Tracy Johnson

Alan Burns

A Guide to Developing On-air Superstars

Morning Radio

Mary Baldwin

I took a break from fiction to finish up reading this book after it was recommended to be last month by a colleague. I'm brand new to the radio world, and work on the off air side of the fence - I had such a mis guided and limited view of what was involved in running a station never mind how a show was produced, developed and executed. 

Hungry as ever for knowledge; I explained my blanks spots and asked our station's content director to recommend me some reading. He didn't hesitate in naming this one and said "if you read this, you will understand why I get the team to do the things they do".

Pretty nervously I made a start on the book and was quickly relived to find that there was no confusing jargon or polished media spiel. In fact, the book highlights so many things that are not at all difficult concepts, but could so easily be overlooked by someone inexperienced. 

Reading the book was enjoyable as well as educational. Biggest take aways from the book definitely include: understanding the planning that goes into each and every show, realising that there is a recipe followed in order to keep listeners active and engaged, appreciating the demands placed upon an on air team. And, understanding things that previously seemed odd to me (hooks that are time specific to the minute for example).

Yes, I will look differently at the work of our on air teams now and I hope the effort I put into educating myself will make the work I do, all the more supportive of them.

A great read if you're new to the business, but I suspect if you're an experienced PD or announcer you'd be bored to death.

Morning Radio A Guide to Developing On-air Superstars

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