iHeartMedia clusters that have zero local personalities

[ScottBurns]

Sure, an accurate one from reality, and fantasy.

So the only accurate point of view is that of the business owner? Got it. I guess listeners and employees don’t matter.

 

[Kelly A]

So the only accurate point of view is that of the business owner? Got it. I guess listeners and employees don’t matter.

So you're saying that listeners want receptionists? Even if it were true, which it isn't, who will pay for the receptionist to sit there all day waiting for someone to call?
As for employees, are you claiming that employees want receptionists? Doubt that too.
Neither makes any sense in reality.

 

[gr8oldies]

So you're saying that listeners want receptionists? Even if it were true, which it isn't, who will pay for the receptionist to sit there all day waiting for someone to call?
As for employees, are you claiming that employees want receptionists? Doubt that too.
Neither makes any sense in reality.

But I came to the station for someone to let me meet the Wolfman!

 

[Kelly A]

But I came to the station for someone to let me meet the Wolfman!

Just like the need for local offices, receptionists, and request lines: all dead.

 

[exdjted]

So the only accurate point of view is that of the business owner? Got it. I guess listeners and employees don’t matter.

Who's paying the salaries? The rent? The taxes? The loans? And when was the last time you saw a listener show up at a station? I'm looking at a couple of properties right now, and the owners said they never get walk-in traffic. Do you want me to pay for a receptionist on the off-chance that a listener MIGHT walk in the door once a year?

 

[Kelly A]

Who's paying the salaries? The rent? The taxes? The loans? And when was the last time you saw a listener show up at a station? I'm looking at a couple of properties right now, and the owners said they never get walk-in traffic. Do you want me to pay for a receptionist on the off-chance that a listener MIGHT walk in the door once a year?

Haven't you heard? Owners and running a business don't mater. It's all about (a handful) of listeners and imaginary employees according to the TV show WKRP, because that's what real radio is like.

 

[SomeRadioGuy]

okay, i'm old.

YES, A RECEPTIONIST.

I have NEVER worked for a station that did not have a person to greet visitors at the front entrance. Yes, many times that person had other responsibilities (checking in deliveries, giving out prizes, going over logs), but they WERE THERE AT THE FRONT DOOR TO GREET FOLX - INCLUDING CLIENTS. This included stations in unrated markets up to top 10 markets.

And if NOBODY at the front door (which is then probably locked) is your NEW WORLD business model The YOU HAVE ALL DESCENDED TO BEING A JUKEBOX. Worse, in fact, because when I put money in a jukebox I get to hear WHAT I WANT TO HEAR.

And for what it's worth, the few radio stations that I still provide technical services to ALL HAVE A RECEPTIONIST (and other function) person at the front door, which is open during REGULAR BUSINESS HOURS. (those of you unfamiliar with what those times are can perhaps GOogle them.) They are not top 100 or even 150 market facilities, so the above argument that this is how it goes in small markets is not totally true.

So if those (small market) stations I help keep a live person at the front door then they are WAY BETTER BUSINESSES than the stations that don't, no matter who owns 'em. Q E D

@OLDRFGUY
how does not having a reception devolve a station into being a jukebox? theres no logical connection

Theres no secretary here.... im it.. i answer phones, greet people, work on air.

 

[TheBigA]

Owners and running a business don't mater. It's all about (a handful) of listeners and imaginary employees according to the TV show WKRP, because that's what real radio is like.

Blame it on the internet and reality TV. Everyone's an expert. Actual knowledge & experience doesn't matter anymore. The world is flat.

 

[davideduardo]

The world is flat.

Nah... it is convex. When we get to the edge, we fall back to the center, so it seems like we have gone all the way around and back to where we started. Humans have been fooled by this for centuries, but fortunately Tucker Carlson explained this as well as the pandemic, the electoral college and atomic weapons to me...

 

[exdjted]

Haven't you heard? Owners and running a business don't mater. It's all about (a handful) of listeners and imaginary employees according to the TV show WKRP, because that's what real radio is like.

Unfortunately, Jennifer Marlowe isn't going to work for me for $15 an hour and partial health benefits!🤣

 

[gr8oldies]

Nah... it is convex. When we get to the edge, we fall back to the center, so it seems like we have gone all the way around and back to where we started. Humans have been fooled by this for centuries, but fortunately Tucker Carlson explained this as well as the pandemic, the electoral college and atomic weapons to me...

So that's why the cats haven't pushed everything off the edge?

 

[davideduardo]

So that's why the cats haven't pushed everything off the edge?

No, and you have just proven the theory. The cat will constantly push things to the rim, and then run to catch them at the bottom so they can try again. Cats do stuff like that.

 

[seatownmedia]

Smaller markets require multi tasking. If you have all the skills it can generate a nice income. Another reason to learn all aspects of radio broadcasting. Once you accomplish this the doors are wide open. While this has already been the case for decades, it seems more important today.

My first job was because I had a good mature voice, I guess just naturally gifted. I sounded 30 at age 18. Just hormones I guess.
But succeeding in radio requires more than a good voice. You need intelligence and good humor to succeed. But if you can put all three together you are likely to succeed.

No, and you have just proven the theory. The cat will constantly push things to the rim, and then run to catch them at the bottom so they can try again. Cats do stuff like that.

In this life having a sense of humor/self deprecation is a very good skill. But this thread has officially gone off the rails. But I suppose a few “cats” are enjoying it. Sometimes cats just need the litter box. And in my neck of the woods (thank you Willard) there is a KATS FM. They are purrrfect. Meow!

 

[ScottBurns]

So you're saying that listeners want receptionists? Even if it were true, which it isn't, who will pay for the receptionist to sit there all day waiting for someone to call?
As for employees, are you claiming that employees want receptionists? Doubt that too.
Neither makes any sense in reality.

I said nothing about receptionists. You're twisting my words. All I said was that additional perspectives - the employee, the listener - are helpful.

 

[ScottBurns]

Who's paying the salaries? The rent? The taxes? The loans? And when was the last time you saw a listener show up at a station? I'm looking at a couple of properties right now, and the owners said they never get walk-in traffic. Do you want me to pay for a receptionist on the off-chance that a listener MIGHT walk in the door once a year?

Again, more than one perspective is important. Without the listener, the owner can't make any money. Without the employee, the owner can't run the business. How about multiple perspectives here?

 

[Kelly A]

I said nothing about receptionists. You're twisting my words. All I said was that additional perspectives - the employee, the listener - are helpful.

But you said that listeners and employees somehow don't matter after I responded to OLDRFGUY about how he thought not having a receptionist turned radio stations into jukeboxes. Truth be told; neither argument makes any sense in reality today.

Decades ago, board op's, most who made minimum wage, were eliminated when automation became more reliable, or where systems could be accessed remotely. In just about every office, including medical, dental, and major industries, receptionists were replaced with automated phone trees. My point was; arguing that not having a receptionist made about as much sense as being obligated to hire people performing functions that have long been replaced by automation, or assuming that increasing a station music playlist will get consumers off their phones and back to radio. Neither argument has any connection to reality.

 

[ScottBurns]

But you said that listeners and employees somehow don't matter after I responded to OLDRFGUY about how he thought not having a receptionist turned radio stations into jukeboxes. Truth be told; neither argument makes any sense in reality today.

Decades ago, board op's, most who made minimum wage, were eliminated when automation became more reliable, or where systems could be accessed remotely. In just about every office, including medical, dental, and major industries, receptionists were replaced with automated phone trees. My point was; arguing that not having a receptionist made about as much sense as being obligated to hire people performing functions that have long been replaced by automation, or assuming that increasing a station music playlist will get consumers off their phones and back to radio. Neither argument has any connection to reality.

I said that it seemed like to the members of this board that listeners and employees don't matter to them. I will repeat: Let's look at the perspective of people other than owners.

 

[Kelly A]

Again, more than one perspective is important. Without the listener, the owner can't make any money. Without the employee, the owner can't run the business. How about multiple perspectives here?

Back in 2008/09 when the bottom fell out of radio valuations my staff for a class C-FM and fully automated AM got down to two people: One that did traffic (logs) and one part time accountant. My business partner did sales. As Walmart's, Internet car sales, Home Depot, and Red Lobster (who do zero local radio ads) started moving in, our long-standing advertiser base started drying up. It was getting even harder to maintain the staff we had, and the cost of sales doubled, because my partner had to travel much further to drum-up clients. Listeners loved our stations and music, that wasn't the problem. Financial support was. Nobody was getting fat from cutting costs. Cutting costs was necessary to keep the lights on. No adding deeper cuts, or more sizzle in promos, or hiring more people would have helped the business survive. It would have killed it completely. With all due respect; we've listened to you bang on about something you have absolutely no clue about. Until you've run stations in today's environment, your simplification of how to make radio great again, borders on insulting.

 

[CTListener]

I said that it seemed like to the members of this board that listeners and employees don't matter to them. I will repeat: Let's look at the perspective of people other than owners.

What does it matter what the employees think? Losing your job sucks, whether it's due to technology, to your position being eliminated, or to a companywide downsizing forced by an economic slowdown. I was downsized after 32 years at the same employer, at 58 years old. It sucked. I moved on, found another job and counted the days to retirement. None of this personal anger and disappointment trickled down to the people who used the product.

 

[Kelly A]

I will repeat: Let's look at the perspective of people other than owners.

But that's the thing; your opinion isn't representative of the majority of radio listeners. Your opinion amounts to a rounding error in reality.