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five out at WLGZ

To wrap up a few loose ends based on what I know:

1. candy_kisses: Yes, the Broadway show is gone.

2. E9: When I left, there was but one person left in sales, and that person did not have the skill set to do either writing or production.

3. therealjm12: You're right. Someone probably could have pursued sales for Joe's show, but no one had, so there was nothing to offset the $32.
 
but if Clear Channel comes through the recession in one piece, they'll want to staff the rest of the dayparts through 10 PM live and local with foreground people, making it a true successor to CMF.

"But if..." two words. Wishful thinking. Where's the money coming from? The Clear Channel Money tree out back? Everybody knows that tree stopped blooming years ago. CC is banking on Wease to carry the station leaving little for live personalities through 10 p.m.

therealjm12 said:
Joe Centanni made $32 dollars a week to do a show that he probably spent hours preparing for.... What do you suppose Crawford was billing in those 5 hours on Saturday night? I'm guessing less than $32. Specialty shows like Joe's are great but if the companies are unwilling or unable to sell them, for whatever reason, they are not going to last. That's just the way it is in business. Sadly, I have been there and done that too many times.
THE REAL JM
Click to expand...

SFX: Tires screeech.

TRJM! TWO SPOTS should cover this guy's salary. TWO! If Legends was billing less than $50 for that five hour Saturday night slot, they should be ashamed of themselves. Legends is hot and now is the time to cash in. If as many people are listening to Legends as the 12+ and the fans on this board indicate, any self-respecting sales person should salivate at the chance to put some icing on his monthly numbers and selling packages for this show.
 
See: scooterodell's above comment that WLGZ-and-whatever-the-heck-the-AMs callsign is this week.

That was the one to the effect: the AM-FM now has ONE salesperson.

It would be everything that person could do to service existing clients and maintain the current level of billing, much less attract new revenue. Once you subtract out first-thing-Monday morning, Friday after 3pm, lunchtime, holidays and bad weather days, there are precious few good selling hours left each week. If you can find 20 to 25 hours each week to actually generate revenue, you're selling "flat out."

Toss in an endless round of negotiations with e-mails and faxes back and forth with some agency about ONE single buy, chasing down some co-op and/or taking care of an unhappy client whose spots ran incorrectly (or some similar billing mini-crisis) and It's Not Unusual (c Tom Jones 1965) to wind up with 10 "net sales hours" left in a week.

You've got a choice: sell a $5000 package right now, or chase down a couple of small advertisers to spend an aggregate of $150 a week on the Saturday oldies show. Can't do both. There aren't enough hours in the day.

That's how Centanni got dealt to the bottom of the deck. It doesn't make it right, but that's how it happens.

Of course - the answer is to "add another salesperson," but we've already seen Crawford's approach THERE...
 
A couple of my thoughts to muddy the waters:

1) I'd pull the plug on HD right now given the economy. It's dead in the water. I haven't heard the ones in Rochester but any of the HD-2 channels in Buffalo are off the air, lame, or are simulcasts. Save the cash.

2) With caution about talking about something I don't know......I will anyway! I had heard through the grapevine that Crawford wasn't reinforcing the success of WLGZ-FM with talent or upgrades because they had budgeted elsewhere in the building. Again hearsay, but I was told Crawford salespeople aren't allowed to write copy. Which makes sense if they actually have only ONE salesperson!
 
Just a thought..

Why does the government (FCC) allow this stuff to happen? On the one hand, we as a country were promised job growth, but all you hear about is the corporate axe falling hard on the radio industry.

Can't they step in and require live programming with live bodies for at least 75% of the day? Limit the amount of voice-tracking and satellite-fed shows (don't take them away, but a limit-per-station might be a nice place to start). Make it a level playing field for every station in town. Failure to do so would result in the revokation of the broadcast license.

What is the worst that could happen? Some of the big corporate-owned stations may have to sell the properties back to the local community.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Change. Isn't that what we all voted for?
 
nitro99 said:
Just a thought..

Why does the government (FCC) allow this stuff to happen? On the one hand, we as a country were promised job growth, but all you hear about is the corporate axe falling hard on the radio industry.

Can't they step in and require live programming with live bodies for at least 75% of the day? Limit the amount of voice-tracking and satellite-fed shows (don't take them away, but a limit-per-station might be a nice place to start). Make it a level playing field for every station in town. Failure to do so would result in the revokation of the broadcast license.

What is the worst that could happen? Some of the big corporate-owned stations may have to sell the properties back to the local community.

That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Change. Isn't that what we all voted for?
Click to expand...

The FCC could give a damn ! Besides isn't there enough government interference in the private sector already? I'm sure the last thing Obama wants to spend taxpayer dollars on is bailing out the broadcasting industry.
With regards to Legends, corporate's decision by far is one of the most asinine ideas I've seen or heard in a long time. My boss, who buys time on Legends and other media outlets, was shocked when he heard what happened. He asked me what the hell was going on there and the only answer I could give is that Crawford is cheap company that most likely has the first dollar it made in a frame hanging on the wall.
If I was a full-timer at Legends I'd be worried about my job, especially when you consider that Crawford is willing to get rid of someone making just $32.00 hosting a weekend show.
I thought that Stephens Media was a cheap outfit, but Crawford owns that title hands down.
 
nitro99 said:
Why does the government (FCC) allow this stuff to happen? On the one hand, we as a country were promised job growth, but all you hear about is the corporate axe falling hard on the radio industry. Can't they step in and require live programming with live bodies for at least 75% of the day?
Click to expand...

Reading this thread at Midway Field, Chicago, waiting for my Southwest cattle call.

The government has its hands full with the banks and the auto industry and really doesn't want to be involved with either of them, but the economy was on the brink of global collapse, so it waded into the tar pit.

I'd bet the last thing any administration wants, be it republican or democrat, is to wade into another swamp, that being radio-tv-newspapers, aka "the media."

If you're a radio personality who's been replaced by voicetracks, it sucks. I suppose you could write your congressman and bitch about how you've been done wrong, but do you think your congressman is going to get your job back? Maybe you'd get some attention if you demonstrated that the pimps at Clear Channel, Cumulus, Citadel and Entercom have eliminated about 35 hundred jobs nationwide and created a ripple effect on the economy. Still, if the suits at CC et al are pimps, what does that make the average radio jock? Yeah, a street-walker or call girl.

Taking up the cause of 35 hundred out of work DJs is nothing compared to taking up the cause of the UAW, IBEW and Teamsters. Just been called for "A" boarding passes, row 30 through 45. Back in Buffalo for dinner.
 
Well 'LGZ couldn't complain about having to supply Joe's show with content - as his music was donated - a large chunk of it and I hope he did a good erase-o on the hard drive or took his tuneage with him and his jingles - part of which I supplied along with some nostalgic commercials and hard to find songs. Of course, I didn't get a piece of
the 32 bucks for my donation nor would I ever take anything for it - just the satisfaction of helping a guy out who loved what he did and I enjoyed every bit of his 4 hours - all radios from front to back of the house on 1027 - If I wasn't home I 'taped' it on my hard drive and would listen back to it later plus I would have an earpiece stuck in my ear on Saturday nights listening away from home only to be 'half there' when friends would talk to me cuz I was listening to something else.

Ya know, it's just like food. Everything that tastes freakin' good is loaded with calories and bad for your health and stuff that tastes horrible (certain vegetables) are good for you.
The analogy --
A good local show that's all Rochester - locally produced - the guy loved what he did - is bad for the shiny suits - but runnin' the electric bill for 4 hours to keep he jukebox runnin' is good for the bottom line.

Well, Saturday nights, I still play Calcutta at 8pm and play a few oldies of my own and all my radios are OFF. (Sorry Legend guys..oops .and 2 gals.) At least now at 1200am I won't get blown outta my chair after the legal - listening to the segue from Bonanza - to - what sounds like someone playin' a hot rockin' flame throwin' top 40 PXY type jock hopped up on Red Bull, Mt. Dew, coffee, whatever (jocks name) would drink.
 
Amazing.

One has to wonder how the people from Legends still have the courage to post on this board.
 
Be careful about wishing for or inviting "government" to get MORE involved in our lives and livelihoods.

Remember who we're talking about here. You know: the fine folks who have done such a great job protecting the integrity of Social Security. And the subprime mortgage market. And regulating Detroit out of existence to the point where they're nationalizing the car industry (gotta spiff the politically-connected UAW, even if it means killing the company - forever.)

Lest you think this is an anti-Democrat rant: it's not. Government intrusion, meddling and incompetence cut across party lines. Think of it as bipartisan equal-opportunity incompetence. (It was a lousy GOP-appointed FCC packed with corrupt lawyers who rammed HD Radio onto the marketplace, for example.)

Another one: in 2000, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving issued a marvelous 60-cent postage stamp depicting a gorgeously detailed view of "The Grand Canyon, Colorado." The artwork, setup and printing cost taxpayers about half a million bucks.

Just a small problem: the Grand Canyon isn't IN "Colorado." It's in Arizona. The stamps all had to be destroyed.

Are you SURE you want these guys deciding who keeps jobs in the radio industry? (Or managing our healthcare, for that matter??)
 
Hey Bob,

What crew printed the stamps that said the Grand Canyon was in Colorado? The same (enter own stereotype) that told the
AntiChrist, (I'm sorry - jumpin' the RFID implant gun here) Not-The-President O'bama that there are 57 states in the union?
 
I'm not using the "quote" function on the Savage post...it's right there in 1010101 etc. (read it)

Ditto that!! In addition, I will add that added layering of government oversight reduces the freedoms so many have sacrificed to save.

Side bar: There ARE many FCC /"government" regulations in the industry that are no longer enforced, logic says adding more would be a joke!!

That's all
 
The Buffalo Broadcast Pioneers last night held their Spring Media Night Out which was well attended by members young and old. It's encouraging to see young guns like Clay Moden of WYRK and Tom Ragan of the Edge in attendance with legends like Irv Weinstein and Jim Fagan. It also was interesting to talk and listen to the sales reps, like Pioneers President Dave Gillen, who was part of the gathering. The event was pleasant and collegial.

When radio people get together in an event like this, there's a tendancy to talk about "how it used to be," but last night in particular, I heard a lot of radio talk about "where we are" and "where we're going." As you'd expect, the talk was frank and unvarnished. More often than not these days, we're talking about revenue, sales, finance, cutbacks and bankruptcies. Shows how far we've come.

As this relates Scooter's description of Legends, one thing is clear, a station can have great jocks, a great format and big ratings, but unless the station has a strong sales department that can turn the ratings into revenue, it's a house built on sand. Especially in this economy, Legends needs to capitalize on its impressive Winter ratings and turn the ratings into revenue.
 
Any sales entrepreneurs out there? It sounds like you've got a golden opportunity to sell Legends on straight commission, or form your own little agency and pitch the place to prospective customers.

ONE sales person? Unbelievable. My guess is that you could walk in with a fist full of orders, and set your own commission rate. Pre-produce the spots, and they'd kiss you on the mouth.
 
OK ... let me see if I've got this straight. ONE salesperson to sell the AM & FM, which means not only trying to bring in new business, but taking care of existing accounts and (probably) getting stuff for Maggie to give away over the air. What happens if the guy/gal is sick or goes on vacation?
 
Getting the FCC involved in promoting the industry is the very corruption that put us where we are. We don't need the FCC to force radio stations to hire local bodies...we just need them to enforce dusty, unused requirements to "serve the public interest as a public trustee."

The FCC lost its way when it decided that (a) more radio stations promoted more local voices having an outlet, and (b) promoting the interests of existing radio owners was the same thing as (or trumped) promoting the interest of the public.

Wanna see live-and-local back? Support all the things the NAB would fight...

(1) Bring on the end of the radio exemption from paying music performer royalties. Suddenly, being a jukebox doesn't save as much money.

(2) Bring back license fees. Why should broadcasters be the only commercial interests which don't pay a fee to use spectrum?

(3) Require a minimum amount of locally-originated programming.

(4) Consider challenges to licensees who clearly have not operated in the interests of their communities.

All radio owners will scream bloody murder, but the good ones know that in a year or two, the pie will be cut into fewer pieces as the really crappy operations fold. AM band congestion will decline, AQH shares will rise for the survivors, and the public will have better listening.

It is not the FCC's job to prop up failing business models, whether they're mom-&-pops or CC. The FCC's job is to make sure the publicly-owned radio spectrum is used to benefit the public. If that gets in the way of some cushy private-sector nod/wink job for commissioners when they leave, tough.
 
One thing I have to disagree with is the performance rights fee. If performers want royalties, fine - BUT then payola should also be legal.

The record companies went so far as to break the law in order to get music played on radio. They paid millions in payola, and millions more to settle the case. THEY'RE the ones who established that radio airplay has value. If that's the case, then the performance rights fee should be a wash. Radio doesn't charge recording companies for airtime, recording companies don't charge performance rights, and artists are compensated by the recording company.

The recording companies cite Europe as an example. Guess what? Payola is legal in Europe. This is nothing more than a money grab that will benefit the companies far more than the artists, and will benefit hit artists - who already make a LOT of money - far more than unknows or even up-an-comers.

You want slimey? Check out the recording contracts offered to new talent. Recording companies throw wads of cash at up-and-comers without reminding them that all that money has to be paid back. Even then, they've been known to engage in "creative accounting".

The recording companies are drowning because they failed to get handle on on-line distribution, and they're trying to rip a soggy life preserver away from a radio industry that's drowning in red ink from overpaying for radio stations in an attempt to create local monopolies. Dragging radio down with them ain't gonna mean survival for either industry.
 
It's admittedly hard to get your mind around the notion that there is actually an industry with management which is dumber, more self-defeating and corrupt than that of the radio industry and the auto industry. But sure enough, there is: and that would be the music industry.

Just check 'em out: first of all, they still call themselves by a laughably outdated term: still tellingly self-referring to "the RECORD industry." Which is kind of like an aerospace industry referring to its space-shuttle product line as "locomotives that fly." The "record" executives still stubbornly cling to an era when their consumers bought LPs and CDs (most of which were outrageously overpriced for the content, for example charging full retail for compilation and "library" collections which had long since paid for themselves.)

They stand resolutely, myopically, doggedly opposing the new technology which could make them a lot more money if they would get a little creative and less obstructive. Look at how terrified they are of digital recording and the internet. As if you could put the genie back in THAT bottle.

And: can anyone cite a mass-appeal industry which makes a practice out of suing its own customers and hauling them into court? Just imagine: "c'mon down for a test drive of the the new Chrysler-Fiat SPLAT hybrid...or we'll see your butt in court!!!"
 
In one of my ever rarer moments of listening to a certain Clear Channel "clear channel" station (if you know what I mean) today between 5 and 5:20, it was announced that there is an immediate opening for an Account Manager.

I would imagine this could be an opportunity for someone out there to telephone 454-4884.
 
I can appreciate the sensitivity among those still in the business (and especially owners) to paying performers who record music, but the excuses are all "two wrongs make a right." Entire formats have been built and thrived for decades while the people who created 48 minutes of every hour's content (and their estates) wound up broke.

It's especially jaw-dropping to see organizations representing black broadcasters lobby to perpetuate the arrangement that led to poverty for so many of the early blues performers.

If my local car dealer is owned by the mafia, it doesn't give me a free pass to steal cars. If the recording industry is corrupt, that's an issue for its participants. The fact that the major labels are now mostly owned by European interests is also irrelevant.

Every radio station we've all worked for has had a role in promoting our careers. According to the prevailing logic, on-air talent is not entitled to be paid, either.

Wait, wait...that's a little too close to reality...
 
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