Entercom Communications

Summer 2017

The summer of 2017 has been the best experience I have ever had with concerts, music, and the radio business through Entercom. Entercom is the company that makes the radio stations Kiss 98.5, Alternative 107.7, and Star 102.5 to name a few. The behind the scenes point of view for Buffalo’s radio stations' biggest summer concerts is a perspective I can’t see myself trading in for the normal concert experience.

I was an intern in the Promotions department which is in charge of giveaways, concerts, and other events. My hours as an intern were Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays from 9 to12. As a promotions intern, my responsibilities ranged from executing promotional contests and CD album free downloads to helping set-up and prepare for upcoming concerts and events.

Over the summer, the radio stations host a variety of bands to perform at different concert series: Kiss the Summer Hello, Kerfuffle, and Starry Night in the Garden. The day before the concerts I went to sleep at eight to make sure I was rested, I had packed my fanny pack and laid out my staff shirt and shorts, I was ready for anything. The day of, I carpooled with the other intern, Sam, and in preparation for the day ahead we blasted both stations, 107.7 or 98.5 on our way to canalside.

For Kerfuffle, my job was to check in the VIPs, which really worked out my customer service muscles. I learned that I really like interacting with guests and making sure that their happiness is my top priority. Kerfuffle was like a dream. I was in love with all the artists, the concert goers were chill and easy to please, I got a picture with the Mowglis, SO MUCH free food, I had low stress, the weather was beautiful and the day almost blew by since I was having so much fun.

Then for Kiss the Summer Hello, it was the exact opposite. The day started off wonderful, my job was social media and I was enjoying running around and taking pictures. Then the rain hit. I am usually a big rain fan, it does wonders to my hair, but on that day it was most unwelcome. I was doing my best to see if I can answer questions to all the angry, frustrated fans, but I didn’t have all the answers, I could just assure them we were doing our best. In that crisis situation, I quickly learned that it is difficult to gain control of an event when nature is against you, but I learned how to be an active and effective customer service representative. Again I found myself interested in communicating with people, interacting with them, and seeing how I can help. After the rain passed we were able to put the show back on and I got some great pictures for the radio station’s social media. But overall it was the perfect weekend, I got to see the ideal concert and how to handle a nightmare situation like the Kiss concert.

Starry Night in the garden was the Star 102.5 concert and it was located at the Botanical Gardens. Sam and I were ice runners so we were given a super fast and sleek golf cart and we drove around the Botanical Gardens delivering ice to the vendors. I got to meet James TW, one of the artists, and help to clean up the event. All while learning how the events are coordinated and enacted.

My favorite part of this internship was definitely the events, I love being on my feet, and being able to lend a hand or have a job to make the event go smoothly. The promotions aspect I liked was calling winners of contests and being the first to tell them they won. The surprise in their voice is always fun to hear.

Over the summer I have learned a lot about event planning and all the hard work that goes into it. Planning events may be one of my passions and I am excited to see how I can pursue this passion further and develop my event planning skills. I am so thankful for this internship and all the people that helped me along the way! It was a summer I truly will never forget.