Cumulus begins to get its arms around all of its stations

[Tennessee Cowboy]

This came out from one of the nationwide radio e-newsletters. It looks like Mike Hammond's world just changed:

Cumulus Sets New House Rules, Programming Structure: SVP/Programming Mike McVay led a conference call late this afternoon with more than 500 Cumulus managers and programmers on the line, and outlined the systems being put in place for "the new Cumulus." According to multiple sources, McVay, who was not available for comment at presstime, reportedly told those assembled that both Cumulus and former Citadel staffers will find the newly merged company operating differently in terms of programming, label relations, external communications and company culture than either had been in the past. Among the announcements:

-SVP/Programming Jan Jeffries is the head of Country, Top 40 and Hot AC stations.

-Music programming will come from a suggested list. The degree to which programmers can deviate depends on their "designated leeway," which will presumably be based primarily on market size.

-Programmers will also receive a list of suggested adds. They will be allowed to ask for other adds, but those will be subject to corporate approval.

-Stations will no longer be permitted to talk with record company promotion personnel; all promotions, communication and activities will be conducted through Cumulus' Atlanta headquarters.

-All adds by all stations will be reported exclusively to Mediabase by one person in Atlanta.

-All contracts with programming consultants will be severed immediately.

-Programmers will have to make "good arguments" if they choose not to carry Citadel Media-supplied programming.

-Sometime in October, a new "Programming Operating System" will be put into effect.
Format Managers will be appointed, and programmers are being encouraged to apply for those posts.

-All communications with trade publications will come from Atlanta; individual employees are not permitted to talk to the trades.

-A dress code has been implemented: no blue jeans, flip-flops, piercings or exposed tattoos.

 

[radio30]

Want to know whats wrong with radio in this day and time? Just read that memo. Speaks volumes to me. Just wonder how long WIVK will keep those ratings with this circus coming to town?

 

[RMarino]

The items in the memo explain pretty much why I got out of the business. This micro management is way out of control.

I'm not a WIVK listener, but what I did like about them was that their playlist included a lot of rarely played country hits from the past 20 years. Those songs probably do test well here in East Tennessee, but now they'll have to ditch those for the approved corporate playlist.

 

[Hundredthousandwatts]

Cumulus actually leans heavily toward the 90s with its country station in Nashville. But that may be a strategy to compete with the other two sticks there

 

[Kent]

Cumulus Sets New House Rules, Programming Structure: SVP/Programming Mike McVay led a conference call late this afternoon with more than 500 Cumulus managers and programmers on the line, and outlined the systems being put in place for "the new Cumulus." According to multiple sources, McVay, who was not available for comment at presstime, reportedly told those assembled that both Cumulus and former Citadel staffers will find the newly merged company operating differently in terms of programming, label relations, external communications and company culture than either had been in the past. Among the announcements:

These rules actually sound a lot like the old Cumulus rules. It may be quite different for Citadel, but it mostly sounds like the same Cumulus to me.

-SVP/Programming Jan Jeffries is the head of Country, Top 40 and Hot AC stations.

I don't remember all of the formats Jan was in charge of when I worked there, but it seems like he had at least these.

-Music programming will come from a suggested list. The degree to which programmers can deviate depends on their "designated leeway," which will presumably be based primarily on market size.

-Programmers will also receive a list of suggested adds. They will be allowed to ask for other adds, but those will be subject to corporate approval.

-Stations will no longer be permitted to talk with record company promotion personnel; all promotions, communication and activities will be conducted through Cumulus' Atlanta headquarters.

-All adds by all stations will be reported exclusively to Mediabase by one person in Atlanta.

These rules are pretty much the way it's always been at Cumulus. Corporate has control over what you play, and programmers will become very familiar with their system for monitoring your airplay. If my memory isn't failing me, it was called "Golden Eagle" several years ago.

-All contracts with programming consultants will be severed immediately.

This is also typical Cumulus. When they bought the stations I worked for, our work with outside consultants was terminated immediately (and our competitors hired at least one of them!). We found ourselves working with the corporate brand managers very quickly.

-Programmers will have to make "good arguments" if they choose not to carry Citadel Media-supplied programming.

This wasn't a standard rule when I was there, though I've been told a similar policy has been in place since roughly around the time the massive budget cuts happened a few years ago. I was told Cumulus had group deals with Rick Dees, Kidd Kraddick and Billy Bush and required carriage of their programs on certain formats. There were other shows for other formats involved, too, like Cody Alan's show for country. I suspect they've always made exceptions for "good arguments," but I'm not aware of any Cumulus stations off the top of my head that don't air those programs in their respective time slots.

-All communications with trade publications will come from Atlanta; individual employees are not permitted to talk to the trades.

I believe this is also something Cumulus has required for quite some time.

-A dress code has been implemented: no blue jeans, flip-flops, piercings or exposed tattoos.

I also seem to remember Cumulus had a dress code when I was there, though it was up to market managers to enforce it. I was there at night. So, I didn't have to worry about it and wasn't familiar with it. Our market manager didn't enforce it among programming staff except for when someone from corporate was in the building. He also was known to enforce it when representing the station at a remote or other public event, though he allowed discretion depending on said remote or event.

 

[Bat Fastard]

Yeah, it smells like Cumulus. No, there's nothing terribly new about it all...it still stinks just like it always has.

Here's my primary objection: This "alignment" absolutely inhibits (prohibits?) creativity and any hint of individuality, which used to be central to the really good radio operations. These "industry leaders" actually believe that one size fits all. So much so, they'll blast anyone who doesn't lock-step and salute. On one level I suppose we should all admire their steadfast beliefs, no matter how misguided. On the other, it represents the further "dumbing down" of this industry's talent and will eventually lead to a shortage of that talent.

This is why I guided my son AWAY from radio in which he once had a passing interest. He was good and was well on his way to becoming a quality air talent. I told him I don't have faith in the industry or the future of the medium. He has since landed in a much better position.

Herein lies "exhibit A", your honor.

 

[Elkhosen]

So crazy -- no jeans? The Frog is after all, a COUNTRY music station. And the no flip-flops, no exposed tattoos, etc.? Who SEES anyone on radio anyway? Micromanagement at its finest! Who's going to tell Gunner not to wear his hat and jeans

 

[Big Bopper]

Without intentionally offending anyone who posted to Tenn CB's post about Cumulus "getting its arms around Citadel," that posting and the resultant reactions by people on this thread pretty much exemplify what is wrong with the Internet and bulletin boards such as this one. Inside Radio is a publicaton of dubious reputation, which obviously published a version of McVay's conference call without vetting it with him for credibility. Read below to see McVay's reaction, then re-think your act of posting opinions based on someone else's opinions, absent a grasp of the facts.
The Internet will not necessarily go the way of CB radio if morons continue dominating it, but those specific morons can expect their musings to carry very little weight if they continue their recklessness with journalistic ethics. No, everyone who posts is not a moron (with the exception of yours truly), but all of us could use an ocassional wake-up call. Consider this it.
BB

http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/a...us-svp-programming-mike-mcvay-debunks-false-r

Yesterday, CUMULUS SVP/Corporate Programming MIKE MCVAY held a conference call with around 500 of the company's programmers, including the new programmers coming aboard from recently-acquired CITADEL. On the call he detailed some procedures about the company's updated systems and policies.
However, another publication latched onto an email with some "details" of the call that were outright fabrications, and went ahead and published it without confirming with McVAY.
ALL ACCESS has given McVAY the opportunity to clear the air of rumors and false innuendo. He writes:
There are a number of rumors that hit a Country music trade, and then was picked up by several other on-line publications, that were grossly inaccurate, all following my first official group wide programming call. Things were printed that never even came up on our call. The call was recorded. It is a point of record. I cannot hide from my words. I appreciate the opportunity to set the record straight.

[EDIT]


[EDIT-Citation exceeds amount of permissible content under Fair Use and has been truncated. Link added by Radio-Info as a courtesy]

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

Thanks for the clarification Big B.

 

[Kent]

I have to say I wish Mike McVay well when it comes to changing the culture of Cumulus. I think he has his work cut out for him. That company has a horrible reputation, and much of it is deserved. However, I've never heard anything but good things about him. So, I hope the powers that be are truly open to a change and will take the advice he gives them seriously.

I know much of that release regarding the conference call was exactly what I experienced during my time at Cumulus. Like I said, it didn't sound like any sort of "new Cumulus" to me. I suppose it's possible that others didn't experience everything I did; maybe I had a market manager who wanted to do things his way and blame it on corporate. I tend to doubt that, but I suppose it's possible. Whatever the case, good luck to Mike and to everyone else dealing with this changeover. I sincerely hope that there is a new Cumulus that's much better than the one I worked for.

 

[Pratte4Life]

I applaud the decision of Cumulus to ban exposed tattoos and flip flops and ask that Congress follow this lead to outlaw these two entities as well.

 

[TennStud]

Why go through that pain anyway??

 

[borderblaster]

Nice to have missed being part of a generation that had to have every body part tatooed and pierced. Now get off my lawn before I turn the hose on.

 

[secondchoice]

A dress code thing on remotes is legit. If you are on company time the employer has the right to dictate what you wear. If this is a problem become famous and get a contract that has you wearing what you want too, or work somewhere else.

 

[Tennessee Cowboy]

I do find it a useful practice walking around with my trousers unzipped. Much like a cat's whiskers, it helps keep one from bumping into things.

 

[BRH]

A dress code thing on remotes is legit. If you are on company time the employer has the right to dictate what you wear. If this is a problem become famous and get a contract that has you wearing what you want too, or work somewhere else.

Personally, I can see dress codes in certain situations and positions in radio (sales, etc.). But no jeans or "exposed tattoos and piercings" for air personalities seems absurd to me and just goes to show how out of touch and "dead" radio is to anyone under the age of 40. I hope the conservative, rightwing nutjobs at Cumulus enjoy enforcing all those cultural rules while no one is listening. I'm 41, and most of my friends i hang out with are in their 20's and 30's, and virtually none of them listens to local radio at all anymore. (or watches local TV or reads any local newspapers, for that matter).
As I said, it's stupid, useless, rules like these that are a prime example of how out of touch the higher ups in these corporations really are with younger audiences. They'd better wake up and quit worrying about dictating how they live their lives and dress, and worry more about being viable and earning a few advertising bucks from these people before radio is gone for good. (After all, those "slackers" they are dictating to , are really in truly the real bosses who will determine if the old farts and their corporations, and radio for that matter, even exist in a few years).

I still think we'd be better off in Knoxville if we had Clear Channel or CBS in this market. Hate them if you will, but they are much closer at getting it right and doing what it takes to be viable to younger audiences and what they are demanding.

 

[Pratte4Life]

You need to make new friends. Unless people under 40 have stopped driving cars, they are still listening to the radio.

Even if Cumulus has taste in a dress code.

 

[BRH]

You need to make new friends. Unless people under 40 have stopped driving cars, they are still listening to the radio.

Even if Cumulus has taste in a dress code.

Newsflash.. not trying to be a smarts@ss, but honestly, most younger adults I know listen almost exclusively to iPods and streaming services like Pandora through their smartphones while driving. Almost every car made in the last 3 or 4 years now has an iPod/aux. in built in.

 

[musicman44]

i live in east tennessee knoxville area. i have a question now that cumulus owns wivk 107.7, woki 98.7, and 99.1 fm and am 990 the sports animal. will they take any of these radio stations and change the formats? what do you think? i have seen in the past when a new owners come into a radio station, they sometimes change formats of the stations that are not doing good in the ratings. are these stations doing good in the ratings. also they sometimes let DJ's goes also. will this happen in knoxville now? let me know what you think guys. thanks.

 

[secondchoice]

You need to make new friends. Unless people under 40 have stopped driving cars, they are still listening to the radio.

Even if Cumulus has taste in a dress code.

Newsflash.. not trying to be a smarts@ss, but honestly, most younger adults I know listen almost exclusively to iPods and streaming services like Pandora through their smartphones while driving. Almost every car made in the last 3 or 4 years now has an iPod/aux. in built in.

How many "younger adults" can get financing for a $20 K or more car? I was 28 before I could swing a note for a new car.