Executive Suite: John Caracciolo

As is the case in most industries, social media and emerging technologies are big wow factors, bringing about major changes in radio broadcasting, says John Caracciolo, who earned his stripes back in the turntable days.

Today's DJs use computers and flat screens that amount to giant iPods, he says. On other screens they're engaging in two-way conversations, communicating with listeners on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter.

Caracciolo, 46, says he's brought in two college students for the summer to help with social media.

He got his start as a communications major at New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury. "I wandered into the college station WNYT because I heard a cool REM song and got hooked." He later interned at WLIR, one of the first alternative rock stations in the country, where he says he met some radio greats. "And the rest is history."

Apart from the economy, what's your biggest challenge?
"Finding really good employees who can afford to live here. It's hard to get young kids out of college to stay here. We compete with New York City, the No. 1 radio market in the world. . . . I have to sound as good as them, but they're paying their talent a lot more money."

Best way to get an entrée into the business?
"Internships, no doubt about it. We have 16 interns right now."

What you look for in job candidates?
He says he asks himself, "Could I be with them in a car for two hours by myself? If I can enjoy their company, that means they would portray the same attitude to new clients and co-workers. . . .  I look for energizing personalities."

Great new tool you rely on?
"I constantly look at LinkedIn. It's a valuable source to see what others in the industry are doing. It really has become my Rolodex for the 21st century. . . . I encourage all our sales people to maintain and use an account."

You said the average age of your staffers is 26. What do you learn from them?
"Music. Our stations are very cutting-edge and we play new music . . . that's not yet mainstream. We value the opinion of our interns and younger staff."

Your most fun workplace perk?
"Getting backstage access. Getting to hang out with REM, Taylor Swift. Getting to take my daughter backstage to meet Justin Bieber."

If a fire alarm went off in your office, what's the first thing you would grab?
"My vintage radio -- a Phillips tube radio I found at a garage sale in Swan Lake, N.Y. It looks like it's from the 1950s."

Corporate snapshot

NAME: John Caracciolo, president and chief executive

COMPANY: JVC Broadcasting Co., Ronkonkoma -- 105.3 FM, top 40; 98.5 FM, Spanish top 40; 103.9 FM, classic rock; 96.1 FM, country

WHAT THEY DO: "We are in the unique business of selling air. We work with companies large and small to help them promote their businesses and their events. ... Radio truly is the 'theater of the mind.' Radio uses voices, music and sound effects to create moods and images that spark the imagination"

STAFF: 40 full-time, 35 part-time, including on-air DJ, sales executive, promotion/marketing, office support

REVENUE: $4 million to $5 million expected this year