YaYa Love: Radio Is For the Community
“If we think back on the history of Radio Broadcasting, radio was the only way people would be connected with what’s going on in their city. It was their entertainment. I want to remind people that Radio Broadcasting is for the community!”
Written by: Maya Perry
YaYa Love is social ambassador and radio influencer. As the promotions director over three different formats, Yaya Love is always on the go and coordinating different station promotional campaigns from street events to major concerts.
YaYa Love adopted the radio nickname after a family friend began calling her “Yaya”. “My real name, Yanira, is hard for some people to announce and remember, so I wanted something fun and catchy. When it was time for me to choose a name “Yaya Love” came to me naturally.” Yaya Love explains she was bit by the radio bug early. “When I was 17 years old, the owner of the only Spanish radio station in Jacksonville, saw me performing with my band. He loved my energy and charisma on stage and asked me if I wanted to have my own radio show. I was a senior in high school so he gave me my own morning weekend show called” El Show de los Hangovers” and I’ve been in radio since!”
Yaya Love describes her brand as being the face and voice of the community. She states “I love connecting people of different backgrounds and industry to come together for a great cause. If we think back on the history of Radio Broadcasting, radio was the only way people would be connected with what’s going on in their city. It was their entertainment. I want to remind people that Radio Broadcasting is for the community!”
She is an active Promotions Director for 93.3 THE BEAT, V 101.5, and RUMBA 106.9 in Jacksonville, FL. While concluding the interview, I asked Yaya Love what she would like to express to the her younger self and upcoming women in radio and she states, “You’re going to hit many lows in this career but don’t give up because the struggle you’ll go through, will prepare you for your dream job as the Promotions Director for the Urban and Latin Stations! Don’t be afraid to learn every aspect of this industry! The more you learn about how to run a radio station, the better you’ll be at your job even if it’s a department you’ll never work in.”
Kristen Savik: Living in a Latina World
“Don’t settle for less than you deserve and always counter an offer. I’ve got this far in my career from being strong and persevering.”
Written by: Deanna McClary
Kristen Savik, whose better known as “La Gringa Mas Latina” is a passionate and versatile young woman. Her love for the Latin culture and music began at a young age, which lead her to spend time grasping the customs of the culture. She explains, “I discovered my love for radio after I had gone back to Minnesota after being in the Dominican Republic for 5 months. I looked up “bachata” concerts in Minnesota in google and went, which is where I met my first boss in radio.” Kristen Savik describes, “My daily goal when I go on-air is to show a difference in culture and to exemplify being a Caucasian living in a Latina world.”
Kristen Savik started her radio journey in 2005 as an intern at a radio station. As she grew as an intern, she got the opportunity to learn everything from sales, music directing, to management. Kristen decided to expand and grow her career by making the big move to Miami. She began working for several radio stations, but she got her big break through at iheart Radio with her boss, Enrique Santos on his new station TU94.9. Kristen describes her favorite aspect of working in radio by stating, “I love the opportunities that I am able to receive while being in the radio industry, the music industry and getting to learn the different styles of music and getting to grow as a person.”
When asked what she would tell her younger self, she states “Don’t settle for less than you deserve and always counter an offer. I’ve got this far in my career from being strong and persevering. People criticized me for my accent and wondered why my boss would give me this job because I’m not Latina, but that didn’t stop me from doing the job that I love. They finally realized that they couldn’t break me, which led them to love me.”
Kristen is a mother and a wife who displays how important it is to be a family oriented individual while working in the radio industry. She concludes our conversation by stating, “Moving forward, I’m excited about connecting more with my audience, expressing myself more on social media and using iheart Radio as an extra boost to get myself out there.”
Annie Camp: Born into it, Its in her blood.
“ Be you 100%, and never try to hide that to appease anyone else. People are going to love you for YOU. If they don’t, screw ‘em.“
By: Maya Perry
Annie Camp is a multidimensional marketing guru and on air personality who LOVES radio. I relate to Annie’s story because I too was raised in radio. We related in so many ways and had a basic understanding and desire at a young age to be in radio. Annie explains, “My dad was the Program Director for 104.1 WTQR, so my childhood consisted of meeting tons of people I didn’t know around the area, remotes at random places, and super early mornings with dad on-air as he hosted the morning show. Needless to say, I was bit by the “radio bug.”
She attended school at Forsyth Tech for Radio Broadcasting and Production, scored an internship with 98.7 Simon. After showing her ambition and hard work, she snagged the part time position with them doing production work and some promotional events. 93.1 The Wolf needed someone to fill in on their morning show and she was granted opportunity to fill in. Annie describes how she created her radio name. She states “When I helped out last year on The Wolf’s morning show I went by “Downtown Frankie Brown”. That was fun, but after I got done filling in, I moved to overnights and I wanted to just be me, and having grown up in this market, people know me by that, instead of trying to create someone new it’s easier to associate with a person you’ve always known. So Annie Camp it was!”
Annie defines her brand as just her, she’s not some “persona”. “I live where listeners live, eat where they eat, and drink beer in the same hole-in-the-wall places that they do. I’m not sure if I’ve found my purpose just yet, but I want to be a friend to everyone I meet. I want people to know that the folks from The Wolf aren’t “untouchable”, we are average Joes who luckily got a seat in front a mic. If I could hug or shake everyone’s hands that hang out with us every day through their radios, I would. I’m pretty determined to do so too, we are on the streets 5 to 6 days a week. If I’m the only person that these people get to see from the station I want them to walk away saying Wow, she made me feel right at home.”
Annie is currently the full time Promotions Director and covers overnights full time, Midnight-5am for 93.1 the Wolf . Annie concludes our conversation by leaving a gem for other aspiring women in radio to just “DO IT. Make moves, make yourself known to the big dogs, and make noise. Be you 100%, and never try to hide that to appease anyone else. People are going to love you for YOU. If they don’t, screw ‘em. Also, work on your handshake. Firm, assertive, and an excellent grip- it shows people you’re not afraid to take control.”
Brandy Wood: Curating Content and Pushing Through
“People have a more intimate connection with radio verses newspapers or television, and we see that greatly through our audience.”
Written by: Kristen Ayanah
Brandy Wood is the marketing manager of WBGO-FM in Newark, New Jersey and she is curating creative content every day.
WBGO-FM is a public Jazz radio station licensed to Newark, New Jersey founded in 1979. Wood has been with the company for ten years as the marketing manager.
Her main goal as marketing manager is to push content and create continuous buzz through promotion for the station and for audience members to be engaged with.
Wood studied Jazz at New York University and played bass. WBGO-FM is the first radio station Wood has been a part of and prior to this she has worked in festival production specifically for the Newport Jazz Festival working with artists and festival logistics. Wood has truly been enjoying working at WGBO-FM and its environment. She says, “There are great people here who are dedicated and believe that Jazz is a cultural gift to the world.”
If there would be one thing about radio that she would like to change, it would have to be how certain people view radio specifically focusing on the younger generation. Wood believes that radio sometimes is viewed as simply being a technology item created years ago as appose to radio now being quality curated content.
Looking back on her career, Wood wishes she would have been more involved in production or learned radio production. Wood believes that having experience in production would help a lot with her marketing at WBGO and that production often times plays a vital role in storytelling which is what radio and media is all about.
When asked how she feels about how women are treated in the radio industry she says she can only speak from her experience at WBGO-FM. At WBGO there is equal gender opportunity on and off air and the CEO of WBGO is even a woman.
Wood’s favorite part about radio is the personal connection people feel with the station and on-air personalities.
“People have a more intimate connection with radio verses newspapers or television, and we see that greatly through our audience.”
One of the hardest parts, of radio marketing for Wood is trying to get earned media and coverage for WBGO from other media outlets like newspapers and television. She is also trying to learn new ways to be creative with her marketing that way she’ll reach broader audiences but often times this can be difficult due to WBGO’s financial budget. Never the less moving forward, Wood is excited about working in collaboration with NPR and Jazz in Lincoln Center for WBGO’s “Jazz Night in America” event portraying many different Jazz artist. Brandy Wood will continue to make her mark in radio and Jazz.
“Jazz and Radio is something really interesting that brings people together” she says, “It is the story of the best parts of America.”
Jennifer Alyse: Detroit Raised, Radio Made
“You may not feel you’re the best or you’re not enough. But you were put on this path for a reason”
By: Darylin Smith
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Jennifer Alyse discovered her interest in radio when the local radio stations would visit her high school. After high school, she continued her education at Michigan State University beginning as a sports medicine major but eventually graduated in December 2015 with a degree in communications.
“If I would’ve switched my major to media,I think I would’ve been a little ahead, and knew about different career opportunities.”
Following graduation, Alyse began the post-graduation job search, a process that many college graduates struggle with. Fortunately, in June 2016 she stumbled upon an opening on LinkedIn for a marketing and promotions position at Radio One, which happened to be in her hometown of Detroit, Michigan.
“When I got hired,I thought marketing and promotions was a cool way to tie in what I like to do, I like the events, and I love the music.”
Now, Alyse is the Online Editor at Radio One which covers their R&B, gospel, and hip-hop stations in their Detroit market.
“I typically get in around 8 or 9 a.m. and go through all the sites for social media. I edit interviews, post, and make videos. Constantly checking social media and checking in with marketing. I am at my desk looking at the site, social media, and reports until about 5:30 p.m.”
Alyse’s position at Radio One has opened the door to numerous networking opportunities and events. She has broadened her connections outside of the radio industry to different sponsors, label reps, and liquor reps just to list a few.
“My job provides an avenue to connections; it teaches you how to network and communicate because you’re always around a lot of different people.”
Alyse’s favorite aspect of working in radio is the fact that no two days are the same; she has a routine but at any moment she could get invited to a significant event, or a well-known artist could stop by.
“I loved meeting Elle Varner she’s very genuine, and Nipsey Hussle was pretty dope too, those are my favorites.”
Being the Online Editor, social media is essential to Alyse’s position, and advancements such as changes to Instagram’s Algorithm effects interactions between the stations and their online supporters. Alyse is very focused around busy times, likes, and engagements for the social media pages.
“Sometimes people won’t see your content. When I began college, Instagram just started popping, I never thought I could get a job with social media.”
With technology advancing radio is evolving, and Alyse is excited to see how music will progress. With the abundance of streaming platforms, the music industry is moving fast; new artist and new music are presented daily.
“I am thrilled to see music and technology advance because that’s where both of my worlds meet.”
Charley McCain : A Valuable Commodity
“Sometimes, you have to push a little harder & toot your own horn a little louder.”
By: Maya Perry
After 20+ years in this radio business, Charley McCain still fan girls with the best of them. “I love to discover new artists and turn others onto their talent. Hearing a song for the first time and knowing in your heart that it’s going to be a hit just feels good! We don’t play new songs on my current station, but we do play a variety, and it’s fun to play something off the wall and have people say, “Oh I forgot about that one!” Music makes people happy, and if I can’t create it, I can make sure it gets to you!”
Charley McCain is an on air host who has maintained an impressive journey in this business. As we spoke, she began to share her start in radio. She explains “since I was a little girl because my mom always had music on in the house. I wanted to work in the music industry, but I have no musical talent of my own. My original plan was to move to LA, but between roommates falling thru and the proverbial “wrong turn on the freeway”, I ended up in Charlotte NC. When I got my first chance to be on the air at 1065 The End in Charlotte, there was already a female on the air named Kristen. My real name is Krista, so those were too close .So we knew I needed a completely different name. My boss had received an application from a female who went by Charley. He didn’t hire her, but liked her name so he gave it to me! I’ve always been Charley on the air at every station where I’ve worked.I knew someone who worked at WRFX and I told him what a cool job I thought it was. He referred me to the promotions director, who said I had a cool voice and I should be on air! I started out answering phones for the Alan Handleman talk show in 95 or 96, board op-ing syndicated shows, and basically anything they would let me do. From there, I met someone at 1065 The End, and they hired me part-time. I worked overnights, weekends, swing-shift, office monkey, you name it.”
Eventually Charley hosted “90 Minutes” the local & regional music show, and following that, she was offered the job of Music Director/Assistant Program Director at Alternative 101.7 WKZQ in Myrtle Beach. She worked there for 5 years, then moved to Rock 93.5 WARQ in Columbia to co-host the “S&M Morning Show”. In 2007, she moved to WPAW 93.1 The Wolf, where Charley did nights & swing shift, and was production director. That eventually led to her to being hired by sister station 98.7 Simon to co-host the Get up Show, where she’s been since 2013. As you can see Charley multi- faceted personality helped her grow into this brilliant personality.
Charley’s story continues to inspire upcoming women in radio. When asked what she would tell her younger self and future women on air, she states “sometimes you have to push a little harder & toot your own horn a little louder. So what if there’s already a female on middays? There’s no reason that a station can’t have 2 female voices in back-to-back day parts! Show up, do the work, learn every job you possibly can. Make yourself a valuable commodity. It’s not just about your air shift – learn programming, production, imaging, and social media. Don’t be afraid or too aloof to take a job that isn’t quite what you want but opens an opportunity…you never know when someone will leave or a new position will open up, and you want your supervisors to think of you first! But above all, enjoy it! We are so lucky to work in such an amazing industry – take advantage of every opportunity to meet the stars, see the shows, experience the rush, and help the people.”