Person Profile: Sara Pecora
Person Profile:
Name: Sara Pecora
Age: 20
Birthplace/Current Location: Pittsburgh, PA/Mars, PA
What stations have you worked at? I currently work at college station WPTS, running their local department. I also was a member of the broadcast team at Mars High School, producing their morning broadcast. Finally, I was a production intern at WYEP this past semester, creating promos and editing promos such as Discumentary and RPM.
Have you had any other jobs outside the broadcasting industry? I'm a docent at the University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms and a research assistant at the University of Pittsburgh's Office of Experiential Learning.
Who are your mentors/inspirations? For one, the local musicians around here are a big inspiration. They work their tails off, trying to produce great music and getting that music heard. Sometimes they split their fingers open from playing too hard, sometimes they have gigs in poduck venues with no audiences. And yet, they don't give up; they continue to trudge through with a can-do attitude. Even when they don't succeed, they continue on, and that's extremely admirable to me.
My parents are another example: both of them had parents die when they were around my age and yet they both managed to perservere and create happy lives for themselves.
My mentors have varied, but so are all people who have helped me become successful. Because of them, I've had places to unwind and just sort myself out when things have seemed completely crazy. My friends are the best example, taking me under their wing like a surrogate sibling. Two in particular stand out for their helpfulness and kindness. Both have inspired me to continue with my local show and further my broadcast career, despite obstacles that I have faced and for that I can't thank them enough.
Tell us about your family. I'm the oldest of four kids - we're all so different that it can get a little crazy sometimes, but they're still great.
What's one item we might find in your refrigerator on a regular basis? Pasta. My family and I are half-Italian so pasta is a staple in many of our dishes.
You could be considered a "newcomer" to radio because, according to the recent article in City Paper, before joining WPTS, you didn't really consider radio as a career? What led you to WPTS and how has it changed your life? I have always dabbled in broadcast, so I felt that radio would be an interesting experience. I went to the student activity fair and signed up right there and then, which later led me to become the WPTS Local Director. It's changed my life for a couple of reasons: firstly, it's obviously gotten me some notoriety that I would have never had before. There's also the fact that I feel like I now have something that can help the local music community. I'm working with the musicians to get college kids to realize that we have an amazing music scene here and so that's something that I wouldn't be doing without radio.
Who would you like to see interviewed for Person Profile? Has Rosemary Welsch been interviewed yet? If not, definitely her! Women in radio are so rare and she's been doing it a lot longer than most!
Pittsburgh Public Media to offer new bid for 'DUQ; new website debuts
Pittsburgh:Pittsburgh Public Media, the newly-formed non-profit group attempting to purchase and maintain WDUQ-FM (90.5) and its format, is working to offer a second bid. The first, undisclosed bid was rejected by current owner Duquesne University. The new bid has not been released but is expected to be about 30% higher than the first by Pittsbugh Public Media according to an article in the Post-Gazette.
Meanwhile, according to a press release from the newly formed non-profit, a new website, which is intended to encourage online users to show their support for keeping the station on the air in Pittsburgh, has been formed. Users can connect via Facebook or Twitter among other opportunities The advisory board of Pittsburgh Public Media includes current WDUQ management and some long-time friends and supporters who would like to see the station continue making positive contributions to the community with award-winning journalism and its committment to NPR.
"Many other NPR affiliates around the country have successfully been transferred from a University or other owner to an independent non-profit corporation," said Joseph Kelly, chair of the Pittsburgh Public Media board of directors. "These provide good models for PPM. We feel confident that with public and listeners support, PPM can sustain the WDUQ format and even expand the portions of our services that are most treasured by the community."
Should Pittsburgh Public Media's bid for WDUQ be accepted by Duquesne University, major fundraising and financing can begin. PPM was incorporated as a Pennsylvania non-profit on January 14, 2010. Its mission is to convene the people and resources to support and sustain the gathering, creation and distribution of broadcast and other media that fairly informs civil society and enriches cultural life. It is pending 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
WDUQ could owe CPB if sold to commercial outlet
Pittsburgh:Duquesne University could be forced to return nearly $7 million in federal funding if WDUQ-FM (90.5) is sold and made commercial rather than remaining public. The funding would be equal to 30 years worth of grants from the Washington, D.C.-based Corporation for Public Broadcasting. $1.8 million of that was distributed in the last six years.
In an interview appearing in last Friday's Tribune-Review, Duquesne president Charles Dougherty said, "That money's all been spent on the operation of the station over a period of years, so they received value for their investment. We don't see that they have any claim on the future of the station."
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the CPB said, "As stewards of the federal government's investment in public broadcasting, CPB does have an interest in seeing the licensee maintained as a public broadcasting operation. It is too early for CPB to speculate about possible outcomes for the station, but CPB could request any or all of WDUQ's federal funding be reimbursed.
Surprises in the ratings
Pittsburgh:The March PPM readings are out and it looks like the more accurate readings are taking stations on a wild ride on the 12+ roster.
- WDVE (102.5) and KDKA-AM (1020) top the numbers. No surprise there.
- Coming in 3rd is WRRK (96.9) , followed by WKST (96.1) which has a slight edge on country WDSY (107.9) which long held the number 3 spot under the old diary books.
- Talker WPGB (104.7) was in third place in the February readings but has dropped to 6th place in the 12+ for March.
- The new KDKA-FM (93.7) is showing in the numbers for the first time with a 1 share and 20th place on the list. Give it time...
WYTV now at full power
Youngstown: While neither WKBN or WYTV started with local HD newscasts as of yet, WYTV DT 36 has been testing their full powered digital signal. The station is coming in quite well here near Cochranton with readings up to 80%, which is a lot more than I expected. That equals what I get from WFMJ DT 20 while WKBN is near 100% with their power & much higher antenna. WYTV's power increase will benefit more viewers with antennas in the Mahoning Valley as well as those who may have a hard time getting WTAE's low powered translator on DT 22 north of Pittsburgh in Butler county. Feel free to share how well the station comes in at your location.Terry Lee to WJAS
Pittsburgh:
The magic of the "TL Sound" returns to Pittsburgh's airwaves Sunday nights on WJAS-AM (1320) beginning April 25th. Legendary disc jockey Terry Lee, famous for his highly rated radio shows on WMCK and WIXZ in the 60's and 70's, and creator of the memorable Music for Young Lovers will be heard between 8:00 p.m. and Midnight every Sunday night in Pittsburgh once again after over 20 years.
Lee is also known for producing many local bands over the years including the Fantastic DeeJays, Swamp Rats, Fenways, and many others. He also hosted two of Pittsburgh's popular dance programs, Come Alive on WIIC-TV (now WPXI-TV 11) and The Terry Lee Show on KDKA-TV (2) and WPGH-TV (53).
The addition of Terry Lee brings more "magic memories" to "1320 WJAS" which boasts the weekday lineup of Jack Bogut In the Morning (6:00 - 10:00 a.m.), Chilly Billy Cardille (10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.), Chris Shovlin (3:00 - 7:00 p.m.) and John Tesh (7:00 p.m. - Midnight). Lee's new program will be the third weekend specialty show on WJAS along with Radio Deluxe with John Pizzarelli and Swinging With Sinatra with Steve Jaxon Vicario.
Injured tower worker rescued
Pittsburgh: WPXI-TV is reporting that emergency crews successfully rescued a man who was doing some work on the neighboring WPGH-TV tower earlier today. The unidentified man apparently broke his ankle and was having trouble climbing down the tower. He was rescued shortly after Noon and taken to Allegheny General Hospital for treatment.Person Profile: Dimitri Vassilaros
Person Profile:
Name: Dimitri Vassilaros
Age: 57 (going on 12)
Birthplace/Current Location: Pittsburgh Magee Women's Hospital (so I could be near my mother).
What stations have you worked at? Pitt's student-run station (then known as WPGH radio), WZUM, WIXZ, WEEP, WTAE, WBVP and of course, 1020 KDKA. And that's just in this area. Other stations include WFLA, KSDO, 3WE, WERC and WWVA - all great news/talk stations.
Have you had any other jobs outside of the broadcasting industry? Yes, too many jobs in too many other fields: real estate sales and management, car sales, taxi driver (two weeks of abject misery in Tampa), mall marketing, the rest is a blur.
Who are your mentors/inspirations? Well, if you're really talkin' inspiration, I'd start with God. Ed Salamon, Mike McVay, Gabe Hobbs, Marshall Adams, Tom Clendenning, Bruce Gilbert, Larry Anderson, Rick Sklar, Jim Glass, Jack Merker, just to name a few of the many people who were so kind to me in radio. They and others were so very helpful. I cannot begin to list all of them. I'm a very lucky guy.
Radio air talent that influenced me includes Scott Shannon and Cleveland Wheeler (the original Q Morning Zoo), Rege Cordic, Jim Horne, Ed and Wendy King, Jim Quinn (when he was a great Top 40 DJ), Clark Race, Larry O'Brien and John Garry, Intrepid Scout, Neal Spence, Howard Stern, Bob Prince, Myron Cope, Paul Harvey (who taught me how to communicate by using silence), Darren Feist, Laurence Gaines - and my former co-host on 1170 WWVA in Wheeling, Kathy Fortunato (may God rest her glorious soul).
I'm like a sponge, always trying to learn by listening to what my fellow broadcasters do and how they do it. Not to mimic, but to process and maybe adapt something I picked up to my unique style. For example, radio graffiti is a very old bit. Some say it started in the '70s in Berkeley, California when a public station placed a microphone on the sidewalk and invited people to say or do whatever they wished. I refined that idea, adding a music bed suggested by Feist "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" by Information Society, refused to interact with the callers and re-branded it Dimitri Graffiti.
Tell us about your family. Mom and Dad are gone. One sister, One wife and one ex-wife. One offspring and one step-son.
What's one item we might find in your refrigerator on a regular basis? A lightbulb
How did you come up with "Dimitri Tweeter" and how has it been working? The bit is a kinder and gentler version of the Dimitri Graffiti bit I had done in Wheeling for many years. Just call in and say or do whatever you want (without violating the law or FCC regs) but do not interact with the host. Dimitri Graffiti had great ratings, especially among the younger demos, believe it or not. Dmitri TWEETER is the same concept but it does not push the envelope. I love not interacting with the callers. Yes, it sounds counter intuitive, but I think it's great radio.
Who would you like to see interviewed for Person Profile? Marshall Adams. He was born and reared in this area and he has accomplished much in a very short period of time. He is a real radio guy. He gets it.
Station: KDKA-AM (1020); Show: Saturday Night with Dimitri; Time: 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. ("Dimitri Tweeter" - 8:30 - 9:00 p.m.); Day job: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review; Facebook Link - http://www.facebook.com/dimitri.vassilaros?ref=profile
PG & The Fan form partnership
Pittsburgh:The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has teamed up with KDKA-FM (93.7) to form an editorial and marketing partnership. They will also cross-promote some new content over the course of the coming weeks. Some of that content includes a weekly sports roundtable along with high school, college and professional sports programming.
PG President Chris Chamberlain said, "This partnership gives our highly engaged sports audience a true power play: They will have a new way to connect with the Post-Gazette's award-winning coverage, and they will have greater access to the exciting new voice of KDKA-FM Sportsradio 93.7 The Fan."
PG Columnist Ron Cook is already a part of the KDKA-FM lineup, but other columnists are expected to appear on upcoming programs. Additionally, the radio programs will be made available at the Post-Gazette website and sports headlines from the PG will air on 93.7.
Clear Channel facing creditors; on verge of collapse
National News:Clear Channel Communications appears to be on the brink of collapse. Sources told the New York Post that if the largest radio station owner can't restructure its debt in the next few years, it will likely collapse. The large creditors would like to see that happen. Negotiations with some lenders to refinance a "crippling" debt have apparently been unsuccessful.
Locally, CC owns WDVE-FM (102.5), WXDX-FM (105.9), WWSW-FM (94.5), WKST-FM (96.1), WPGB-FM (104.7) and WBGG-AM (970).
3 Potential buyers for WDUQ
Pittsburgh:WDUQ's sale could be made within a month if one of three potential buyers come through. However, Duquesne University President Dr. Charles Dougherty says the univeristy is not comitted to making a sale and a sale will not occur unless a reasonable offer is made. The school believes that the station is worth $10 million.
According to the Post-Gazette, the only potential buyer that is being revealed is Pittsburgh Public Media - a new nonprofit formed by the station's general manager Scott Hanley. The goal of Pittsburgh Public Media is to maintain WDUQ's NPR and jazz programming. Nonetheless, the school is not requiring that the station maintain its NPR affiliation or current format. Even so, Dr. Dougherty is developing a partnership with Pittsburgh Foundation and plans to attain a third party who specializes in the transfer of NPR stations.
Saturday Night Oldies Style is dropped
Erie-Meadville: News from Bill Dorrion on Facebook reports that his request show "The Saturday Night Oldies Style" has been dropped by Media One station SE-93 (WWSE 93.3) in nearby Jamestown, New York. Bill states that lack of advertising support is the reason why station owners dropped the show from its schedule. Bill has told me in recent weeks that he has struggled gain any advertising for the show he has put his heart and soul into since the mid '80's when it first aired on WRRN 92.3 / WNAE 1310 in Warren, Pa. It's another sad state of where radio is going as it loses the human element that made radio special years ago. Fortunately, you can see some great history of Erie radio on Joel Natalie's new Facebook page "We Rocked Erie in the 20th Century." Joel is also the editor of Erie's "Press And Tower" blogsite.Notes and a brief commentary
Musings From Eric:Patrick Cloonan's McKeesport Daily News (never online) roundup features two interesting tidbits this week.
- Frank Powaski begins his 43rd year of broadcasting polka music with his sixth annual "marathon" this Friday. The marathon marks a 6 month run of "Friday Night Polkas" on WKFB-AM (770) which is a complement to his "Polka Festival" heard year round on Sunday afternoons on sister station WKHB-AM (620). Powaski's marathon will air on both stations beginning Friday night at 5:00 on 770 and switching over to 620 after the paid programming ends and going until 7:00 the next morning. Go Frank, Go!
- How about something to file under the category of "ironic"? WTAE-TV's "Weather Watch 4" has expanded to 5 of the 6 Clear Channel Radio stations in town. WKST-FM (96.1) will be the only CC station not carrying 4's forecasts. Why is that peculiar? 96.1 used to be co-owned with channel 4 and even once carried the WTAE-FM callsign. Furthermore, the announcement of this partnership came as a surprise to Renda Broadcasting officials where, for several years, Channel 4 has provided forecasts for all three of the stations there and has its morning newscast simulcast on WMNY-AM (1360). Renda's VP Alan Serena says, "It is disappointing and disturbing and unlike WTAE." Meanwhile a WTAE spokesperson tells Cloonan that the move will not affect relations with Renda. Meanwhile didn't Channel 11 pull the same move some number of years ago?
ESPN Radio drains "The River"
Youngstown: A great tip from our friends at Fybush.com. The folks at Cumulus Youngstown flipped WLLF 96.7 in nearby Mercer from Adult Contemporary as "The River" to Sports with the ESPN Radio affiliation. Cumulus already had an ESPN Radio affiliate in Youngstown itself with WBBW 1240 but the FM side is running separate from the AM with more focus on the Pennsylvania side of the border since WLLF does not cover parts of Youngstown very well. The new station is now also simulcasting "Pic Sports" which is an afternoon sports talk program that has been on sister station WPIC 790 in nearby Sharon. They are also carrying Pittsburgh Pirates games this season as well as local sports which the station has carried in its AC days. I wouldn't be surprised if national sports carried on ESPN Radio is also carried on 96.7. This format should gain some traction with an FM presence in parts of the Youngstown market. The unlimited day and night signal would be a plus for baseball as well as NFL games offered by Westwood One. I imagine that WBBW has the NFL games in the market but it's hard to verify this since the station is not very strong at my location. If this is the case, WLLF would also be free to carry such a package. You can check out the website at www.espn967.com/Live news at 10pm on WBEP
Erie-Meadville: There is now a head to head battle for news watchers at 10pm. WBEP (CW 3) is now airing a live 10pm newscast to go up against long time 10pm news leader "Fox 66 News at 10." The newscast comes from the WSEE side of the Lilly Broadcasting complex with Scott McDowell and Lisa Weisman handling the anchor duties. The 1/2 hour newscast leaves little time for sports before 10:30 which would be a great opportunity for the station to air a nightly 1/2 hour sports show at 10:30 using the "SportsBlitz" name. The move would also be a plus since Fox now has an hour long newscast. You can catch WBEP on various cable outlets, Dish Network or over the air at 12-2 or 35-2.Person Profile: Emily Graham
Person Profile:
Name: Emily Graham
Age: 21
Birthplace/Current Location: Pittsburgh/Phoenix, AZ
What stations have you worked at? I have had somewhat of a different path in broadcast. I started as an intern at KPHO in Phoenix with the Investigative team and then went on to documentaries. I reported and field produced in South Africa on a documentary that focused on immigration issues within the country. South Africa was an incredible experience as I witnessed a country in severe trouble where the people were still optimistic of the future. Hope was a large part of the culture. I was fortunate enough to work with our fixer there and I was the first American to report from the Somali refuge camp. Our team won a Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for the documentary.
I was later hired by ABC News to run their ABC News on Campus Phoenix Bureau. I'll never forget the first time hearing the British news anchor toss to my story from the ABC News London desk, such a memorable moment! After leaving ABC I worked on an in-depth reporting project for the Carnegie-Knight foundation where we examined the economic, social, cultural and political impacts on Latinos in America. My personal project was focusing on Latinos who have traced their roots back to a Jewish lineage.
Sadly, Walter Cronkite passed away during the final week of the Carnegie-Knight project. I was hired to field produce an hour-long piece for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications on Walter's impact of the Cronkite school and his students.
Have you had any other jobs outside of the broadcasting industry? After I finished the Cronkite documentary I was hired by Rose & Allyn Public Relations where I currently work as the Operations Director and Account Coordinator. We do public relations, crisis communications and political consulting. This has been a great career move as it has allowed me to take all of my strongest broadcast skills and bring them into a new field. Personally I get to work with the media to get coverage for our clients, video shooting and editing along with political consulting.
Before moving to Arizona I worked at Mineo's Pizza House in Squirrel Hill for about 4 years.
Who are your mentors/inspirations? I really have to thank the Cronkite school for providing me with some of the most powerful mentors on the planet! I'm fortunate enough to be able to call Aaron Brown, former CNN anchor, a mentor of mine. Also, Susan Green, Peabody Award winner and unbelievably caring human and journalist, Dean Christopher Callaham, and Tim McGuire, former editor and Senior Vice President of the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis. Each one of these people has been there to help shape my future. There is no way that I could ever thank them enough!
Tell us about your family: My parents and younger sister still live in Pittsburgh with our dog, Louis.
What's one item we might find in your refrigerator on a regular basis? I try to eat pretty healthy, living in Arizona we have great access to local, fresh-grown foods so I always try to buy from the locals.
Please explain a little bit about your decision to go to the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism. When looking for a journalism school I really wanted a place where they were looking ahead. The journalism industry was changing so rapidly that it was imperative that my school teach not only the core values of journalism but also the feature and eveloving skills. Cronkite was just that; a base of credible journalism where you gained the knowledge of how to utilize the media in all platforms. Dean Callahan has created a school that is a game changer to journalism education.
Who would you like to see interviewed for Person Profile? Eleanor Schano