Russ White, Communications Manager at MSU University Relations tells the tale of how the Spartans wooed WJR away from the Maize and Blue. We learn about the decade of relationship building that lead to the wide ranging collaboration between Michigan State and the Great Voice of the Great Lakes, and how the story parallels Russ’ personal adventures that began at MSU Campus Radio station WBRS and included a close relationship with Detroit’s legendary J.P. McCarthy. We also discuss MSU Today, the University’s up to the minute news and information website, how the Governor came to call University Relations “WJR West”, how Gary Reid’s Impact 89 FM has overtaken WKAR to become a powerful community media voice and what it takes to connect with the IPod generation.

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 29 Minutes 13mb mp3

We talk with Mark Hughes about Buzz – the intangible yet powerful word of mouth that gets people talking around the water cooler. Mark is the author of Buzz Marketing a best seller that’s fast becoming part of every marketers toolbox. The former half.com wunderkind is now a sought-after speaker, consultant and CEO who provides buzz marketing advice to fortune 500 companies producing everything from power tools to facial tissues. His weekly radio show, The Buzz Factor, is heard over the air, on the web and via podcast.

Mark talks about what made Burma Shave and Jet Blue buzzworthy, how the Brady Bunch is the most buzzable of classic television shows and what makes a dot.com beneficiary share his secrets.

What Mark’s reading:
The Search – John Battelle
Little Chapel on the River – Gwendolyn Bounds

Hosted by Bill Castanier and Scott Westerman

Hear the Show 42 Minutes 20mb mp3