Our speaker for September 27 - Tim Owens

Tim Owens is a veteran broadcaster, having spent 20 years with National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. as an Executive Producer of Cultural Programming.  Tim is the recipient of two Peabody Awards, radio’s most distinguished honor.  Tim is currently the Executive Vice President and General Manager for KDB 93.7 FM, a classical music station, which broadcasts in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. 

KDB was first licensed in 1929 making it one of the oldest radio stations.  The station changed hands several times over the years and was eventually donated to the Santa Barbara Foundation who currently owns it. 

In 2007, Tim was charged with the task of determining how the station could better serve the foundation and community.  He ultimately created a three year plan that better connected the station with the arts community and non-profits.  The station is now the second most important resource for arts information in the communities it serves.

Some of the changes made by the station include redesigning the website to be more functional, engaging, and friendlier.  You can listen to the station online via its website as well as view a calendar of events on the website.  In addition to revamping the website, the station updated its mascot, Guiseppe Birdie.  Guiseppe now looks happier and more dapper. 

KDB serves an audience of approximately 30,000 listeners per week.  The listeners tend to be older and affluent.  On average, listeners tune in approximately 8.6 hours per week.  KDB is supported through a combination of donor support and advertising.  Since KDB utilizes advertising, it cannot partner with National Public Radio for programs. 

Thank you Tim for a great presentation.

Deborah A. Perkins