| February 21st, 2018

A Seat at the Table for Women in Radio’s Dinner

By: journeymagazine

By| Carly Watson

Have you ever longed for a group within your work field that understood you? A group that made your problems their own in order to benefit you? A group that planned networking events all to see you succeed? Meaghan Taylor wanted this as a female working in the radio industry. Since it was not available to her. She went out and created “Women in Radio” for other females in her same position. Taylor started “Women in Radio” in July 2016.

“I started the organization initially to provide young women, who were in college or fresh out of college, a platform where they could connect with women who were already in the industry. Like most companies, it was built off a problem. My problem, was that I was young and had no woman in radio to guide me as I made the transition from college to commercial radio,” Taylor said.

Since 2016, “Women in Radio” has grown tremendously. Especially in terms of their social media.

“We had a 200% increase in following since this time last year. It is being talked about and praised in the industry circles as a great and growing company, and that’s what makes me proud,” said Taylor.

“Women in Radio” also has a merch store online for WIR supporters to buy from and help spread the brand. At this time WIR has completely sold out of their merchandise.

To further the brand, Taylor was able to meet and enlist the help of eleven women across the country to help push the brand to different corners of the nation.

Brand Ambassador, Brooke Smith said, “It was important to me to help Meaghan. I wanted to be a part of a female movement within the industry.”

Smith has been working in radio since 2004 and had only ever had male mentors.

“Being a brand ambassador lets me know I am playing a big role for other females who are trying to get into radio or are already in the industry,” said Smith.

“Women in Radio” is not just a forum for radio females to chat with online. Taylor has tailored the organization to have a presence in the community as well. Taylor often goes and meets with different radio stations throughout Florida to forward her brand. She has met with classrooms across the state to motivate women with hope to be on air to not give up. Taylor has also made efforts to give back to her college Florida A&M University through a homecoming week event, “Grads Are Back.” However, most notably, Taylor has organized an annual “Women in Radio Dinner” that takes place each year in Miami.

This year is the second year for the event. Taylor has high hopes it will be an even greater success than last year’s dinner.

“We have women coming from California and Connecticut and everywhere in between. I just want the women to gain as much information and contacts as they need.” Taylor continued, “The dinner will be different than last year. I want the conversations to go deeper than the surface level questions we had. Also, we’re going to include more time for networking.”

Taylor is bringing in three on air personalities, a representative of Futuri Media and Senior Vice President/Market Manager of Alpha Media WPB to share their knowledge and connections with the attendees.

“Going to the dinner is such a big deal to me. I actually canceled a leg of my trip to Vegas to make sure I could be in attendance this year. I know there are opportunities to be had and knowledge to gain at this dinner. I would never want to take opportunities like this for granted,” said Smith.

Taylor plans to continue her efforts in expanding “Women in Radio” by touring to more states as well as attending conferences.

It’s just amazing that it was once just an idea that I sat on for month, and now it’s a big deal that is growing every day,” said Taylor.

The “Women in Radio 2nd Annual Dinner” will be held on March 4th, 2018 in Miami, Fl at Mind Warehouse from 5-8PM.  Tickets are available on their website www.womeninradio.org.