[Behind the Selfie] with... Meegan Kieffer

Photos are generally hit and miss for me and after several unsuccessful attempts by hubby to take a birthday pic of me, I opted for the selfie. This was taken while lunching and enjoying the beauty of the Company’s Garden in Cape Town.

1. Where do you live, work and play?

Kieffer: I live deep in suburbia, situated amongst thousands of home executives in Constantia and work in Sea Point with the most enviable view of the promenade, Robben Island and the beautiful Atlantic seaboard - the envy of many a developer. My play time is ruled by my 13-year-old, so lots of time spent on sports fields and when he's out socialising, I love trying new food eateries.

2. Describe your career so far.

Kieffer: I was the directionless matric student, with no clear idea of what I wanted to do. I was shoved kicking and screaming into a secretarial course by my dad who was not interested in seeing me take a 'gap' year. I ended up working in various marketing environments as a PA and eventually found myself in the marketing department at Health & Racquet Club, which later became Virgin Active, first as a PA to the marketing director, then marketing assistant and ending my time there as brand partnership manager. On a whim, while studying for my marketing diploma part-time, I then applied for the marketing manager position at Good Hope FM. I had no expectations of being successful, as I was still in the throes of formalising my marketing career, but God had other plans for me and in 2005 I joined the Good Hope FM team. In October, I celebrated 10 years at the radio station.

3. Tell us a few of your favourite things.

Kieffer: My loves... there are so many. Fashion, shoes, make up, interior design, novels (romantic, thrillers, autobiographies, etc.), technology, cameras...

4. What do you love about your industry?

Kieffer: I love that radio is a spontaneous environment, ever-changing, ever-evolving, always exciting but never dull.

5. What are a few pain points your industry can improve on?

Kieffer: Over-inflated egos, not sure how that is improved upon!

6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

Kieffer: There is no such thing as an average day as every day is different. I generally start around 8am, after fighting the 'southern suburbs to town' traffic. I normally have to put my face on first, as there is never enough time at home. I log on while applying make-up and as mails download I have my morning coffee. I check mails then the day could either continue along that vein or I could have meetings covering a gamut of topics like marketing, events, sales, competitions, DJs, social media, music, etc. I generally do lunch at my desk unless there is a meeting. And the afternoon will then continue with tackling admin or meetings. We do have many impromptu meetings during the day to discuss any matters which arise, and I use the word 'meeting' loosely, as they could be held in the corridors, over coffee, while listening to music, etc. My day ends when I'm done.

7. What are the tools of your trade?

Kieffer: My computer with internet access. Without it I feel lost!

8. Who is getting it right in your industry?

Kieffer: Ukhozi FM, I have to take my hat off to a fellow SABC brand, which has a larger listening audience than some small countries' populations!

9. What are you working on right now?

Kieffer: Brand strategy.

10. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself.

Kieffer: 'Innovation' is the current buzzword at SABC radio and, as we are in a highly competitive environment, we are required to be innovative in order to stand out and be noticed. The other is 'digital', as that is the way of the world and the future of radio. We are still lagging in relation to the world but it's going to change the radio landscape once it is implemented.

11. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

Kieffer: Inspiration can strike at any moment during brainstorming sessions, while driving home (via Camps Bay and Hout Bay to avoid Cape Town nightmarish afternoon traffic), while lying in bed reading, or while scrolling through my online profiles. It's not limited to a location.

12. What's your secret talent/party trick?

Kieffer: I can drink one drink the whole night!

13. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone?

Kieffer: Pictures galore of my son, the Criminal Minds game for my downtime space-out moments, all my social media apps and private email only.

14. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry?

Kieffer: There is no set formula for making it in radio other than being enthusiastic, willing to work crazy hours and if you are a bit of a hustler, even better, as budgets are always tight in marketing.

You can read more about Kieffer by clicking here, and interact with her through the following social media accounts:

Good Hope FM on Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews