Just two weeks after Mark Kanov bowed out as GM at Star 94 after 40 years at the station, PD Dan Bowen is out. He was there for more than a decade under Kanov. I have no clue what happened but that can't be a coincidence. Don't know who his replacement is yet. Anybody have any idea why he's gone?
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Dan Bowen is out as PD at Star 94
- Thread starter rho01
- Start date
Just a wild guess, but do they want someone younger with an ear for young talent and new music?
Also, if I was TMM, I would be nervous. The two people to bring them in and work with them to develop their show are now gone.
If they wanted to shoot fish in a barrel, they could just get Bill Tanner to consult and recommend a PD for the place...
Also, if I was TMM, I would be nervous. The two people to bring them in and work with them to develop their show are now gone.
If they wanted to shoot fish in a barrel, they could just get Bill Tanner to consult and recommend a PD for the place...
"any idea why he's gone?"
Probably ratings, no plan for recovery, and morale issues. When times are tough real leaders lead and this staff needs hope and reassurance.
Dan is a nice guy. But it's difficult to place a value on his decade of service. He maintained well for a while but when they needed correct and sound decisions he just came up short.
OR, was he caught in the middle of a lot of micromanaging and "help" from execs.
In today's world it is often difficult to know how which PD's really have any input or the confidence of the bosses. Not sure which one of the above applies to Dan. With fewer stations in the group this gives the National PD who is replacing him something to do. Let's see if he has some answers.
Probably ratings, no plan for recovery, and morale issues. When times are tough real leaders lead and this staff needs hope and reassurance.
Dan is a nice guy. But it's difficult to place a value on his decade of service. He maintained well for a while but when they needed correct and sound decisions he just came up short.
OR, was he caught in the middle of a lot of micromanaging and "help" from execs.
In today's world it is often difficult to know how which PD's really have any input or the confidence of the bosses. Not sure which one of the above applies to Dan. With fewer stations in the group this gives the National PD who is replacing him something to do. Let's see if he has some answers.
Rodney Ho said:
I would suggest its too early to read into what it means.
It could mean after 10 years he felt he should have gotten a shot at a GM position and isn't. Could mean that he sees the GM finalist as a continuation of Sales running the place instead of a healthy balance and feels he needs to get out.
Could mean the opposite, that he feels he can't get them out of the hole they are in or could also mean that he was being protected by the old GM and those over him don't feel he can do it. Could also mean he was making too much money for the Insurance Company and with JD in town, they could find a younger, cheaper PD.
Could also mean that he's just tired of it - or that the powers to be felt someone else needed a shot.
Just too many possibilities and everything would be speculation at this moment unless from one of the key players - which I am sure word will filter out.
Bottom line, very seldom do people leave a position without a new job in place unless they are trying to make a statement (been there, done that).
Rodney, you need a possible reason Bowen is gone??? ... how about a LIST???
Just talk to any of the staffers who were smart enough to leave the sinking ship last year, before the total capsizing.
Bowen had the least amount of actual "power" of any PD I've ever known. Mark Kanov made all of the heavy-duty decisions, and supervised the marketing and promotions department (watch for the NEXT resignation from promotions). He was friendly, but caught between a rock and a hard place called "Upper-Management Micromanagement."
Bowen obviously didn't learn from Kanov's strategy of retire-or-resign-before-you're-canned.
Every disaster needs a scapegoat (or two), and Bowen & Kanov will be wearing the horns at Star 94.
If I was a member of the Morning Mess or the promotions department, I would be updating my resume and tapes FAST!
The beatings will continue until morale improves! ;D
Just talk to any of the staffers who were smart enough to leave the sinking ship last year, before the total capsizing.
Bowen had the least amount of actual "power" of any PD I've ever known. Mark Kanov made all of the heavy-duty decisions, and supervised the marketing and promotions department (watch for the NEXT resignation from promotions). He was friendly, but caught between a rock and a hard place called "Upper-Management Micromanagement."
Bowen obviously didn't learn from Kanov's strategy of retire-or-resign-before-you're-canned.
Every disaster needs a scapegoat (or two), and Bowen & Kanov will be wearing the horns at Star 94.
If I was a member of the Morning Mess or the promotions department, I would be updating my resume and tapes FAST!
The beatings will continue until morale improves! ;D
Ten years is a heck of a long time for a program director in Atlanta. I can't think of another PD who's been in Atlanta that long. Pete Spriggs has been at WSB for at least 7 years, but what has he had to do in terms of major programming decisions?
Overall I'd consider Dan's stint very successful.
Overall I'd consider Dan's stint very successful.
DEAR STAR 94 EMPLOYEE
PLEASE TELL THE IMPORTANT PERSON THERE, Hi Cindy, It's Drew Nelson from the River... I AM LOOKING FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT when I get back from THE QUAD CITIES, IL. My great grandmother WAS 102! She got to see the Opening Ceremony in CAPITALIST China! She got to see the opening ceremony in STOCKHOLM when WOMEN were just starting to compete...
I NEED A JOB AS A RADIO PERSON. ANY DEPARTMENT. Please consider me. THANK YOU.
PLEASE TELL THE IMPORTANT PERSON THERE, Hi Cindy, It's Drew Nelson from the River... I AM LOOKING FOR IMMEDIATE EMPLOYMENT when I get back from THE QUAD CITIES, IL. My great grandmother WAS 102! She got to see the Opening Ceremony in CAPITALIST China! She got to see the opening ceremony in STOCKHOLM when WOMEN were just starting to compete...
I NEED A JOB AS A RADIO PERSON. ANY DEPARTMENT. Please consider me. THANK YOU.
Kabrich said:
This legend that Star's sales department runs the station is almost comical. Programming was still getting bonuses while the ratings were tanking (demo rank versus rating). Yes, the sales department is a driving force in the station culture - it's a very hot, dynamic group that outperforms ratings year after year. In far too many circumstances programming and promotions would recycle the same old crap and sales would be the group reinventing and generating ideas to promote and sell.
Take any business any position - if you're in the same job for 10 years it becomes habit and comfortable. 10 years is essentially 2 years experience 5 times unless you have the desire to change and refresh your approach constantly and have a consistent in-flow of new ideas, energy and concepts.
Randy: as you know so well, at some point a PD is called on to be cold and heartless - blowing out a staff for example. Dan's a very nice man; maybe too nice for what's called for in this situation. JD has the track record and experience to make the necessary moves IF upper management will allow more than another cookie cutter, follow the numbers, Top 40 clone PD to take the reins.
I've been reading the posts by Ready for Air and Randy Kabrich saying that sales runs Star 94, and I'm not sure what that means.
If it means the (former) GM came from sales, that's true, but the vast majority of radio station GM's come from the sales side. If it means Mark Kanov had the final say on major programming moves, the head of any company has to sign off on major moves.
If it means the overall format was driven by what the sales department thought it could sell, or that Star has had features and promotions that increased billings at the expense of ratings, I don't really agree with that. Overall since I've been in Atlanta (1994), Star has put a very good product on the air. I've worked with Star on some big promotions for clients (Atlantic Station opening, Aquarium New Years Eve party), and Mark Kanov would always say "I need to ask Dan" before agreeing to certain requests I'd make (not that that in itself tells us much).
Keep in mind the president of Lincoln Financial is a programming guy, Don Benson.
I do think Mr. Kabrich is correct in that Dan's departure could have been for any of a myriad of reasons.
If it means the (former) GM came from sales, that's true, but the vast majority of radio station GM's come from the sales side. If it means Mark Kanov had the final say on major programming moves, the head of any company has to sign off on major moves.
If it means the overall format was driven by what the sales department thought it could sell, or that Star has had features and promotions that increased billings at the expense of ratings, I don't really agree with that. Overall since I've been in Atlanta (1994), Star has put a very good product on the air. I've worked with Star on some big promotions for clients (Atlantic Station opening, Aquarium New Years Eve party), and Mark Kanov would always say "I need to ask Dan" before agreeing to certain requests I'd make (not that that in itself tells us much).
Keep in mind the president of Lincoln Financial is a programming guy, Don Benson.
I do think Mr. Kabrich is correct in that Dan's departure could have been for any of a myriad of reasons.
D
Dixie Jock
Guest
You are correct Roddy. Benson calls the shots. Kanov and Bowen did have alot of freedom, but when it was all said and done, Donnie Boy had to approve whatever. He built the old 94Q by basically stealing the old WFOX format they had in the seventies, and adding certain "enhancements" to the format to create a unique, very successful station. The market was very under radioed then, and he could get by with it. Benson was also a very early programmer to use research as a tool for his stations.
Over the years I have worked with Star management,sales and program staff.
I can tell you with out a shadow of a doubt it is a station run by the sales dept.
Ill fated promotions we're created just because someone wanted to spend a buck.
Sales people would come to kanov and cry when they didn't get their way with dan.
Kanov would then tell him to do it.
To kanov sales ruled.He thought himself a programmer,but it was ego more than creativity.
16 units of spots on a log/don't tell me sales didn't run it
The tail wags the dog at that station,as the last
8 months have dictated they just don't have the creative people to be ablt to make a
sales promotion look and sound airable.
If you got the current promotions dept drunk,they'd dial you and tell ya the same.
Like someone pointed out accurately earlier:Kanov was shoved, otherwise a firing would be
embarrassing after 40 years.Didn't matter that much for Dan.
All to cover the ass of the real culprit in bad business decisions of the past year
Ernie Douglas!
I can tell you with out a shadow of a doubt it is a station run by the sales dept.
Ill fated promotions we're created just because someone wanted to spend a buck.
Sales people would come to kanov and cry when they didn't get their way with dan.
Kanov would then tell him to do it.
To kanov sales ruled.He thought himself a programmer,but it was ego more than creativity.
16 units of spots on a log/don't tell me sales didn't run it
The tail wags the dog at that station,as the last
8 months have dictated they just don't have the creative people to be ablt to make a
sales promotion look and sound airable.
If you got the current promotions dept drunk,they'd dial you and tell ya the same.
Like someone pointed out accurately earlier:Kanov was shoved, otherwise a firing would be
embarrassing after 40 years.Didn't matter that much for Dan.
All to cover the ass of the real culprit in bad business decisions of the past year
Ernie Douglas!
Atlanta/Re: Dan Bowen is out as PD at Star 94
I am very familar with that.
In a situation in Dallas, where people had to be changed, I was letting some of the inherited dead weight go. The head of the Company did not want to pay them even 2 weeks notice. His arguement was and I quote "why bother - we pay them 2 weeks notice and they bad mouth us anyway". I fought him and did it anyway.
I continued to see him take this mentality through various departures - always fighting him to do what was right.
Of course, it was clear my time would come just as everyone else's did - and in all fairness, if someone is in charge, they need to have people they feel comfortable with to make things work (even if you know that they will fail regardless of if they change out their entire staff - as it starts at the top). But when my time came, there was no one left to insist I was taken care of. No matter, I fought for what was right - and could sleep well at night knowing as such.
And I agree with you about comfort. I can name countless morning personalities that the worst thing to ever happen to them was to get a contract. To them, a contract meant "easy street".
For my early career I always thought a contract was a sign of success until one day about 20 years ago John Lander and I were discussing it - and he told me he had never had a contract. I was taken back as this clearly went against everything I thought I was working towards. I asked him why not. He said, "well, a contract limits me. I am tied down to the station. If I am performing, I know that they would be stupid to get rid of me - and if they did, I could always get a job across the street. And without a contract, they have to treat me right. If I had a contract and was stuck there, they could treat me like crap".
I realized he was 100% correct and it was the last time I ever wanted a contract working in a station - and actually never did during my whole career. Would it have paid out in the Dallas situation above? Yes. But overall, I still think it was more positive than negative. When KIIS tried to hire me in 1990 and the company knew I had no contract, they realized that I really could leave at any time leaving them in the lurch - so they had to be do things I wanted (like take care of employees in situations like I stated above). If I had a contract, I could not have looked out for the people I did, as they would have known my threats would have been a violation of a contract.
Uriah said:
I am very familar with that.
In a situation in Dallas, where people had to be changed, I was letting some of the inherited dead weight go. The head of the Company did not want to pay them even 2 weeks notice. His arguement was and I quote "why bother - we pay them 2 weeks notice and they bad mouth us anyway". I fought him and did it anyway.
I continued to see him take this mentality through various departures - always fighting him to do what was right.
Of course, it was clear my time would come just as everyone else's did - and in all fairness, if someone is in charge, they need to have people they feel comfortable with to make things work (even if you know that they will fail regardless of if they change out their entire staff - as it starts at the top). But when my time came, there was no one left to insist I was taken care of. No matter, I fought for what was right - and could sleep well at night knowing as such.
And I agree with you about comfort. I can name countless morning personalities that the worst thing to ever happen to them was to get a contract. To them, a contract meant "easy street".
For my early career I always thought a contract was a sign of success until one day about 20 years ago John Lander and I were discussing it - and he told me he had never had a contract. I was taken back as this clearly went against everything I thought I was working towards. I asked him why not. He said, "well, a contract limits me. I am tied down to the station. If I am performing, I know that they would be stupid to get rid of me - and if they did, I could always get a job across the street. And without a contract, they have to treat me right. If I had a contract and was stuck there, they could treat me like crap".
I realized he was 100% correct and it was the last time I ever wanted a contract working in a station - and actually never did during my whole career. Would it have paid out in the Dallas situation above? Yes. But overall, I still think it was more positive than negative. When KIIS tried to hire me in 1990 and the company knew I had no contract, they realized that I really could leave at any time leaving them in the lurch - so they had to be do things I wanted (like take care of employees in situations like I stated above). If I had a contract, I could not have looked out for the people I did, as they would have known my threats would have been a violation of a contract.
Quote from Uriah:
I don't always agree with Mr. Heep, but I spoke with a Star insider yesterday, and his explanation of why Dan is gone was just about verbatim to the 2 paragraphs above. (Gosh, maybe I was speaking with Uriah
.)
I don't always agree with Mr. Heep, but I spoke with a Star insider yesterday, and his explanation of why Dan is gone was just about verbatim to the 2 paragraphs above. (Gosh, maybe I was speaking with Uriah
.)jinglemaker said:
Amen. Anyone who tells you different is an idiot. Sales has ALWAYS run programming there. It's ingrained in the culture.
I worked there for a long time, preceding even Star 94. I know for a fact that certain PD choices, pre-Dan Bowen, were totally driven by sales. One PD was hired and fired before he even moved out of the Tower Place Hotel, total I think of maybe 4 weeks on the ground--he'd been hired based totally and 100% on one recommendation from one of the sales guys who'd spent some time in San Antonio, heard this idiot's station, and told Jerry Blum this was "the guy"--we were all horrified--Blum hired him, and then this lunatic started adding Joni Mitchell album cuts to the playlist. At that point Blum pulled the plug--but the programming department paid the price, not sales.
Back then, they expanded Jazz Flavours to 7 nights a week, simply because of revenue. Sales driving the train again. It didn't matter that it was a stupid programming move, because it created a schizo station that was nothing but split. Bob Neil drove a wedge there, with B98.5FM, and that was the end of that.
Things haven't changed at all since then. It's still the same story--whatever sales wants, they get. It's always driven the focused programming people there crazy.
R
radiochic05
Guest
Since this thread has evolved into a sales thread, I was thinking about the stations where I've worked in the past decade plus. There wasn't one that wasn't sales driven (medium and major markets.) For the sake of argument, name a station where sales don't call the shots or at least highly influence programming decisions. I'm curious where these stations are.
1
1900radio
Guest
The people who somehow think sales isn't highly influential in what goes on-air are crazy. I guess they are all the same people who think the only way to do radio is live and local (even if it sucks). And the same people who think they can program better music than their favorite station. Most of these people also haven't had a job in radio in 3 or 4 years because they couldn't wear multiple hats.
Just a thought.
Just a thought.
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