Chris Conley Is The Best PD In America

5-4-15

It's become one of our most popular lists of the year. The 2015 Best PDs in America can now be seen between the pages of the latest Radio Ink magazine. And the number-one PD in America is iHeartMedia's Chris Conley. Conley programs WLTW in New York City. Every time a ratings book comes out, just like clockwork, WLTW sits on top of the pack. Not bad, in the number-one market in America. iHeartMedia New York SVP/Programming Thea Mitchem says, "Chris is a creative visionary who has the pulse on Adult Contemporary listeners' evolution of tastes and expectations. Chris has a great balance for the art and science of programming, and his passion and expertise continue to keep LTW at the top of its game."

Conley is nearing four decades in the radio business, and in that time he"s racked up miles of experience and a winning track record. "I'm thrilled to be on Radio Ink's list of top PDs this year," he says. "It's hard for me to believe I'm in my 37th year of radio broadcasting and 25th as a program director. On most days I'm as enthusiastic to come into the radio station as when I was starting out as an overnight weekend DJ in Dayton, OH." Conley goes on, "It's exciting and challenging to help keep a legendary station like WLTW on top. Fortunately, the station is well-supported to fight off challengers. We strive to be consistent and continue to build the brand walls higher each day. The station continues to evolve musically and with its presentation. I hear at least once a week from listeners and people in our business how surprised they are by the playlist. It matches the listeners' taste up to the moment, but still surprises some folks who aren't listening or close to it every day.?

Conley says a great program director is someone who lets creative people be creative. "Advice that I've given to two programmers this week: Coach and course-correct, but stop being a control freak. It's important for a programmer to be open-minded about change. Tastes change over time. Today's AC station shouldn't sound like it lives in the '80s, even though lots of the music is from that decade." iHeartMedia EVP/GM National Programming Platforms Clay Hunnicutt tells Radio Ink Conley understands his audience and his station, and how they come together for a great sense of community: "He makes a big impact across WLTW and all of iHeart-Media's AC stations, talent, and programmers."

Reach out to congratulate Conley on taking our top spot chrisconleynyc@iheartmedia.com
Subscribe to the digital edition of Radio Ink magazine for only $49 per year (16 issues) and make the Best PD issue your very first.

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Chris Conley Named Best Program Director in America for 2013

4-17-13

One of the most highly anticipated annual lists from Radio Ink Magazine, The Best Program Directors in America, comes out officially on Monday. This list may soon be called "The Best Brand Managers in America." From our research we learned that's the way the position is headed. And, in fact, that's exactly what they're called at Saga Communications. The job of a PD today entails so many things: the product that on the air, the product that comes out of a device, that sits on the Web, delivered on Twitter and Facebook and Pinterest and Instagram. It?s the videos, the podcasts, the apps, and however else the product is delivered today, or might be delivered tomorrow. And let us not forget about the original PD tasks of managing and developing talent, listening to music, managing the GM, working with sales, and stressing about ratings. Who earned that top spot for 2013? Chris Conley from Clear Channel's WLTW in New York.

Conley has been in the radio business for 34 years, 22 of those years as a PD. WLTW in New York is a ratings powerhouse and the station has had an incredible run over the past 18 months with record audience shares. Conley is a great strategist and a respected coach and says he still gets a rush downloading the ratings every Monday.

Being a successful PD in 2013, according to Conley, means having the discipline to make the right decisions at the right time. ?A series of wrong decisions, whether it be music choice or direction, marketing or talent, can sink a brand,? he says. ?That has always been the case in our business. With reduced marketing budgets, it?s  ore important than ever to really be sure about every single decision that involves the brand. Today it takes a more versatile skill set and knowledge base than ever before. Today?s PD should grasp social and digital strategies, know marketing that moves the needle, and understand how to really coach talent.?

Congratulate Chris for being the 2013 King of the PD Hill ChrisConleyNYC@clearchannel.com

Here are a few stats from our 2013 Best PD List (Major Markets)
- Clear Channel scored five of the top ten spots
- CBS had three of the top ten positions
- Two of the top five PD's are females

For young programmers looking to learn from the best, each and every PD on our 2013 list has advice on how to become a great PD in 2013 and beyond. This is extremely valuable information during a time in our business these positions are dwindling. To subscribe to the Digital edition of Radio Ink (for only $49.00 per year for 20 issues) in time to receive this issue GO HERE.

To receive your own digital copy (PDF) of this list you can cherish forever for $9.95 call 561-655-8778.

(4/18/2013 2:18:54 PM)
Chris Conley has one of the MOST FOCUSED and listener targeted stations on the globe...He and his Lite FM staff have put in great W-O-R-K...
This honor is more than well deserved!

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