We’re a small town radio station here in the Napa Valley.  But we have a mighty tool in which to communicate to residents within our borders and to some who live just outside the county line.  That’s come through more clearly than ever this past year as the Valley has not only endured but triumphantly survived an earthquake.  We were on the air almost from the start, with a live broadcast all day long, taking your calls, giving out vital information and just being there as a place for you to express your confusion, fear and shock as the full extent of the damage became more apparent.  As a DJ, I was instructed to first and foremost, be a conduit for information in the days following the quake.  I believe we succeeded in doing just that.
As a radio station, we’re expected to entertain and support local business.  I think we’ve demonstrated that we can do both (have you checked out the morning show lately?)  We specialize in giveaways to cool events, because we are in the Napa Valley, after all.  And as we’ve met many business owners, we have been intrigued, inspired and encouraged by how they strive to provide an excellent product at a price point that is financially viable and customer service that is bar none.
And while we’ve been focused on communicating, entertaining and supporting businesses, we’ve also managed to touch people in very real and tangible ways.  During our recent Secret Santa Promotion we dropped by the businesses who participated in the promotion each week, to give an unsuspecting customer an instant gift that they could use immediately.  While one of the station “Secret Santa’s” was at one such business, he overheard a customer talking with a store employee about how he had just lost his son.  The “Secret Santa” knew right then, that this person should receive the instant gift, and walked over to him and gave him the gift certificate.  A small gesture, that couldn’t begin to address this man’s sorrow, but one that brought a smile to his face, and a grateful thank you.
Just recently a listener wrote in to the station to thank us for winning tickets to an event at one of the venues here in Napa.  She explained that her partner had been very discouraged and wondered if life was worth sticking around for.  When the listener won the tickets, she called her discouraged partner, and invited him to accompany her.  They went.  They had a great time.  He is less discouraged now.  Just because she listened to the radio long enough on a certain morning and called in on time to win something.
These are just a few examples of the power of radio in this small Valley.  Thank you for listening. Thank you for calling in when you are seeking information.  Thank you for laughing with us (maybe even at us sometimes).  Thank you to the local business community for recognizing that we are on your side (we really are) and love the opportunity to help you with your branding and message.
I look forward to doing this again in 2015. I hope you’ll be alongside us when we do.

Happy Holidays!