Maiwand Taufiq, Head of Marketing at Dash Radio
This week, Maiwand Taufiq joined us to talk about his position at Dash Radio. Dash Radio, a 24/7 station with no commercials, was created by some of the world’s biggest DJ’s who were fed up with the limitations of FM radio. Read more about how he found his way to this exciting job.
DB: Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, Maiwand. What is your current position?
MT: I am the Head of Marketing at Dash Radio.
DB: What led you to this career path?
MT: I majored in Philosophy and obtained my Bachelor’s degree from UCI. During my first two years at UCI I interned at an entertainment company in LA. I would leave class 3-4 days a week, sometimes 5 days, and drive directly to my internship. After graduating, I took a few more entry-level positions in the entertainment & fashion industry. This year, the founder of Dash Radio (DJ Skee), who also gave me my first internship, called me with an opportunity.
DB: That’s great that you were able to make that connection! What do you value most about your current role?
MT: I really value having the freedom to try out different methods of marketing. Not having to follow a strict guideline or traditional tactics allows me to think outside of the box. Not everything works, but in 2020 you never know what’s going to work for sure until you try it. Who would’ve thought that a series of tweets between Popeyes & Chick-Fil-A would have been the strongest marketing tactic of 2019? People are still lining up for that sandwich. No amount of billboards, commercials, etc. could’ve garnished that excitement. That being said, I appreciate being able to test out new methods & discover organic ways to market Dash Radio, our stations, shows and events.
DB: What has been the biggest learning to date from your career path?
MT: My biggest learning to date is to not to judge anyone or any opportunity until you’ve really taken a deep dive. Earlier in my career, one of my supervisors asked me if he thought we should sign this artist. I watched a video from Earl Sweatshirt (which featured a young Tyler, The Creator who hadn’t released much music) and after viewing it once I told my supervisor I didn’t see these kids becoming a mainstream success. Oh was I wrong. Another time I was working an event and I said hello to someone and didn’t really get too excited about meeting them, I didn’t show the enthusiasm that I would’ve if he was Schoolboy Q or another successful artist. That’s because Schoolboy Q was in the room and, little did I know, the individual I shrugged off as unimportant was the latest artist signed to the label, Isaiah Rashaad. At the time, I was interning for his manager and he informed me that he didn’t like that I treated Isaiah like a nobody. I listened to his album on the way home and immediately became a huge fan. But it was too late; that internship didn’t last long.
DB: What is your favorite question to ask candidates during an interview?
MT: My favorite thing to ask a candidate is what they would do if they had inherited $1,000,000,000. I ask this question to get a gauge of what they’re passionate about. If you can find a candidate that is genuinely passionate about something that involves the position they are interviewing for, then you found yourself somebody that will want to come to work and will take pride in what they do everyday. That’s important to me.
