In this special podcast episode, BIA’s CEO, Tom Buono, sits down with legendary radio executive, Jeff Smulyan to discuss Jeff’s new book, “Never Ride a Rollercoaster Upside Down,” which offers captivating insights into what it takes to be an entrepreneur through good and bad times.
Best known as founder and CEO of Emmis Communications, Jeff’s winding career has taken him from law school to radio station ownership and to Major League Baseball team ownership.
In this podcast, Jeff shares some of his “rollercoaster” experiences including his creation of the first all sports radio station (WFAN in NYC), which wasn’t a huge hit at first incredible as that seems today, to creating award winning rock stations, like KSHE in St. Louis. He also discusses his thinking behind the creation of a new style of programming that paved the way to offer a diverse collation of young adult contemporary listeners (KPWR in Los Angeles) that delivered the right notes, no pun intended, to become consistent 10 share station.
Jeff and Tom also speak to the chaotic on/off love relationship Wall Street has had with the radio industry over the years and why, even in this digital period, radio still maintains a special value within local communities.
For anyone aspiring to be an entrepreneur, Jeff shares countless lessons from his decades of experience both on this podcast and in his book, which can be purchased on Amazon here.
Listen now to Tom Buono and our special guest Jeff Smulyan.
