How can I break into the Indy market?

[classic1]

I would spend some time on the question of why you want to move to the Indy market.

The money certainly isn't any better than South Bend. The pay gap between larger and smaller markets keeps getting smaller and smaller. In fact, being a big fish in the Michiana likely affords you more opportunity for remotes and endorsements than you'd get as a part-timer in Indy.

If it's to build your resume or climb to an even bigger market [Chicago, Detroit, etc.], it may not be necessary or helpful. Similar to the money argument above, South Bend gives you a better chance to dominate demos in a better daypart than what you will get in Indy. There's merit to a long track record as, say a #1 AM Drive show for three years in South Bend versus languishing in 11th with Nights in Indy. Stability and success can take you a long way.

If it's to be closer to family or friends in Indy, I can't argue with that. However, if your loved ones are in South Bend, Elkhart, Niles, Cassopolis, Bremen, Plymouth, etc., stay there. Geography and proximity are bigger factors to your happiness/sanity than market size is to your career.

If it's because you think "that's what I'm supposed to do," know that it's just not that way anymore. The "traditional career path" is long out the window, much as it is in other professions. "Market-hopping" to "climb the ladder" just isn't a requirement. Hone your skills; be compelling and entertaining; build your professional network; and learn every aspect of the business. That's the best recipe for growth in your career.

You make a great point, but it is becoming more and more apparent to me everyday that there is just no room for growth in South Bend. You have AMP who is having there fair share of problems, and you have got Fed Med who won't even give you a second look unless you are a 5+ year Sales God. My career path has actually started to go backwards instead of forwards. There's just no opportunity to prove, and continue to improve, myself in South Bend. And trust me, it's not about "Market Hopping" or even about money. I'm single, very little debt, no children to support. I've been in this business for 10 years, and I still want to learn, and grow, become the absolute best I can be, and...God Willing...one day pass what I have learned on to the next generation, but in my current situation, that's just not happening. I feel that getting my foot in the door in Indy will allow me to get a fresh start, re-invent myself, grow my professional network, and the rest I will leave up to the "Big Man Upstairs".

 

[Wazzie]

Who gave you the break in Indy from those markets?

There were many who migrated over to Indianapolis from the Muncie Market. Bernie Egan was at WERK and left for WENS. Paul Mendenhall was at WERK and landed at WNAP, so did Chad Hunt. Brian Casey worked at WLBC and eventually ended up at WNAP to play the part of "Harry" along side "Dr. Buzzard" (Dan Osborne). Tom Cochran left WERK and landed at a few stations in Indy, including being a newscaster at Channel 13. Then there's Bill Shirk from WERK and I don't need to tell you where he's been.

I did the same thing, working full time in Muncie and part time at WTPI & WNAP and have ended up in a top 20 market. (Sweet gig) However, times have changed and I have no idea who is still live on the weekends. TOO much automation leaves little room for people to break into the market.

In any case, I wish you well.

 

[Keith Kidd]

I still want to learn, and grow, become the absolute best I can be, and...God Willing...one day pass what I have learned on to the next generation, but in my current situation, that's just not happening. I feel that getting my foot in the door in Indy will allow me to get a fresh start, re-invent myself, grow my professional network, and the rest I will leave up to the "Big Man Upstairs".

Don't give up classic1. Look dude, become a PD. You don't need talent or know how, you just need to know someone who can get you the job. Once you get the job, it's smooth sailing from there. The hardest part will be the transmitter they insert in your body. Once that's done though, your main job description will be to hear messages from the Big Giant Head. He will call you by making you sneeze and lifting both of your arms half way in the air. Corporate will talk through you at that point by saying "Incoming message from the Big Giant Head". The Big Giant head will then tell you what to play, who to fire, who to harass and all of that kind of stuff. It's the stuff you can only dream of doing on your own. It will be great. Now, the station will flip formats in one year because they have no clue about their audience and what it takes to push ahead in that particular market, and they'll blame you for that, but YOUR job will last a whole six months! Dude, that's six months man. C'mon, this is what dreams are made of, go for it! You can do it, I have faith in you.

Now, during your spare time you'll have to keep a watch on your staff. You'll be a glorified baby sitter for a bunch of 25 year olds, so don't forget to bring things like squeaky toys, little squeaky footballs or something.

I don't blame you for wanting to reinvent yourself. You can dooooooo it!

 

[TrapperJohn]

It sounds like you're wanting to make the leap for the right reasons. I was in a similar-sized market when I got the call to come to Indy, and for me, the chance to work with some real professionals was the big payoff. Nothing against the guys I worked with in the smaller markets, but I wasn't learning enough from them. Charlie Morgan, David Wood, Sam McGuire, Bob Richards, Scott Sands, Gary Havens...I had a lot of solid programming minds I learned from in my 8 years there.

BTW, Bob Richards was another guy who got his foot in the door with weekend work while he was programming in New Castle.

Keep your eye on the prize and send that aircheck to the Radio Now guy who offered to listen to it earlier in the thread.