Audio Academy’s Help Adds to Success of KALW Membership Drive
By Ben Trefny, News Director, KALW Public Radio
Hello!
It was an intense week around the station – it always is when we come upon the close of a membership drive. For the last several years, we’ve established a “no interruption” style, in which we only have people on the air asking listeners to make donations during the usual breaks during or between programs. That’s great for listeners – and for the pitchers, for that matter – but it really does make those breaks extra important for getting the message out. It’s exhilarating, nerve-wracking, and, ideally, a lot of fun.
With the Audio Academy helping out, fact-checking our special, hour-long Crosscurrents shows, then talking with listeners calling in with their donations, we had the most successful drive in KALW history. Our news department, featuring stories by current Academy member Hannah Kingsley-Ma and fellow Jeremy Dalmas, among others, received many more calls and clicks than we ever had before. And member Liz Mak along with alums Kristina Loring and Liz Pfeffer drew in many new members with their inspired pitching.
It’s Snapcurrents! Managing Producer Julie Caine and Snap Judgement host Glynn Washington cohosted a Crosscurrents show during the KALW membership drive. Snapsuccess!
We had a special treat on Wednesday, when Snap Judgment host Glynn Washington came in to cohost a show with our managing producer, Julie Caine. We called it “Snapcurrents!” They really vibed, together, and the result was terrific radio. If you didn’t catch it, I highly recommend it:
Crosscurrents, featuring Glynn Washington
The energy in that special membership drive edition reminded me of what was the funniest show we’ve ever produced. That was last fall, when Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) came in as our host Hana Baba‘s guest. I’ve been recommending people listen to that – no joke – and I suggest you check it out, too:
Crosscurrents, featuring Daniel Handler
Now that the membership drive is behind us, we’ll all make the push to complete the Audio Academy’s whole shows. Many members have been coming in multiple days to meet with their mentors and editors, and it really does make me proud to see how all these hard workers have progressed from the first class, when we sent them out into the field with a little training and a recorder to ask people what part of the Bay Area they call home – something you can hear in rotation at the top of every Crosscurrents.
Happy listening! Much more to come!