Radio producer

A radio producer oversees the making of a radio show. The producer may organize callers for talkback radio, line up music, organize show content, etc. They are the person primarily responsible for the creation, organization and direction of live radio programming, primarily talk shows and sporting events.

Radio Producers have a wide range of various duties, and not all of them are discussed here. These duties can include actions like screening/briefing callers, keeping the show on time and within format, suggesting and implementing ideas, arranging guests, and editing live and prerecorded audio pieces for broadcast among many, many other duties.

The role of a Radio Producer also may include that of a Board Operator or Technical Operator who may operate the technical controls (volume levels, recording software, switchboard, etc.) for another person, the on-air talent.

Some producers involved in the field of radio are actually better known as "Production Directors", "Creative Producers", "Imaging Specialists", or even "Imaging Producers". This type of radio producer primarily creates and produces audio content for a radio station or radio network. Some examples of their work are promos (promotional, commercial-like audio clips), jingles and various other audio clips, better known in the radio business as "imaging".

Many radio stations and station clusters have their own 'Production Director' who may tackle any of the above listed responsibilities daily, including loading audio content into a station's computer system. Some large radio groups may have their own in-house production team, who produce audio for more than one station across the group, or even across the country.

Most radio producers are not well known, but their work can be judged quite easily. If you are listening to radio programming, and - regardless of whether or not you like or agree with the content - if it sounds the way it should, you will never be able to pick up where the creative hand of the producer stepped in. The guests will be appropriate. The message of the advertiser will be perfectly suited to their intended audience. The music, sound effects, sound quality, and all manner of sound will fit together in a way that seems correct to the listener.