MIKE STERN

3636 N. Fremont St #1 Chicago, IL 60613 773-549-0525 (h) 312-735-0226 (c) Rockpddude@aol.com

Summary Statement
Experienced writer and editor with expertise in generating content that is appealing to readers and beneficial to advertisers. Strengths include effective research, good interviewing skills, and the ability to grasp a subjects intricacies and explain it in a compelling, informative format.

Professional Experience
Mike Stern Writes: Freelance Writing President and Founder Writer and editor generating content for a variety of companys and publications. Ghost writer for Arbitron on various pieces including case studies, white papers and a publicfacing column Editor of the weekly Billboard Top 40 Update and regular reporter for Billboard.biz Contributor Media Life Magazine, SpotsnDots and Heave Media. Maintain my own daily blog and contribute commentary on advertising to Dead Tree Media. Talent Mechanic President and Founder 2009 - Present 2009 - Present

Founded my own company to provide coaching for radio hosts, podcasters and online broadcasters Work with terrestrial radio talent to improve ratings and build careers. Teach podcasters to host shows that highlight their knowledge and expertise. Work with hosts of all kinds on content generation and social media marketing.

Radio & Records Magazine/Los Angeles, CA News/Talk/Sports Editor Reporter and columnist responsible for covering news and trends in the radio industry.

2007 2009

Generated and formatted all content for daily email newsletter that grew from 400 subscribers to over 1200 in less than one year. Wrote, managed and prioritized news stories posted on the Radio & Records Web site to maximize page views. Participated in twice-weekly editorial call to prioritize stories for inclusion in print magazine. Advanced news stories with further detail and interviews to maintain relevance for weekly print magazine. Conceived and wrote weekly columns and long-form features for weekly print magazine that resulted in increased advertiser revenue. Responsible for all aspects of developing and promoting the annual three-day Talk Radio Seminar with attendance in excess of 2000 people. Worked closely with sales to enhance revenue by building client relations and creating new sponsorship opportunities.

Emmis Radio/Chicago, IL Vice President/Programming

2003-2007

Responsible for all aspects of on-air programming for two Chicago radio stations including audience research and the resulting development of product strategies. Coached airtalent including veteran hosts like Mancow and Jonathan Brandmeier and young talent such as Electra resulting in increased ratings for all shows. Managed off-air staff of approximately 20 including the programming and marketing departments. Generated and administered annual budgets of over $1 million including negotiation of talent and vendor contracts. Developed both stations online presence increasing traffic and database membership resulting in over $1 million in interactive revenue. Worked closely with sales to build client specific programs such as Budweisers Last Band Standing, which netted over $250,000 incremental media dollars. Saga Communications/Milwaukee WI Emmis Communications/Denver, CO CBS Radio/Detroit, MI, Las Vegas, NV, Dayton OH Program Director 1994-2003

Improved the ratings performance of radio stations in Detroit, Denver, Las Vegas, Milwaukee, and Dayton by revamping or re-launching their on-air product. Utilized research tools including focus groups, phone surveys and web applications to create more targeted products. Created successful new branding campaigns that were adopted by other stations across the country. Developed marketing campaigns utilizing television, outdoor, direct mail, email and other media leading to increased ratings. Managed the creation and execution of events such as Q101s Twisted Christmas that sold upwards of 10,000 tickets three years in a row. Established several successful annual fundraising events including Greg and Bos 36 Hours for Kids, which raised over $700,000 for Childrens Hospital in Denver in its first year.

Education
Michigan State University Creative Resources Bovine Metropolis Theater Comedy College East Lansing, MI Atlanta, GA Denver, CO Milwaukee, WI Bachelor of Arts Telecommunication Trained Brainstorming Facilitator Completed year long Improv training class Completed stand-up comedy courses.

Technical Skills Quark Publishing System Microsoft Office Content Management Systems AP Style