• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Creative Services Director at WXRT

R

Rhythmon

Can anyone give me a status report about this position? Has it been filled? If so, by whom?

I have applied for the gig (and yes I am qualified, with a decade of Top 15, Radio Production Experience under my belt <many in AAA>) in hopes of making my triumphant return to my sweet home Chicago - but haven't heard. Well ... I gave it my best shot anyway.

Do you have any info?

Curious
 
Really!?! Nobody out there knows the status of the recently open Creative Services Director position at XRT?

Sometimes it takes a while to get the right person in the slot - perhaps the gig is still available? I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
All I can tell you is that it takes years for any change to occur there. Chances are from the sound of things, they have not hired anyone yet. Keep hope alive and by October, maybe you'll hear something. Have you tried calling the station to see if they've filled the post yet?
 
Thanks Creator. So I called the station as you suggested, and it turns out - wow - they have not hired anyone for this position yet. Just as you surmised.

It surprises me because it's difficult to operate without someone in place to take care of the important tasks of updating Image and Promos and creating Advertisements for direct clients.

I'll continue to keep my fingers crossed and be patient.

Cheers
 
I'm not surprised. 'XRT can afford to be picky; they have some of the greatest longevity on the air in Chicago. And it's a great station. It's truly a "destination" for most people who work there.
 
I was in their production studios a few years back.....
Still had the green felt on the aluminum turn-tables! The place was a dump and I'm afraid the luster is gone.

Good luck, but it's no longer the 93 XRT that taught me to love all kinds of music.
 
Yes - I have heard that their production studios have a bit to be desired. But the position calls for someone who is a Pro-Tools Wizard, so at least they've got that right. But - they are apparently a bit behind the times.

That doesn't mean they're still using carts ... does it? (gulp)
 
I would really doubt they still have carts.

But much of 'XRT's music collection, which is bound to be huge, probably still exists on vinyl, and maybe only on vinyl. I'm sure the record library there is goliath, maybe necessitating the occasional use of a turntable.

I had a turntable when I worked in Chicago production in 2000. Some stations just have record libraries so big that they haven't had time to convert them all to digital, or the budget to buy CD's to replace the vinyl. In many instances, I'm sure elements of 'XRT's album collection have never even been re-released on CD.

Good luck in your job search! If I weren't 3000 miles away, I'd be interested in that job, too. LOL. I hear that PD Norm Winer's desk is often buried in two feet of paper, so you might even want to send multiple copies, or follow up somehow with an e-mail or maybe even a phone call.
 
Well - I myself live 2,300 miles away from the Windy City - but would move back to my Sweet Home Chicago in a heartbeat for this job (if the price was right ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if they played music from vinyl - they're vast and diverse. I think it's pretty cool, actually, to hear that warm analog - sometimes scratchy - sound on the radio.

Don't want to bother Norm Winer - PD - as he requested NO CALLS. I think I will send a follow up email though - not a bad idea. I'm sure he's up to his ears in applications for this position - it's a coveted gig. He is aware of me however - I spoke with him briefly a couple months ago (by mistake/default) about my application/resume/demos and he said he was familiar with my name and liked my background (Production Manager for similar AAA leaning stations). Told me "I hope we'll be talking about this in the future" Me too Norm ... me too

Proddude41: 3,000 miles away from Chicago? Then you're not in the states any more, eh? Tell me a little more about Production Director Position in the Chicago Market - what's it like? The workload - the attitude - the AE's - the respect - the salary?
 
Just depends on what station you're at, like any market, really. AE's are generally very well trained, and most PD's really do know what they're doing.

Salary may depend, in part, on whether the station is AFTRA or not. For the life of me, I can't remember if 'XRT is union or non-union. WBBM-AM, another CBS in Chicago, is union. I think WBBM-FM is, too.

But that can affect salaries. Non-union stations have to try and stay SOMEWHAT competitive with the sometimes higher-paying union counterparts.

What would 'XRT pay? Well, CBS is not known for treating the so-called "support staff" well, as you know. But it would certainly pay you enough to live in Chicago. When I was in that city, I always did well. Didn't get rich, but I sure wasn't broke.
 
I always thought LA was 3000 from Chicago.

Maybe it's closer.

:D

Let me know -- and good luck! Chicago is a fun city, and 'XRT is a fun station in the middle of it. You could do a lot worse than that place in Chicago!
 
Back when my brother worked there (in the 90s) they still used carts and played CDs live. It's a cool
atmosphere. Anyway...he said they stayed out on W. Belmont so they wouldn't have to be union.
 
jp1520 said:
Back when my brother worked there (in the 90s) they still used carts and played CDs live. It's a cool
atmosphere. Anyway...he said they stayed out on W. Belmont so they wouldn't have to be union.
Click to expand...

What does being on W. Belmont have to do with Union Status? It's still within the city limits.

Anyway, still wondering who got this Creative Services at XRT gig.
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom