Your presenter is leaving? Let’s celebrate!
 
Radio is the most personal of all broadcast mediums. The bond created between host and listener is what keeps us in people’s routines (and on their presets). We encourage presenters to meet their listeners, share their lives, and become part of the local community.
 
Yet, too often, when said presenter moves on to a bigger market or opportunity, we pretend they never existed. We remove them from the website, delete their photos from social media, and carry on as if they were never there. To me, this seems incredibly short sighted.
 
So, I was delighted to see how US96.3 in Ridgeland reacted when their presenter Hannah Lane got an opportunity to move to a massive country station in one of the biggest markets in the US. Instead of removing her from all conversations, they did the opposite. They cheered her on, celebrated her talent, and even held a massive leaving party for listeners to attend.
 
Think about the wins here. Firstly, you’re naturally proud that one of your team has been head-hunted. Secondly, you’re leading the conversation. There’s no questions around where they’ve gone, and no negativity. Finally, you’re taking your listeners on the journey, giving them the chance to celebrate with you. All of this then makes it much easier to welcome in your new, replacement host.
 
This is practicing what we preach. If we want our hosts to be honest with their lives, that includes when they leave. If we want radio to be a personal channel of communication, we can’t pick and choose when this happens. Let’s celebrate our team’s wins, even if it might disrupt the radio station.
 
And finally, congratulations to Hannah for her move to Dallas a few weeks ago. I moved there 20 years ago and I changed my life - I left with a cat, a dog and the future Mrs Chris. May Texas welcome you with open arms, wonderful BBQ food and the same wonderful welcome they gave me!