LOCAL RADIO THE “ HARDER ” WAY By Janis V . Bers
His morning show also took first place , and Rob received several awards , including employee of the year .
Noticing large potential profit opportunities , major national corporations began buying up large numbers of independent radio stations and forming them into numerous groups or “ clusters ” within each market . KISC was one of those purchases and fell victim to the practices and priorities of placing profit before quality . Widespread cutbacks were implemented , involving slashing promotional finances and resulting in stations becoming almost anonymous . Little money for promotion budget meant no billboards , no TV advertising , no presence , and zero budgets for contests or prizes . Local live announcers were being replaced by pre-recorded syndicated shows , and nationwide program sharing had become the normal corporate practice . Rob estimates that in a time period of 5 years the corporation eliminated at least half of its entire workforce . Essentially local radio had begun to lose its local identity , and it was about to lose its leader !
After all his years of dedication and effort in raising his Spokane radio stations to the fiscally attractive propositions that corporate greed just couldn ’ t resist , Rob was cruelly rewarded . He received an immediate dismissal notice 6 years ago and was invited to leave the organization , and indeed the building , that very same day — without even a thank you from his replacement or the corporation !
But Rob was by no means finished with his wide world of broadcasting . In yet another twist of fate and good fortune , Rob reconnected with Bob Anthony who in the meantime had become a radio station owner and had made quite a sizable profit buying and selling stations in California . Bob now wanted to give it one more shot in the Spokane market and invited Rob to partner with him when he found a “ sleeping ” station that was available for purchase and could be fired up again .
Rob agreed , and after leasing a suite in the Jefferson Building in Spokane in 2012 , they set about creating a brand new adult contemporary station that was to be called KOOL 107.1 ( KPPL ). Rob literally hand-built the station ’ s control room consoles and equipment racks , and in just a few months the new independent station took to the air . Radio was once again going to be a fun local experience just like those good old days .
Rob ( Hot Dog ) Harder still enjoys presenting his weekly radio show every Saturday afternoon from noon to 2pm . If you like your radio live , local , and presented in the spirit it once was prior to the corporate takeovers , you might like to take a listen to Rob at KOOL 107.1 . As the title suggests , the station can be found at 107.1 FM on your radio dial , and is also available online at kool1071 . com .
48 ART CHOWDER MAGAZINE