Welcome Aboard Steve Salzman, Our Newest Team Member!

1. What made you want to get into Radio?

I was Midwest area manager for a major soft drink company and I just grew tired of being in airports and on airplanes 4 days/week…so at the advice of another Radio friend of mine, I applied for an entry level position in Radio sales and marketing. I was fortunate to realize early success and was appointed GSM 18 months later. 

2. What are some of the biggest challenges in radio sales today compared to when you started?

When I first began my Radio career, the newspaper was king. Advertisers at the time typically had far more confidence in print ads, direct mail, and even billboards than they did in electronic media; which the majority of advertisers also felt was too expensive compared to the other, more tried and true options. Obviously, the landscape is much different today, with newspapers, print, and billboards now relegated to secondary status due to the emergence and effectiveness of Social Media. Fortunately, Radio has still remained relevant.

3. What are some of the favorite parts of your radio career…whether from sales, being on the air, or music artists that you have met along the way?

I am very fortunate to have had substantial success in Radio sales and marketing. I love to “super serve” my clients and to offer exciting ideas and suggestions to make their messages stand out from the rest and to give them all of the tools that I can provide to best enhance their efforts. I especially love that customers trust me to always act in their best interests. That makes it all worthwhile for me. I was also an on-air “personality” for over 25 years and a three-time nominee for Active Rock Music Director of the Year. I’ve been fortunate to have worked with most of the biggest names in Rock over the years and I could tell more tales and drop more names than I could ever possibly pick up. But if you’re ever curious about one of your musical heroes…

4. How important is building relationships when working sales in radio?

In my experience, relationships are the single most important factor in any business arrangement. That my clients trust me to always act in their best interest is of the utmost importance to me and I pride myself on always doing my best to become a sustaining resource to them. A good relationship typically ensures honesty and a more open dialogue…you can’t just be an order taker…you need to be a trusted member of their marketing team and constantly be offering creative solutions to help accomplish their objectives.

5. What made you interested in wanting to work here at WRJN?

Because they do Radio the right way and they value the experience that I have accumulated over the years. At WRJN, the community and their employees  are important to them and it’s nice to be surrounded by others who share my deep love of the medium.

6. What are some of your hobbies/Interests outside of work?

I’ve been playing guitar since I was about 10 years old and I’m currently down to the last 13 guitars that I have no intention of ever parting with. I still try to spend at least 15 to 30 minutes a day playing one of them. I am also an avid audiophile, with over 2000 vinyl LPs, over 5000 CDs, and around 500 45s…not to mention assorted reel-to-reel, cassette, and DAT tapes. It’s a sickness…