On March 8th, Leadership Hardin County visited with various media outlets including The News-Enterprise, WQXE Quicksie 98.3, and Louisville based WDRB news station. The class toured all three facilities and enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions on how media is impacting our community and how it allows further communication with the public.
During the morning portion of the class, Kenny Rambo explained how social media has greatly changed how our society consumes and shares news along with communicating with businesses. We discussed how social media sites are always altering how to best reach their intended consumers. One of the most interesting topics included Facebook and how posts are tailored to meet the needs of each individual account holder by using “reach ads.” It’s clear that these types of ads may become the most economical and effective way to reach consumers in the future.
The class met with Greg Milby and Hollie Sexton, hosts of the morning show on WQXE 98.3. We learned how much the radio industry has changed and how they have adapted in order to remain one of the top radio stations. It was a neat experience listening in as they wrapped up their morning show. Editor Ben Sheroan and Erin Hahn, Advertising Director, led the tour of The News-Enterprise. They explained what it takes to produce a newspaper 6 days a week and the challenges as the industry continues to shift towards digital news. It was great to learn they still thrive throughout the region with all of the new technology.
For the afternoon session, the class traveled to Louisville to visit television station WDRB. President and General Manager Bill Lamb explained what it takes to bring exciting and credible news into the homes of their audience. We toured the entire station along with a firsthand behind the scenes approach to the organization. Mr. Lamb showed us everything from the sales department to the newsroom, as well as introduced us to many key employees and their roles with the company. At the end of the tour, Mr. Lamb shared his leadership philosophy on managing a company while ensuring its culture continues to produce the best possible results every single day. He also shared the story of how this “little brother” station rose to the occasion during hard economic times and became one of the best-known broadcasting facilities in the area. It really spoke volumes, the amount of effort and hard work that Mr. Lamb and everyone at WDRB put into their business every day.
Corey Bond
Wastewater Superintendent
corey.bond@elizabethtownky.gov
City of Elizabethtown
2501 Gaither Station Road
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Brandon Rusher
Sales Representative
Irving Materials Inc.
270 McCamish Drive
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
