Chris Kennedy

1. Achieving measurable ROI on marketing efforts.
2. Developing marketing programs that integrate online and traditional media.
3. Translating brand experience across different touchpoints.
4. Maximizing marketing budgets without cutting performance.
5. Optimizing portfolio of brands.

John Parikhal, CEO/President, Joint Communications Corporation

• “Chris is a super-smart researcher and programmer who has a real gift for staying on top of what consumers want. His digital savvy is high caliber - from blogs and websites to twitter and social networking.” (2009)

• "He's got the intelligence and the drive to make a great success of it.  He has worked closely with me in a number of areas including: Market research, new business development and international client servicing (media consulting).  In these areas, he often worked closely with the senior executives of the organizations (in many cases with the CEO).   I got a lot of feedback about his ability to mix high-level strategy with tactical, street-wise application.  In many cases, he provided solutions that had eluded our clients for years. They told me he was smart, versatile and hard-working.   Working directly with me, he has constantly kept me at the top of my game - specifically, because he would never be afraid to suggest a better way to do something or another way to solve a problem.  He is an eager learner who constantly looked for ways to get better at what he did.  I consider him one of the very best in the business - a top level player - when I compare his insight and results with his peers at companies as diverse as Clear Channel, Viacom, Corus and Caracol.  Chris is committed to personal growth.  He wants to improve in learning and applying new skills so that he can serve people better." (2005)

Brian Kenemy, General Manager, Q92

• "Chris is a man who has the knowledge of new radio and music trends. He thrives on challenges and has a broad perspective of the Quebec, Canadian, and international scenes. His vision of the radio market will certainly contribute to our team" (2007)

Steve Stockman, President, Custom Productions, Inc.

• “I've been in the room with Chris for presentations on more than 20 big strategic marketing research projects for media companies. He's clear, thoughtful, and dual focused on both action and excellence.” (2009)

Dave Charles,Media Consultant, ESP Pty Ltd

• “Chris Kennedy is a brilliant media mind. His focus on traditional and new media is second to none. His time with John Parikhal and Joint Communications allowed him exposure to many of the great people involved in radio. His key eye for music and media trends allowed him to help his clients prepare and position better for an ever increasing competitive environment. Chris has helped many people learn about how media works. His knowledge and understanding of radio is without a doubt the corner stone of his experience and knowledge.” (2009)

Jon Sinton, President, Progressive Agenda LLC

• “Chris continued the long line of intellectually active and real-world-able consultants at Joint. I've known him for years as a big thinker with no qualms about getting his hands dirty. Chris has a strategic sense and tactical ability. That's a rare and valuable combination.” (2009)

John Sykes, President, CBS Radio

• "Use my name as a reference!  What you can bring: your ability to help stations." (2004)

Beau Phillips, EVP/Programming, Dial-Global (Triton Media)

• "I'm a big fan of you...you're at the top of my list." (2009)

Ross Winters, National Director of Programming, Corus Radio

• "Chris brings a broad perspective of programming experience to the table having consulted with a number of stations in a number of countries and numerous formats, including adult female stations, for the past 15 years. Those markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Vancouver, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Boston, Atlanta, San Diego, Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Munich, Berlin, Paris, Lisbon, Bogotá, Santiago, and more.  Over the years Chris has been mentored by John Parikhal, one of the best in the business, so we know that he has graduated from the school of Programming with honors." (2007)

Donna Saker, Q92 talent - Middays (on-air staff)

• "Chris Kennedy has always believed in me, he is extremley loyal and passionate about radio.  He gave me my break back in radio when no one else would" (2009)

Judy Croon, Q92 talent - Live Drive Show/national comedian (on-air staff)

• "It was an absolute pleasure working with you. Thanks for believing in me..believing in our show. Without you, it would have not happened." (Dec, 2008)

Terry Dimonte, Q92 talent - Lunch with Terry Dimonte (on-air staff)

• "I'm deeply appreciative of and grateful to you.  Thanks again for all you've done." (Dec, 2008)

Steven Stick, WBCN Assistant Program Director/Music Director

• “I had the great pleasure of working with Chris when I was at WBCN. His extensive experience and vast knowledge of radio, its audience and how the two interact with each other was unsurpassed. Audience research data is a tricky thing. You have to ask the correct questions of respondents in the first place. Then, you really know how to interpret the data and, more importantly, how much to weigh it in your decision-making process. Chris was with us for every step of that process, providing sound advice and great ideas. Aside from his professional skills, which I've mentioned, he happens to be a very personable guy, easy to get along with, and makes you feel you're getting 100% of his attention at all times. I highly recommend Chris.” 

  Top qualities: Personable, Expert, Creative (2009)

Steve Fox, President, Guerilla Productions, Inc.; ThinkX 

• "I have had the pleasure of working in radio with Chris on numerous occasions. I can say without equivocation that his research is spot on, the way he presents it understandable and actionable, no easy task. Further, his understanding of the issues and problems facing todays radio stations from a operational, programming and marketing standpoint make his advice and counsel invaluable. Suffice it to say if you have the opportunity to work with Chris, don't pass it up.” (2009)

Doug Erickson, Programming Consultant & Content Specialist, Erickson Media Consultants

• “I have recommended Joint Communications several times over the past few years to clients in the United States and Europe. John Parikhal and Chris Kennedy are unusual partners, not simply because of the excellence of their research, but because of their keen insights that really helped shape the action plans we implemented." (2009)

Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO, My Damn Channel; former SVP/Programming CBS Radio

• “He's a big thinker, change embracer, strategic analyst, solid communicator...” (2009)

James Stuart, VP and General Manager, CHUM Radio Alberta

• "It would thrill me to have the chance to work together again!" (2008)

Greg Simpson, Conference Facilitator, Canadian Music Week

• “Chris Kennedy is one of those people whose instincts for business and radio would make him an asset to anyone else in the business of radio.”  (2009)

Frank Lauraitis, Frank Lauraitis Audio Production/Q92 Audio Producer

• "You're a pleasure to work for."  (2009)

Erica Ehm, CEO, YummyMummyClub.ca, former MusicMusic VJ

• "Chris Kennedy has his finger on the pulse of what's hot in the media.”  (2009)

Lisa Fielding, News Anchor, WBBM-AM, Chicago (former news anchor on WROK-AM drive show)

• "CHRIS KENNEDY!!  WOW!  You are definitely a blast from the past.  This is what I will NEVER forget about you!!! The time the station put you up on that billboard for hours and hours for that holiday food drive thing...We all couldn't believe it!!! You left a lasting legacy with that whole thing, that's for sure. We still talk about it today.  Your career is so fascinating....who would have thought that radio could have taken you on so many travel adventures!" (2009)

VP / Program Director / Manager – Marketing / Market Research

Branding / International / Promotions / Internet Marketing / Social Media / Customer Retention / Strategic Planning / Broadcast Programming / Market Research & Analysis / Competitive Analysis

I help make radio better.  As a consultant, helped through teamwork increase total revenues $800M for clients in 75 markets across North America, South America and Europe.  Grew and evolved heritage radio station Montreal’s Q92 to update the brand, grow its online audience, and evolve programming and promotions to better position it for PPM ratings success. Designed and implemented breakthrough marketing strategies, expanding business, penetrating and growing markets for clients. Conducted brand positioning studies to establish consistent and focused marketing efforts. Contributing editor and quotable source for industry trade magazines, including Billboard.

As programming media strategist and market researcher, I distill market and customer information into company opportunity and profit while creating a product that satisfies both those who consume the product (the customer, such as radio listeners) as well as those who create it (the company and its employees).

As Program Director, I lead my team to help create entertaining and successful radio stations that emotionally connect with listeners while positively representing the local community and delivering profitable results for advertisers and stakeholders. Often, I serve those needing guidance due to extreme or near-impossible competitive situations and simply need valid answers, direction and leadership.

I work in the radio, TV/cable, new media, Internet/social media, marketing/advertising and select retail (beer/banking/audio-video-electronics) industries...while also spotting emerging trends in the media.

•  Hands-on executive, senior management, staff/team and client leadership•  Multi-format radio programming and community interactivity for top rankings•  Project and staff/team management•  Brand building•  Traditional and new media/internet marketing•  Growth strategies and planning•  Attracting and hiring new talent

•  Improving talent performance•  Communications and decision influencing•  Customer selling•  On-site and remote staff/team/client/account management•  P/L budgetary management•  SEO mastery•  Proficiency of both PC and Mac computer software and analytical tools•  Creative thinking and scenarios which are met and/or exceeded•  Growth influencing, ‘change agent’ and ‘think different’ maven•  Customer targeting, satisfaction and retention•  Media trend watching•  End-to-end custom market research, segmentation and analysis

Imagination + focus + management = Innovation

"The purpose of a business is to create a customer and innovate." - Peter Drucker

 "Successful marketing targets a customer need and provides the product that solves the need." - David Ogilvy

What I Do:

"Understand customer's desires, build the strategy, manage through teamwork, and achieve the intended business goals.  In radio, this means finding the right format hole and filling it with the market's best radio station for the target listeners."

Vision:"To help lead new growth for radio as General Manager, Program Director or media management consultant for a major radio group, either on the local or national level, merging traditional broadcasting and digital new media opportunities."Outcome:"Leveraging new opportunities.  Be the most local, most relevant, most entertaining, most informative, most immediate and easiest, most charitible, most word-of-mouth 24/7 medium for that station's local community."Create:

"Traditional broadcasting is not using new media effectively to maximize its brand reputation.  For radio to thrive and return to vitality, I have the skills and experience to help."