I sometimes do a quick check around the dial just to see what everyone’s up to. And what I heard today really surprised me – a Toronto FM outlet with a spot announcing they were looking for, well, an announcer to fill a morning show slot. But this wasn’t your average “play the hits” type place. It was CHIN Radio.
 
The ad went something like this, voiced by a guy with a touch of an Italian accent, although the entire thing was in English.
 
“A Toronto radio station is seeking a new morning personality. Must be able to speak both English and Italian fluently and have five years experience in radio and TV. If interested apply to chinradio.jobs@gmail.com.”
 
Now three things stand out for me here. I’ve never heard of a radio station actually advertise an opening on their own airwaves, especially for something as important as a morning position. (The closest thing I can recall is a famous CHUM Chart from 1963, with a contest on the front and back saying, “CHUM is looking for a new announcer.” In that case, it was strictly a promotion to ramp up interest, since they’d already hired Jay Nelson.) Most places use a Milkman site or whatever is taking Broadcaster Magazine’s place to trumpet an opening. But I guess at least this doesn’t cost them anything.  
 
Second, why would you advertise this on a station that airs over a hundred different languages a week? If there’s say, the Lithuanian Hour on, chances are if I speak either Italian or English, I won’t be listening. So who exactly are you trying to reach with this spot?  
 
The final thing that stood out to me is the email address. Are you telling me an entity like CHIN that’s been around since 1966 doesn’t have its own domain address by now and is forced to use gmail to solicit resumes? That’s just strange – and frankly, a little bit sad.