EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Seven Bridges Radio EEO Public File Report

Prepared by Steven Griffin

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Job Openings Filled During the Period September 25, 2023 to September 25, 2024

Stations: WJXL – AM           Facility ID: 63600

                 WJXL – FM                               22005

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Positions Filled                      Dates                   Recruitment Sources

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Content Producer                   October 17, 2023        Internship Program

Board Operator                       March 25, 2024            University of North Florida Student Radio    

Admin Assistant/Announcer   June 3, 2024                 Internship Program

Content Producer                   July 8, 2024                 Barrett Sports Media/Full Sail/LinkedIn/X

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Total Number of People Interviewed for All Positions:    13

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Recruitment Sources            Interviewees      Positions

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Barrett Sports Media Consulting          5                      Content Producer

Internship Program                                   2                      Admin Assistant & Content Producer

University of North Florida                      3                      Board Operator

Full Sail University                                     1                      Content Producer

LinkedIn                                                       1                      Content Producer

X (Twitter)                                                    1                      Content Producer

Internship Program:

Seven Bridges Radio provides internship training for individuals who have a desire to attain employment in the broadcasting industry. The intern program is extended to college level students who may obtain credit for time spent learning the trade at the WJXL studios and on its promotional events. It is also available to post-graduates who are looking for a way to ‘get their foot in the door.’

In the past year WJXL AM-FM hosted 12 students and graduates from colleges and universities around North Florida, including minorities and females. Areas of training include on-air preparation, broadcasting technique, copy writing, public affairs, promotions, production, video and social media. The program occasionally leads to employment opportunities. Two former interns were hired in the past year.  

Outreach Events:

1010 XL Participates in UNF Communication Week

1010 XL looks for opportunities to share broadcasting insights with potential young broadcasters. On Monday, October 30, 2023, 1010 XL’s Director of Multimedia Production and On-Air Host Mia O’Brien participated in the University of North Florida’s School of Communication Media Week during the Bad News Burnout Panel Discussion on the campus of UNF within the School of Communications.

Mia was one of two women selected to speak with UNF students and answer a variety of questions regarding her journey as a woman in media and sports media and how to excel in a sports media career. Mia was able to provide insight for the students regarding her transition from TV to radio; helping create a new department and opportunity at 1010XL; and rising through a male-dominated industry. She also was able to speak with potential future interns for 1010XL.

The students were able to ask questions and meet-and-greet with each of the panelists following the presentation. With a female-dominated audience, the students were particularly excited to learn more about work-life balance while still pursuing a passion for communications. Several of the students were specifically interested in Sports Media, and so they were particularly excited to learn more about the daily schedule of a sports media professional.

On Wednesday, November 1, 2023, 1010 XL’s Director of Community Relations, Tom Fridley and current Intern David Combs participated in the University of North Florida’s School of Communication Media Week during the Meet the Mentors Luncheon in the Talon Room on the campus of UNF. Tom and David met with communication students, answering questions about broadcast and social media, and opportunities at 1010 XL. David was in the unique position to share his experience as a 1010 XL intern with other potential interns. He talked about what he has learned, including specific voice-over and production techniques, everyday life at the station, and the many moving parts that make up 1010 XL. 

Students were able to sit around a round table, while eating lunch, and ask Tom and David questions about the station and the broadcast industry. For some of the students it was their first time learning of the station and what all goes into making it work. They were provided with detailed answers involving stories providing insight through experience. The students were given business cards at the end for potential future internship opportunities.

One of the students followed up with a thoughtful email and said, “…I just wanted to thank you for coming and spending time with us. I enjoyed every minute of our discussion and your advice! Thank you again for taking time out of your day and spending it here!”

Since 1010 XL’s debut in 2007, UNF has supplied more interns than any other school.

1010 XL Salutes Scholar Athletes

1010 XL is proud to support local high schools and colleges. During the school year 1010 XL honors Duval County high school scholar athletes.

Each week a Duval County student athlete is honored for excellence in the classroom and the sports arena. That student is featured in recorded promo that airs daily during the week, and they are honored in studio during an interview segment on the Frank Frangie Show Wednesday afternoons. The student athlete gets the spotlight shined on them when they are interviewed by members of the Frangie Show while their chosen family members watch from inside the studio.

1010 XL Blows Past Record for Jay Fund Radio-thon

For the 16^th straight year 1010 XL opened its airwaves to the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation for its annual radio-thon to raise money and awareness for the Jay Fund and cancer’s effect on local families on November 29, 2023. 

With a struggling economy and high inflation, the goal for this year’s radiothon was $200,000. Incredibly, the goal was easily reached in the afternoon and our sights were re-set on last year’s record. It was a fun and exciting day, watching the generous people of Jacksonville continue to donate throughout the day and listening to the stories of the amazing families who have battled and others still battling childhood cancer. When the donations were added up the grand total came to an astounding $268,131.

1010 XL’s programming (WJXL-AM & FM) was based around talk and interviews with people associated with the Jay Fund Foundation, including Tom Coughlin, who joined The Drill in studio to kick off the Radio-thon at 7am, and the Frangie Show at 5pm; his daughter Kelli Coughlin, who runs the Jay Fund Foundation, and moms, dads and kids who have firsthand experience with cancer. They shared stories and the many ways the Jay Fund helps families on the First Coast. All shows from 7am – 10pm were devoted to raising funds for this great cause. 

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation has helped thousands of families and given away more than $16 million dollars towards its mission of providing financial and emotional support for Jacksonville-area pediatric leukemia and cancer patients, and their families. The Jay Fund aims to improve their quality of life through a variety of programs. Whether helping a family with medical expenses or gas and groceries, the Jay Fund helps lessen the burden on local families.

1010 XL thanks the volunteers who gave their time to answer phone calls, and the Jacksonville community for being such generous heroes for these wonderful kids.  Gratitude is also extended to the local businesses that helped out with financial contributions.  

The Tom Coughlin Jay Fund Foundation was created in honor of Jay McGillis. Jay was a very special young man who played football for Coach Coughlin at Boston College and developed leukemia. The courage, compassion and faith he demonstrated during the course of his illness continue to be an inspiration to many people.

1010 XL Shows High School Students How to be Broadcasters

1010 XL is always open to exploring ways to grow future broadcasters. On Friday, January 5 and Monday, January 8, 2024, 1010 XL hosted high school students from St. Johns Country Day School in Orange Park for two days of job shadowing.

An in-depth agenda was put together by General Manager Steven Griffin for 11^th grade students Rebecca Stratton, Charlie Morgan and Nadia Al-Awady after Ryan Trevett, Director of Development, requested a program of eight hours of shadowing for students interested in pursuing sports journalism and broadcast journalism.

The schedule included plenty of time observing live shows in the on-air studio, sales and revenue generation, engineering and equipment, production and promotions, reporting, a pre-show meeting and question and answer sessions. The students even got to be record their voices on microphone for a station promo.

It was a successful two days of shadowing as the students learned a great deal about a day in the life of a broadcaster and what it takes to make a successful radio station work. They all left with spring in their steps, smiles on their faces and plans to start their own podcast.

1010 XL Inspires Future Broadcasters at Career Fair

On Wednesday, March 6, 2024, 1010 XL’s Mia O’Brien, Brent Hopkins and ET Thalerand took part in the Gator Bowl Charities Sports Career Fair at Edward Waters University. Along with representatives from other sports organizations in the Greater Jacksonville area, 1010 XL air talent interacted with about 50 middle schoolers, in hopes of giving them more insight into their career field.

ET said, “Of course most of the students want to grow up and be football or basketball players but we at 1010 were able to give them insight on what they can do once their professional playing days are over. Our station was equipped with swag but what drew their attention was the sizzle reel that was playing on loop. When they saw some of us the questions came rolling in. Some of the questions asked were: You get to talk on the radio? You get to interview Trevor Lawrence? You get to go to all the games and the Super Bowl? We also got to educate them on the multimedia side of the radio as well as sales.”

The career fair provides an opportunity for the next generation to learn about the various options of different careers in the sports and media industries. It is important that we get the future of the industry inspired and familiar with the diversity of the positions available and to get them started in the right direction to reach their potential to the fullest and help them reach their goals.

1010 XL Participates in UNF School of Communication’s Internship + Career Fair

1010 XL is delighted to share broadcasting insights with potential young broadcasters. On Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 1010 XL’s Graham Marsh, Tom Fridley, and current Intern Skylar Catherwood participated in the University of North Florida’s School of Communication’s Internship + Job Fair.

1010 XL met with many communication students, answering questions about broadcasting and how radio stations work. There was a high level of interest in internship opportunities and what potential internships entail. Skylar was in a unique position to share her experience as a current 1010 XL intern with other potential interns. She talked about what she has learned, including specific production techniques, everyday life at the station, and the many moving parts that makeup 1010 XL.

1010 XL joined more than 50 other employers at this event and walked away with nearly 30 students interested in interviewing for upcoming summer and fall internship positions.