Kiss 100
- Published: 23 October 2007 16:36
- Author: Yvette Mackenzie
- More by this Author
- Last Updated: 24 October 2007 13:37
A profile of Emap radio station Kiss 100 including an interview with breakfast show producer Adam K.
Station fact file
Head office: Emap Radio, Mappin House, Winsley Street, London W1
No of staff: 75 across the Kiss network
Key DJs: Rickie and Melvin, Jez Welham, Simon Dale
Key executives: Dee Ford – group managing director, Emap Radio; Steve Parkinson – Kiss managing director
Most recent Rajars: Kiss 100 has 1.52 million listeners and Kiss network 2.93 million
In a nutshell: “A new generation of listeners are into Kiss and the station recently reinvented itself with a posse of new presenters” – Mark Story, group managing director of radio programming
The verdict: “Kiss dominates young London listening” – Paul Robinson, radio consultant
Behind the Mic: Adam K
Described by colleagues as having “more energy than a Red Bull factory”, Adam K produces the Kiss 100 breakfast show with newbie presenters Rickie and Melvin, who were plucked from obscurity to front the show in May
What do you like most about your job?
That I can be really creative, it isn’t a normal job - I get to meet amazing people and do amazing stuff that I’d never really get the chance to do in any other kind of job. Only in radio can you do stuff like Kiss My Ring and then put it to air, so that’s cool. The best thing is when listeners phone up and say: “You guys are making my day.” That’s the sort of kick you get out of working with radio.
Who are your favourite artists at the moment?
Within the urban scene there has been a quality shift in the past five years. I love artists who produce other artists, like Timbaland producing Nelly Furtado and Kanye West producing Lupe Fiasco.
The biggest technical glitch you’ve ever had?
Anyone who heard it would remember it. I tried something with phone lines using two studios with four callers on air at the same time.
What’s the biggest challenge in producing a breakfast show?
You need to get the right balance between music and chat. Managing your team when you’re doing a show on two hours’ sleep.
What are Rickie and Melvin’s worst habits?
Rickie is always looking at pictures of Lucy Pinder and Keeley Hazell and Melvin farts a lot.
How do you prepare for your show?
Each morning we sit in the studio with the lights out just before we go to air. Rickie says our daily prayer and Melvin does a riddle.
What’s your top tip for presenters?
Originality is vital - don’t just rip off other people’s ideas. Be inspired by others but use your own creativity in the mix. Enthusiasm coupled with natural ability and a willingness to learn means there are no limits.
What other stations do you enjoy listening to?
Radio 5 Live and Classic. I usually listen when driving or in the kitchen.
