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Exitcom
- Thread starter dominic
- Start date
You are correct Dominic. Don't know any details but am pretty sure they won't be sad to see the Market Manager go. He absolutely ruined the place. If they were smart they'd bring back Melissa Forrest . . . now there's a class act.
They are bringing in Jack Hutchison...the Portland Market Manager to replace Jerry McKenna.
That has to be one of the most manic companies ever. Seem to have a history in this market of "hey you seem to be a good candidate...." "YOU'RE FIRED" "....c'mon back ...." "YOU'RE FIRED AGAIN ....".
Given all the very capable and talented people out of work in this business, I'm always perplexed why they keep hiring the SAME people over and over and ....
Given all the very capable and talented people out of work in this business, I'm always perplexed why they keep hiring the SAME people over and over and ....
LITTLEBOYBLUE said:
I guess all these people have to do really is walk out the door, look at each other and high five. Then go get a latte and come back to the Twin Toasters and just stand around for a few minutes until somebody comes out and says "Hey....haven't I seen you guys before?"
"Don't think so...."
"...nah...."
"Great, you look sharp...say, how would you two like a job in RADIO?"........
Did it ever occur to any of you 'business haters' that perhaps this particular move was due to lack of performance? Usually well compensated managers have specific expected targets. It's quite simple really...don't hit your targets? Then the owner needs to find someone who will. Its purely a business agreement.
But no...in your world the evil business organizations and shareholders enjoy watching the expression on innocent people's faces when they're being handed their final check. Once again, you have no clue.
But no...in your world the evil business organizations and shareholders enjoy watching the expression on innocent people's faces when they're being handed their final check. Once again, you have no clue.
Normally, when I see that any radio professional has lost his/her job, I find it to be troubling and unfortunate.
But in the case of Jerry McKenna, I'll make an exception.
I'm sure the employees at Met Park are still partying at news of his departure. And I'm sure there are dozens and dozens of EX-Entercom employees (like me) who are thrilled that this world-class train-wreck has also been shown the door.
(Side-note to TVRadioGuru: I think you're off-target to call posters here "business haters." Quite the opposite, I think many of us are "radio business lovers" who are dumbfounded by some of the moves many radio CEO's make. For example, in 15 years, Entercom has had 10 different General managers in it's Seattle cluster. Now, please, you tell me how that could possibly be considered smart business. It's not. It's suicidal. And please don't lecture us on GM's not hitting their goals. Entercom is notorious for setting absurdly unrealistic revenue goals. A GM will present his budget which includes revenue projections. The CEO orders the projections raised. The goals aren't met. GM fired. At what point do people look at the stock price - one time at $60 - and say maybe it's a problem at the very top?)
But in the case of Jerry McKenna, I'll make an exception.
I'm sure the employees at Met Park are still partying at news of his departure. And I'm sure there are dozens and dozens of EX-Entercom employees (like me) who are thrilled that this world-class train-wreck has also been shown the door.
(Side-note to TVRadioGuru: I think you're off-target to call posters here "business haters." Quite the opposite, I think many of us are "radio business lovers" who are dumbfounded by some of the moves many radio CEO's make. For example, in 15 years, Entercom has had 10 different General managers in it's Seattle cluster. Now, please, you tell me how that could possibly be considered smart business. It's not. It's suicidal. And please don't lecture us on GM's not hitting their goals. Entercom is notorious for setting absurdly unrealistic revenue goals. A GM will present his budget which includes revenue projections. The CEO orders the projections raised. The goals aren't met. GM fired. At what point do people look at the stock price - one time at $60 - and say maybe it's a problem at the very top?)
Point wasn't business hating, it's just weird that if someone is non-performer once to bring them back and assume they will have changed their ABILITY to perform differently. Remember the quote/definition about repeating same behavior and expecting a different result?
get some therapy.
get some therapy.
C
checkingout
Guest
Jerry McKenna was not a friend of mine. Without a doubt.
Interesting reading this thread about the GM's role at Entercom Seattle. I know Jerry very well. He's a friend of mine. Jerry was promoted from Entercom Denver to Seattle a few years ago. As I recall, he did a blockbuster job in Denver. When he came to Seattle, he made some moves that have been questioned on this board. Clearly, if you've worked for Entercom, you know those moves were approved by everyone, the RVP, the VPP and CEO.
It's none of anyone elses business why he's not there anymore. But the point of revolving door GMs at that cluster is well taken. Jerry was the golden boy in Entercom, in Denver, then Seattle for many years. His fall from grace to being replaced must have happened quickly. Maybe there's no one who can do the MM gig in Seattle to Entercom's satisfaction. It's also interesting they usually replace the GM in Seattle by promoting from within. I'm all for internal promotion. But someone at the top, one of the Fields, Fisher, or the operating committee should examine why this internal promotion/failure pattern occurs so frequently in Seattle.
Someone also mentioned the stock was at $60,and now it's at $2-something. Hello!!! The economy has tanked every stock in every sector of business. If you want to point to a colossal bonehead company destroying it's stock...target Citadel. You don't see anyone at Entercom taking home $17 million a year while cutting paid parking at the stations.
It's none of anyone elses business why he's not there anymore. But the point of revolving door GMs at that cluster is well taken. Jerry was the golden boy in Entercom, in Denver, then Seattle for many years. His fall from grace to being replaced must have happened quickly. Maybe there's no one who can do the MM gig in Seattle to Entercom's satisfaction. It's also interesting they usually replace the GM in Seattle by promoting from within. I'm all for internal promotion. But someone at the top, one of the Fields, Fisher, or the operating committee should examine why this internal promotion/failure pattern occurs so frequently in Seattle.
Someone also mentioned the stock was at $60,and now it's at $2-something. Hello!!! The economy has tanked every stock in every sector of business. If you want to point to a colossal bonehead company destroying it's stock...target Citadel. You don't see anyone at Entercom taking home $17 million a year while cutting paid parking at the stations.
McKenna made one bone-headed move after another in Seattle. Yes, they were approved by his RVP, but they were his ideas and he put people in place who would implement his ideas (and push out to the street dozens of qualified people who knew better). Once his goofy ideas failed, the people he brought in to implement them would catch a bullet.
equalinercard said:
So in reading between the lines, it is your opinion that Entercom was correct, for whatever reason they had in removing the GM and not because you think they enjoy hiring and then firing people? If so then thanks for confirming my suspicion.
S
searadiofreak
Guest
This is an interesting thread, but I can't help believe a lot of this is caused by the consistent decline of the industry. BTW, the word is the Portland guy is very well-respected. Not that means he will have any better luck at the company with the promotion. That would be a total wager at this point.
Someone mentioned Melissa Forrest earlier in this thread, the minute she got to town she called all the agencies and advertisers and went to go visit them all, including me. And it got her MY business. My point is, not that GM's need to call ME, the point is that GM's who get out and TAKE THE TIME to meet with their advertisers and clients and understand their problems and needs AND BUILD LONG TERM RELATIONSHIPS are the ones who are going to get more support. It just seems so darn simple, don't it? That being said, I'm not criticizing Jerry or anyone else and of course wish him, and anyone else on the beach, the best of luck in these tough times.
Since May of 1999 - exactly 10 years - these are the General Managers who have worked for Entercom in Seattle:
1. G. Michael Donovan (fired)
2. Dick Carlson (fired)
3. Steve Oshin (fired)
4. Ken Beck (demoted)
5. Kevin McCarthy (fired)
6. Melissa Forest (left)
7. Dave Pridemore (demoted)
8. Jerry Mckenna (fired)
9. Steve Oshin (2nd time) (fired, 2nd time)
10. Jack Hutchinson (give it time)
This does not take into account at least two other GM's who were in place at Seattle stations purchased by Entercom and who chose not to stay with the company.
Ponder for a moment the enormous change (turmoil) each of these GM's brought upon their arrival: replacing PDs, Sales Managers, Marketing people, morning shows with their own PDs, GSMs, Marketing people and morning shows. Only to have those people replaced by the next GM.
You can belly-ache about the current economic situation, but this has been going on for a decade. It was going on when the economy was booming and its going on today.
All you have to do is look at the time frame and the number of hirings and firings at the top and you realize why radio is not working. Think of the moving expenses, severance packages, etc. for each one of these moves!!!
One employee in the engineering department at Entercom kept a GM countdown clock. The engineers would have to jump through hoops when a new GM would start...setting up special computer needs, monitoring feeds, implementing on-air changes the GM wanted. But the employee never complained. He'd always just say, "Look at the countdown clock, he'll be gone soon."
1. G. Michael Donovan (fired)
2. Dick Carlson (fired)
3. Steve Oshin (fired)
4. Ken Beck (demoted)
5. Kevin McCarthy (fired)
6. Melissa Forest (left)
7. Dave Pridemore (demoted)
8. Jerry Mckenna (fired)
9. Steve Oshin (2nd time) (fired, 2nd time)
10. Jack Hutchinson (give it time)
This does not take into account at least two other GM's who were in place at Seattle stations purchased by Entercom and who chose not to stay with the company.
Ponder for a moment the enormous change (turmoil) each of these GM's brought upon their arrival: replacing PDs, Sales Managers, Marketing people, morning shows with their own PDs, GSMs, Marketing people and morning shows. Only to have those people replaced by the next GM.
You can belly-ache about the current economic situation, but this has been going on for a decade. It was going on when the economy was booming and its going on today.
All you have to do is look at the time frame and the number of hirings and firings at the top and you realize why radio is not working. Think of the moving expenses, severance packages, etc. for each one of these moves!!!
One employee in the engineering department at Entercom kept a GM countdown clock. The engineers would have to jump through hoops when a new GM would start...setting up special computer needs, monitoring feeds, implementing on-air changes the GM wanted. But the employee never complained. He'd always just say, "Look at the countdown clock, he'll be gone soon."
A couple minor adjustments to your list. Ken Beck is a VP of News/Talk programming. Perhaps you consider that a demotion. I consider it at least an equal move..more likely a PROmotion. Melissa Forest was relocated within Entercom to be market manager for their cluster in Austin upon closing from CBS. Amy Greisheimer was also there with McKenna and Forest. She was also relocated to be market manager for Entercom in Madison. She's now in McKenna's old job in Denver.
Amy was Jerry's DOS in Denver...whatever...is she still wearing those obscenely short skirts or have we moved beyond those leg crossing sales techniques?
Doesn't all of this lead back to Deborah Kane, the regional VP who oversees Seattle? Most of the GM's you listed were her choices. So until someone (that someone would be David Field) figures out that Deborah has a bit of a problem finding AND managing talented GM's you folks in Seattle are going to continue to live with the GM Countdown Clock. BTW, how many GM's has KMPS had since 1985? That's longer than some of you posters have been alive...
The answer is....anyone??? Buehler???? 2
Doesn't all of this lead back to Deborah Kane, the regional VP who oversees Seattle? Most of the GM's you listed were her choices. So until someone (that someone would be David Field) figures out that Deborah has a bit of a problem finding AND managing talented GM's you folks in Seattle are going to continue to live with the GM Countdown Clock. BTW, how many GM's has KMPS had since 1985? That's longer than some of you posters have been alive...
The answer is....anyone??? Buehler???? 2
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