Clayton Allen Going back to Corpus Christi

[daithi]

Kent "I have little man syndrome" Cooper will be a disaster in any market. Kent is just one more prime example of why terrestrial radio is going down the drain.

Just a guess, maybe you guys had so much trouble with Kent because you were wasting time posting on internet gossip sites instead of working at work?

I worked for Kent, and he was one of the best GMs I've ever had, but I did notice he didn't have much tolerance for the lazy or just plain stupid. Since I'm neither, we got along just fine.

No. What Kent likes are people who bow down to him. Must be hard getting down that far everyday, but if that's what you had to do to get along, guess that's what you had to do! :-*

 

[blaster69]

It's going to be interesting to watch. The CC stations which have traditionally owned the market are already slipping, and Ken DOES know the competitions operation and P.D.'s. Whether you like him or not, it's going to make for a great radio battle, especially with Clayton there.
I think that is what makes it fun and worth going to work for. Nobody ever said you had to like who you work with or work for. In a lot of situations that becomes rule #1. Let him stay on the computer. As long as he leaves his P.D.'s alone to do their job, it makes everybody happy. Good luck to him, and to Clayton. All eyes are on Corpus once again.

 

[Radioman100]

No. What Kent likes are people who bow down to him. Must be hard getting down that far everyday, but if that's what you had to do to get along, guess that's what you had to do! :-*

I don't "bow down" to anyone. Life's way too short to go to work fearing your boss everyday.

My working relationship with Kent was great, as was most everyone else's. Heck, he isn't a bad guy to grab a beer with away from work either. You must have been some sort of screw-up to end up on his bad side.

 

[theradioexpert]

Does anybody know what happened with the budget cuts at Tejas? What are the new operations like? Where did Bert Clark and Keev end up going to do anyway?

 

[radioman921]

Kent is using them to hire his people for KOUL. They aren't increasing budget. Keev probably left because Bert got the hook. Keev is really the only true major market talent in the CC who actually has skins on the wall. Kent has a hard on for KRYS so he will let the other stations falter while he attempts to beat K99. I actually think he will be able too but he will hurt the other stations to an extent that they will end up being dollar a hollar stations. Negating any financial gains on KOUL. Which actually is where the real race is and I don't think he will be able to get that done. And that is more important than the ratings race as far as Tejas is concerned. They run the company like Bud Adams ran the Oilers. Did you know that in the early 70's when the team went 1-13 two years in a row and they were horrible. They made money. Thats why Bud put up with it.

 

[theradioexpert]

I don't think that's a very beneficial way to operate a set of stations. If you're going to ignore the programming, promotions, and marketing for several stations and just focus on one, things are going to start falling apart. I've seen it happen in multiple markets. It seems like the management staff at Tejas is going to try to beat out both of the competing country stations, and let the sister stations lose several shares in the meantime. That's not smart. I think that KLTG should be focused upon as well, because it is one of the few hot ac stations in TX, and the only station in the Corpus market that is a monitored reporter of that particular format. Does anybody know if Keev stayed in the business and where he is the days? It's a shame that The Beach 96.5 had to lose a couple of great talents within a short amount of time. As of now, I see things drastically going down hill.

 

[radioman921]

".....that The Beach 96.5 had to lose a couple of great talents within a short amount of time" You have got to be kidding, Bert great talent is a joke. Keev yes, Bert absolutly NOT. He sucked. He was lousy on air.

 

[daithi]

No. What Kent likes are people who bow down to him. Must be hard getting down that far everyday, but if that's what you had to do to get along, guess that's what you had to do! :-*

I don't "bow down" to anyone. Life's way too short to go to work fearing your boss everyday.

My working relationship with Kent was great, as was most everyone else's. Heck, he isn't a bad guy to grab a beer with away from work either. You must have been some sort of screw-up to end up on his bad side.

As was most everyone else's? To whom are you referring? The two others just like you who KHA to get what you want? Take a poll - you'll find more think he's a dolt who uses Hitler tactics to make his bonuses than think "he isn't a bad guy to grab a beer with..." :-*

 

[BossJock1947]

I have been hearing that Clayton Allen will be going back to Corpus to work with his buddy, Kent Cooper. Apparently Cooper has been trying to build up KOUL and try to take on KRYS. Problem will be he is ignoring all the other stations. In the case of Clayton Allen coming back, may be a good move in that Frank at Clear Channel couldn't find a clue if it hit him in the arse. AM show on KRYS beats KOUL hands down and to bring in Clayton will probably mean even less authority for Bert Clark. I am afraid that Kent is forgeting about KLTG. It is sounding very lame these days. Middays and PM drive talent is fine but the music mix and Berts' on air have alot to be desired. Should prove interesting. It better help because rumor has it they are hitting the billing numbers either......

Perhaps Kent Cooper is the problem. Mr. Cooper has a real "hard on" for Clear Channel and because HE picked Clayton Allen of course thinks he's the man. I agree with an earlier post Clayton is no heavyweight. I live in San Antonio and i can attest to that.

Kent will not beat K-99. Kent inherited K-99's success years ago but went on to screw up several stations at CC and Cumulus. Indeed, Cooper has a small man complex and that's why HE makes all the programming decisions and that's why KOUL is still in the cellar.

 

[Radioman100]

Perhaps Kent Cooper is the problem. Mr. Cooper has a real "hard on" for Clear Channel and because HE picked Clayton Allen of course thinks he's the man. I agree with an earlier post Clayton is no heavyweight. I live in San Antonio and i can attest to that.

Kent will not beat K-99. Kent inherited K-99's success years ago but went on to screw up several stations at CC and Cumulus. Indeed, Cooper has a small man complex and that's why HE makes all the programming decisions and that's why KOUL is still in the cellar.

Which Cumulus stations did Kent screw up? When he left Cumulus, all of the stations he had were the market leaders in their respective formats. They still are.

 

[BossJock1947]

Perhaps Kent Cooper is the problem. Mr. Cooper has a real "hard on" for Clear Channel and because HE picked Clayton Allen of course thinks he's the man. I agree with an earlier post Clayton is no heavyweight. I live in San Antonio and i can attest to that.

Kent will not beat K-99. Kent inherited K-99's success years ago but went on to screw up several stations at CC and Cumulus. Indeed, Cooper has a small man complex and that's why HE makes all the programming decisions and that's why KOUL is still in the cellar.

Which Cumulus stations did Kent screw up? When he left Cumulus, all of the stations he had were the market leaders in their respective formats. They still are.

not in revenue or morale

 

[Radioman100]

How would you know? Do you work there?

You were clueless about the ratings too.

 

[kac1]

With all of the speculation and bad historic information being posted here, I feel the need to set the record straight.
Bossjock1947, your facts are incorrect.
When I took over K-99 in 1989, it was a ratings and revenue disaster, billing under $30K per month. Under my leadership it went to #1 in ratings and well over $200K per month in billing. So I guess I was not just living on its past success.
When I left Corpus Christi in 2003, The cluster I ran had 4 stations in the top 5 in ratings and was a huge #1 in revenue....over 50% of the market share. That's not leaving them in bad shape.
When I left the Cumulus cluster in Midland last year, 5 out of the 6 staions lead their formats in ratings and the cluster was #1 in revenue.
Both clusters had great teams in place when I left them. I would never claim total responsibility for these succes stories. However, I have hired and groomed some GREAT people that DID build the stations.
K-99 launched some fantastic talent on to great things....Jim Mantel, Scott ward, Mark Wintrow, Michelle Lee, Cactus Lou, Clayton Allen, just to name a few. What other station in Corpus Christi, other than maybe KZFM, has had so many personalities go on to top 50 markets.
Cumulus Midland/Odessa has a very talented team that could go on to larger markets if they wanted to. In fact I've tried to hire several of them. John Moesch and Leo Caro are unbelieveable talents and managers.
As far as having a "hard on" for K-99, that's crazy. I was part of building that station and I am still friends with most of the talent. I WILL beat them, though....eventually.
Now for the Tejas cluster. Lots of second guessing and trash talk about what's going on. I have been able to get Tejas to invest a lot of money in the Corpus cluster. We are in the process of upgrading our operating system to NexGen this week. We have spent far more money on cash giveaways and promotions than any other group in the market. Yes, I have brought in a few new people and made a few changes. It was necessary. The Beach is currently the big dog and is treated as such. I'm NOT robbing one station to help another. By the way, our revenue increases over last year are double digits while the industry is flat.
Lastly....does everyone that has ever worked for me love me? Of course not. Do the people that have worked for me that did a great job like me....most of them. That's why I have been able to bring in 8 past employees to this cluster in the past 6 months. If I was too tuff to work for, they probably wouldn't have bothered.
If any of you want to speak with me, you know where I am. Quit hiding behind fake names and give me a call!
Kent Cooper

 

[BossJock1947]

With all of the speculation and bad historic information being posted here, I feel the need to set the record straight.
Bossjock1947, your facts are incorrect.
When I took over K-99 in 1989, it was a ratings and revenue disaster, billing under $30K per month. Under my leadership it went to #1 in ratings and well over $200K per month in billing. So I guess I was not just living on its past success.
When I left Corpus Christi in 2003, The cluster I ran had 4 stations in the top 5 in ratings and was a huge #1 in revenue....over 50% of the market share. That's not leaving them in bad shape.
When I left the Cumulus cluster in Midland last year, 5 out of the 6 staions lead their formats in ratings and the cluster was #1 in revenue.
Both clusters had great teams in place when I left them. I would never claim total responsibility for these succes stories. However, I have hired and groomed some GREAT people that DID build the stations.
K-99 launched some fantastic talent on to great things....Jim Mantel, Scott ward, Mark Wintrow, Michelle Lee, Cactus Lou, Clayton Allen, just to name a few. What other station in Corpus Christi, other than maybe KZFM, has had so many personalities go on to top 50 markets.
Cumulus Midland/Odessa has a very talented team that could go on to larger markets if they wanted to. In fact I've tried to hire several of them. John Moesch and Leo Caro are unbelieveable talents and managers.
As far as having a "hard on" for K-99, that's crazy. I was part of building that station and I am still friends with most of the talent. I WILL beat them, though....eventually.
Now for the Tejas cluster. Lots of second guessing and trash talk about what's going on. I have been able to get Tejas to invest a lot of money in the Corpus cluster. We are in the process of upgrading our operating system to NexGen this week. We have spent far more money on cash giveaways and promotions than any other group in the market. Yes, I have brought in a few new people and made a few changes. It was necessary. The Beach is currently the big dog and is treated as such. I'm NOT robbing one station to help another. By the way, our revenue increases over last year are double digits while the industry is flat.
Lastly....does everyone that has ever worked for me love me? Of course not. Do the people that have worked for me that did a great job like me....most of them. That's why I have been able to bring in 8 past employees to this cluster in the past 6 months. If I was too tuff to work for, they probably wouldn't have bothered.
If any of you want to speak with me, you know where I am. Quit hiding behind fake names and give me a call!
Kent Cooper

I don't know you personally but have mostly gathered my opinion of you from your reputation. I can surmise one thing by your post, you have a healty ego. :

I work in san antonio and used to work at CC and there were times i heard from management all the problems at the cluster down in Corpus Christi and your name was mentioned as the culprit many times.

If indeed you accomplished all that you have claimed good for you, but have you done it in a large or major market?

 

[kac1]

Bossjock1947,
I'm at a slight disadvantage since I don't know who you are, I think it's a little silly to put things in print that you have heard as rumors. Especially in the politically motivated culture of CC. I don't know who your manager was, but no one outside of the corporate office had any interaction with Corpus. I worked for Dusty Black in Austin. But, if CC did not like the job I was doing in Corpus Christi, I wouldn't have been there 15 years and been promoted several times, including a run as RVP.
As far as ego, I think all good radio people have an ego. Mine is more confidence, based on experience. I am very proud of my track record. Like I said in the post, the real work has been done by the people that I hire. I am not a program director, but I know how to hire them and let them do their job. To this day, I learn something new every day.
As for larger markets, no, I have not gone down that path. I spent a brief time in a top 75 market. To be honest, I did not enjoy it and do not think it is my forte'. I have had no desire to pursue large markets as I think my expertise is in smaller markets. It's a totally different animal and one I'm not sure I would be good at.
Kent

 

[blaster69]

I've worked in many CC markets. I have also worked for some shoddy cluster managers that had absolutely no idea what the hell they were doing. Tossing rumours is no comparison to a track record and I find it refreshing to see a guy step up and challenge things being said. We have all heard Kent's name for a reason.
Good or bad, if he wasn't a pro, you wouldn't be talking about him. I don't know Kent, but from what I have heard from folks that I have worked with, he is fair and competative. I don't need a job, but I would entertain going to the beach to work for Mr. Cooper.

 

[Radioman100]

With all of the speculation and bad historic information being posted here, I feel the need to set the record straight.
Bossjock1947, your facts are incorrect.
When I took over K-99 in 1989, it was a ratings and revenue disaster, billing under $30K per month. Under my leadership it went to #1 in ratings and well over $200K per month in billing. So I guess I was not just living on its past success.
When I left Corpus Christi in 2003, The cluster I ran had 4 stations in the top 5 in ratings and was a huge #1 in revenue....over 50% of the market share. That's not leaving them in bad shape.
When I left the Cumulus cluster in Midland last year, 5 out of the 6 staions lead their formats in ratings and the cluster was #1 in revenue.
Both clusters had great teams in place when I left them. I would never claim total responsibility for these succes stories. However, I have hired and groomed some GREAT people that DID build the stations.
K-99 launched some fantastic talent on to great things....Jim Mantel, Scott ward, Mark Wintrow, Michelle Lee, Cactus Lou, Clayton Allen, just to name a few. What other station in Corpus Christi, other than maybe KZFM, has had so many personalities go on to top 50 markets.
Cumulus Midland/Odessa has a very talented team that could go on to larger markets if they wanted to. In fact I've tried to hire several of them. John Moesch and Leo Caro are unbelieveable talents and managers.
As far as having a "hard on" for K-99, that's crazy. I was part of building that station and I am still friends with most of the talent. I WILL beat them, though....eventually.
Now for the Tejas cluster. Lots of second guessing and trash talk about what's going on. I have been able to get Tejas to invest a lot of money in the Corpus cluster. We are in the process of upgrading our operating system to NexGen this week. We have spent far more money on cash giveaways and promotions than any other group in the market. Yes, I have brought in a few new people and made a few changes. It was necessary. The Beach is currently the big dog and is treated as such. I'm NOT robbing one station to help another. By the way, our revenue increases over last year are double digits while the industry is flat.
Lastly....does everyone that has ever worked for me love me? Of course not. Do the people that have worked for me that did a great job like me....most of them. That's why I have been able to bring in 8 past employees to this cluster in the past 6 months. If I was too tuff to work for, they probably wouldn't have bothered.
If any of you want to speak with me, you know where I am. Quit hiding behind fake names and give me a call!
Kent Cooper

Glad you set the record straight Kent. Don't forget one of your Midland hires did go on to a top 10 market. If I ever get sick of the big market rat race, you better believe I'll be giving you a call!

 

[BossJock1947]

With all of the speculation and bad historic information being posted here, I feel the need to set the record straight.
Bossjock1947, your facts are incorrect.
When I took over K-99 in 1989, it was a ratings and revenue disaster, billing under $30K per month. Under my leadership it went to #1 in ratings and well over $200K per month in billing. So I guess I was not just living on its past success.
When I left Corpus Christi in 2003, The cluster I ran had 4 stations in the top 5 in ratings and was a huge #1 in revenue....over 50% of the market share. That's not leaving them in bad shape.
When I left the Cumulus cluster in Midland last year, 5 out of the 6 staions lead their formats in ratings and the cluster was #1 in revenue.
Both clusters had great teams in place when I left them. I would never claim total responsibility for these succes stories. However, I have hired and groomed some GREAT people that DID build the stations.
K-99 launched some fantastic talent on to great things....Jim Mantel, Scott ward, Mark Wintrow, Michelle Lee, Cactus Lou, Clayton Allen, just to name a few. What other station in Corpus Christi, other than maybe KZFM, has had so many personalities go on to top 50 markets.
Cumulus Midland/Odessa has a very talented team that could go on to larger markets if they wanted to. In fact I've tried to hire several of them. John Moesch and Leo Caro are unbelieveable talents and managers.
As far as having a "hard on" for K-99, that's crazy. I was part of building that station and I am still friends with most of the talent. I WILL beat them, though....eventually.
Now for the Tejas cluster. Lots of second guessing and trash talk about what's going on. I have been able to get Tejas to invest a lot of money in the Corpus cluster. We are in the process of upgrading our operating system to NexGen this week. We have spent far more money on cash giveaways and promotions than any other group in the market. Yes, I have brought in a few new people and made a few changes. It was necessary. The Beach is currently the big dog and is treated as such. I'm NOT robbing one station to help another. By the way, our revenue increases over last year are double digits while the industry is flat.
Lastly....does everyone that has ever worked for me love me? Of course not. Do the people that have worked for me that did a great job like me....most of them. That's why I have been able to bring in 8 past employees to this cluster in the past 6 months. If I was too tuff to work for, they probably wouldn't have bothered.
If any of you want to speak with me, you know where I am. Quit hiding behind fake names and give me a call!
Kent Cooper

Glad you set the record straight Kent. Don't forget one of your Midland hires did go on to a top 10 market. If I ever get sick of the big market rat race, you better believe I'll be giving you a call!

:

 

[radioman921]

Kent loves his own hype. Very typical. Yes a few folks have come to work for him that used to work for him. Half are retreads. I still don't think KOUL will beat K99. And as far as what kent has done......his record at CC in CC....like a previous post said was already where he says he built it. Napoleons' twin works in Corpus......

 

[kac1]

RADIOMAN 921
Wow, You know a lot. Since you know so much about me, tell me who you are. I might know you. Or would you rather throw stones from behind a screen name?
Kent