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.
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Cumulus House Rules
- Thread starter yugoidar
- Start date
"Programming Operating System", or "POS". Heh.
Other than the "blue jeans, flip flops, piercings and tats" edict (surprised there wasn't a mention of muffin tops), how does this impact the Buffalo cluster?
Is anybody surprised by the Cumulus Manifesto? Their reputation precedes their every move. A company doesn't spend $2.4B and not make changes.
Word is the GM and Business Manager did most of the talking at Wednesday's staff meeting for the Buffalo cluster. Personnel from Dark Cloud Corporate were not present. The message was, "Get with the Cumulus program or find another line of work. Cumulus loves what we're doing here, our ratings have never been better and we're the market leader in revenue. No changes expected as long as everybody does their jobs."
Is anybody surprised by the Cumulus Manifesto? Their reputation precedes their every move. A company doesn't spend $2.4B and not make changes.
Word is the GM and Business Manager did most of the talking at Wednesday's staff meeting for the Buffalo cluster. Personnel from Dark Cloud Corporate were not present. The message was, "Get with the Cumulus program or find another line of work. Cumulus loves what we're doing here, our ratings have never been better and we're the market leader in revenue. No changes expected as long as everybody does their jobs."
Mike McVay today says that list of rules, especially the dress code, is not true. All Access has his full response, but it ends with this paragraph:
"What is frustrating to me is that I am trying to change the culture of a company, as well as an industry, and an inaccurate article runs and diminishes my efforts. My intention is to attract the very best broadcasters in radio. Ask yourself ... Why would CUMULUS step up and invest a significant amount of money to attract 'superstars' if they weren't going to let them do their job?"
"What is frustrating to me is that I am trying to change the culture of a company, as well as an industry, and an inaccurate article runs and diminishes my efforts. My intention is to attract the very best broadcasters in radio. Ask yourself ... Why would CUMULUS step up and invest a significant amount of money to attract 'superstars' if they weren't going to let them do their job?"
Big A, just saw McVay's debunking of the earlier published report and rumors on Allaccess.com.
McVay's hoping to change the culture of Cumulus and the industry, I wish him well. He's got a massive job ahead of him.
While Mike might be considered a "superstar", let's see how many other "superstars' Lew Dickey allows him to bring onboard and how many current stars (especially in Buffalo) he's able to keep.
The industry is watching, Mike.
McVay's hoping to change the culture of Cumulus and the industry, I wish him well. He's got a massive job ahead of him.
While Mike might be considered a "superstar", let's see how many other "superstars' Lew Dickey allows him to bring onboard and how many current stars (especially in Buffalo) he's able to keep.
The industry is watching, Mike.
The dress code is outlined in the Employee Handbook according to posters on another board. Dress codes should be left up to individual management, but can you fault a company for setting forth guidelines for professional attire for sales people and staff? Maybe Cumulus does this as a corporate CYA because it goes through a lot of young people in sales and they need to be told radio is a business, not a Friday night romp on the Chip Strip. Maybe it's because in some southern markets, Jed the sales newbie come to work in overalls. It may be a little different for jocks who work weekends, nights or overnight. (Heh, heh... Cumulus... nights, overnights and weekends. Not so funny.) Engineers should catch a break because they're required to work in different environments, from IT and RF to pulling cable. But is it a stretch to wear a clean pair of new jeans instead of something that looks like it went through the engine of an F-16. The same Lil Wayne-Megadeath-Dave Matthews-Aerosmith band/concert t-shirt becomes visually and aromatically unacceptable after three consecutive wear cycles. Flip-flops? Two years ago there was a secretary at our office who wore flip flops because she said they were "more comfortable." Until she rolled her chair over her foot and split a toenail which bled like a stuck pig. She was out for four days and came back to work... toes bandaged, wearing the same flip-flops. Too stupid to learn from her mistake, she blamed the rollers on the chair. After a month and was fired. Lose the flip flops and the half ass jeans. Clients and visitors don't want to see your ass crack and tramp stamp. The dress code, or lack of such, is petty bullchit. The real issues are staffing, salaries, budgets and format adjustments. It's just a matter of time. Word on the street says the whip will come down after the holidays.TheBigA said:Mike McVay today says that list of rules, especially the dress code, is not true.
Element9 said:The dress code is outlined in the Employee Handbook according to posters on another board.
LOL Mike's a new employee...probably not had time to read the manual yet. Heck I never read em.
wishes this was like Facebook - I would "Like" element-9's post!
well stated!
well stated!
Can we get a listing of all the Cumulus stations in WNY?
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