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Brian & Joe out at CD101

... And another thing -- Nu, Bill, do you ever read the daily "Taylor on Radio-Info" newsletter that's available through this website? It's so funny, because just about every day, some big-shot executive at some big-shot broadcasting company (never Clear Channel, apparently) is quoted as loudly and boldly proclaiming that change MUST come in order for radio to survive, new formats MUST be opened up, we HAVE to be creative, we HAVE to make things fun again, etc. etc. etc.. But does ANY of this ever actually filter down to the local level?
I now have the solution: let's move all of these forward-thinkers twenty notches down into their actual stations, and promote all of our local cave men up into positions at their corporate headquarters. Er, this has nothing to do with the original topic, does it? Sorry.
 
jakej said:
   ... And another thing -- Nu, Bill, do you ever read the daily "Taylor on Radio-Info" newsletter that's available through this website? It's so funny, because just about every day, some big-shot executive at some big-shot broadcasting company (never Clear Channel, apparently) is quoted as loudly and boldly proclaiming that change MUST come in order for radio to survive, new formats MUST be opened up, we HAVE to be creative, we HAVE to make things fun again, etc. etc. etc.. But does ANY of this ever actually filter down to the local level?
Click to expand...

More so in other markets than here, anyway.  But I'm sure you'd consider the changes I'm thinking of rather xeroxy.  And its not just corporate radio execs that crow for the need for change -- mom & pop pay lip service to that, too.

As an aside, when Taylor wrote for CC-owned Inside Radio, they always seemed to print tons of gossip about CBS and all the other groups except CC.  And when there were some not-so-flattering happenings in CC-land, news of it would appear in R&R but but would be ignored or heavily downplayed in IR.  Then, as soon as Taylor moved over to Radio-Info, suddenly the whitewashing/ignoring of CC news "magically" ended.  I sometimes wonder if corporate censorship at IR might have contributed to his move; he's an excellent radio reporter/analyst.  Disclaimer:  I'm not sure CC even owns IR any more, but the pattern I observed would sure seem to suggest that they do.

jakej said:
I now have the solution: let's move all of these forward-thinkers twenty notches down into their actual stations, and promote all of our local cave men up into positions at their corporate headquarters.
Click to expand...

That's not such a bad idea, Tim.  Actually, a number of corporations (maybe even including some in radio) do indeed expect execs to spend some time at the front lines, e.g., flipping burgers for Wendys.  Of course I know you had something a lot more extensive than that in mind.  BTW, reiterating a point I've made before, if you want to talk about general frustration with the direction of corporate America, you'll get tons of support from me (I don't even want to get started here..).  But on the subject of radio formats, we're not going to converge, even though I *do* think Yesterday's Top Secrets would be a lot of fun to listen to.
 
Jakeman...I get Taylor and about a dozen other things everyday. Information is knowledge even if you see it from the dark side. I want to have a feel for what everyone is thinking. We are hearing a lot about "change" in politics, our own industry and life in general and it's about time. One can either sit on the side lines and gripe about what's going on or you can try to come up with solutions by open and honest discussions which is what I try to do here. I'm always on the positive side and I believe that it all comes back around. I'm also very aware of what's real. I believe that everything changes and everything ends. I got into this business because the radio I heard (in Chicago) as a kid in the late 60's was and still is some of the best entertainment I have ever laid ears on. I was around when WCOL-AM had a 40 share and WCOL-FM had split format blocks with religion and rock. I was here when WLVQ came on and ate COL-FM for lunch in very short order. Great stuff and only we can do it again. We are due big time for a creative time frame and I for one want to be a part of that. Does that change filter down? It won't if I don't do something about it. This will spot the over 50's in the audience when I quote E Karl who said many moons ago that "if you don't give your two cents, how do expect change?" The "change" we rant and rave so much about better come from us, no matter where you are on the food chain. We need to see change at CD101. We need to see change at the Blitz. We need to see change in Columbus!
 
jakej said:
It's so funny, because just about every day, some big-shot executive at some big-shot broadcasting company (never Clear Channel, apparently) is quoted as loudly and boldly proclaiming that change MUST come in order for radio to survive, new formats MUST be opened up, we HAVE to be creative, we HAVE to make things fun again, etc. etc. etc..
Click to expand...

Corporations are very good at providing competent, consistent, high quality product. But does a mega-corporation attract the type of people or foster the right environment conducive to creativity? Creativity was fostered in the past because smaller shops prevailed and you didn't have the issue of answering to layers upon layers of suits who tend to stifle and say no. That's why I don't think you will never ever have creativity and fun in radio again. The current ownership structure that exists today just doesn't allow for it. You can see it every time in retail, where some dominant local chain (Big Bear or Lazarus) is centralized and homogenized and market share goes down the tubes. The same phenomenon is happening with radio.
 
kidcapri said:
Gotta love the Clear Channel billboards... they can't even link them to the right radio station.

www.playlist4goodnotevil.com was listed on a billboard in the city and it links to their station in Philly. Corporate idiots.
Click to expand...

I know your attention to detail has already been corrected, but even if your observation were true it's still not any worse than CD101 ripping off that car commercial ("Mom! Dad! I found it!") and then following it with their "Not a knockoff, not an imitation" tagline.
 
It is great to see them leave radio because they WANT to, not because they were FORCED to! Good Luck Brian & Joe!
 
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