When Jason Robinaugh took over as the general manager of the All Campus Radio Network (ACRN) in June of last year, the station experienced a slight resurgence.
The student-run network made a comeback with the 2008 edition of Lobsterfest, their yearly outdoor concert, by booking acts like Andrew W.K. Previously, ACRN had experienced lower visibility when it switched to an Internet-only format in 1999.
Robinaugh had big plans for Lobsterfest 2009 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of ACRN's Web site.
We had originally planned for an $18
000 Lobsterfest which is $5 000 more than we spent last year because it has been growing quite a bit every year
he said. But like other student organizations, ACRN received less from the Student Activity Council fund.
We didn't expect the economy to do what it's done though
Robinaugh said, adding that the budget for the show is about 50 percent less than expected.
It's all in a days work for Robinaugh, a media management major from West Liberty, Ohio. As general manager for the station, he is in charge of making the money flow
as well as being a liaison between the 12 separate staffs of the network.
Robinaugh started at the station in the programming department as a disc jockey and worked his way up to the general manager position, a spot that he won't vacate until he graduates in 2010.
Part of Robinaugh's job is figuring out how to pay for events like Lobsterfest and making it a success. Though the station is now working with half the budget, Robinaugh still plans to make the daylong event something that students can look
forward to.
It's going to be a lot more local this year
because that's the way it has to be
but it's still going to be a lot of fun
he said, adding that he is considering acts like Jay Reatard and Totally Michael to serve as the headliners. His contributions don't end there, though.
He is doing things that when I was in charge didn't even seem possible
said Jason Wright, who served as the general manager in 2006 and 2007. Wright credits Robinaugh for finding a way to purchase new equipment and software that will allow for the station to become completely digital.
Despite the lack of funding for events like Lobsterfest, Robinaugh appreciates the fact that ACRN and local bands can work together to help each other.
These bands play our shows and we build relationships with them
and half of the people at the station are in those bands
