As mentioned in the National News, February sees First Radio Sales take on national responsibility for the CanWest owned Original radio stations in Bristol, the Solent and Aberdeen, which we are all very happy about (none more so than the Editor who eventually plans to flee to Canadia and so is desperate to brown nose a few Cannucks into getting a job as farming is far too much like hard work for these pretty hands). Here we catch up with Iain McKenna, Station Director at Original Aberdeen, to see if it’s all Labbatts Ice and Lumberjacks up in North East Scotland…

Not many people know this about our city, but Aberdeen…
has more personalised number plates on cars than any other British city.

What’s the secret of a successful local radio station?
Truly understanding the local culture and relentlessly pursuing audience growth.

What has been your proudest moment so far at Original 106?
When we hit the switch on launch day it all worked!

What does your station give to the city?
Having only been on air a few months we are currently establishing relationships with the city’s organisations and charitable foundations.

What have you been up to lately?
We spent the last two weeks giving cash away to listeners, and David Heane and David Lewis are off to Munich to begin our coverage of the upcoming Aberdeen V Bayern Munich football game.

What are your ambitions for the station?
We have one sole focus at this station: to grow our audience.

Which songs would best describe Original 106?
It’s not about a single song, it’s about an eclectic mix of music.
Our favourite artists right now include David Bowie, Razorlight, Paolo Nuttini, The Jam, Reverend and the Makers, and Blondie.

Who would be your ideal on-air guest and why?
Sir Alex Ferguson – he’s local, and he was the manager of Aberdeen Football Club when they won the European cup against Bayern Munich 25 years ago this year.

Give us an example of why you are important within the local community
Our snow text alert service – parents can sign up to our service and receive a free text message if their child’s school is closed due to snow.

Describe your listeners in 3 words
Intelligent, articulate, positive

The most bizarre thing that has happened to us is…
We had our first radio stalker on day one.

What sets your station apart from the competition?
Everything (but if we have to narrow it down, the music, the quality of news, the presenters, short advert breaks).

Why should Original 106 never be left off a media schedule?
There is more wealth in Aberdeen per capita than any other city in the UK, bar London. Aberdeen is the oil capital of Europe.

Anything else we should know…? (eg: facts, forthcoming events, partnerships, staff weddings/birthdays/engagements etc…)
Aberdeenshire, home to 70 castles, has more castles per acre than any other part of the UK
An Aberdeen shoemaker was the first to fit rubber heels
The first person to can salmon was John Weir of Aberdeen
Slains Castle at Cruden Bay is said to have inspired Bram Stoker in writing Dracula
Aberdeen Football Club was the first football club to provide a fully seated stadium

For more Aberdonian gems like this, feel free to contact First Radio Sales team on 020 7960 2900