Case Study - Radio Producer

Kevin Branigan
Radio Producer

I’m currently working at Spin 1038, Dublin; I’ve always been interested in radio, since I was a kid. As a teenager I used to listen to the big ‘pirate’ stations of the 1980s like Radio Nova and Sunshine and was taken by ‘romance’ of it all – DJs breaking the law to bring music to the people! I became taken by the high standards of programme and commercials and I was hooked.

I completed a Degree in Communications from DCU (and majored in Radio Broadcasting). Radio is a tough industry, so a good work ethic is essential. You must accept responsibility for your role or you will fail. A dedication to deliver more than is expected is vital for success.

The pros are plentiful; it is an exciting, fun industry to work in. It is easy to shine and be noticed if you are talented and diligent. It can be extremely rewarding as you hear your work on air every day.

It’s not all plus points however; there’s no room for mistakes in radio. The pay is not exceptional in smaller stations and it can be tough to get to the top in many of the larger stations.

Consistent responsibilities include working on new jingles, ‘promos’ and giveaways. As the ‘hottest’ station in Dublin, we have to keep ahead of the other stations all the time.

A potential entrant to the industry should listen to as much radio as possible, listen to stations around the world online and decide what area of broadcasting you would like to get into. Do go to college and take the broadest media course you can (preferably a degree). This will help to develop your understanding of media in general; you may not want to work in radio forever, having a broad understanding of the media will develop your ambitions and give you long term options that you may not have even thought of yet.