Originally published on June 01, 2007

Harve Alan

NextMedia Radio
VP of Programming

It takes a mix of art, science and research to give the audience what it wants

Bitten early by the radio bug, Harve Alan remembers riding in his mother's car, pretending a spoon in his hand was a radio microphone. Alan's career has brought him from on-air to programming and consulting. In January he was appointed VP of programming for NextMedia, directing content development for 42 stations in 12 markets.

Getting into the business: Growing up in Long Island [N.Y.], I listened to WABC, and I would get completely immersed in what was coming out of the radio. The day I got my driver's license, I applied for an internship at WBAB/Long Island. A couple of months into it, I found myself getting paid as a board op.

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First full-time job: My first full-time job was at WCCC/Hartford, as on-air, promotions and programming. My lucky break came less than a year in. The program director was on his way out, and I cajoled, convinced, begged and was in the right place at the right time and became interim program director.

The station was losing the rock battle, and when I took over, it was at a 3 share. The first book out, we popped to a 4.9. The second book, we were up to a 6.4. Someplace between the 4.9 and the 6.4, I actually got to keep the job.

Joining NextMedia: After Hartford, I was invited to program WAAF/Boston and got taken out through an ownership change. I eventually ended up working with Alex DeMers at DeMers Programming, and then I programmed Z93 [WZGC] in Atlanta for Infinity. I got invited to join what was to be Capstar, and I stayed there almost seven years.

At Capstar, I was director of rock programming, and I became VP of programming for what was then Atlantic Star. I survived through the first half of '03 and was taken out in a [reorganization]. I did a couple of things in between, and then I was invited to join NextMedia.

Describe the company: The thing top of mind to me is working with [NextMedia president/CEO] Steven and [radio division president/COO] Jeff Dinetz [who are brothers]. Both these guys are very experienced, passionate broadcasters. They really are radio guys.

NextMedia's programming structure: I'm the VP of programming, and we have program directors at all of our stations. I work with them to guide, direct and help them navigate whatever competitive battles they are facing, and we try to do that with a good strategic plan.

Programming philosophy: I have always been a self-proclaimed master of the mix of art and science. I am a staunch believer in finding out what the audience wants and delivering it to them. You can't program a radio station completely on art, and you can't run a station completely on science. I've always felt I've been good at deciphering audience research and turning that research into a palette that becomes a radio station.

Long-range plans: Keeping our stations relevant in a very rapidly changing audio entertainment industry is a top priority. We are willing to try new and different things and throw caution to the wind when appropriate. And continuing to develop our online presence and platform and coming up with ways to make that a positive place to play ball.

Biggest challenge: Identifying talent on both the programming and the on-air talent sides. There are some very talented people in our business, but I think the talent pool is a little less stocked with fish, so to speak, than it may have been in years past.

State of radio: I believe the radio industry is still healthy. It is clearly being challenged today by [myriad] new and different ways to receive audio. Sometimes we are highly innovative. Many times we are not. I think innovation, trying new things and having the courage to fail is a good thing, and it is difficult because, no matter what you do, there is always going to be somebody that thinks you are dumb.

Career highlight: I started out as a little kid who wanted to be in radio and managed to get in the door, get some lucky breaks and have a fairly successful career. I have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people. I have learned a lot from a lot of different people, and, hopefully, I have taught some people some valuable things as well.

Career disappointment: Are there events I would prefer hadn't happened? Absolutely. But I don't regret anything. I am a glass-is-half-full person. I cannot think of one single event in my career I would change.

Most influential individual: I have been fortunate to work with and be surrounded by so many strong people. I have worked with incredible general managers and different peers, networking all these years. I try to be a sponge and listen to and learn from everybody I run across.

Advice to broadcasters: Stay strong. Fight the good fight. Innovate. I get up every morning and there is no other business I want to be in. I say find your passion. Figure out what it is you love to do and work toward doing it, then get up every morning and do it well. Forget about what you did yesterday. Think about what's going to work best today and what's going to be fun and successful tomorrow.

Liner Notes
Profile: Harve Alan
Title: NextMedia Radio VP of programming
Favorite radio format: News/talk
Favorite TV show: "Deal or No Deal"
Favorite song: "How do you reconcile somebody that likes songs like Alabama's 'Mountain Music' and Pearl Jam's 'Even Flow'?"
Favorite movie: Woody Allen's "Sleeper"
Favorite restaurant: Fresco by Scotto in New York
Beverage of choice: Diet Pepsi
Hobbies: "My kids. Computers. I like movies and cars. I collect old radios. I don't have time for anything—I have twin 5-year-olds."
E-mail address: halan@-nextmediagroup.net

'We are willing to try new and different things and throw caution to the wind when appropriate.'  —Harve Alan