Clear Channel In Utica-Rome Market

[probuttonpusher]

I overheard her telling people at an event she is not getting any extra money and how it takes her 90 minutes a day to make Whoopi run itself. Is the title of interim PD kind of like a common law marriage, after you have been in it so long then it is assumed it is your title.

First of all, it's a shame you had to overhear that. No matter how bad things may be internally at any station anywhere, no jock with any sort of class should be venting that kind of stuff in public. Doesn't matter if it's being said to personal friends at a restaurant, or if she was actually telling listeners at a remote. Not only does it bring down the entire image of the station, it makes the individual jock look pathetic. From what I've heard, Linda Rae has had at least a few chances to jump ship for greener pastures over the years, and every time, she declines. Even if she's under a non-compete contract, it's Utica. If CC won't spend the bucks to bring in NEW decent talent, I doubt they'd spend the bucks in court to keep veteran talent under their roof. She's made her own bed several times, and she can keep rolling in it.

But the main reason for this reply is about the comment of her "interim PD" thing becoming permanent. That's a very sad reality in this business nowadays. All too often, jobs are cut, and then people are told they're going to pick up the slack "just for now, until we get a long-term plan worked out." Or they're told there's no room in the budget for raises "yet, but we should have some more money soon." Does that better long-term plan ever happen? Does that extra money ever get freed up? No! In this business, people are expected to do more and more work, for the same money.

If Linda allowed the mgmt to throw the PD duties in her lap without any extra pay, that's her own fault. If the company can get the work done for free, they sure aren't going to actively look to pay someone else for it. On the other hand, anytime anyone in this business puts their foot down -- they put themselves at risk of being replaced by someone else who will gladly do the same work for less money. I wonder how often Linda wishes she had taken up those offers from the other side of town.

Linda could NEVER leave Utica. Cause 1-she is WAY past her prime and she knows it and 2-she has always been a "big fish" in the Utica market and doesnt have the balls to try to re-establish in another market. As for the interm pd thing, Linda has always been a title hog, right Miss Oneonta? Plus she likes to run things her way any way. This is probibly the ONLY time she hasnt had a problem with the pd or md!

 

[BobRoss]

You raise some good points, until you got here:

Clear Channel has not hurt the Utica Rome market – local management (or the lack of) has! Everyone wants to blame CORPORATE and yes they have made some stupid mistakes – but they are not why radio is slipping.

The picture you and others paint certainly show that BD has done a terrible job. No argument there. But why was he allowed to keep his job for such a long time? THAT is where corporate comes into the blame game. Some regional VP somewhere should have noticed the decay and said something years ago. But they didn't. I'm sure if this was Syracuse, Albany or Rochester, being outsold 3-to-1 would have raised some red flags. Hell, it would have raised red flares into the night sky!

The captain may be at fault for running the ship aground, but the admirals and the commander-in-chief are equally at fault for allowing him to run aground.

 

[onthemarks]

I knew 'something' had changed at Mix recently as the music has gotten a little off track from where it was with Roadie (who I have the utmost respect for). Now I know the answer.

I think it's going to be an interesting summer for radio in the Utica/Rome market.

 

[BobRoss]

I think it's going to be an interesting summer for radio in the Utica/Rome market.

When does the spring book end, sometime next month?
I just checked R&R's website, and the last update was after the Spring 2005 book. Who the hell's been embargoing the numbers for the past TWO YEARS? That's ridiculous.

Well either way... if the spring book 2005 numbers came out in August, I suppose the sp 07 numbers will be out this August. That's when I would expect to see some changes, especially if there's a new GM (or owner) at CC in place by then.

 

[SirRoxalot]

Embar-gozon

Since Ed no longer subscribes to Arbitron, expect the embargo to continue. I wonder if we'll be treated to Eastland numbers for Utica-Rome?

 

[JustPastBuffalo]

Having worked in Utica for a few years in the mid 70's (which may just as well be the paleolithic era), I can relate to this thread. It was the Ed Hanna-Stephen Pawlinga years, when Brian Connicker coached the Mohawk Valley Comets, when some of the classic hockey movie "Slapshot" was filmed, when 'TLB battled 'RUN and KG-104 came to prominence using Drake Chenault's Oldies format. I was PD of 1550 WBVM for a few years and as every dog does, we had our day in the sun. Ahhh, The Cag Building. FX Matt Brewery and Whitesboro Street. Good times (yeah, and "Great Oldies" too).

I read the posts in this thread feeling a sense of fondness and appreciation for the "working stiffs" who go to work each day and get the job done not because they're making big bucks, but because they're professionals who love the business and the market.

Utica was a good market for me and I enjoyed my time there. But even then, long before Docket 80-90 and an over-populated FM band, it was saturated with too many local radio stations attempting to get their share of listeners and competing against print and TV to get their slice of the radio revenue pie. When I read about advertising rates, what stations are charging these days and what jocks and PD's are getting paid, it's clear that things haven't gotten better. The suggestions about letting the "blowtorches" on 1350, 1480, 1550 and other daytimers go dark make sense and I can fully appreciate the writers' perspectives. (Can't help wonder if there's a format out there that might keep these rigs afloat... Ethnic Love Songs From Yesterday And Today? Yeah, I'm kidding...)

BTW, How's "Busy Corner?" Last time I drove down Genesee Street, it didn't look too busy. Still, the Mohawk Valley is a picturesque part of the Empire State.

-Jim Pastrick

 

[getoutofradio]

Anyone for a drink (beer)???? I hear if you go to the 5th floor on the Mayro Building on Friday afternoons, you will find many sales people, including the captain, throwing back a few. Yup, they have parties every Friday afternoon with Alcohol.........hey wonder how Clear Channel Corporate would like that. Hey BD, good job. Pat yourself on the back. You are a cool boss who lets his people drink at work and THEN DRIVE HOME AFTERWARDS..........stand up guy you are....

 

[Adman4120]

If you let your mind wander and look up into the dark night sky, you can just vision how the Galaxy, as some scientists speculate, is very close to changing things not only on this planet but also in Utica.

 

[hmmm]

Yup just like they changed things in Albany and Syracuse! Say goodnight Ed, or should we make that good-bye! Now Ed gets to fail twice as big with twice as many stations! It takes more than talk Ed and that's about all you're good for, judging on your past failures! Oh, pardon me Ed show me how you're going to re-invent radio and show everybody else what they're doing wrong. You are truly a SAD LITTLE MAN!!!!!!

 

[Adman4120]

Just wanted to take a moment and compliment the excellent job Fred Miller and Mean Gene are doing with Sportswatch on NewsRadio 950-WIBX in Utica. The show is not only informational, but very funny and entertaining. Fred has taken local sports to a new level with the talk show and his newspaper, MY HOMETOWN SPORTS, which is devoted to high school and area sports. Fred is just Fred when you listen to him and botgh he and Gene are having a great time with what they love and that's sports.

In addtion to the tlak show, high school sports play-by-play elevated to a new level this past year as WIBX aired a slew of high school football and basketball games with professionalism and quality equal to college sounding and even pro games. From what I understand, the fan response was incredible. What a following they now have, and because of Fred's efforts, high school sports in the Mohawk Valley is at an all time with fan support and interest.

Look for WIBX to possibly add some Legion baseball games this summer, along with another big bombshell announcement. Because you cannot pick up any of the Clear Channel AM stations more than a couple of miles at night, WIBX owns the high school sports audience.

Keep up the great work.

 

[genesee]

why go all the way up 5 flights of stairs for beer? come to the Devereux on wed. nights i'll be tending bar and the beer is much colder! Thank god for the bar etc. for me to be able to make any money after 15 years in this game. Gotta love the C.C money. I bet Mark mays doesn't need to moonlight ;!

 

[therealjm12]

come to the Devereux on wed. nights i'll be tending bar

Ah, the Dev. I remember it well. Especially when they put the Stones on the stereo. Got the place rock'n'
Other media hangouts back in my day were The Leather Bottle on Monday nights -five Matts splits for a dollar and Mary the bartender, right after spaghetti night at Cavallos. Also the Barber Shop Saloon next to the O. D., Livingston's Ale House on Limberlost Road both owned by Cal Jones from the newspapers and WKTV and Four Acres in Marcy. These were the places we hit after the 7- midnight shifts. I'll bet there isn't even anyone working 7- 12 anymore in Utica (in radio). The guys would show up from WTLB, WRUN, WOUR, WBVM, WUTR, WKTV, and the newspapers. We would party hardy. A lot younger in those days.

 

[Adman4120]

Galaxy....WOUR,WUMX,WIXT,WRNY

Roser Communications...KISS & THE RIVER

Could Be??

 

[BobRoss]

I hear if you go to the 5th floor on the Mayro Building on Friday afternoons, you will find many sales people, including the captain, throwing back a few. Yup, they have parties every Friday afternoon with Alcohol.........hey wonder how Clear Channel Corporate would like that.

More importantly, how would the FCC like that? I thought the presence of alcohol on-site at a radio station was a violation. Or maybe the GM who once claimed this in a memo was just being strict about keeping booze out of the station.

After all, if it's true, it's a rather strange violation. Sure, it's unprofessional to be drinking at work, but why would the FCC care? Anyway... if this is true, it'd be interesting to see what would happen if the FCC made a surprise after-hours visit there on a Friday.

 

[getoutofradio]

Oh no it is 100% true. There are MANY employees who could verify this. Yes, I thought a station could lose their license for that, however, I am not too sure. It is just an example of the leadership. Hell for the longest time, you could just go in the refrigerator and see a whole bunch of beer. Once, the GM himself came walking in with beer FOR the party. It was a "morale booster" for the sales people if they had a good week. Ever hear about gift certificates somewhere you idiot????????????????????????????????????????

 

[onthemarks]

Galaxy....WOUR,WUMX,WIXT,WRNY

Roser Communications...KISS & THE RIVER

Could Be??

WOW It's going to be an interesting summer for radio in Utica/Rome.

 

[bigstick2007]

Galaxy....WOUR,WUMX,WIXT,WRNY

Roser Communications...KISS & THE RIVER

Could Be??

Really? Then Kiss and River will be really flushed. Being sold for $2-3 per spot.

It would be surprising to see these stations sold to Galaxy, unless there was a caveat to spin something off that Galaxy already has. Then again, can Ed justify spending money on something where the he can get the same effect by taking the money and lighting it on fire?

 

[Adman4120]

Hello...Not saying 100% that Galaxy is buying the stations listed earlier, but they are in the running and as of a few days ago were at the top of the list. Stranger things have happened where deals fall apart, or other last minute people put in a higher offer, so time will tell.

 

[bigstick2007]

I fully realize that your scenario is not 100%, didn't say I thought it was. Merely pointing out how much sense it makes in a reasonable business setting. Of course, maybe my mistake was taking this market and putting up against any reasonable business standards.

Okay, it is 5 o'clock on Friday. Is there beer in your office or is your GM still there?

 

[onthemarks]

I think it would be foolish to do any major format changes on Kiss regardless of who the new owner is. Maybe a name change and some imaging improvements (whatever happened to jingles?), but other than that, since it's the only CHR in town it would foolish to dink around with it too much.