easier and more desirable to build a strong DJ brand in a medium or small market where distractions like pro sports, Broadway plays, and great local TV are minimal or non-existent.
But let’s give Bob his due. He is much more than one half of the morning show on his station. He has created what he calls the “Bob brand” by adhering to one basic philosophy (especially in the early years):
Never saying no.
In short, Bob took just about every job, opportunity, promotion, meet & greet, pie eating contest, PA gig, and remote. Most of this was done for minimal or zero compensation.
Why do this? In Bob’s own words, “I was able to put my talents in front of as many people as possible, hoping that eventually somebody would see me and say, ‘I need to hire that guy.’"
How did it pay off for Bob Lester?
- He is the PA announcer for the Alaska Aces (minor league hockey team in Anchorage), the A.F.C. (local cage fighting), the Alyeska Slush Cup, the Snowmachine motor madness races, and several other Alaska events.
- Bob is the owner of his own production agency where he creates, produces, and places radio and television ads for several clients. (It's not going to be easy to get rid of a personality who is immersed into the local advertising world.)
- He is one of the most politically connected media personalities in Alaska – and the only representative that is in touch with Sarah Palin’s organization on a consistent basis. Here he is on Fox News the night before Palin was announced as John McCain’s running mate:
- Bob has always been very active in local charities, having raised more than $250,000 for Toys For Tots over the past 17 years. He has also worked with the local Red Cross, American Lung Association, and numerous charities. But as he told us, his “proudest moment was raising in excess of $120,000 in 24 hours for victims of an apartment fire.”
- Bob has hosted his own children’s television show (Fox 4 Kids Club), along with emceeing hundreds of local trivia nights at neighborhood bars and clubs.
But here’s the kicker – Bob’s view of his role at the station and in Anchorage has been part of a larger ethic that has guided his career trajectory. As he explains, “Being in radio is a huge responsibility, and one that I do take seriously. I love this community, and the people who live here. Giving back is all part of being part of this ‘Anchorage family.’”
We have to nurture and grow more Bob Lesters in radio because few personalities truly understand that there's more to this job than just being great on the air, hosting bar nights, and performing well at remotes.
The community connection is indeed the “secret sauce.” Many years ago, author Emanuel Rosen spoke at one of our Summits. His book, The Anatomy of Buzz, broke it down clearly and simply: the number one thing that people talk about is other people – celebrities. And this was before Facebook and Twitter.
Radio has to rethink its time-honored job requirements, and design a new role that redefines station personalities. We need to grow local celebrities, and help them develop into brands – and people – who matter to their communities.
Bob Lester has given us a pretty good template.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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This was the nicest thing anyone has ever written about me.
Thank you.
-Bob
I had to look it up, Bob.
I wrote that in 2010. I have “appropriated” your story in many airstaff presentations to make the point that hard work and the willingness to do it all pays off.
Best of luck to you, and glad you saw it. Well-deserved!