5-29-13
(by Buzz Knight) In our second installment of ?Experts in the Wings? we highlight a gentlemen who has passionately followed and been the midst of the radio business for over five decades: Clark Smidt. According to Smidt, ?My passion for media was always present from growing up in Manhattan, In our business, we?re always ?waiting in the Wings? for something new to happen on stage, in the spotlight and setting a new box office record. That opportunity can be at any moment, as the injury to Patriots QB Drew Bledsoe suddenly sent in Tom Brady from the sidelines. 5 plays later nobody looked back. Practice makes perfect, adding skills from experience and being ready to make it work.?
Highlights of Clark Smidt?s illustrious career include:
- Building WWUH-FM at the University of Hartford, TV directing, being hired as WBZ ops director at 22, starting WBZ/FM(The first version), WCOZ, and creating the original Softrock for CBS/FM(still remembered as a success: ?the Eagles without the turkeys, and ?Joni without the baloni?)
- Clark has had the opportunity to work with a large number of stations, broadcasters and business clients, independent advisor and station builder and in his words ?have dodged most of the mean spirited folks out there.?
- Clark?s work has also taken him to establishing college internships, helping good folks advance, building ?WNNH New Hampshire Oldies 99? from docket 80-90 and creating local services .
- He is most proud of his family. By avoiding multiple career moves(Boston since 70) his children had a very good home life and now excel in completing post graduate degrees in business and clinical psych.
- A guy like Clark has encountered his share of cool people over the years and he enjoyed most the moments when he could meet a broadcast hero like Walter Cronkite as he was waiting in line to buy a Sunday New York Times on Martha?s Vineyard.
According to Clark what?s missing today is an understanding to coordinate, motivate and deliver compelling content and attract new business. ?it?s attention to TEAMWORK, programming, personality, being local, knowing and connecting with an audience.?
Clark Smidt?s elevator pitch is: ?I learn about your priorities and what keeps you up at night.. then prepare a practical plan to add positive presence?more audience and most importantly added income. It?s a combination of compelling content, excellent presentation and local service that sells. Timely suggestions save money and make money.?
Smidt says ?regardless of the communications channel. To gain positioning, politics, positive presence, new customers, more audience and sustained sponsorship ?it?s all about EFFECTIVE MESSAGING?
Reach out to Clark Smidt at clarkfsmidt@gmail.com. If you know an ?Expert in the Wings? to recommend, reach out to Buzz Knight at bknight@greatermediaboston.com.
Buzz Knight is the Vice President of Program Development for Greater Media. Knight was named among ?Best Programmers? by Radio Ink Magazine in 2007 and 2010. He has served on the programming subcommittee of the National Association of Broadcasters(NAB) and is currently a member of the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council and the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) COLRAM Committee.
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