GO JOE GO

[Becker]

And the one name synonymous with victory in State College, PA is .. J o e!

I find it amazing that everyone in radio knows JoePa and the history of Penn State football, but have no understanding of the history of radio in this town.

 

[Hermes]

Maybe the PAB should push for state legislation to require all new on-air folks to pass a standard radio history test before having the right to collect their 4.75@hour wages. These wacky kids today have it so easy today.

 

[pennandteller]

Regular "Joe & Josephine" Q. listener are interested in today and what's in it for them now. The only folks that care about who did middays 5 years ago are the "legends" that read this thing everyday. Joe sounds good.. sounds like fun radio again.

 

[shilton]

Regular "Joe & Josephine" Q. listener are interested in today and what's in it for them now. The only folks that care about who did middays 5 years ago are the "legends" that read this thing everyday. Joe sounds good.. sounds like fun radio again.

You are correct that Joe sounds good and "fun" and if Joe were first on the block, I would say that they would make a substantial dent. But if you are planning on toppling the "king of the hill" so to speak, that can be a very different story. The question is, does Joe have the stuff to knock off the Frog? And more to the point, will the people who advertise with Froggy want to open up the wallet and buy on 2 country stations, or believe in Joe enough to drop their ads with Froggy and migrate to Joe? That only time will tell, but if I had to place my bets, I'd say with less "bang" from the stick compared to the massive area Froggy can cover and the fact that Froggy is about 10 years ahead of em as far as establishing themselves as "The country station" I am not sure that will happen.

I'd like to see them do well, but I think they stood a better chance holding their ground with the Alternative Format, or perhaps migrating to "Jack" (YUCK)...or with their line-up on BLF, they'd make one heck of an FM talker...but thats only my opinion and we know how opinions are...we all have one and many are wrong.

In any case, I hope they will give a good 2-3 years for the format to see what it will do. Takes about that long for a station to establish themselves for the long haul after a format switch.

 

[Hermes]

there's a long way from 3 dollar spots to $75 spots (and being sold out at that rate)

 

[marpediem]

I'm not in the area anymore and haven't had a chance to listen to the new line up, but I think they have a chance of being successful. Being number one isn't always the most important thing. Being the most different isn't necessarily either. Success can be measured in different ways, and paying the bills, having listeners that are happy, advertisers that are happy and a well oiled hard working staff that is happy can be successful. A wise man once said To truly find out if someone is successful, ask their friends and family if that person is successful.

 

[Duke of Radio]

Duke is obviously a former BUZZ employee, maybe half of the former morning team? Where are they now anyway? Seems like if the jocks were "really" that talented they would have been picked up quickly by another radio group and not doddling around this site! I liked The Buzz too but I have to say that I admire what they've done with Joe. Joe is "unique" and doing a solid job. Clearly Joe is the first station to "TRULY" step up to the plate and go after the competition! Remember competition makes us all better! I'm not in radio anymore, reading some of these posts reminds me why I left. I never understood why radio has to bash it's own competition... the radio business has a bad rap as it is, why make it worse!

Sorry, again I did not work at the Buzz, but am proud to call many of the former Buzz employees my friends.

As for Joe, again my point is:

It does not matter how good they sound or how hard they work because in the end that radio station will tank due to poor management. If you knew half of what went on behind the scenes, then you would understand this. If they can financially survive to see February I will be truly surprised.

Good luck to their employees, and don't forget - keep those resumes updated!!


DUKE

 

[Spackler1]

Duke is obviously a former BUZZ employee, maybe half of the former morning team? Where are they now anyway? Seems like if the jocks were "really" that talented they would have been picked up quickly by another radio group and not doddling around this site! I liked The Buzz too but I have to say that I admire what they've done with Joe. Joe is "unique" and doing a solid job. Clearly Joe is the first station to "TRULY" step up to the plate and go after the competition! Remember competition makes us all better! I'm not in radio anymore, reading some of these posts reminds me why I left. I never understood why radio has to bash it's own competition... the radio business has a bad rap as it is, why make it worse!

Sorry, again I did not work at the Buzz, but am proud to call many of the former Buzz employees my friends.

As for Joe, again my point is:

It does not matter how good they sound or how hard they work because in the end that radio station will tank due to poor management. If you knew half of what went on behind the scenes, then you would understand this. If they can financially survive to see February I will be truly surprised.

Good luck to their employees, and don't forget - keep those resumes updated!!


DUKE

February is approaching. Where is Duke?

 

[Duke of Radio]

Sorry, again I did not work at the Buzz, but am proud to call many of the former Buzz employees my friends.

As for Joe, again my point is:

It does not matter how good they sound or how hard they work because in the end that radio station will tank due to poor management. If you knew half of what went on behind the scenes, then you would understand this. If they can financially survive to see February I will be truly surprised.

Good luck to their employees, and don't forget - keep those resumes updated!!


DUKE

February is approaching. Where is Duke?

I am here, and from what I see, quite an impressive book for Joe.

I do not knock the format, staff or the ratings, they are what they are, and at this point successful. My point again, if they make it financially until February I WILL BE surprised that management hasn't totally run it into the ground.

If you know anyone in that building then you would know that most calls coming in are from bill collectors not clients. Also I hear that sometimes … paychecks bounce.

Just a thought: If every piece of equipment is leased and you do not make any payments, then that equipment is repossessed. Lets do the math together:

Solid format + Dependable staff + Great Ratings + NO Equipment = FAILURE

You can earn all the ratings in the world, but you still can't run a radio station without equipment.

My guess is that even though the numbers are very good, the national revenue won't be enough or come fast enough to save them financially.

Also, do any of their sales staff even know how to sell numbers? Only one to my knowledge and she will wait until the last minute and take the lowest rate.

Another thought, if you don’t pay Arbitron, you don’t get the numbers to sell.

Again, I fear poor management will doom Joe FM, not their staff or format. So If I am wrong about my February deadline, then I am wrong.

Congratulations everyone and Good Luck!!! Oh, and keep those resumes updated.

DUKE

Oh, one more thing, the latest rumor on the street is that Joe FM's owner is looking to sell the stations now that he has some good numbers - probably not a bad idea.

 

[Spackler1]

It sounds like we've heard some of the same stories about what goes on in that building.
Joe would be a nice purchase for First Media, don't you think?

 

[Duke of Radio]

It sounds like we've heard some of the same stories about what goes on in that building.
Joe would be a nice purchase for First Media, don't you think?

Wow, mark the day - you and I totally agree!!!

That was the only idea I left out of my last post.

DUKE

 

[shilton]

It sounds like we've heard some of the same stories about what goes on in that building.
Joe would be a nice purchase for First Media, don't you think?

Not saying its for sale...because from what I hear, it isn't...but wouldn't First Media (or anyone else) rather have that 50,000 watt blowtorch at WGMR? (of course I am sure everything has its price even if its not for sale???) I am sure some in this market have tried to buy the place already.

 

[Harlow]

Steve,

Why would you even mention that? You know WGMR isn't for sale and probably never would be.

I will tell you this, I have a better chance of buying it than any radio company.

 

[clangham]

Hey John, if you need a partner, I am up for it. ;D Fire up the backroom robot! LOL

We're Good Mountain Radio!

 

[shilton]

Steve,

Why would you even mention that? You know WGMR isn't for sale and probably never would be.

I will tell you this, I have a better chance of buying it than any radio company.

Sorry John...just stating the obvious. We all realize the financial worth of that station being pretty much the last big signal in this area which is not held by one of the bohemiths. I am sure that any one of the other broadcasting companies would love to sink their hooks into it. As I mentioned previously, I used to sit in the programming office and listen to talks about how much we'd love to get hold if it and that was 10-15 years ago.

And I learned a long time ago to never say never. I know Ted and Cary have no intentions of selling now...but they have sold stations before and let's be honest...in this life, everything has its price. How much would one have to offer before they stop saying "No" to the countless offers they have received on that station?

I mean...really...can you imagine 3-WZ on that frequency? They'd be even more unstoppable than they are now.

 

[lash]

John, we all know your right about that. The bigger question is would you choose the right format for the marketplace, or continue to go where many others have failed.

That market hardly needs another CHR of any kind.

 

[Harlow]

Steve, certain stations have certain meanings to people. I know more than anyone what that station means to Ted and Cary.

Chuck, if you were serious, that is something I would have to seriously think about because I am not a money guy, but would love to have the financial backing to do something like that.

Hmmm, I can see the dynasty beginning. Look out Clear Channel. Here comes Radio Chuck and Harlow.

 

[AvgListener]

Sorry, again I did not work at the Buzz, but am proud to call many of the former Buzz employees my friends.

As for Joe, again my point is:

It does not matter how good they sound or how hard they work because in the end that radio station will tank due to poor management. If you knew half of what went on behind the scenes, then you would understand this. If they can financially survive to see February I will be truly surprised.

Good luck to their employees, and don't forget - keep those resumes updated!!


DUKE

February is approaching. Where is Duke?

I am here, and from what I see, quite an impressive book for Joe.

I do not knock the format, staff or the ratings, they are what they are, and at this point successful. My point again, if they make it financially until February I WILL BE surprised that management hasn't totally run it into the ground.

If you know anyone in that building then you would know that most calls coming in are from bill collectors not clients. Also I hear that sometimes … paychecks bounce.

Just a thought: If every piece of equipment is leased and you do not make any payments, then that equipment is repossessed. Lets do the math together:

Solid format + Dependable staff + Great Ratings + NO Equipment = FAILURE

You can earn all the ratings in the world, but you still can't run a radio station without equipment.

My guess is that even though the numbers are very good, the national revenue won't be enough or come fast enough to save them financially.

Also, do any of their sales staff even know how to sell numbers? Only one to my knowledge and she will wait until the last minute and take the lowest rate.

Another thought, if you don’t pay Arbitron, you don’t get the numbers to sell.

Again, I fear poor management will doom Joe FM, not their staff or format. So If I am wrong about my February deadline, then I am wrong.

Congratulations everyone and Good Luck!!! Oh, and keep those resumes updated.

DUKE

Oh, one more thing, the latest rumor on the street is that Joe FM's owner is looking to sell the stations now that he has some good numbers - probably not a bad idea.

Ok Duke you say your close to former Buzz employee's  then how in the world do know anything on JOE unless your hearing it from a third party. So I'm sure we would like to know What is your proof or are you and your buzz buddy just making this stuff up. I believe you should back up what you say with facts not here-say.

 

[Duke of Radio]

If you know anyone in that building then you would know that most calls coming in are from bill collectors not clients. Also I hear that sometimes … paychecks bounce.

Just a thought: If every piece of equipment is leased and you do not make any payments, then that equipment is repossessed. Lets do the math together:

Solid format + Dependable staff + Great Ratings + NO Equipment = FAILURE

You can earn all the ratings in the world, but you still can't run a radio station without equipment.

My guess is that even though the numbers are very good, the national revenue won't be enough or come fast enough to save them financially.

Also, do any of their sales staff even know how to sell numbers? Only one to my knowledge and she will wait until the last minute and take the lowest rate.

Another thought, if you don’t pay Arbitron, you don’t get the numbers to sell.

Again, I fear poor management will doom Joe FM, not their staff or format. So If I am wrong about my February deadline, then I am wrong.

Congratulations everyone and Good Luck!!! Oh, and keep those resumes updated.

DUKE

Oh, one more thing, the latest rumor on the street is that Joe FM's owner is looking to sell the stations now that he has some good numbers - probably not a bad idea.

Ok Duke you say your close to former Buzz employee's then how in the world do know anything on JOE unless your hearing it from a third party. So I'm sure we would like to know What is your proof or are you and your buzz buddy just making this stuff up. I believe you should back up what you say with facts not here-say.

Again...and this is tiresome, I AM friends with a few former Buzz employees. Just because they are former Buzz people DOES NOT mean that they don't work for Joe - the Buzz doesn't exist anymore. Therefore anyone who works there now and worked there 8 months ago is a former Buzz employee. I will be keeping names to myself.

So, no, I haven't been overhearing conversations in coffee shops or going through someone's trash.

And I agree that here-say is baaaad, one should never do it:

In my travels in the area I hear that working for Forever Broadcasting is a churn and burn operation so many people that work there have a short shelf life. Or is what I'm hearing just BS

DUKE

 

[#1 loyal]

Current Magnum employee: Radio is Radio... nothing more nothing less. It's that simple. Sure Management made some descisions that have affected poeple, but you get that all over in this buisness. This place is a freakin' country club to work at! Especially when you consider other clusters with the "revolving door policy". Clearly Joe is working and the numbers say that. Are we done just because we got a good book? Absolutely not! But seriously leave management alone, they are people just like you. And actually value their employee's! Can any of you honestly say you can go straight to your Owner or G.M. with a problem ,personal or buisness related and have them truly listen to you? NO, I would guess. In the corporate world you are a number and very expendable! It took a long time of wrestling with the BUZZ/JOE decision, and clearly it was the right one! From someone on the inside this company runs very smooth,are there some bumps in the road? Sure, that's just the nature of the beast! Here there are many hat's to wear and we wear them with pride!