market leader
Marketing Director, Radio One Detroit
Kathie Stonehouse is one happy woman. The marketing director for Radio One Detroit says she has one of the best jobs a person can have. “I say that because I get paid to be creative. It is my job to bring the ‘wow’ factor to everything from advertising buys to events … and while that process is challenging, it can also be a lot of fun,” says Stonehouse.
Detroit radio stations HOT102.7 FM-WHTD (hip-hop and R&B), KISS 105.9 FM-WDMK (R&B), and AM 1200 WCHB (news talk/gospel) are under the Radio One umbrella, each enjoying a large and devoted listening audience. “It is my job to lead the branding and imaging efforts for all three stations in the cluster. I am responsible for coming up with creative ideas that generate excitement [for] our listeners and more revenue for our stations,” the seasoned marketing director explains.
Stonehouse adds that it is a unique challenge working for stations with different music genres. “I have to be able to shift gears pretty quickly,” she says. “At one moment I could be talking to a rapper like Lil Wayne, then minutes later I’m speaking with gospel artist Yolanda Adams,” laughs Stonehouse.
“What brings me the most joy is being in, and seeing other women in, positions that at one point weren’t accessible to them. Whenever I meet young women who are looking at me as a role model I smile because … I am looking up to women that I admire greatly, like [talk-show host] Mildred Gaddis, [VP/general manager] Kathy Stinehour and [Radio One founder and chairperson] Ms. Cathy Hughes,” says Stonehouse. –roz edward
