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PROFILES in style An interview with Sylvia Maus
Public Affairs Director for
WYMJ, WKKL, and WCMB.
MODE recently caught up with Sylvia Maus, co-host of the popular KOOL (WKKL)
Morning Show. But working the weekly morning show isn’t what we wanted to talk to
Sylvia about (yet). We wanted to find out the story of Harrisburg’s 1995 recipient of
both First and Third Place awards from the Associated Press for Top Radio Talk Show in the
Central Pennsylvania medium market.
As Public Affairs Director, Sylvia produces several (top rated) shows and segments that
air on all three of the major stations run by her parent media company. Sylvia received
the 1995 Third Place award from the Associated Press for her ongoing series called:
Central Pennsylvania Speaks. For this program Sylvia goes out into the community and asks
people "questions of concern". She then edits the responses together into short
segments that air several times a day, everyday. Sylvia tells us "It’s a great
way to hear a lot of different opinions on one specific topic, in a brief and focused
spot."
Sylvia also received the 1995 First Place award from the Associated Press for her
very-successful Street Beat program which addresses community issues and concerns. The
difference between Street Beat, and most community programs is solutions. On Street Beat
Sylvia takes a topic of concern like domestic violence and tries to offer solutions for
the listeners that may be part of a similar situation. Sylvia commented "Street Beat
always has a live guest that gives "expert" opinion on the topic of the
day." Covering such topics as Drugs and children, self-esteem, depression, and the
elderly, Sylvia tries to make her shows positive. "Instead of just acknowledging that
there is a problem out there, I try to find answers and resources for the listener to
have, and to share.
Sylvia recently had Dennis Umber of AHEDD on her show. Dennis is an employment specialist
for the impaired and physically challenged. That show spotlighted many instances in
business today where the "handicapped" can excel greatly. One of the many
positive results of that show was the hiring of one of Dennis’ candidates as an
intern at Sylvia’s station. Many Street Beat shows shed new light for the listeners.
They are always educational, thought provoking, and very enjoyable to listen to. Street
Beat airs every Sunday morning at 7:00am on WCMB, and at 7:30am on WKKL.
As Public Affairs Director, it is clear how much programs like Central Pennsylvania Speaks
and Street Beat mean to Sylvia Maus. Sylvia tells us "It gives me the opportunity to
communicate directly with the community. I bring their thought, suggestions, and questions
back to my management, try to find the answers, and turn them into issues with potential
solutions, that can be used constructively by the listener." Both shows are very well
produced, very focused, and well worth tuning in to on a regular basis. |
