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Cheap Shots, the method to the madness.

M

musicsweep

I thought I'd throw this out there since we are having the discussion about KYKX's cheap shots aimed at KNUE.

#1. Cheap shots are almost always used by the lower ranked station. It would be stupid for a heritage #1 ranked station to give life support to its weaker competitor by drawing attention to them. In most markets I have worked in, the #1 station would simply act as if they were the only station in that market. With this in mind, I would not expect KOOI to start shooting at "The Breeze" simply because KOOI is the dominant station in the market, and "The Breeze", despite its 1st class airstaff and good management is still considered a newbie. KYKX on the other hand, needs all the help they can get in trying to keep up with KNUE. I really expect "The Bull" to gain traction in this market and improve their ratings.

#2. Cheap Shots should be witty, short, and should never outright name the competition. When I worked at KJ 103 in Nacogdoches, we took shots at Kicks 105/Lufkin (aka "The country leader"). Kicks (then owned by gulfstar) had begun to use voicetracking. We shot at Kicks with a top of the hour positioner that said "24 hours live and local from East Texas, we're 'the leader' defeater, The Country Authority, KJ 103". We later added phoners into that promo of callers telling us where they listened and how much they loved us. We even injected DJ pledges. It sounded awesome. We did not bore the audience with how we were at Blue Berry fest, or how Kicks Voicetracked. (We had sales people to spread those rumors.) Furthermore, other than the wordplay with their positioner, we never named Kicks. We were too afraid our listeners would accidentally write their calls into an arbitron diary.

#3. Cheap shots should be used sparingly. As we saw in the 2004 election, you do not win by telling everyone how bad your opponent stinks, but selling yourself and rallying people around your vision. At KJ, we only shot at Kicks once an hour, and only during book. The rest of the hour was spent positioning "40 minutes of today's country" and "KJ Country Rewinds" and "The Country Authority" and promoting "The Morning Zoo with Buck and HArley." (I kind of miss those days. I spent the rest of my career looking for another KJ to work for, but found none. Even KJ is not KJ anymore).

Just a few thoughts there. What are yours.
 
You pretty much hit the nail on the head, Sweep. I think cheap shots are pointless. Instead of putting all your efforts into bringing your competition down, why don't you put a little effort into making yourself sound better.

There is an unwritten rule in broadcasting, that you never directly mention your competition on-air. As I have pointed out before, bad publicity is better than none at all. KYKX is basically giving KNUE a plug everytime they mention them, just like KKBQ does here in Houston when they mention KILT every time they open the mic.

The problem is either the staff at KYKX is lazy or they know nothing about radio. I won't pretend to know much about the Country format, but I do know a few things about the Tyler-Longview market and I do know that KNUE is very vulnerable. Also, KYKX's signal is far better than "The Bull", so I won't even include them in this conversation.

KYKX just needs to focus on themselves and not worry about what KNUE is doing. People who live in Glass Radio Stations, shouldn't throw stones. And believe you me, KYKX is made of nothing but windows these days.



<P ID="signature">______________
KVIL Highland Park
KVIL-FM Highland Park/Dallas-Fort Worth
Thanks for the memories Ron Chapman!</P>
 
Bull

I can pick up 99-3 The Bull at my house in Jacksonville very clearly. TO be successful in Tyler-Longview, you really only only need to be able to cover those cities well. Anything else is gravy.

The Bull penetrates Tyler well, seems to be building a large following in Longview, has advertisers from all over East Texas (Jacksonville, Tyler, Noonday, Longview, Henderson, & Carthage from what I have heard. Granted this is indicative of a lower priced rate card, but I am sure it works.)

Another observation is that Bull seems to be getting some big ad bucks from Henderson (Yates Buick Pontiac GMC, Fairway FOrd, All Pro Auto Parts, and I even think I heard a remote from Bob's Bar-B-Que (who has never advertised on radio, period)). Could the Bull be capitalizing on the relationship between Don Jones (former GM of KWRD Henderson, who worked with that station and for owners Chipper Dean, Dick Witkowski, and Jerry Russell, who left when Russell began to slash and burn that station, but none-the-less had worked there over a span of close to 10 years, and now is the mid-day personality at the Bull?)

Jones built relationships with the community in Henderson and majored on PR, Community Service, and customer satisfaction/success/relations insuring that everyone had an a plan they could afford, and that worked. Russell (CEO of MRS Ventures) came to town, almost immediately labeled Jones as incompetent, and tried (successfully) to run Jones off. After a not-so-successful run with Waller Media, Jones landed at Bull, and seems to be doing well. So if the Bull can use that to their advantange, then more power to them.

So Sno, perhaps its personal, in that as long as I hear Jones on The Bull, I'll root for them. Or perhaps it's their style, with the on-air games and creativity, or the way a live DJ slips something out of the ordinary into the record rotation. Or maybe I like their approach and their maverick style of country radio. Either way, I think over time, Bull will build momentum and a following in the T-Y-L, and will be successfull, if not #1. They'll do it the way we dicussed here, by selling themselves, not how the competition stinks. (They have salespeople for that.)

Then again, I had the same affection for Kickin' 104 (minus Cornbread in the morning).
 
Re: Bull

> I can pick up 99-3 The Bull at my house in Jacksonville very
> clearly. TO be successful in Tyler-Longview, you really only
> only need to be able to cover those cities well. Anything
> else is gravy.
>
> The Bull penetrates Tyler well, seems to be building a large
> following in Longview, has advertisers from all over East
> Texas (Jacksonville, Tyler, Noonday, Longview, Henderson, &
> Carthage from what I have heard. Granted this is indicative
> of a lower priced rate card, but I am sure it works.)
>
> Another observation is that Bull seems to be getting some
> big ad bucks from Henderson (Yates Buick Pontiac GMC,
> Fairway FOrd, All Pro Auto Parts, and I even think I heard a
> remote from Bob's Bar-B-Que (who has never advertised on
> radio, period)). Could the Bull be capitalizing on the
> relationship between Don Jones (former GM of KWRD Henderson,
> who worked with that station and for owners Chipper Dean,
> Dick Witkowski, and Jerry Russell, who left when Russell
> began to slash and burn that station, but none-the-less had
> worked there over a span of close to 10 years, and now is
> the mid-day personality at the Bull?)
>
> Jones built relationships with the community in Henderson
> and majored on PR, Community Service, and customer
> satisfaction/success/relations insuring that everyone had an
> a plan they could afford, and that worked. Russell (CEO of
> MRS Ventures) came to town, almost immediately labeled Jones
> as incompetent, and tried (successfully) to run Jones off.
> After a not-so-successful run with Waller Media, Jones
> landed at Bull, and seems to be doing well. So if the Bull
> can use that to their advantange, then more power to them.
>
> So Sno, perhaps its personal, in that as long as I hear
> Jones on The Bull, I'll root for them. Or perhaps it's their
> style, with the on-air games and creativity, or the way a
> live DJ slips something out of the ordinary into the record
> rotation. Or maybe I like their approach and their maverick
> style of country radio. Either way, I think over time, Bull
> will build momentum and a following in the T-Y-L, and will
> be successfull, if not #1. They'll do it the way we dicussed
> here, by selling themselves, not how the competition stinks.
> (They have salespeople for that.)
>
> Then again, I had the same affection for Kickin' 104 (minus
> Cornbread in the morning).
>
Your comment is right on (excuse the throw back phrase) regarding the dense-headed people at KYKX not attempting to improve their sound but instead choosing to bad mouth KNUE--it is indeed an act of laziness AND it costs money to infuse the station with the right people and the right music. Talk is cheap, literally, so KYKX will rely on a war of words to make its case againstg an obviously superior KNUE. And KNUE won't lower itself to poor mouthing KYKX and trying to make it look bad. KYKX is doing that quite well on its own with no help from KNUE. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot.

Radio stations are supposed to be gracious guests invited into listeners' homes. KYKX barges in and spits up on the carpet.
 
"As we saw in the 2004 election, you do not win by telling everyone how bad your opponent stinks"

Exactly...you get others to do it for you!
 
Re: Bull

Better yet, Get Don jones as PD of KYKX.
He could get things rolling and let the Bull
stay in the pasture.
 
Re: Bull

I couldn't disagree with you more. I do respect your opinion, but the Bull is horrible.

I'm sure Don Jones is a great guy. I don't know him personally, but anything I have ever heard about him has been positive.

For a while I could actually stand to listen to the Bull, but their constant DJ chatter between EVERY record and unfamiliar music is killing them. I'm NOT trying to say KYKX is any better, but at least their music is on-target. Their jingles and imaging (when they are not trashing KNUE) is heads and shoulders above the Bull.

I don't think KNUE has anything to worry about until someone comes in to this market and spends some serious money to compete. First class airstaff, music, imaging, and major market style promotions are the only thing that will break listeners habits of listening to KNUE by default.

> So Sno, perhaps its personal, in that as long as I hear
> Jones on The Bull, I'll root for them. Or perhaps it's their
> style, with the on-air games and creativity, or the way a
> live DJ slips something out of the ordinary into the record
> rotation. Or maybe I like their approach and their maverick
> style of country radio. Either way, I think over time, Bull
> will build momentum and a following in the T-Y-L, and will
> be successfull, if not #1. They'll do it the way we dicussed
> here, by selling themselves, not how the competition stinks.
> (They have salespeople for that.)
 
Re: Bull

> Better yet, Get Don jones as PD of KYKX.
> He could get things rolling and let the Bull
> stay in the pasture.


Access 1 would never let it happen. The company is slowly killing KYKX. Some say it's already dead and they forgot to turn off the transmitter.
>
 
KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> Radio stations are supposed to be gracious guests invited
> into listeners' homes. KYKX barges in and spits up on the
> carpet.

I couldn't agree more. I'm tempted to ask KYKX what their strengths are. They can't sell on music. KNUE beats them with both quality and quantity. As far as jocks, KNUE is tracked in several dayparts, but the VT is beating the crap out of their jocks. What does that say about the talent (or lack thereof) of KYKX airstaff? Promotionally, KNUE always has big contests.

KYKX has no real choice than to be negative about KNUE, after all what do they have to be positive about? NOTHING.

At present they've adopted a philosophy of copying KNUE. They're now selling "More music, fewer commercials", however it's a lie. They have not reduced spot load one bit. Whereas KNUE has because of CC's "Less is More"

Another lie they're spreading is that KNUE was not at Alley Fest, a Longview promotion where thousands of listeners visited the KNUE booth and played a contest for $10,000. According to KYKX's promos, KNUE wasn't there.

It's one thing to compare products, but its quite another to compare to a brand that beats the crap out of you everywhere, and then get so desperate that you start lying. I'll bet KNUE loves watching KYKX embarass themselves.

They are also attempting to copy the gasoline promotions that KNUE did.

So, let me get this straight, KYKX will trash KNUE on air as being no good, however, they'll then attempt to imitate everything they do.

Shows that there's not one strategic thinker in the mix there.
 
Re: Bull

>>> KYKX barges in and spits up on the carpet.
>

I think that is about the BEST description I've heard for "one-oh-five-seven" yet. Concise, yet paints an all-too-vivid picture of what's going on over there.
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> > Radio stations are supposed to be gracious guests invited
> > into listeners' homes. KYKX barges in and spits up on the
> > carpet.
>
> I couldn't agree more. I'm tempted to ask KYKX what their
> strengths are. They can't sell on music. KNUE beats them
> with both quality and quantity. As far as jocks, KNUE is
> tracked in several dayparts, but the VT is beating the crap
> out of their jocks. What does that say about the talent (or
> lack thereof) of KYKX airstaff? Promotionally, KNUE always
> has big contests.
>
> KYKX has no real choice than to be negative about KNUE,
> after all what do they have to be positive about? NOTHING.
>
>
> At present they've adopted a philosophy of copying KNUE.
> They're now selling "More music, fewer commercials", however
> it's a lie. They have not reduced spot load one bit. Whereas
> KNUE has because of CC's "Less is More"
>
> Another lie they're spreading is that KNUE was not at Alley
> Fest, a Longview promotion where thousands of listeners
> visited the KNUE booth and played a contest for $10,000.
> According to KYKX's promos, KNUE wasn't there.
>
> It's one thing to compare products, but its quite another to
> compare to a brand that beats the crap out of you
> everywhere, and then get so desperate that you start lying.
> I'll bet KNUE loves watching KYKX embarass themselves.
>
> They are also attempting to copy the gasoline promotions
> that KNUE did.
>
> So, let me get this straight, KYKX will trash KNUE on air as
> being no good, however, they'll then attempt to imitate
> everything they do.
>
> Shows that there's not one strategic thinker in the mix
> there.
>
Dru=strategic stinker.
Burma Shave
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

Ol'Clueless Dru taking cheapshots at KNUE
thinking his plan will work
all it creates is misery

clueless DRU
is lying too
when the other station was at the festival in Longview

clueless Dru feels he is having fun
just wait until sales slump at access one
his morning show is like Doxidan
both end up in the flushable can

Cluelss dru at KYKX
a once proud station
now it's a mess
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

I think its funny that KYKX tells people they're "all live and local" while they run Lia and another show for overnights. Syndicated programming may be live, but its not local. Lia's one of the big reasons KYKX will never beat KNUE.

BTW what the heck is Abcess 1 doing with KFRO-AM? They are running it worse than Waller. One day last week they only had a carrier on, other days the modulation is way way down. Transmitter problems?
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> I think its funny that KYKX tells people they're "all live
> and local" while they run Lia and another show for
> overnights. Syndicated programming may be live, but its not
> local. Lia's one of the big reasons KYKX will never beat
> KNUE.
>
> BTW what the heck is Abcess 1 doing with KFRO-AM? They are
> running it worse than Waller. One day last week they only
> had a carrier on, other days the modulation is way way down.
> Transmitter problems?


Ownership problems. KFRO-AM and KYKX are destined for the dumper so neither money nor effort will be expended on either. The adage, "There ought to be a law" certainly applies to what's being done to the stations. But there's no need for a law, even. A modicum of pride and common sense in running the stations would suffice. Ah, but we forget, those aren't part of Access 1's business code. The company shouldn't have to ruin a station before moving it out of town and reformatting it. The company should grow some gazongas and just do it--no need to justify the change by wrecking the stations first just to show they aren't worth saving. The stations themselves would do fine with a bit of care, it's the company that isn't worth saving.
>
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> Ownership problems. KFRO-AM and KYKX are destined for the
> dumper so neither money nor effort will be expended on
> either. The adage, "There ought to be a law" certainly
> applies to what's being done to the stations. But there's
> no need for a law, even. A modicum of pride and common
> sense in running the stations would suffice. Ah, but we
> forget, those aren't part of Access 1's business code. The
> company shouldn't have to ruin a station before moving it
> out of town and reformatting it. The company should grow
> some gazongas and just do it--no need to justify the change
> by wrecking the stations first just to show they aren't
> worth saving. The stations themselves would do fine with a
> bit of care, it's the company that isn't worth saving.
> >
>

Call me crazy, but it seems a perfect waste of money to purchase stations that are tanking just to stand there and watch them breathe their last. Somebody in East Texas would surely like to have one or both frequencies. There's got to be enough creative juices flowing around here that would be able to make those stations shine like new gold again. A.1 had better have some GOOD comeback plans, esp. for KYKX, or those stations will only speak in history books and how-not-to-manage-a-radio-station books that are destined to be written.
 
Exactly...

> "As we saw in the 2004 election, you do not win by telling
> everyone how bad your opponent stinks"
>
> Exactly...you get others to do it for you!
>

Just as Bush benefitted from "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth", so do radio stations benefit from the sales force spreading nasty rumors about the competition behind the scenes. These tactics work way better than running around the country hollering "This administration failed, I have a plan" or running promos that say "We were at a festival, KNUE wasnt."

off topic, but the best quote from the campaign was "I would like to remind the American people that a plan does not consist of a littany of complaints or a series of ideas you can not finance." -GWB.
 
Re: Exactly...

> > "As we saw in the 2004 election, you do not win by telling
>
> > everyone how bad your opponent stinks"
> >
> > Exactly...you get others to do it for you!
> >
>
> Just as Bush benefitted from "Swift Boat Veterans for
> Truth", so do radio stations benefit from the sales force
> spreading nasty rumors about the competition behind the
> scenes. These tactics work way better than running around
> the country hollering "This administration failed, I have a
> plan" or running promos that say "We were at a festival,
> KNUE wasnt."
>
> off topic, but the best quote from the campaign was "I would
> like to remind the American people that a plan does not
> consist of a littany of complaints or a series of ideas you
> can not finance." -GWB.


And KYKX has an unfunded mandate from corporate: "Get a leg up on the competition but don't spend any money." So they made Dru the mouthpiece. He does what he's told and works cheap. A company man if there ever was one.
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> > Ownership problems. KFRO-AM and KYKX are destined for the
>
> > dumper so neither money nor effort will be expended on
> > either. The adage, "There ought to be a law" certainly
> > applies to what's being done to the stations. But there's
>
> > no need for a law, even. A modicum of pride and common
> > sense in running the stations would suffice. Ah, but we
> > forget, those aren't part of Access 1's business code. The
>
> > company shouldn't have to ruin a station before moving it
> > out of town and reformatting it. The company should grow
> > some gazongas and just do it--no need to justify the
> change
> > by wrecking the stations first just to show they aren't
> > worth saving. The stations themselves would do fine with
> a
> > bit of care, it's the company that isn't worth saving.

A basic business premise: planned losses, if properly incurred on the company ledger, make good tax shelters. The tax code allows the practice, Access 1 shamelessly uses it, and the bean counters rejoice. Be gone with the listeners--and they're going, in droves, The carpet baggers have no conscience. Also, no audience, no revenue, and no hope.

> >
> >
>
> Call me crazy, but it seems a perfect waste of money to
> purchase stations that are tanking just to stand there and
> watch them breathe their last. Somebody in East Texas would
> surely like to have one or both frequencies. There's got to
> be enough creative juices flowing around here that would be
> able to make those stations shine like new gold again. A.1
> had better have some GOOD comeback plans, esp. for KYKX, or
> those stations will only speak in history books and
> how-not-to-manage-a-radio-station books that are destined to
> be written.
>
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

> A basic business premise: planned losses, if properly
> incurred on the company ledger, make good tax shelters. The
> tax code allows the practice, Access 1 shamelessly uses it,
> and the bean counters rejoice. Be gone with the
> listeners--and they're going, in droves, The carpet baggers
> have no conscience. Also, no audience, no revenue, and no
> hope.


Guess I just have too much passion for radio and broadcasting to even THINK of going there.

So how long does KYKX have to live in misery before becoming a bona fide tax write-off? Or, how much longer do we have to talk about 'em here??

Shows to go ya how bad off KYKX was if A.1 is tanking it for tax purposes. In any event, it's still sad to see a legacy signal trashed and torched like that, even to keep the tax man from calling.
 
Re: KYKX = Nothing Positive.

I think AC 1 and staff is just scared of all the negative publicity they will get if they do flip KYKX. Even in its sorry state it is a "Longview Tradition" and still has a small loyal local audiance. If they flipped it to urban or rock, all those (racist) country fans and the newspaper would throw a fit, even the ones that havent listened to KYKX in years. But lets face it, country aint a big as it was in the early 90's when Garth ruled, and even the "legendary" Rio Palm Isle is now a Hispanic club.

In the old days a new owner would have immediatly cleaned house and got the wrecking ball out, the old audiance be dammed.

As for KFRO-AM I'd flip it back to ESPN or Oldies (and get that AM STEREO exciter back on). Put a consistant format on there, and stick with it.
 
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