Gene, I am glad you are moving on! No need for Dr. Phil! :~)
I worked in radio for 40 years. I worked for Clear Channel, Infinity/CBS, Metroplex, and a hand full of small owners before the days of consolidation. I got started in Wilmington - when there were only three stations in that market - WGNI 1340, WMFD 630 , and WKLM 980. I saw that market grow - was personally involved in putting 103.1 FM on the air.
I left Wilmington radio in 1979! I was fired after 15 years at the station - on the day after Christmas by some idiot who lived on a boat at Bradley Creek Marina. I landed on Raleigh. I spent nine years there and was fired by a GM barely wet behind the ears - and landed in Greensboro. I know what being fired is like, and it isn't fun!
I am also a realist - I know radio will never be like it was and as long as the bean counters and lawyers are in control, it will never be as much fun as it was. Today's PD has to be a HR specialist, a SOX specialist, and know how to use Excel and do budgets. It is particularly tough in medium (and even some large) markets where you don't have the administrative help to keep up with all of the paperwork.
If you think the atmosphere is bad in Archway - go work for one of the really big guys. Corporate big wheels and their lawyers can rid you of any talent that might try to sneak out. There are whole staffs of people in corporate offices that do nothing but figure out more administrative things for you to do! And, of course, they always want it by close of business today! Can't tell you how many times I had to drop a promo project to fill out some damn form!
I don't think I am alone is longing for the "way it was"! I have fond memories of working for a great AC station where the owner was the sales manager. We didn't have no stinking budget - we just went down th hall and asked the owner for some money.
Corporate synergy can be very useful and as long as there are real radio people in charge, things will be OK. It is the big business, corporate mentality that is changing the business - for the worst in my opinion.
Best wishes to those who stick it out.
I worked in radio for 40 years. I worked for Clear Channel, Infinity/CBS, Metroplex, and a hand full of small owners before the days of consolidation. I got started in Wilmington - when there were only three stations in that market - WGNI 1340, WMFD 630 , and WKLM 980. I saw that market grow - was personally involved in putting 103.1 FM on the air.
I left Wilmington radio in 1979! I was fired after 15 years at the station - on the day after Christmas by some idiot who lived on a boat at Bradley Creek Marina. I landed on Raleigh. I spent nine years there and was fired by a GM barely wet behind the ears - and landed in Greensboro. I know what being fired is like, and it isn't fun!
I am also a realist - I know radio will never be like it was and as long as the bean counters and lawyers are in control, it will never be as much fun as it was. Today's PD has to be a HR specialist, a SOX specialist, and know how to use Excel and do budgets. It is particularly tough in medium (and even some large) markets where you don't have the administrative help to keep up with all of the paperwork.
If you think the atmosphere is bad in Archway - go work for one of the really big guys. Corporate big wheels and their lawyers can rid you of any talent that might try to sneak out. There are whole staffs of people in corporate offices that do nothing but figure out more administrative things for you to do! And, of course, they always want it by close of business today! Can't tell you how many times I had to drop a promo project to fill out some damn form!
I don't think I am alone is longing for the "way it was"! I have fond memories of working for a great AC station where the owner was the sales manager. We didn't have no stinking budget - we just went down th hall and asked the owner for some money.
Corporate synergy can be very useful and as long as there are real radio people in charge, things will be OK. It is the big business, corporate mentality that is changing the business - for the worst in my opinion.
Best wishes to those who stick it out.
