_____________________________________
Mike Berlak
9 Fairway View, Weaverville, NC 28787 828-505-6967
Major market broadcast operations & programming manager with solid winning record. Strong in talent coaching, research analysis, creative ideas, and everything ‘web.’ Sales experience. Big picture/bottom line orientation. Respected strategist.
BA: Speech-Radio/TV, Lewis University, Lockport (Chicago area) IL
Saga Communications -- Asheville NC Mix 96.5 WOXL Program Director (2009-Present) Have brought
major market expertise and practices to newly-established Adult Contemporary
station in smaller market, positioning format among competitive brands, unifying
daypart-to-daypart presentation, focusing product on at-work usage, and programming
a “mix” of musical genres to appeal to largest possible adult female
audience. RESULTS: #2 shares in very first
ratings report among Women 25-54. Coaching
market’s heritage morning team, improving consistency of delivery and program
element flow, concentrating on local and lifestyle content, and increasing exposure
of crucial service elements. Personally voicetracking afternoon drive airshift. WOXL-WTMT-WISE-WOXL/HD2
Operations Manager (2009-Present) Supervising
programming, production and promotional efforts of 4 station group, organizing/standardizing
procedures and bringing efficiency of operation in a cluster of limited
resources. Have reduced news/traffic/weather
expenses while expanding
multi-station coverage. Developing
skills of less experienced on-air and behind-the-scenes staffers. Optimizing operation of state-of-art studio
automation software and audio processing systems.
Y92.5 KGBY Program Director (2003-2007)
Turnaround situation! RESULTS: #1 ratings in target demographics (Women 25-54). Thoroughly restructured station operations, managing change to state-of-the-art technical platforms and focusing staff towards consistent, quality performance. Differentiated product in highly competitive Adult Contemporary format battle. Innovated web-based instant on-air song selection. Increased monthly online streaming sessions to 50,000+. Station voted by Sacramento Magazine readers as “Best At Work.”
Clear Channel Radio -- Charlotte NC
Lite102.9 WLYT Program Director (1993-2003)
Re-energized legacy radio station. RESULTS: Consistent ratings growth including seven #1 quarterly Arbitron reports and fifteen top-3 finishes among Persons 25-54 leading to dramatically increased revenue approaching $1M monthly. Coached veteran and entry-level staff to new levels of accomplishment. Wrote award-winning promotional material. Collaborated on custom image jingle campaigns.
WLYT-WKKT-WRFX-WWMG-WEND Operations Manager (2000-2003)
Newly created position to assimilate acquired properties into rapidly expanding local media group. RESULTS: Assembled and supervised team of format-specialist program directors for five-station cluster. Wrote/administered multi-million-dollar operating budget, reducing expenses and increasing synergy through departmental consolidations and new technology solutions. Conceptualized successful mass media (TV, outdoor, print) and direct marketing campaigns, oversaw perceptual research projects, and personally negotiated major talent and vendor contracts and cross-media promotional partnerships. Created and supervised web/interactive department, delivering 2,000,000+ page views monthly.
Journal Broadcast Group -- Milwaukee WI
94 WKTI Program Director & Operations Manager (1990-1992)
Transitioned station format to Adult Top 40. RESULTS: 10-out-of-11 #1 Arbitron reports in the target demo and, to this day, the best 25-54 share (11.3) in station history. Managed high-profile Reitman & Mueller morning team, plus program, promotion, production and research directors. Planned and administered $1.5 million budget, saving thousands with move to in-house music testing and perceptual research. Coordinated strategic marketing functions and listener database maintenance.
Westinghouse Broadcasting -- Sacramento CA
KAER 92.5 Account Executive (1989)
First-time salesperson. RESULTS: Signed more new-direct business than any other member of seven-person staff.