Bob Willette: Back From the Beach, Back on Radio
- Aidan G
- Apr 2, 2025
- 1 min read
Updated: Apr 8, 2025
When it comes to careers in radio, it's not about whether or not you'll get fired someday- you will. It's about how you bounce back. And I can't think of a more perfect example of bouncing back than Bob Willette.
A radio veteran of 25+ years, Bob recently joined Indie 88 in Toronto after being let go from his program director role in Kingston. We discuss the challenges facing the radio industry, including corporate consolidation, content repurposing, and Canadian content regulations.
As a former award-winning program director, and now a full-time announcer, Bob had a whole lot of ideas for Indie 88. He shares exactly what they were and how he managed to integrate them, emphasizing the importance of creativity and live radio. We explore the changing media landscape, the role of the CRTC, and the need for radio stations to adapt to new technologies and audience preferences. We also dive into Bob's storied radio history, beginning all the way back with Humble and Fred on 102.1 The Edge, one of Toronto's most beloved Alternative stations.
If you like listening to Bob (and why wouldn't you), you should know he's got a podcast of his own: Bob's Basement, "A show about change." I'll let you discover the rest for yourself, but if you enjoy music, movies, comedy, live shows, radio, TV or cinema, Bob's got you covered. Check out the most recent episode below, featuring Kids in the Hall's Scott Thompson.
You can also connect with Bob on Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter/X and Facebook.
I think the discussion about evolving technologies and changing audience expectations is relevant to many forms of media today. The emphasis on building engaged communities reminds me of how EaglerCraft continues to attract players through shared experiences and enthusiastic participation. I believe that innovation, combined with a strong understanding of an audience, is the key to staying relevant over time.