Booking Producer, Fresh Air

About WHYY

WHYY serves the Philadelphia region with trusted journalism, eye-opening storytelling and intimate local arts programming. Our curiosity and commitment to this community is what drives our programming. It’s also what drives our hiring.

Below you’ll find an employment opportunity in the fast-paced setting of the Philadelphia region’s leading public media provider. The award-winning professional staff of WHYY sets the bar high in television, radio and online. Whether it’s preparing a program to air or a behind-the-scenes role in support, all positions are vital to continuing—and growing—our impact in our community.

WHYY offers a voice to those not heard, a platform to share everyone’s stories, a foundation to empower early and lifelong learners and a trusted space for unbiased news. Learn more about our Social Responsibility Program. It’s how we live.

About the Role

This position supervises the booking, research and editing of Fresh Air interview segments, primarily with authors of all genres. The producer will lead the review of new and advanced copies of books, execute or supervise the booking of authors, supervise the research and the edit of the interviews. Shows and podcasts on public and commercial channels are all vying for the same high-profile interview guests, so this is a highly competitive field, and the quality of our show rests on the quality of our guests.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work on multiple book segments weekly with assistance from an Associate Producer.

• Maintain a comprehensive knowledge of upcoming book releases; advise hosts on potential guest bookings and make final determination on who to pursue for interview bookings.

• Manage a huge amount of email pitches; keep an organized library of current, future, and recently published books to provide interviews as necessary.

• Schedule semi-annual meetings with publicists to get an overview of future publications.

• Contact author representatives to convince them to schedule a Fresh Air interview.

• Possess the ability to tactfully decline requests to be interviewed on Fresh Air.

• Support the host interview prep by leading the review of new and advanced copies of books, providing summaries to host as recommendations for interview guests.

• Work in tandem with other booking producers to fill out, but not flood, the calendar.

• Write and/or edit introduction copy for interviews.

• Make a detailed log of raw tape as an interview is being recorded; supervise the work of the editor, to distill 90 minutes of raw tape down to 40 minutes for broadcast.

• Address issues of accuracy, balance and sensitive language bringing issues to the Executive Producer.

• Cultivate and maintain strategic professional contacts, essential for booking high profile guests.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in various majors including English or Journalism is required. (Other majors may be acceptable)

Experience: Two years of experience in a broadcast, journalistic or media environment is necessary. Extensive knowledge and interest in current books is needed as well as knowledge of current events, films, TV, music, and other performing and visual arts.

Technical Skills: Advanced digital editing and post production skills are required. Language Skills: Persuasive communication skills are important in this position; good writing, proofreading and grammar skills are needed.

*This position is represented by SAG-AFTRA.