Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Malone.
Hi sam, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Took on every job I could find. I shoveled snow in the winter, became a short-order cook, ambulance attendant, interior decorator assistant, shoe store inventory stocker and even a mobile wedding DJ (That was the most fun). I was able to graduate from a third-rate college called Temple University with a B.B.A in Finance. The game changer came before my graduation, when I met a local radio DJ at a club in Cherry Hill, NJ. He was there for an appearance. A girl I (unsuccessfully tried to date) was an ‘acquaintance’ of his. I mustered up the courage to talk with him, I asked the very popular DJ how does one get into radio? He gave me the FOUR MAJOR TASKS to get a paid job in the field. I followed his advice to the letter. 6 weeks after meeting him, I was on the radio, in the 9th largest market in America… with no freakin’ experience!!!! After radio stops in Sarasota and Buffalo, I was offered the Morning Show at KRBE in Houston. The show soon became the most-listened to Morning Show in the state of Texas. The guest list of in-studio stars exploded: Beyonce, Def Leppard, Jon Bon Jovi (3x), Steven Tyler (3x) Barry Manilow, Bette Midler, Michael Bolton, Robert Duvall, The Rock, and more. I was also offered a position at KPRC TV as an entertainment reporter. So….it was quite a busy time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
A career in radio is not, and never will be a smooth road. Especially my early years in the business. In Philly, we climbed up to #3 in the morning, but let go to make room for a new morning show with a ‘different direction”. I was on the radio in beautiful Sarasota, Florida for 3 years. The Morning Show hit #1. But we had 1 bad ratings book, fell to #3, and the station flipped formats to Oldies. Things didn’t settle down until I got to Buffalo. #1 ratings kept everything calm and snowy. Once I get to Houston, it was full steam ahead.
Fast forward to 2022. I decided to leave the industry after 30 years in Houston. WHY? Radio and local TV have crashed. They are no longer relevant platforms for content. Plus, I was running 512 New Media, while doing the morning show. IT was a hell of run!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Currently, I’m the President of 512 New Media, a leading Marketing agency in America’s 4th largest city. We are a full service company. We shoot the videos in our TV studio, while our editors and producers are hard at work. ALL websites are built, designed and tested here at HQ. Nothing is farmed out overseas. THAT IS A HUGE SECURITY RISK. And most importantly, all the strategy is designed with experience from my 30 years of Houston Morning Radio. Having played a zillion commercials, watched strategies collapse and talked with CEO’s about messaging problems…..nobody has the insight to success like 512 New Media
I opened the firm 14 years, while I was still on the radio. Why? Well, I invited many of our Fortune 500 CEO’s to sit in on the show. They loved meeting all the celeb’s, and I benefitted from them telling their thousands of employees to tune in. I CEO had asked my advice concerning a new product rollout. He said I was a ‘wordsmith’, and wanted insight on the product’s verbiage. I was more than happy to oblige his request. I went to their corporate HQ and met the Marketing team. I was so flattered, I didn’t charge for my time.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Anything left out? Well, there are some pretty crazy events that have happened since I opened the mic at KRBE, and founded 512 New Media. My radio show led to 28 marriages as a result of our ‘Sammy’s Singles’ events. Adn those marriages have led to 27 children. 2 are named after me.
I’ve flown to D.C. to meet with the Director of the FBI, and became a Presidential Motorcade driver. I thought the coolest thing I had ever done was to go on stage and bring on Duran Duran, Beyonce or Bon Jovi. But nothing beats going 80 mph in a city like Manchester, N.H, in a motorcade with the President. Blowin’ red lights, surrounded by flashing lights and bullet-proof vehicles takes the cake!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://512NewMedia.com
