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Alan Sledge leaving Clear Channel

F

Furman

Guest
Alan Sledge, longtime Clear Channel group-level programmer, is leaving.

Sledge has been a Senior VP of Programming, working with Dave Crowl, and Radio-Info learns today of an internal memo about his resignation. His territorial responsibilities were markets in the South and West regions, and he was one of several senior programming executives to sign what Clear Channel called “long-term contracts”, last October. Alan has programmed in major markets such as Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle and Detroit, as well as his longtime base in Phoenix. He helped launch the internal syndication of the Phoenix-based Johnjay and Rich morning show.
 
What's the general word on him? Good guy? The vibe I got for the past few years was he was a strong leader, and what he has done in his position seemed to prove it...
 
Alan Sledge is one of the strongest leaders in radio today. I worked with Alan in San Francisco and for a longer spell in Phoenix. Budget cuts and downsizing by Clear Channel made his job very challenging this year, and his final frustration may have been his inability to convince CC to spend the big money on Pratt and close his deal on either KNIX or KFYI. Regardless, he is highly respected with many options. He will return in a capacity of his choice soon.
 
A name like Sledge can be symbolic.

If you use it as did Sister Sledge in "We Are Family," it points to the happy key of A Major.

If you use it as did Peter Gabriel with "Sledgehammer," it points to the somber key of E-flat minor.

If you are musically inclined, you know that the distance between the notes A and E-flat is a diminished 5th. This interval was once forbidden. You could be executed for writing music containing "the devil's interval." Yet in the 20th Century, the diminished 5th (which is also called a tritone) is the foundation of jazz. It gives jazz its sound and distinct edge.

Here's one of the bad things about being in management. Once you become a manager, you can't go back. It's like losing your virginity. You can't unlose it again. You yourself may have written magic words and phrases sounding augmented that were really diminished. When you see a fellow manager canceled, it makes you wonder.

Is it possible that a manager like Sledge who was doing great gets executed anyway? Yes, you better believe it. In fact, if he rubbed someone the wrong way for whatever reason, he can and will be severed. Someone simply may have gotten jealous of his very distinct edge and hated how Sledge outshined him.

You speak of "territorial responsibilities." Have you heard about turf protectors and bruised egos? Are you aware that most firings don't happen because of technical incompetence, that they happen because of personality differences?

So, yes, you now have to deal with this A Major vs. E-flat minor voicing. The outside press may say "Alan Sledge has chosen to spend more time with his 'We Are Family.'" Yet those of us who know of the inner workings of management will hear "Sledgehammer!"

That'll be my testimony. Why would a company get rid of a top performer in its time of dying? Regardless of what is reported, we form our own interpretations, from B to F on the 7th hour!

Recalling how some rejoice saying getting fired was the best thing to happen to them, maybe Sledge has gotten lucky! Good luck to him regardless.
 
John Hogan's Clear Channel ship is sinking, and just like the Titanic, the smart ones are getting into the lifeboats while there are sill seats left in them.
 
From last friday?!?!? That story was from a few years ago...Marc Chase hasn't been with CC in 18 months, at least. Keep guessing.
::)
 
I thought Sledge and a bunch of other CC managers got new "long term" deals a while back? CC made a big deal about it. But maybe long term doesn't mean guaranteed long term.
 
kzewdude said:
I thought Sledge and a bunch of other CC managers got new "long term" deals a while back? CC made a big deal about it. But maybe long term doesn't mean guaranteed long term.
Click to expand...
 
I've heard CC contracts are pretty one sided so the fact that he had one doesn't mean much as far as security is concerned. I've known Alan since he was the midday/APD in Atlanta for then Shamrock Oldies, The Fox. When he was recruited to become the PD at KMLE it was due to his creativity and ability to think outside the lines. He continued to show that ability throughout his career. My guess is if he really "resigned" it was due to his inability to continue to flex his creative muscles because of all of the political intrigue that is CC these days. If you're forced to spend your days doing the political two step to keep your job you have little time left to actually do the job. Alan continues to be one of the most creative minds in the industry. His tenure at CC has allowed him to gain the business acumen to survive in any corporate culture. He will do well regardless of where he decides to land.
 
Sgeirk said:
From last friday?!?!? That story was from a few years ago...Marc Chase hasn't been with CC in 18 months, at least. Keep guessing.
::)
Click to expand...

That URL did show a page with June 19, 2009 on the left, so I can see why anyone of us (as opposed to neither one of us) would be the first to say it explains "goodbye."

That's funny, keep guessing.  I've actually come up with many, including:
Keep smiling, keep shining
Keep on truckin' baby
Keep on loving you

Regardless of the cause, if Alan does want to find work again, he's now officially a job hunter.  Since he hasn't had to pound the pavement for years, I hope he knows that even in the age of Dilbert, one commandment still reigns supreme, i.e., "Thou shalt not speak ill of a former supervisor."   (Hey, I'm a manager, that's why I publish that!)

Situations like this make me recall my past bosses, countless great and below-great officers to fill the hierarchy of Hogan's Heroes.   (No, not John.)  It is absurd that in an economy like today's where a person can't just walk across the street or state lines to another gig that someone like Alan just "resign" out of the blue.

The boss who made me a manager said, "Okay, so you're now a boss too.  Big deal.  You think you're somebody now?  You aren't.  Inside these 4 walls you might have power.  Outside these 4 walls, you'll get a bullet in your head if you don't treat your people right."

Then I remember 2 bosses who had 2 different views of my management style, only 1 year apart:
Boss #8 said, "Your problem is you think too much.  You care too much about your people."
Boss #9 said, "Your greatest asset is you think in advance.   You care about your people."

So I don't use Boss #8 as a reference, though I actually learned a lot more from her than #1 to #7 put together.  (Yes, female bosses have achieved equality!!!)

It never ceases to amaze me how some in management forget that the rest of the troops can and will form their own opinions, no matter their rank.   I'm actually reminded of Man's Search for Meaning, where even if those in charge say you're no good, you're still free to think otherwise.  (Victor Frankl said survivors' philosophy was "go through the storm, gotta keep on keepin' on.")

Yes, that was the Holocaust.   With a 90-cent stock and great people either resigning or being told to resign, it may be Clear Channel's holocaust in the making.  At least they don't employ 6,000,000.  Or do they, with all the people who depend on radio directly and indirectly, e.g., ad agencies, PR firms, etc.?

Maybe some other industry is more suitable for Alan's aforementioned brand of creativity at this time.  I'll definitely keep guessing which. Simply read, I'll keep holding on.
 
Questor said:
Here's one of the bad things about being in management. Once you become a manager, you can't go back...
Click to expand...

I did...at least twice (I was battling with upper management, with whom wasn't worth my time of fighting with). If he's a good jock/personality, why couldn't he just go back to being on-air?
 
It appears to me that Sledge got the boot. A company doesnt' accept a resignation on Wednesday at hire a SVP on Thursday. Jon Zellner was named Clear Channel SVPP a few hours ago.
 
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