Clark Smidt, Broadcast Advisor / Media Solutions
Growing up in New York City, I had early exposure to major market media, including five visits to the NBC Howdy Doody “Peanut Gallery” and invited to be a Sunday Morning Space Hopper on WCBS/TV “CAPTAIN JET.” And, let’s not forget ‘Rootie Kazootie.”
In high school and at American Water Ski Association Bantam Lake CT Water Ski Shows, there were MC assignments, public address announcing and writing sports for the New York Journal-American, NYC. (The Batmobile, 1965)
My first on-air job began July 13, 1966 at 500w daytimer WBIS, Bristol, CT, for $1.75 hr. (pictured) Next came 1kw 1220 WDEE-WCDQ, Hamden and WCCC AM/FM, 50kw Hartford. Clark is now licensee for that same 1220 as WATX, Hamden/New Haven Digital Feed: 1220watx.com
While earning my B.A. in speech and psychology at the University of Hartford, Dr. A. M. Woodruff awarded me a full scholarship building 3kw stereo WWUH-FM 91.3, West Hartford. WWUH signed on July 15, 1968 and is still going strong, 55 years later!
While at UH, I was able to land assignments at 6 Hartford radio and two TV stations including Top 40 5kw WPOP “The Big 14”, WCCC AM/FM, WHNB-TV/30 (NBC) and WHCT-TV/18 (RKO General), directing live TV and delivering newscasts and weather on-air.
Moving to Boston in September 1970, Clark was hired by Boston University’s Department of Public Affairs as Assistant General Manager & Program Director of 20kw WBUR-FM (NPR, Pacifica, CPB). He converted the station to stereo and was hired in July, 1971, by Westinghouse Broadcasting WBZ Radio, as Operations Director. Finally, call letters everybody knew!
Group W GM Sy Yanoff gave me the opportunity to start and voice the new format heard on WBZ-FM (Top 40) “All Hits…All The Time” 106.7 1971-75) gaining the 6th largest cume in the Boston market. Then, Blair Radio’s Dave Croninger at WHDH asked me to build the legendary start-up & staff at WCOZ-FM (AOR). “Boston’s Best Rock” WCOZ defeated WBCN in our first book, Fall, 1975. I left in 1976 and then in early 1977, presented AlbuM 1260 on WEZE, Boston for the legendary Al Makkay with “Carly Simon and James Taylor now Live at 1260 Easy Street.” The album hit format caught the attention of CBS.
As Director of Programming & Promotion at CBS Owned WEEI-FM, Boston GM Jack Baker, allowed the change the low rated “Mellow Sound” to Mass Appeal Adult Album (Triple A) and was the first to use the positioning handle “Softrock”, September, 1977. WEEI-FM recorded a record ARBitron 5.1 share 12+, hitting Top 4 in all prime demos. WEEI/FM also became the 3rd highest billing station for the CBS/FM station group, behind only WCBS/FM, New York and KNX/FM, L.A. WEEI/FM featured a smooth and appealing music flow, excellent, relaxed announcer presentation and the award winning ad campaign for TV, outdoor and print: “The Eagles. Without the turkeys.” “Joni. Without the baloni.” etc.
After graduation from CBS in ’81, and working for Wallace & Washburn Marketing Research in Boston, I went out on my own as:
CLARK F. SMIDT, INC. – BROADCAST ADVISOR.
While delivering results for my first clients & businesses during the ’80s, Hal Close, the owner of WKNE AM/FM, Keene, told me about a CP drop in for Henniker, New Hampshire. With the help of FCC legal masters Erwin Krasow and Bill Kennard (before he was appointed FCC Chairman) I applied to be the licensee of Clark Broadcasting of New Hampshire. Outstanding people helped me and build, own & operated award winning, live & local WNNH-FM, Henniker-Concord. “New Hampshire’s OLDIES 99” signing on November 17, 1989. Oldies 99 grew from a Docket 80-90 Construction Permit to a 6kw “Super Class A” facility.
Throughout the 90’s, WMUR-TV/9, (ABC) Manchester, NH VP/GM and All Time Best) LARRY GILPIN invited me to serve as his consultant. To coincide with the 1992 Presidential Primary, WNNH radio began simulcasting WMUR Television News. “Channel 9 on Oldies 99”. The technique was later used by CBS and other major operators, including WCVB/5 and WFXT/25.
Clark Broadcasting sold full service WNNH to Tele-Media Broadcasting, June, 2000. I stayed on as Regional Market Manager running Boston ADI New Hampshire stations WNNH-FM, Concord (Oldies), WLKZ-FM, Laconia (Classic Hits), WHOB-FM, Nashua (Hot A/C).
Now the Licensee of AM Stereo 1220 WATX, Hamden/New Haven CT. Digital Everywhere: 1220watx.com Also: Tune In and Alexa
I am delighted to continue to increasing enterprise value, gain sales, attract audience and generate positive presence. Personal contact is delivered by traveling and tele-commuting from my home office near Nashua, New Hampshire, just north of Boston.
My focus is EFFECTIVE MESSAGING for businesses, advertising & political campaigns. I thrive on working with great teams, delivering success and exceeding expectations. The mission is to CONNECT ALL MEDIA WITH EXCELLENT PEOPLE. Through Traditional, Digital and Social, I am also actively involved in repurposing broadcast towers. — Clark Smidt.
“THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR BUSINESS IS TO STAY CURRENT AND KEEP LOOKING AHEAD.
ALL POLITICS…..AND ALL MEDIA IS LOCAL.”