Full staff walks out on KMMZ

[crow]

We know GM's don't normally have anything to do with the success of a station.

That is like saying a team does not need a coach. Most successful stations are the product of a great leader who inspires, leads and sets the standards. Part of that success is knowing who to hire and how to get the most out of everyone on the team.

I don't know what stations you have worked at... however... in my 8 years there has NOT been a GM that I have worked for that was worth his high salary. The GM was ALWAYS a joke and some one, if not THE ONE, that the rest of the staff hated for his or her totally useless suggestions etc... The leaders and the success makers came down to those under him or her. So, I guess in a small way you are right. Yet, I think that happened for him or her simply because of dumb luck. I know that there are probably some GREAT GM'S out there. However, I have not had the luck to work for them. I would LOVE to work for one that actually realized when someone was working hard, actually realized when someone was an asset to the company. Some one who didn't spend their time covering their own ass to make others look like they were expendable etc... Plus, keep in mind, regarding your coaching analogy... look at the PATRIOTS. Coach Belichick is supposed to be one of the greatest coaches. Yet, with BRADY out, that team sucks. So, where is the GREAT COACH to inspire, to lead and set the standards? Basically, I have never been in a situation where the staff looked to the GM for guidance or leadership. He or She were always the LAST person you wanted getting involved in anything.

 

[FilioScotia]

Let's talk about GMs

The problem with many GMs is that they usually come from the Sales Department. The business side. They're salesmen and know little or nothing about how to manage the creative side of the station. You rarely see a former DJ or newscaster get promoted up the ladder to GM.

Smart GMs realize this, and hire the best Ops Manager and Program Director they can find, turn them loose, stay out of their way and let them make him look like a genius. That's how the late and much lamented Dickie Rosenfeld did it at KILT for so many years.

The stupid ones -- and I've worked for my share of those -- actually believe they rose to the top because of their radio genius, and they insist on micromanaging everything that goes on at the station. Those places are almost always unbearable places to work.

 

[radioguyintexas]

I have to agree with filoscotia...most GM's aren't worth a damn. This said, there have been two GM's I have worked for that understood both sides - programming and sales. The first was Steve Everett - he's now HEH Communications in Huntsville. Steve was one of the best GM's I've ever had the pleasure of working for. As a former owner of a small town station in Brady, he knew that it took programming and sales to make the stations successful. He went on to run stations in San Angelo and now in Huntsville - and his current DO/PD Brooke Addams is truly one of the best radio personalities I've have ever worked with.

The second GM I've worked for that got it was Ted Mahn in Hot Springs, AR. Ted was also a former owner of stations, sold them, then went on to being the GM of other stations. Ted let programming do what needed to be done - program the stations in the best interest of the listener's - not necessarily in the best interest of the sales side of things.

Other's I've worked for spent their time covering their collective butts and padding their collective bank accounts.

 

[crow]

FilioScotia & radioguyintexas...

BRAVO! I totally agree with what you both stated. There are some GREAT GM's out there. However, to me, it seems that there are few of them.

 

[Joe Piazza]

Well the GM that primavera had put their to lead the station never really did anything but take care of his own pocket so the staff felt that if primavera was going to pocket 3 or 4 mill they deserved to atleast be paid the bonus that the company had promised if they were able to stay on top in the market.So they hired a lawyer and when primavera saw that well ,they didnt not like that very much and told the staff they would not negociate at all so the whole staff walked! Im not talking about some wana be morning show guy who just started and has had luck the pd and morning show guy is really incredible not only am i talking about his on air talent but also programming wise. Explane to me how you can make a station number one keep it number one for 3 years with a 12.0 share 12+ and then leave that station and do it all over aggain? To bad in a market like this options are limited on where you can go!

If you're he's that good, you he shouldn't have any problems finding a new gig.

 

[latino2008]

I'm sure they will be ok! Raul and the rest of the team have really done some awsome things in that market.

 

[oldjohnny]

Well the GM that primavera had put their to lead the station never really did anything but take care of his own pocket so the staff felt that if primavera was going to pocket 3 or 4 mill they deserved to atleast be paid the bonus that the company had promised if they were able to stay on top in the market.So they hired a lawyer and when primavera saw that well ,they didnt not like that very much and told the staff they would not negociate at all so the whole staff walked! Im not talking about some wana be morning show guy who just started and has had luck the pd and morning show guy is really incredible not only am i talking about his on air talent but also programming wise. Explane to me how you can make a station number one keep it number one for 3 years with a 12.0 share 12+ and then leave that station and do it all over aggain? To bad in a market like this options are limited on where you can go!

If you're he's that good, you he shouldn't have any problems finding a new gig.

Hehehe, good one.

 

[princesitadj]

I'm sure they will be ok! Raul and the rest of the team have really done some awsome things in that market.

;DI'm also sure that some good things should come along their ways. GOOD LUCK !