It's been weeks since WOKV turfed Bob Schuman and this is the first mention of it on this board. The morning how host on the top rated station in Jacksonville was let go in a budget move, and not one posting about it until now. Ya know why? Cox, Clear Channel and to a lesser extent, Renda, have fired or driven away most of the market's talent. Sad.
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How low has interest in Jax radio sunk?
- Thread starter noyfb
- Start date
I'm very saddened by this news and yes, it is news to me. My mornings have been very busy lately and I probably listened with half an ear. I guess I assumed Bob was still at the station. My gosh, I really hate to see Bob go and I hope he lands on his feet soon -especially here. When the hell does all this end? I was hoping WOKV was somehow exempt from all the dowsizing with its great numbers and all. It's a great incentive, isn't it? Yes, I agree with you - it's a shame how interest in Jax radio has sunken to such lows.
Good luck Bob!
Good luck Bob!
Wow, I had no idea... Bob is a great guy and a fantastic talent!
Best of luck Bob!
Best of luck Bob!
B
Brother Bear
Guest
Whither thou goest, Valerie Segraves? Although she departed of her own freewill, there was nary a word here for WEEKS here.
Besides, Bob's departure was Classic Cox M.O. Build an empire, pull in primo billing and great numbers, and get shown the door.
Remember Cole Pepper? Patti Haze? Dave & Heather? Pat Garrett? Tom Murphy?
Cox is more concerned with their bottom line than their on-air product, as are most MegaCasters, so money makers like those I've named get shown the door.
At the end of Belfort Parkway is a magnificent mausoleum for some great radio folks
Besides, Bob's departure was Classic Cox M.O. Build an empire, pull in primo billing and great numbers, and get shown the door.
Remember Cole Pepper? Patti Haze? Dave & Heather? Pat Garrett? Tom Murphy?
Cox is more concerned with their bottom line than their on-air product, as are most MegaCasters, so money makers like those I've named get shown the door.
At the end of Belfort Parkway is a magnificent mausoleum for some great radio folks
I live fairly close to the Cox facility and I’ve seen its spacious grandeur from the outside. BB, mausoleum is a perfect word to describe that building. Talk about cost effective to have all that square feet to accommodate emptiness. It’s so freakin’ upside down.
I respected Bob as a journalist and I’ve recognized him alone numerous times on this board. But there was another aspect to Bob as it related to the business of radio. He was believable as a sponsor spokesman. That voice of his made an impression and it almost recalled a time when the talent did the live spots – I always thought that was more effective. When I drive past Arlington Toyota, I can just recall that great pitch saying “You see so many, ‘cause they paid so little.” Gees, you would even think delivering well and being credible for sponsors would mean something. No one else will do better.
As much as I appear to be such an avid radio fan, I’ve always respected the talent when they are doing their thing such as working a remote at a sponsor. In the last month or two Bob was at Arlington Toyota and I was in that neck of the woods. I felt like saying hi and letting him know how much I respected his work but as usual, I shied away.
The grim reality is people will continue to listen to WOKV because they are really the only game in town and that mausoleum still has talent who will assume more and deliver. There was a time companies generated revenue without selling their souls. I always believed performance should dictate whether someone keeps a job or not. That’s not the case anymore. Sure, life goes on but the way talent is treated and regarded – in fact you can say that about any worker today- just sucks.
I respected Bob as a journalist and I’ve recognized him alone numerous times on this board. But there was another aspect to Bob as it related to the business of radio. He was believable as a sponsor spokesman. That voice of his made an impression and it almost recalled a time when the talent did the live spots – I always thought that was more effective. When I drive past Arlington Toyota, I can just recall that great pitch saying “You see so many, ‘cause they paid so little.” Gees, you would even think delivering well and being credible for sponsors would mean something. No one else will do better.
As much as I appear to be such an avid radio fan, I’ve always respected the talent when they are doing their thing such as working a remote at a sponsor. In the last month or two Bob was at Arlington Toyota and I was in that neck of the woods. I felt like saying hi and letting him know how much I respected his work but as usual, I shied away.
The grim reality is people will continue to listen to WOKV because they are really the only game in town and that mausoleum still has talent who will assume more and deliver. There was a time companies generated revenue without selling their souls. I always believed performance should dictate whether someone keeps a job or not. That’s not the case anymore. Sure, life goes on but the way talent is treated and regarded – in fact you can say that about any worker today- just sucks.
I did not know that he was gone, either, and I think it is a mistake (unless there was something going on we don't know about). Bob was very, very good. His replacement is ok, but not as good. It is ironic that Bob had come back to Jacksonville and made a personal story about it. I guess that does not matter any more to WOKV. In essence, it makes that whole story shallow.
One tidbit about this. I get email from WOKV. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that in the last 3 years, I have received two emails from them asking me to fill out a survey. The first one I received a couple years ago focused on Jack Boston, their weatherman. Within a couple months after getting that, he was gone. A couple months ago or so, I received another survey from them. This time the focus was Bob Schuman. Coincidence?
I will let you know the next time I get one of these surveys. If I was an employee there, I would be nervous if my name was on it.
One tidbit about this. I get email from WOKV. One thing that sticks out in my mind is that in the last 3 years, I have received two emails from them asking me to fill out a survey. The first one I received a couple years ago focused on Jack Boston, their weatherman. Within a couple months after getting that, he was gone. A couple months ago or so, I received another survey from them. This time the focus was Bob Schuman. Coincidence?
I will let you know the next time I get one of these surveys. If I was an employee there, I would be nervous if my name was on it.
It's supply and demand. There's more talented people, who're willing to work for peanuts, just to be in radio than available jobs! Maybe Bob made good money. We know revenues are down and despite what the government says, the economy STILL SUCKS! The Cox solution is to simply insert another less costly cog.
Haven't you figure it out yet, the list of talented people let go by radio isn't that surprising. They're like light bulbs or cogs in the giant machine. When a cog no longer works for the machine, it easier to just replace it with another cog. And so far there's no shortage of cogs. So it's win win for radio!
And what of the loyal listeners who're hanging on every word? They just think boy that song sucks, I'll hit scan. I dislike commercials. mmm I'm hungry, pizza sounds nice, no maybe a cheese burger. Traffic sucks. This station talks to much. Yes I vote for pizza. where's my ipod? hey my phone is ringing.
You know you're in trouble when you start believing all the hype. Maybe 1% is real the rest is smoke and mirrors. Nothing in this business is real. Not the ratings, research, consultants on air quality or so called stars of radio with inflated egos, who get their therapy from being on air.
It's cheaper for companies to outsource than manufacture products. Radio's form of outsourcing is to hire radio people who are banging on the door to get in and then pay them virtually nothing.
So I ask you who's smarter?
Haven't you figure it out yet, the list of talented people let go by radio isn't that surprising. They're like light bulbs or cogs in the giant machine. When a cog no longer works for the machine, it easier to just replace it with another cog. And so far there's no shortage of cogs. So it's win win for radio!
And what of the loyal listeners who're hanging on every word? They just think boy that song sucks, I'll hit scan. I dislike commercials. mmm I'm hungry, pizza sounds nice, no maybe a cheese burger. Traffic sucks. This station talks to much. Yes I vote for pizza. where's my ipod? hey my phone is ringing.
You know you're in trouble when you start believing all the hype. Maybe 1% is real the rest is smoke and mirrors. Nothing in this business is real. Not the ratings, research, consultants on air quality or so called stars of radio with inflated egos, who get their therapy from being on air.
It's cheaper for companies to outsource than manufacture products. Radio's form of outsourcing is to hire radio people who are banging on the door to get in and then pay them virtually nothing.
So I ask you who's smarter?
I’m not sure what you mean when you basically say the business of radio is not real. Unemployment and underemployment are very real and in the economics of today, radio is not different from other industry.
I often think of the role of the GM. While I don’t want to turn this into a demonizing the GM response, I don’t know how they have the stomach to continually do what they do. In some other string the Cox Radio facility was referred to as a mausoleum – how appropriate. Over the years where I used to work, I started noticing more and more empty cubicles and offices. It’s creepy and it’s very much the real business world of today. It distressed me seeing that every day.
If you’ve ever watched the TV show “Survivor” toward the end when there are only a handful of contestant left, they celebrate their fallen comrades. How ironic that these were the very people who destroyed their opportunity for riches and greatness. On all the boards it’s common to see yet another talent recalled and celebrated when fallen. The GM’s will call it a business decision as a way to outwit, outplay and outlast all others in the building. That’s as real as it gets folks and not surprisingly shows such as Survivor are called “reality” series.
Talent as in the case of other workers and I’ll even include myself have been humbled by the times. So, you won’t find me in the camp to criticize those who work for practically nothing. Many of you may not understand or be in that position of your life but enjoying what you do outweighs the glory days of the big bucks. Some prefer to sit on their azz, collect unemployment and recall the happy times. I respect those who prefer to try to make a difference and feel useful – even if in their own minds.
Ratings and ranking in key target demos are as real as it gets. It’s what helps drive revenue and the fortunes of the business leaders. In many respects it becomes a very real pissing contest as the one with the best billing is allowed to beat himself on the chest as king of the world. Sure, achieving revenue goals are critical to any business but it’s being done by killing off a lot of great, talented people. To me, it’s the easy fix and not necessarily the correct decision for the long-run health of the business.
I’ve mentioned this before but for a number of years I held a position similar to a GM and everything was revenue, revenue, revenue. My revenue goals often conflicted with other goals and work was like walking through a mine field. I hated it. There were times I had to let very good people go to satisfy some edict from above that called for XX% across the board cuts. Literally, my health suffered as a result in that it bothered me so much. I guess I don’t have what it takes to be a leader anymore and that’s fine by me.
People I know criticized me for working assignments that paid peanuts or didn’t reflect my skills. But I’ve never been happier given where I am in my life right now. Next week I’m heading back to my old job as a contractor. I’m not interested in running anything or being a regular employee anymore selling my soul so I’ll be a very happy “cog.” For Mr. Schuman, if he decides to work, let’s say, at the appropriate W”BOB” making 75% less than he did before and it gives him happiness reporting on the radio, I will congratulate him not criticize him.
I often think of the role of the GM. While I don’t want to turn this into a demonizing the GM response, I don’t know how they have the stomach to continually do what they do. In some other string the Cox Radio facility was referred to as a mausoleum – how appropriate. Over the years where I used to work, I started noticing more and more empty cubicles and offices. It’s creepy and it’s very much the real business world of today. It distressed me seeing that every day.
If you’ve ever watched the TV show “Survivor” toward the end when there are only a handful of contestant left, they celebrate their fallen comrades. How ironic that these were the very people who destroyed their opportunity for riches and greatness. On all the boards it’s common to see yet another talent recalled and celebrated when fallen. The GM’s will call it a business decision as a way to outwit, outplay and outlast all others in the building. That’s as real as it gets folks and not surprisingly shows such as Survivor are called “reality” series.
Talent as in the case of other workers and I’ll even include myself have been humbled by the times. So, you won’t find me in the camp to criticize those who work for practically nothing. Many of you may not understand or be in that position of your life but enjoying what you do outweighs the glory days of the big bucks. Some prefer to sit on their azz, collect unemployment and recall the happy times. I respect those who prefer to try to make a difference and feel useful – even if in their own minds.
Ratings and ranking in key target demos are as real as it gets. It’s what helps drive revenue and the fortunes of the business leaders. In many respects it becomes a very real pissing contest as the one with the best billing is allowed to beat himself on the chest as king of the world. Sure, achieving revenue goals are critical to any business but it’s being done by killing off a lot of great, talented people. To me, it’s the easy fix and not necessarily the correct decision for the long-run health of the business.
I’ve mentioned this before but for a number of years I held a position similar to a GM and everything was revenue, revenue, revenue. My revenue goals often conflicted with other goals and work was like walking through a mine field. I hated it. There were times I had to let very good people go to satisfy some edict from above that called for XX% across the board cuts. Literally, my health suffered as a result in that it bothered me so much. I guess I don’t have what it takes to be a leader anymore and that’s fine by me.
People I know criticized me for working assignments that paid peanuts or didn’t reflect my skills. But I’ve never been happier given where I am in my life right now. Next week I’m heading back to my old job as a contractor. I’m not interested in running anything or being a regular employee anymore selling my soul so I’ll be a very happy “cog.” For Mr. Schuman, if he decides to work, let’s say, at the appropriate W”BOB” making 75% less than he did before and it gives him happiness reporting on the radio, I will congratulate him not criticize him.
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