We’re following up with the thirty young broadcasters who were named Edison Research’s “30 Under 30” for 2008 to see how they’ve weathered a particularly tumultuous 18 months.

The first five profiles can be found here. Here’s a further look at how our broadcasters have fared.(Disclosure: The author is also VP of music and programming for Edison Research; this article, however, is the brainchild of Radio-Info.com publisher Diana Fleming, as part of the site’s emphasis on teaching and fostering the next generation of talent.)

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Blake Florence Then: APD/MD KTWV (the Wave) Los Angeles

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

I’ve continued with CBS Radio/LA working at [KTWV] The Wave – PPM went currency for us last fall. It’s definitely changed the game. We’re no longer battling listeners for recall in a diary, but for exposure to the PPM. We’re trying new things every week – seeing what translates in the PPM world. No one has the secret yet – and even when you think you found one, months later that could change, depending on the market competition, the panel, or just flat out people changing their tastes that week. I enjoy being able to see results – even if it ends up not being the results we want, we at least know that it didn’t work.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

The current state of the business is shocking to say the least. I have never seen anything like it. I personally know several talented people that are out of work at the moment and I really feel for them. However, we have turned the corner, the economy is beginning to rebound and I am confident 2010 will be much brighter for the industry we love. I already know certain companies having given annual percentage raises to employees (yes in radio). It’s definitely not what it used to be, but what business is? (Remember record stores?) It’s who can continue to evolve and change to the environment were in as a business. Part of that is not being afraid of technology (new competition) but embracing it to continue to deliver our own product.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

In the last few years, it’s been inspiring to see the “industry of old men” take chances on digital products. Whether it was a success or failure it still has pushed radio in the right direction, which is extending our brand to other platforms via digital technology. I’m impatient so of course I’d like to see things move faster with radio stations embracing new ideas and trends, but It’s a process [and] make the decision makers more confident in taking a chance and leading with something new and innovating vs waiting until it’s too late and everyone else is already doing it. By that time, you should already be searching for the next extension of your brand.

What impact has being part of 30 Under 30 had over the last eighteen months?

I was introduced to Minnesota for the first time during the 30 under 30 ceremony/convention – I’m now a proud owner of a Twins hat and Vikings jersey. Go Vikes!

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Joshua Wilkey Then: Founder and Chairman WilkeySouth Media Brokers, LLC; President and CEO Countrywide Broadcasters, Inc

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

Since last summer, a number of things have happened in my career and life. In December, I was forced to fire the General Manager of my radio stations … For the first time in a while, I was thrown back into daily programming responsibilities for the radio stations, which, while a challenge, was very rewarding. I began hosting the morning show and serving as Program Director for both stations, in addition to my normal duties as President of the company. In January, I was selected to become Chairman & President of Discover Downtown Middlesboro, a non-profit formed to foster revitalization in our historic downtown district. In addition to running the radio stations, I spend a good bit of my time running DDM, and since I took the helm we have hired our first Executive Director, and obtained 501c(3) status.

About seven months ago, I was approached by my friend and across-the-street neighbor Frank Smith about buying the radio stations. I told him that they weren’t for sale, but after we talked a bit, I agreed to sell him one station, WANO. WFXY has always been the breadwinner of the two, and he wanted to program a unique non-competing format on WANO. So, he took over, and we put together a great deal. Then, about two months ago, he expressed interest in buying WFXY. I was reaching the point of severe burnout, and was in bad need of a vacation. I agreed to give him an LMA of WFXY with an option to purchase, and he took over on October 1. It was an unexpected exit for me, so at this point, I have no clue what comes next in my life. I'm open to suggestions, though, and hope to do a great deal of consulting work.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

I believe, like many other industries, it is an industry in crisis. Our economy in general now is at a vital junction, and radio needs to find its way. The biggest problem I see, at the moment, is that there are no clear leaders. The big guys are being taken over by their bankers in many cases, and let’s face it: bean-counters do not create great radio. Radio has traditionally been a high-cash-flow and high-margin business. So what happened? Simple, radio took on too much debt, in an effort to consolidate. In their haste to grow exponentially, many large groups paid way too much money for stations that would never be able to pay for the debt racked up to buy them. Then, of course, the huge groups realized that they couldn’t run the empires they created. The result is what we see now: big groups divesting stations, and in many cases being taken over by their bankers. As I said, this creates a leadership vacuum.

None of the major group heads (with the exception perhaps of Peter Smyth at Greater Media) are in a position to be industry leaders, and I won’t even start on what a lack of leadership we've seen from the NAB lately. I say all this not to sound bitter, but to ask why radio is wandering in the proverbial wilderness. The fundamentals of radio are still great. The question is how do we, as an industry, get back to our roots and again become the great industry we were for so many years? Radio isn’t dead, nor is it dying. However, at this point, it is letting a large amount of blood, and that is, in my humble opinion, very necessary. It’s got to get a bit worse before it gets better, but I have faith that, with the right leadership, it will get better. Good habits are formed in hard times. It is now high time for radio to form some good habits.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

I have always struggled in this department. I'm 28 years old, and literally the youngest radio station owner I know. I made the deal to buy my first station when I was 21, and I bought WFXY and WANO when I was 24. In the time between the two ownership experiences, I was a very active broker. It took a while to prove myself in the business and develop a great reputation, but eventually, most of the “old salts” in the business welcomed me into the fold. Still, though, it has been unique to be my age, and hold the positions I have held. Small market owners are consumed with running their stations, so it is sometimes hard to reach out to your peers. My experience with trade shows has been that the folks my age don’t speak the same language I do, and the older folks look at me and think I'm just a kid.

Being at the great junction we've arrived at as an industry, I believe mentorship is more important now than ever. If you consider our situation in economic terms, radio has no “middle class”. There are a lot of young folks who are hungry to learn and have some great ideas, and then there are a lot of older folks who hold all the power and make all the decisions. The folks in the middle have been laid off. You rarely find young folks who are empowered to implement great ideas.

Of course, being of the management mindset, I’ve learned the hard way that a lot of ideas from our youthful years have to be tossed out. However, let’s be candid. The “powers that be” in this industry have made a bit of a mess. It is obvious that their way isn’t working in many cases. So, does it not stand to reason that more of their way won’t get us out of the mess we are in?

I think what we need now more than ever is collaboration between upper management and the younger folks in radio. The old guys have the experience and knowledge to take rough ideas from younger folks and refine them into winning sales and programming strategies. I'm a young guy, but from what I've read about the “good old days”, that is what happened. Think of the old Big WAYS in Charlotte, N.C. Stan Kaplan was a great owner in that he ran a tight ship but also worked with his jocks and sales people to create winning promotions and programming. I think there is a definite disconnect these days between the “kings” and the “peasants with pitchforks.

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Justin Chase Then: PD KMXB/KKJJ Las Vegas

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

Last December, I left CBS Radio in Las Vegas. Then, after a nice six-month vacation, I reunited with my former CBS Radio General Manager Tom Humm who joined Beasley Broadcast Group here last November. At this time, I’m programming our Country outlet KCYE and Classic Hits KKLZ. During my time here, the Beasleys have made me feel welcome and a part of their family. We have an amazing, experienced staff focused on presenting the highest quality radio products.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Like every industry in today’s economic environment, radio is fighting harder than ever for every dollar. However, many stations are still enjoying success by creating big ideas/events that clients want to be a part of. For example, our stations have produced several large events and promotions lately that generated great interest from our clients and listeners. KKLZ brought back a staple Las Vegas concert event called “June Fest” which garnered huge success, and KCYE’s first ever “Coyote Country Fest” was a near sellout. Today, advertisers are buying ideas instead of schedules.

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

Even though I might be a little younger than some of my peers, I don’t feel any younger. This business has a tendency to keep people young due to all the fun and excitement. In fact, some of the oldest people I work with can run circles around me!

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Jake Kaplan Then: Imaging/Creative Services KCBS/KROQ Los Angeles

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

Since last summer things have changed quite a bit. First, Kevin Weatherly moved me to KROQ full-time. Not long after, we started planning [KAMP] Amp Radio. We finally signed the station on Feb 20th. Now I spend most of my time on Amp. I also helped with the sign-on imaging at WXRK (Now 92.3) New York, and I've picked up a few more stations for voice-over.

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

I think the business is at a real crossroads between music being delivered digitally and using traditional radio. The biggest difference now is music is so much more accessible, even more than a few years ago. Back then, we were talking about how you could download everything on iTunes. But now, you have services like Lala, Rhapsody, Pandora and Last.fm where you can stream any song you choose right from your browser for free or for a small fee. To a younger audience, the quality is just as good and accessible as the radio. The great advantage we have is that radio is still the place people go to find music, and it’s still incredibly accessible. Our job at a younger format is to enhance that presentation, tell people what is cool, and be connected to the artist, lifestyle and pop culture. If we just play music with a big booming voice, then we are on par with an iPhone or iPod. Radio has to step up the game and exploit what we are good at!

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

I've always been the youngest guy at the station, and still pretty much am. When you’re programming a station that caters to a young audience, it’s key to have young people at your station — people that want to live the lifestyle, hit the clubs, the shows, the movies. Being in Los Angeles, I have the ability to witness the pop culture events, be it at the Grammys or MTV Movie Awards, etc., and I find it really important to create great imaging. I think it’s key to listen to the young minds at your stations and use them as a resource. For example, you can call Twitter and Facebook a fad, but your staff and their friends are using it. The young people at the station are really the driving force behind these tools.

What impact has being part of 30 Under 30 had over the last eighteen months?

Ha, [I’m always being teased about] being in the 30 Under 30 — when I come up with a good idea or a bad idea. Actually, when I got the award my Grandmother told me about her friend’s nephew who was also named a 30 Under 30. Turns out it was [Citadel/Albuquerque, N,M., PD]Justin Riley—small world. They were trying to one up each other; guess they got even on that one!

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Scott Herrold Then: Network PD, Las Vegas-based SOS Radio

What’s happened in your career since last summer?

A few months after I was named one of the 30 Under 30, I was offered a great opportunity to move to Las Vegas as Program Director & Morning Show for the SOS Radio Network. We’re a non commercial Christian radio network that operates in 9 states.

In the last year, our noncommercial Christian radio network that operates in nine states has grown by leaps and bounds. We’ve added 24,000 to our cume and the station is about to round the top 5 in Vegas with women 25-54. My morning show also climbed to #6 women 25-54 and KSOS is number 1 in TSL in Vegas with 11.5 hours 12-plus and 13.7 hours of TSL with women 25-54.

Here in Las Vegas, the economy is terrible. We’re the foreclosure capital of the country and we have record unemployment. Our staff has worked hard to make true emotional connections with our listeners this year. We’re giving listeners the opportunity to get involved in something that is much bigger than their own family. SOS Radio is becoming a true social network for the listeners. When you look at our events, our pledge drives and our listener interaction on the air, you see so much more listener loyalty than we’ve ever had before.

In addition, our TSL is off the charts and we’re seeing lots of new listeners getting on board with monthly gifts — even with the tough economic conditions. The listeners consistently tell us that SOS Radio is a real place to turn when times are tough. They’re finding true encouragement and hope again when they participate in this radio station. They also tell us SOS Radio is something they really want to support with their finances, because they see it helps others!

What are your thoughts on the current state of the business?

Our companies need to change perspective on what our business actually is. We are not just radio stations anymore. We are media companies. With all the Wi-Fi and wireless technology, we’re all becoming radio networks. Our Web stream has the potential to outcume our terrestrial radio signals. Many areas are building or have citywide Wireless Internet, the auto companies are introducing wireless technology in cars and our smart phones can do everything now. We need to figure out a new business model to cash in on that!

What’s it like being young in this business, particularly now? Do you feel like you have peers? Is this an “industry of old men?”

I don’t think radio is an industry of old men, but I don’t see many systems in place to attract young people to this business. We don’t set up strategic opportunities to mentor new talent or challenge college students to study research, new media and the strategic marketing with our radio industry in mind. This is a new media world and it’s going to take more than a great show to connect with your listeners on an emotional level.

I spoke at a high school in Detroit two weeks ago and I asked the teens, “How many of you think radio is a dead medium?” 90% of the students raised their hands! I asked, “where do you see media growing in the next 5-10 years?” They unanimously said, “Internet & wireless technology.” They also said “radio is one sided, while the Internet & wireless technologies are multi dimensional.” Their perception can become reality if we’re not careful.