by Lee Ann Atwater IN THE SPOTLIGHT L istening to Allison McKinnon one might think that she has been doing radio her whole life and they would be wrong. Before radio, Allison worked as a preschool teacher for close to ten years. Although she loved working with kids, she will be the first to tell you that it wasn’t until she started an internship after college as a ‘Rock Roadie’ that she found her true passion in broad - casting.
“ As a kid I liked talking everyone’s ear off (big surprise I know) ”
ALLISON MCKINNON – BROADCASTER, MEDIA PERSONALITY AND SELF-PROCLAIMED OPTIMIST
Spotlight on Business Magazine sat down with Allison McKinnon, or as she is known to friends and fans alike, Allie, to learn how this energet- ic and fun-loving media personality’s career has come full circle in Halifax and what is next in this Self-Proclaimed Optimist’s journey. SPOTLIGHT: Tell us a little about yourself, where you grew up, what you liked to do as a kid, what your hobbies are, what you like to do in your spare time when you are not enter- taining people. AM: I grew up in a suburb outside Ottawa, Ontario called Orleans. I pretty much had a pic- ture-perfect childhood. My parents are truly amazing people, my dad Brian, a retired Mountie, and my mom Gail, a retired Nurse. I also have two sisters, Jennifer and Laura. As a kid I liked talking everyone’s ear off (big surprise I know) and all the usual kid stuff. Riding bikes, sleepovers, swimming, as long as my friends were there, I didn’t care what we did! It’s funny because in some ways, as an adult I feel exactly the same. I am a social butterfly, extro - verted through and through. I just LOVE being around people. As long as my friends are there, I’m happy.
nity and get to know the people. My dream was to move into ‘on air broadcasting’ so I jumped at any opportunity. Producing pieces for the announcers shows, voice tracking overnights, I just had to get behind that mic! Eventually the hard work all paid off when I was invited to join The Sunrise Show on Sunny 94 in Lacombe in 2016. It was also my first experience with those early morning wake ups! Sunny 94 was a wonderful and encouraging place to work. A few years later a position became avail- able at Sunny that gave me the opportunity to move into the afternoon drive, and for the first time ever, I was the host of my own show. Talk about a dream come true! In 2018 a friend mentioned the station I worked part-time as a student in Halifax was looking for a full-time announcer for their morning show. I applied and was chosen to be the newest member of BJ & The Q Morning Crew, a position I held proudly until March of this year. As on-air talent, we know changes in the industry can come lightening fast, and its our job to roll with whatever comes our way. Like everyone, I have faced challenges and hard times during my career,
Tell us about your professional background? What got you interested in radio? AM: I graduated from the Nova Scotia Commu- nity Colleges Radio & Television Arts program back in 2014. I was also awarded the Best Major Project for a radio documentary exploring the life of my grandfather (Albro McKinnon) and his life and experiences working for CN Rail as a Morse Code Telegrapher. My first job in the industry was with rock station 106.7 The Drive and pop station BIG 105 in Red Deer Alberta in March of 2014. It was such a great way to get introduced into the business. I had the opportunity to help plan and attend station and community events and was able to immerse myself completely in this Central Alberta commu-
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MARCH 2021 • SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE • MARCH 2021
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