CURRENT JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT WDET

SALES REPRESENTATIVES (TWO POSITIONS OPEN)

JOB DUTIES:  Plan, develop and execute the sale of underwriting. Assess, identify and contact businesses, promoters and organizations to sell on-air underwriting to obtain financial support for WDET; research and screen prospective clients. Conduct telephone solicitation and face-to-face meetings. Identify, contact and maintain effective relationships with new and existing clients to maintain ongoing underwriting sales.

Write on-air underwriting credits which recognize organizations and promote events which support WDET-FM. Monitor and maintain compliance with FCC rules and regulations and department guidelines for public radio underwriting.

Establish and maintain effective relationships with existing customers in order to increase retention and revenue base in an ever-changing and competitive market. Monitor customer satisfaction; identify new funding opportunities from existing customers and collect payments.

Secure underwriting for special events; contact businesses, corporations and organizations to sell the advantages of public radio underwriting and cultivate support; assess and balance customer needs with station goals; attend special events and prepare promotional materials as needed.

Write contracts, letters and proposals; maintain customer files and correspondence; prepare reports concerning activities. Interface with other departments in the production of on-air credits, coordinating on-air spots and providing input on promotional events, concerts and clients interests.

Perform related work as assigned.  

QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

Reasonable knowledge of marketing, sales and advertising.

Reasonable experience in commercial marketing sales or other sales experience.

Good written and/or oral communication skills.

Ability to communicate effectively with others.

Ability to work independently and meet established deadlines and goals.

Some experience in the arts, music and cultural communities.

Computer literacy preferred.

Typically, incumbents have had prior sales experience and knowledge of a wide variety of music genres via exposure to area arts and cultural communities.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: This position is responsible for developing and maintaining corporate and business support for WDET.

Experience in marketing sales or underwriting in a business to business envirionment preferred.

Work with Underwriting Sales Manager to establish a comprehensive sales plan with strategic, goal-oriented directives, which includes creation of media kits, tailored presentations, work with data management, and strong client relations.

Monitor traffic, production, billing and collections for underwriting agreements to minimize errors and maximize quality control. Negotiate adjustments and credits; handle underwriting complaints and concerns.

Participate in on-air fundraising and other development department efforts as needed and/or requested.
Work with Underwriting Sales Manager to set, meet, evaluate and even exceed sales goals for program and event sponsorship.

Develop client contact system including standards and guidelines for initial sales call through contract proposal and client acquisition.

Responsible for developing a wide network of contacts through community networking events.

Responsible for understanding and using radio research to find beneficial clients for the WDET audience.

Write copy that adheres to WDET Guidelines and FCC policies for non-commercial public broadcasters.  

TO APPLY: Applicants MUST apply online at the Wayne State University Jobs Page and can search for posting #035375 and #035376

Get involved.  One of many ways you can support Detroit Public Radio is by volunteering your time during one of the station's many fundraisers and events, such as WDET's On-Air Pledge Drives. We are always looking for future volunteers to lend a hand to the station, whether it's to answer phones during our pledge drives or help promote the station at WDET sponsored events. WDET's success is in large measure directly related to you and your generous efforts to keep great radio alive! Secure our future: Become a volunteer! To find out how you can support WDET with your time, call Tim Burke, WDET's volunteer coordinator, at 313-577-4146 or tburke@wdetfm.org--or, Click here for more info on volunteering for WDET!


WDET Internship Information
The station is proud to offer internships throughout the year in the following departments: News, Production, Public Relations and DRIS (Detroit Radio Information Service).*
 

• A list of contacts and a direct email link to each department's intern supervisor is shown at the bottom of this page. All internships are unpaid.

The following descriptions highlight each department's available internships.

WDET 101.9 FM News Internship Opening

 

If you are looking for a real internship, the WDET news department is looking for you. The news department is seeking interns who are willing to work hard while learning about radio news in a top 10 market. The internship is unpaid, but the experience will be invaluable for anyone hoping to crack the media job market. You'll be interviewing newsmakers and writing stories ... you won't be sweeping floors or making coffee.

Detroit is one of the country's busiest news towns. Newly elected Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is leading the city's comeback efforts. Compuware is moving its headquarters downtown, bringing thousands of new jobs. The development surrounding two new downtown sports stadiums and three casinos are generating controversy over how best to revitalize the downtown area. Metro Detroit is the home of the Big Three automakers, the Kmart Corporation and the country's busiest international border crossing.

Prospective interns must be able to work at least 20 hours per week. Interns must write well and be able to think on their feet in a variety of situations.

Essential Function:

• Interview newsmakers at events and news conferences
• Gather tape from phone interviews
• Write news copy
• Research news stories
• Other duties as assigned
• Ability to work under deadline pressure

Qualifications:

• Familiarity with basics of journalism
• Ability to write clearly, cogently and quickly
• Strong commitment to learning

Send resume, cover letter and writing sample to Jerome Vaughn, News Program Director; WDET-FM; 4600 Cass Avenue; Detroit, MI 48201.

WDET 101.9 FM Public Relations Department Opening
 

The WDET P.R. Department seeks an undergraduate level intern in Public Relations and Promotions for each semester (fall, winter, spring/summer). This is a three-credit hour, twenty-hour workweek internship opportunity.

Responsibilities Include:

• Staff monthly live event and promotions, including movie premiers and music/arts/food fests, and concerts
• Contribute writing to our membership newsletter "AirCheck"
• Assist with WDET merchandise program; fulfill orders and maintain inventory
• Maintain host bio, photo and press clipping files
• Assist with weekly Public Service Announcement (PSA) preparation; monitor incoming PSA materials and create PSA copy for production and broadcast
• Assist in generating media/press releases
• Other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications:

Proficiency with all standard Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Explorer), good communication skills, knowledge of station and format.

Contact Kevin Piotrowski, Public Relations Director; WDET-FM; 4600 Cass Ave.; Detroit, MI 48201.

Detroit Radio Information Service (DRIS) Internship Opportunity -- Marketing/PR/Development
 

DRIS, a nonprofit human service agency located at WDET-FM, Wayne State University, seeks an intern to work in its public relations/development department. Candidates will assist the director with a variety of projects, such as production (writing, editing, layout) of quarterly newsletter, and assisting with listener relations, outreach, community relations, media relations, special events, and ongoing development and marketing campaigns.

Requirments include:

• 10-15 hours per week. Credit or non-credit students considered. The unpaid internships correspond with college semesters. (Exceptions may be made at the discretion of DRIS management.)
• Flexibility to work in a variety of situations
• Excellent creative and writing skills -- preferably with experience in journalism, public relations or business correspondence
• Good communications skills with an emphasis on persuasive speaking and writing, sales or fund- raising; ability to speak in public and on-air
• Basic office skills including professional phone manner, typing and word-processing; desktop publishing experience a plus
   

Benefits:
This position offers a unique opportunity to use business and communication skills while gaining "hands-on" radio and nonprofit experience. Interns are important members of the DRIS staff. Intern will be able to implement new ideas, follow projects from inception through completion and build a portfolio for future employment.

To Apply: Please forward resume and letter of interest (including your internship goals and desired semester) to Kim Walsh, Director, Detroit Radio Information Service, c/o WDET-FM; 4600 Cass Avenue; Detroit, MI 48201; telephone 577-4146.

DRIS Internship Opportunity -- Radio Board Operator/Production
 

DRIS, a radio broadcast service for people with print-disabilities at WDET-FM, Wayne State University, seeks interns to work in broadcast studio. The candidate will assist with all areas of radio and production work including live broadcasts, taped programming, radio board operation, automation system, production, assisting volunteer readers/program hosts and a variety of studio tasks as assigned.

Requriments:

• 10-15 hours per week as assigned. Preference given to students receiving credit. The unpaid internships correspond with college semesters. (Exceptions may be made at the discretion of DRIS management.)
• Proficient radio skills with previous classroom and/or hands-on radio board experience
• Good communications skills and ability to work with others
• Ability to work with little supervision following brief orientation and training
• Flexibility to work in a variety of situations
• Willingness to participate in/produce programming at events outside of the station, possibly outside scheduled work shift
• Willingness to read publications on-air when requiredInterest in writing, editing and voicing radio copy
• Commitment to attendance and punctuality

Benefits:
This position offers a unique opportunity to build radio skills while gaining work experience. Interns are important members of the DRIS staff and their ideas are valuable. An intern will be able to implement new methods and build a portfolio for future employment. This is definitely a responsible, hands-on experience.

To Apply: Please forward resume and letter of interest (include personal goals, desired semester and availability) to Kim Walsh, Director, Detroit Radio Information Service, c/o WDET-FM; 4600 Cass Ave.; Detroit, MI 48201; FAX (313) 577-1300. For more information, phone (313) 577-4146.

DRIS Internship Opportunity -- On-Air Reader
 

In concert with one of the other DRIS internships, on air positions may be incorporated. This option is dependent on availability of shifts and passing an audition.

Internship Contacts, by Department

Those interested in internship opportunities at WDET 101.9 FM should contact the following staff members for more information:

News Department:
Jerome Vaughn, News Program Director
313.577.7530 or jvaughn@wdetfm.org.

Production Department:
Matthew Trevethan, Production Director
313.577.8147 or mtrevethan@wdetfm.org.

Public Relations Department:
Kevin Piotrowski, P.R. Director
313.577.3342 or kpiotrowski@wdetfm.org.

DRIS:
Kim Walsh, DRIS Director
313.577.7684 or kwalsh@wdetfm.org.



Pledge Partner (Group Volunteering)
WDET highly encourages our community partners to volunteer as a pledge partner group to answer phones during WDET's on-air pledge drives. Typically, corporations, businesses, foundations and organizations support WDET's programming through underwriting in the form of either corporate underwriting or event underwriting. However, did you know that volunteering in addition to underwriting is a great way to build awareness of your business/organization to our listening audience? It is also a great opportunity for corporations, businesses, foundations and organizations to team-build, meet other supporters of Detroit Public Radio and support a great cause.
WDET Volunteer Opportunities

WDET Wants to thank YOU!
 

One of many ways you can support Detroit Public Radio is by volunteering your time during one of the station's many fundraisers and events. WDET's success is in large measure directly related to you and your generous efforts to keep great radio alive! Secure our future: Become a volunteer! To find out how you can support WDET with your time, call Tim Burke, WDET's Membership Manager, at 313-577-4226 or tburke@wdetfm.org -- or click RIGHT NOW to check out volunteer opportunities currently available.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact:
Latoya Underwood, e-mail: lunderwood@wdetfm.org
Tim Burke, e-mail: tburke@wdetfm.org

WDET Membership Line: 313-577-4226


 

Get involved. One of many ways you can support Detroit Public Radio is by volunteering your time during one of the station's many fundraisers and events, such as the upcoming Pledge Drive! Secure our future: Become a volunteer! To find out how you can support WDET with your time during the upcoming pledge drive, call Tim Burke, WDET's volunteer coordinator, at 313-577-4146 or tburke@wdetfm.org--or click RIGHT NOW to check out information on volunteering for the summer fundraiser as well as volunteer shifts for the drive.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A PLEDGE!