Our Consultants
Dan Vallie
Following what has been described as one of radio's most consistent, successful programming tenures, Dan founded Vallie•Richards•Donovan Consulting, Inc. in 1988, and was originally based in the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. Today the consultancy has offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Charlotte, Boone and Raleigh N.C.
Dan is recognized as a specialist for his ability to conceptualize and position a product to be successful in today's competitive environment, and has a long track record of creating a product that, in turn, produces revenue. Prior to founding Vallie•Richards•Donovan, Dan held the position of vice president of programming and marketing for a leading broadcast group.
He has been relentlessly innovative as evidenced by a career that has him at the forefront of format innovations in regards to legendary Top 40 stations; pioneering the Hot AC format in the early 80's (Y98 St. Louis), the dance format in the mid 80's (Hot105 Miami), along with various other format innovations regarding stopset positioning, station imaging, and music flow. In addition, he developed the idea of "conceptualizing" radio stations, coining the term "stationality" and creating the Morning Masters program for high profile air talent.
Dan was a leader in the evolvement of "EZ" listening stations to the AC format in the 80's, and the consultancy remains at the forefront of AC today, working with stations like KOIT San Francisco, WWLI Providence, KQKQ Omaha, etc.
The pattern of innovation continues. Many companies never have the opportunity to say they have even developed one new format. Yet, still early in the first decade of the 21st century, Dan and Vallie•Richards•Donovan have worked with client stations to develop three new formats.
Yet already in the first decade of this 21st century Vallie•Richards•Donovan has already been involved in more format innovations than any other consulting firm; with Bonneville and the debut of often imitated "The Drive" in Chicago; created and named The Fish format for Salem communications; and now is partnering with MRH marketing to bring “Fresh FM” to the industry.
Working with Salem Communications, Dan innovated the new Contemporary Christian music format that is spreading across the country. Naming it The Fish, and targeted at Christians and seekers, The Fish is now on the air scoring revenue and ratings in Atlanta, Portland, and other cities.
Most recently, working with Entercom, Dan and Vallie•Richards•Donovan worked to create another new format; The Walk, Positive country/Contemporary Christian-God and Country, debuting number 7 in the Greenville Spartanburg S.C. market to compliment the rest of the Entercom cluster.
Dan is a non-traditional and creative thinker who believes creative discoveries are only maximized when they have practical application. With this philosophy he positioned Vallie•Richards•Donovan Consulting to become the premiere consultancy in the industry and continues to thrive in the consolidation era.
Today Dan heads up what many consider to be the best contemporary radio consulting firm in America who's clientele over the years could be a list of who's who of broadcast companies.
You can contact Dan at:
Dan Vallie
Vallie•Richards•Donovan Consulting
733 Algonquin Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828)262-3919
FAX:262-1754
