2008 Woodie Awards
Emerson alum stayed on air during Katrina
Alicia Kraatz
Issue date: 10/27/05 Section: News
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When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last month, desperate residents were dependent on their local radio station, WTIX, for information. The station's staff, including former WTIX talk show host and 2000 Emerson graduate Rob Hunter, continued to broadcast during the hurricane-even after all of the other stations were no longer operating-until their tower was knocked down by raging winds.
"It was our duty," Hunter said. "As a station, you have to inform the public."
Last Friday, Hunter participated in an alumni panel discussion about the state of the radio industry, hosted by Emerson's radio station WERS.
In addition to Hunter, six other Emerson alumni with careers in the broadcast business served on the panel. Ken Brady, general sales manager for Cox Communications; Dean Cappello, vice president for programming and operations at WNYC Public Radio; Gary Krantz, president of The Air America; Cherry Martinez, on-air personality at Power 105.1; Elroy Smith, program director of WGCI/WVAZ; and Steve "Animal" Zubrzycki, on-air personality at Z-Rock radio in Charleston, W. Va., all spoke at the event.
Although they discussed the excitement of the industry, many panelists expressed concern that there is a declining public interest in radio.
Hunter, who was brought to the panel not only to share his experience with Hurricane Katrina, but also because he is one of the youngest Emerson graduates working in a large radio market, disagreed. He said his experience showed just how important radio is.
Jack Casey, the general manager of WERS, said the panelists made an important point: radio is "still a thriving industry."
Paul O'Neil, a sophomore audio/radio major, said he was inspired by the panelists' enthusiasm for the radio business.
"There is a lot of future in radio and [I hope] to be a part of it," said O'Neil, who is currently the DJ for "Revolutions" and the coordinator of "Uncommon Rotation" at WERS.
Hunter drew upon his own experience during the hurricane to show that, despite the variety of other media outlets, radio is still vital to news and communication.
"It was our duty," Hunter said. "As a station, you have to inform the public."
Last Friday, Hunter participated in an alumni panel discussion about the state of the radio industry, hosted by Emerson's radio station WERS.
In addition to Hunter, six other Emerson alumni with careers in the broadcast business served on the panel. Ken Brady, general sales manager for Cox Communications; Dean Cappello, vice president for programming and operations at WNYC Public Radio; Gary Krantz, president of The Air America; Cherry Martinez, on-air personality at Power 105.1; Elroy Smith, program director of WGCI/WVAZ; and Steve "Animal" Zubrzycki, on-air personality at Z-Rock radio in Charleston, W. Va., all spoke at the event.
Although they discussed the excitement of the industry, many panelists expressed concern that there is a declining public interest in radio.
Hunter, who was brought to the panel not only to share his experience with Hurricane Katrina, but also because he is one of the youngest Emerson graduates working in a large radio market, disagreed. He said his experience showed just how important radio is.
Jack Casey, the general manager of WERS, said the panelists made an important point: radio is "still a thriving industry."
Paul O'Neil, a sophomore audio/radio major, said he was inspired by the panelists' enthusiasm for the radio business.
"There is a lot of future in radio and [I hope] to be a part of it," said O'Neil, who is currently the DJ for "Revolutions" and the coordinator of "Uncommon Rotation" at WERS.
Hunter drew upon his own experience during the hurricane to show that, despite the variety of other media outlets, radio is still vital to news and communication.
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