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In response to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the faculty and staff of the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies began working from home and teaching online. Now that faculty and students are returning to campus and having more opportunities for face-to-face interactions, we almost feel like we need to re-introduce ourselves to our colleagues and students. The same is true for other schools and departments in the College of Urban Affairs and across the university. Since we boast a new podcasting studio and classes in podcasting, audio announcing, audio production, and audio storytelling, we believe that the best way to introduce ourselves is by sharing the personal stories and backgrounds of our faculty and staff. The goal is to introduce each of our faculty and staff members to students, the public, and each other. Starting with these podcasts, we hope to build a podcasting network devoted to helping students and the public meet the people who teach the classes, conduct the research, and manage media operations. We also hope to get to know each other better and build a richer academic community. So lend an ear to the personal stories of the faculty and staff preparing students for a promising future.
Kevin Stoker
Welcome to Inside JMS, a podcast featuring the faculty and staff at the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies. I'm Kevin Stoker, director of the school. I'm here with Dave Nourse, my co host, Dr. Dave Nourse.
Dave Nourse
Always a pleasure, my friend.
Kevin Stoker
And we have with us today, the general manager of KUNV 91.5 Radio, Dr, Ashton Ridley. You know, Ashton, you know we begin this podcast we kind of like to ask a little bit of a question from left field but I was just really curious, what is it at early in your life that caused you to decide to start working at KCEP? You started there quite young, right?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
I did. I did. I started when I was 15 years old at KCEP, and it was truly my mother as we were driving down Martin Luther King Boulevard at Lake Mead, going into the McDonald's, they had an ad on the radio that said looking for summer internships. And at that time, she was like, you can do that. And so that's really what started this whole public radio career.
Kevin Stoker
That's pretty cool. So did you have an interest in radio before that time?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
None. I had no interest in any job. I was like, it's summertime basketball and so no, none at all. No career plans. No nothing, just being a high school student doing high school things.
Kevin Stoker
So what did you have any interest in a certain career at that time? Or you were you thinking about something like, whatever it may be, what was it?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
Honestly, it was nothing. It genuinely was a Blake slate. Being a military child. We moved so much, so it was always hard to kind of figure out what the next thing was going to be. And so when this just came up, went to an interview session. I remember was Sherman Rutledge Jr. There was three guys that showed up myself, Virgil, Anthony and the rest. There was probably 18 females in the room, and we just filled out applications, did interviews, and I got hired.
Kevin Stoker
So I so there are quite a few applicants for this position.
Dr. Ashton Ridley
And he took on, there was eight of us, actually. Oh, he took on eight of you. Now, was it a paid position or a volunteer position? The summer program that KCEP offered was a paid position. It was for eight weeks, and you made $10 an hour, and you really were at the radio station from 8 to 5.
Kevin Stoker
So tell us, tell us about that experience. What was it? You know, first time walking into a radio station and then, and then being hired. And then, what was it that was there some magic that happened, you know, was there's kind of this, you know, epiphany, oh my goodness, this is what I want to do.
Dr. Ashton Ridley
It was more of, oh my gosh, now I have to go to work and get a paycheck. And honestly, it was going into the radio station. They had a room set aside to where they did all their trainings. So yes, we were at the radio station, but we were in our own classroom where they used the radio station book. And through the book, you went chapter by chapter, learning every position, from sales to programming to production to engineering. It was an extensive eight weeks where you basically did eight weeks, one chapter per week. And so within that, you get the full grasp of what a radio station does is and is all about. And the culmination experience is for the last week, you actually have to do an on air shift one day each day for five days, and so between the eight of us, we kind of made that happen.
Kevin Stoker
So you were 15, were you the youngest there?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
No, we were all high school students, actually, and I was 15, but I turned 16 by the time the program actually happened. And there was eight of us, and we were all high school age, whether it was junior, sophomores, seniors, we were all in high school.
Dave Nourse
Wow. So something about that experience obviously changed the trajectory of your life. You stayed at KCEP for quite a while after that. What was it about that internship that really made you go from high school kid that didn't really have a defined path to this is what I want to do.
Dr. Ashton Ridley
Honestly what happened is, at the end of the eight weeks, the general manager at the time, came up to me and said, Hey, if you want to come back and volunteer, you're more than able to do so. And so I took him up on that. The program ended the second week in August, and I'll say by the third week in September, I was back at the radio station every day from two to 5pm once I got done with high school classes, and I just go over there and just hang out and do whatever was required. And come fast forward, it's February, and I've been going there consistently since September. And so he said, You know what? You've been here. You. Consistent. Let's have you run the next set of interns. And so from that experience, is when I became the actual intern coordinator. And I was at KCEP for 15 years. And in those 15 years, I trained 312 high school students, wow, on radio broadcasting, and that was before the Linda menici scholarship. I remember talking to Bob Fisher at the time where he's like, you're doing this, but we're going to make this better and offer scholarships and things. So even working with Bob Fisher and fine tuning what that program could look like was an amazing opportunity as well.
Dave Nourse
You think about the amount of lives that you touched Dr Ridley, and that is pretty impressive. And kind of that educational piece has been kind of fundamental to your core, because you obviously took that experience at kcep, working there for 15 years, training over 300 high school students, and then went to CSN, did something a little bit different, find yourself back at UNLV, I think five years ago now, radio is part of your core, but also education is maybe you just talk a little bit about what inspires you to educate.
Dr. Ashton Ridley
Honestly, being the internship coordinator at KCP at the time you're in high school, you really don't know what you're doing, and so at that point, it was okay. Now let me put my educational goals in line with my career goals. And so within that, I got a bachelor's in Workforce Education, and through that, I'm able to create curriculums to actually teach the students how to be a broadcaster and at what levels and scaffolding and all those things that you learn in education about teaching. Then from there, getting another degree in Communication Studies. So now I'm able to communicate with the students, communicate with faculty, communicate with adults, and just understanding the art of communication. So my undergrad, it was truly workforce Ed and Communication Studies, which toned how I would put the internship program together, and then from there, getting a Master's in Public Administration and nonprofit management certificate through public policy here at Greenspun, that was more so stepping into that managerial lane, understanding budgets, understanding politics, understanding policies, understanding rules and regulations, and really getting that foothold. So now when situations arise, I can say, Where's the policy? Or, oh, we need to make a policy, and really just having that as a foundation of sorts. And then lastly, my Doctorate in Public Policy, that just kind of just culminates everything in that. So now, dealing with the FCC, dealing with, you know, higher level politics, just trains me to be better from an educational standpoint, but also the reality of how things work and so truly, my education really just helps me become a better manager for the students that I oversee, to the faculty that I engage with, to the policies and budgeting that's required for the position.
Kevin Stoker
So tell me, what did you learn about management from working with those interns. Is actually a very young manager. What did you learn about management?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
You understand of where people are and so really being a great manager, and from what I've been told by people that have been under me, it's that I'm able to understand what they're going through, and able to give them tasks, deadlines and assignments that are real. You can't always say, hey, I need this in the next 12 hours, because that's not the reality of something. And being at the radio station or in this industry for so long doing so many different jobs, I realize, you know, it takes this much time to do this thing, so setting that realistic expectation is really been helpful in making me the manager that I am today.
Kevin Stoker
You seem to gravitate to management rather than being a non on air talent. I mean, you got the voice for it. So what? What kind of led to that?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
It's really the teaching aspect as an on air talent you don't get to really make that impact to those that are coming behind you. It's more of those that are listening to you, versus in the managerial realm. I, like I said, at KCP, it was 300 and something, students that I helped mentor educate, and now I see them as adults in their different roles, and they still remember those moments. And even here at UNLV and at CSN, it was the same thing. So my 300 number from then is actually now in the four hundreds realms, just in a matter of this time of being between CSN and UNLV. So it's really just that education paying it forward and helping that next generation that really just helps me and motivates me as a manager,
Kevin Stoker
you had a unique education growing up. I mean, if you're in a military family, tell us where you lived and and what, what were kind of the experiences you had
Dr. Ashton Ridley
there. Honestly, it goes all the way back to kindergarten, first grade, living in carlsruhe, Germany. Funny enough, I still remember, you know, playing by the train tracks at the park in our apartments over. There, learning the German language, the basics of the alphabet and the numbers, and then from there, we moved back to the States. Oh, before I say that, visiting places in Germany, such as the eagle's nest and different places that are just serene that most people don't get to experience, was a phenomenal opportunity, and I suggest everybody go to Germany and at least see it one time for sure. Coming back to the states, it was living in Georgia, then we moved to Oklahoma, Arizona, Hawaii, and then we ended up in Nevada. But along the way, my mom made sure that we experienced a lot of different things. So Six Flags is always a thing. Disney World, Disneyland, Euro, Disney, you name it, I've probably been to that amusement park, whether it's here today or was not, or here yesterday. It's really been a blessing to be a military child, to just get to experience places and experiences places things, and just be around other people that are going through what you're going through, as far as transitioning every three years. So that's another part of being in Vegas. This the longest place I've ever lived, and through that, it's just been fun. It's been fun.
Dave Nourse
So speaking of fun, you've been in radio for quite a while. I think a lot of people stay in radio because there is an element of fun to it. You can have fun. I want you to talk a little bit Ashton about you know, as you've led KU NV for the past five plus years, what's been the most fun parts of your job? Why do you get excited to come to KU NV and plan different initiatives, work with students. What's fun for you about this?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
When I came to KU NV about five years ago, the station felt like it was still in in its infancy, like it was still 1315, years old, even though it was well into think it was 3040, at the at the time 39 when I came and brought to me 45 this year. So yeah, it was about 3839 and it just didn't feel like it was 3839 years in the community. And so the fun was really able to work with Kevin and work with yourself, because you were at the station when I first came on board, and really set a plan in motion to get the station where it needed to be. Even today, the station is 45 years old. In April, it still feels like we're just touched 40 maybe 37 there's still some areas we can improve upon to get over that hump. But we're definitely not like we're 1516 anymore. People know who we are. We're winning awards. The staff is engaging. It's like you said, people are on radio. They don't want to leave, and so that's what makes it fun, the fact that I can take the station and grow with the station, and have the station continue to be a force in the marketplace.
Kevin Stoker
Well, tell us what challenges you faced as you've tried to bring the mature the station. What were the challenges you encountered?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
Some of the challenges in the beginning, like anything else, it's understanding the processes of where you are and getting the team together that can move the station forward. One of the challenges when Dave was no longer the operations manager, there was a year void where we were looking for somebody, and then we found Jason Beatty, who was able to come on board and just take my vision, take my plans, and execute those things. So a lot of it has been staffing, which we've caught over that hump, and now it's really just working through the processes of the university and the system in which we operate in
Kevin Stoker
you especially faced a challenge with covid. Tell us about that, and you came up with a unique solution to underwriting.
Dr. Ashton Ridley
And honestly, Kevin, you know exactly what this is, because Kevin will bring this up to anybody that comes into this space, this studio that we're in right now, recording is one fine example of that, taking the opportunity to look at other revenue sources, such as creating talk shows. And so right now, we have talk shows on from 6am to 10am every Saturday and Sunday morning. And really utilizing that time where we normally wouldn't have advertisers on, but taking the time to give it to the community, where we actually offer discounted rates for individuals to come on and talk about whatever business they may have, whether it's real estate insurance, community events, the list goes on and on, and even now, we have a wait list of three other people that are waiting to get on as soon as somebody gets off. That's a
Dave Nourse
good problem to have. Yeah. Dr Ridley, you go into your office, you got the nice mood lighting that was recently installed. I like it. You see those degrees? Four degrees from UNLV, five? Is it five? It's five. I miscounted. Excuse me, five degrees from UNLV. You're back here on the faculty. The School of Journalism and Media Studies. How does that feel? Kind of going full circle as a student. Now you're back, you're in a position where you can influence and educate and kind of motivate as well. What is what I mean? You've mentioned that, you know, this is the longest Las Vegas is the longest place you've ever lived. I guess what I'm curious about is, how do you see yourself having kind of accomplished so much here you're back at the university, which educated you. Where do you see yourself going from here?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
Honestly, it's really just being here at UNLV, and I say that because the students just keep coming
Dr. Ashton Ridley
exactly and so really just that revolving door. And I saw it when I was at KCP with our interns over there. I saw it at CSN when I was the manager of Multicultural Affairs. The students just keep coming. So they're always need that education. They always need that motivation. And like you mentioned, when they come in my office with the mood lighting, and they see the five degrees. They're perplexed. They're wondering, how do you have five from this place that I'm struggling with one class in? And so just being able to be that Guiding Light, that motivator, that says I was literally in that classroom that you're in when I was an undergrad, or I saw the campus develop like this. This is where my student fees went to that new building that you're in. So just helping them relate in that regard. When they talk about financing, or, you know why I got to pay this fee, I'm like, because the next student will benefit from that. And so that's kind of just teaching them the Pay It Forward method. So really, that's why I'm here, and that's where I see myself. I mean, as long as Kevin will have me, I will definitely be the GM and even growing the minds of the students, growing the financial stability of the station, all of those things are something that's near and dear to what I do
Kevin Stoker
that's great. Tell us about what, what things have really inspired you, you know, you've, you've taken the station, and the station right now is ranked in the top 15 for the market. It's got as high as in the 10, top 10. It's been, you've, you've seen this station kind of find pretty good financial footing. I mean, it's always a challenge in public radio when you have to raise money every six months for this, but tell me about you know, what has it meant to you and what are your goals moving forward with it?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
What we do at the radio station is, every five years, I've set aside time to do a strategic plan. When I first got here, it was the first year, was getting my footing within the university system, understanding how the station operates. In that second year, the first thing I did was get the staff together do a strategic plan for five years, and let's go, team. Let's go within three years. The five year plan was done three years in, and we already had to create our second strategic plan within a three year window. And even through that process, now we have, we're in our second five year plan, and we're already two years ahead of where we thought we were going to be. And so for me, it's really just always planning ahead. And some of those things are the financial stability of the station. It is the position of the radio station in the market. We were lucky enough to be funny enough number two at one point in one of the books. And so really doing what we say we're going to do is the important part, and that's what we're able to do every day we come to work, whether it's finances, whether it's our membership, whether it's our ratings, whether it's engaging with our donors or engaging with the students, as long as we do it every single day, that's what we're here to do.
Kevin Stoker
Talk about your community outreach. You've actually partnered with several organizations outside, particularly like tapanash and others, tell us about the community outreach and how that's been a real benefit for the station
Dr. Ashton Ridley
in everything that we do, we always look at how does the station leverage itself, either from a marketing perspective or from a perspective of finance. Through the tapanash partnership, we are their only radio station that's there. So we're actually inside the facility. They have our logo placed in there. We broadcast every Friday night for what is it? Cigars, bourbon and soul is what we titled it. And we've done the same thing with VIX, where we're there every Saturday broadcasting live. We're looking at doing something similar with classic jewel, where they have our banner up inside. So the community aspect, we look at it from how can a station increase its financial position and also its visibility? At the same time, you've also seen this with the foundation for women leadership. We're in our third year with a partnership with them where we're one. Their media sponsors. They come on, they talk about their upcoming women's conference sponsored by MGM, and we leverage that as a way to get the station brand out there. And we look for other ways, such as AE group, they're one of our marketing partners, and they've done a lot for us when they were at Gambit and some other places around town, and really seeing where can the station get exposure, whether it's through the review journal, the sun you form, that's really what we're looking at.
Dave Nourse
So I have a question about the future. Dr Ridley, so we're sitting here in your performance studio, which recently, as of you know, six months ago, was converted into a video podcast studio. You're kind of looking at the trajectory of the industry, and you're saying, This is great opportunity, and you have this beautiful space. What excites you about the future? I mean, radio is 100 year old medium at this point, but what excites you, what are you looking forward to? Are there particular trends that you're anxious to hop on board? I'm curious, as you look to the future, what are you most excited about?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
That's the question that we always grapple with. It's what to invest in, how to invest and then how much to invest. So right now, we're going to leverage and see where the video podcasting landscape goes as far as incorporating it into the shows that we currently have, seeing if there's appetite for there, maybe in looking past this space, actually bringing artists in to record. So looking at our performance studio as a production space where we can have live instrumentation recorded and edited from the kumbv studios, and then also creating programming that other stations will pick up right now. We do the weekend jazz countdown with Pamela black. We're in four different markets across the country, and we're looking to expand that again. We took two years developing that show, and just in the last six months, have been able to get it out to different platforms and different markets. So for us, it's going to be, how can we do more for musicians here in town, as far as a production performance space, and then also, how can we leverage the space to produce quality programming that other markets can pick up? And again, the station's either going to get their name out there or there's going to be some financial gain on the back end.
Kevin Stoker
Cool. You know, it's interesting to me that you've been able to do the things you've done with a very small staff. How do you pull that off? And what role does volunteers and your talent and your host play in that
Dr. Ashton Ridley
a lot of times, businesses only thrive through leadership. And what I'm finding out is, as I meet the staff, as I talk to the staff, sometimes I over communicate certain things, just so they know that there is a plan. And I'm finding that my staff trust that I have a plan. We've worked together on the plan. They know they're part of the plan, and now we go forth and execute that plan. So that's what's been able to have the station operate with only three full time staff, 12 students and 18 different volunteers. It's truly me talking to them one on one. It's me talking to them in their specific groups and hubs, and it's really just me communicating. This is the plan. This is what I need you to do. Are you able to do it? Are you willing to do it? And I'm not going to over exert your ability, even though you're doing this for free.
Kevin Stoker
What did you learn from those early experiences has helped you paid off right now,
Dr. Ashton Ridley
education, understanding each position within a radio station, again, going back to the internship and the radio station guide that we used then. I think now it's in its 13th edition. When we first had it, it was only the sixth edition, and so understanding what a station does and what it's supposed to do allows me to keep it in that same lane. I think if I didn't have that radio station knowledge, then I would falter. But because I understand each role and have done each role in some capacity, then it makes it easier to manage and set realistic expectations.
Dave Nourse
So as part of this podcast, Dr Ridley, certainly we talk about the professional element, the educational element, but we also have to talk about the personal element. Now you've got a few children span span a couple of years. I know. Keep keeps you busy driving around from school to school, activity to activity. Maybe talk a little bit about about your kids, and tell us a little bit about when you're not at the radio station. What do you like to do? Dr Ridley,
Dr. Ashton Ridley
no. Interesting enough. So we'll talk about the kids. I have four children, two boys, two girls. They're amazing. Like any other children, they're young, but they want to be adults. So I have a daughter that tells me I'm the big sister. I'm like, Okay, you're the big sister. I get it. That's the oldest. And so she's like, I got it. I got it when it comes to having the little ones do things. Then I have my two. Boys who just go at it, just looking at each other, really, just looking at you, like, what are you gonna do? Well, what are you gonna do? That whole thing in itself. And then I have my youngest daughter, who's the quiet of the bunch. Don't have to tell her nothing, she knows everything. And I'm just like, okay, baby girl, you know everything. Yes, you knew that. Okay, I'll tell you next time what we're supposed to do, and you can tell me that you know. So it's amazing having two boys and two girls. I consider that a blessing, for sure. And as far as what I do when I'm not at the radio station, it's either sleeping Netflix or honestly, I would say a good 60% of my time is still working, and I say that through networking, I meet business owners around town, I go to functions around town, I engage with promoters. Because one thing that you have to think about being in radio is I'm in the office from nine to five. Businesses aren't necessarily open nine to five, so that requires me to go to tap and ash when they're open. They may not open till three o'clock, but not close to midnight. Same thing with promoters. They've been out all night working, so they're sleeping during the day, but then they're out at 6789, and so truly it is being a manager. An effective manager requires me to work outside of the building, and so that's where I leverage most of my time be at the wine garden with Randy or tap and ash with Melvin and Michelle, or going over to top golf or atomic golf or Swingers, or going over to, I mean, where else did we go? Beauty and Essex, the restaurants, Nacho daddy? The list goes on and on just to meet the other managers, see what they have going on, finding how to network, who to connect with, because it all comes back to either branding for the radio station or getting the radio station financially stable,
Kevin Stoker
right. Well, Ashton, I guess one question I had was, in doing all this and being out and about and everything else, what is the secret to kind of keeping a radio station going in this time, in this day and age? I mean, we know that the radios, the ratings for radio stations, have flattened out a bit. They've stayed consistent, but they've flattened out. We have aI coming into play and everything else. What? What is your vision moving forward to keep the radio station relevant in
Dr. Ashton Ridley
part, in part of that answer, it's using AI to understand what the ask are from the businesses. Now, it's not the traditional a I want to do radio spots. This is my budget. And then it's a done deal, utilizing AI to understand what other opportunities are out there for a business that wants to do stuff in radio, being, is it brand sharing? Is it on location? Is it opportunities to do live remotes, like we do at vix and tap and ash, understanding what other businesses need, whether it's getting ads in the newsletter that we generate for our members, is it on our interviews? Is it top of the hour IDs? Is it other non traditional revenue streams? So ultimately, using AI to understand what the market wants, because people are out there asking AI, how can they leverage radio station in the market? So it's using the tool that they're using to understand what they're asking and giving them that correct answer. Ultimately, and outside of that, honestly, it's being flexible enough to move when those changes happen. So if something comes up, it's, do I need to buy this piece of hardware? Do I need to buy this piece of software? Do I need to bring somebody in on a part time basis to do whatever is required under that position or function? So ultimately, being able to move when that thing comes up, I can see that being the only challenge that the station may have to move quickly. Dave,
Dave Nourse
hmm. Kevin has a question that he always saves for last. But before we get to that last question, I have a very important question for you. We spend a lot of time talking about food. You and I, Dr Ridley, and we have had a we've had several in depth conversations with Ben burrows, specifically about
Dr. Ashton Ridley
barbecue and Janet Jackson,
Dave Nourse
we're gonna leave Janet out. Do you have, all right, for the record, do you have a favorite barbecue spot here in town?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
My favorite barbecue spot is rolling smoke,
Dave Nourse
all right. And what is your what is your favorite meal from rolling smoke, or a particular, particular type of barbecue. It's the
Dr. Ashton Ridley
barbecue beef ribs from rolling smoke. All right. There we go. There you
Dave Nourse
go. We have it. Kevin, I'm leave the last question to you, my
Kevin Stoker
friend, that's nice of you. Dave, thanks. But we, we like to ask is our last question? Typically, we say, What should we. Have asked you that we haven't asked you in this discussion, something that you feel like you know needs to be said, needs that the to maybe even get to know you better, or even get to know your vision for the radio station better. What should we have asked that we haven't asked
Dr. Ashton Ridley
you didn't ask. What do I give people when they come on air.
Dave Nourse
So what do you give people when they come on
Dr. Ashton Ridley
air? We give them a KU NV swag bag.
Dave Nourse
And what is in said swag bag, sir, we
Dr. Ashton Ridley
have a you know, honestly, it's through our partners that we're able to give out swag. And so it's a mix of, we have the tumbler. We have the bag that says K, U, N, V. We do branding with the bracelet that says 91.5 HD to the beat. That's another thing that we didn't get to talk about. Is the beat college radio station, and ultimately, just ways, again, to brand the station. We have a nice wine bottle, which you open, and then within the bottle, it has a wine accessory set for the foil and the topper. So yes, swag bag, but honestly, but it would be not talking about the beat, ultimately, which is the college radio station. That's the only over the air college radio station in the state of Nevada, and that's ultimately where a lot of the students get their hands on experience
Kevin Stoker
great and and talking about the beat. How's it doing?
Dr. Ashton Ridley
The beat is actually excelling. Over the last two years. We just did the name change in December, we went from 91.5 HD to the rebel to the beat. We are looking at partnerships with Nevada State University. We're looking at partnerships with colleges Southern Nevada to expand where the station can be heard over the air, and ultimately branching out to be in Xi's main college radio station is the goal.
Kevin Stoker
And you know, one of the things you have done, I think, is really smart, has been to find ways to have it broadcast here on campus. Tell us about
Dr. Ashton Ridley
that. We are in 17 different locations on campus. We're in the residence halls, we're in the foundation building, we're in the student union, the Rec Center, and really that was again, networking outside of the office hours, figuring out who the building managers are, figuring out what that investment looks like. And it's easy to get into these places when you tell them you'll pay for it to get into these places. And so just over time, making that investment on the campus through the radio station and getting the exposure that those students really deserve. And what impact has that had? It's had a lot the fact that the students can now say, Hey, we're heard on campus, and other students can hear their voices as they're around, or see them when we're tabling. And it also culminates together that we're on the polls or the flags around campus promoting the beat. So a lot of that just kind of brand awareness just happens organically.
Kevin Stoker
Great. Well, Ashton, we appreciate your time, thanks for coming and sharing with us. We'll we'll conclude our our podcast and say thanks again for joining us today. Absolutely. Thank you, gentlemen. You.
Transcribed by https://otter.ai