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If you could program a radio station...

A

argytunes

Guest
Most of Tuesday, I was "on the road" taking care of my usual chores (food shopping, banking, post office, cleaners, etc.) so ONCE AGAIN...I got to listen to a lot of radio! But instead of bothering with the commercial stop-sets (which I addressed in an earlier thread), I spent a considerable amount of time listening to Maine radio stations and their formats!

Beginning with OLDIES 100.9 (which I enjoyed)....I scanned the entire FM dial....and then switched over to the AM side....where the choices were much slimmer. Overall...I discovered 3 things:

1. Some of the "catch phrases" that give a station its identity...NEED AN UPGRADE! Most of the stations owned by a radio group kept playing "the same canned slug lines" over and over again. This was annoying and prompted me to hit 'the scan button!' Sadly, some of the LIVE on-air personalities (particularly one who works for a classical radio group) didn't vary their delivery at all! [Not to sound stupid...but do Program Directors still critique "weekly air checks" with their on-air personalities? Or has that professional practice 'gone the way of the dinosaur?'].

2. Canned syndicated talk programming has some of the lamest hosts in the world! Especially when they attempt to be funny! It doesn't matter if their political views are conservative or liberal...but some of their "alleged humor" and "show bits" were terrible! Maybe they looked funny on paper, but something happened after they were produced and "escaped" from the recording studio? [I still find it interesting how Paul Harvey can relate his news stories, but doesn't need to "dress them up with a lot of stupid one-liners!"].

3. How many of the "audio listener endorsements" for a radio station (irregardless of the format) are actually FROM LISTENERS....and not a secretary or an account executive who has been dragged into a production studio, and told to "sound like a typical listener?" Granted...WHOM seems to be 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line is starting to sound a bit tired? But I wonder about the others??? Even some of the people who LOVE FRANK-FM are beginning to sound a little...err...phony?

Here's an idea.

If you're a radio listener in Southern, Central or Northern Maine...and you could "program" a radio station with 'the format of your choice'---what types of music, talk programming or alternative would you like to hear? I'll bet there are a few of you who WISH a particular artist or format was available (and not just from a satellite service)?

Maybe a program director...who isn't "completely locked into presenting the same old tired old format 24-7...MIGHT take a few of your suggestions seriously???

argytunes
 
> Most of Tuesday, I was "on the road" taking care of my usual
> chores (food shopping, banking, post office, cleaners, etc.)
> so ONCE AGAIN...I got to listen to a lot of radio! But
> instead of bothering with the commercial stop-sets (which I
> addressed in an earlier thread), I spent a considerable
> amount of time listening to Maine radio stations and their
> formats!
>
> Beginning with OLDIES 100.9 (which I enjoyed)....I scanned
> the entire FM dial....and then switched over to the AM
> side....where the choices were much slimmer. Overall...I
> discovered 3 things:
>
> 1. Some of the "catch phrases" that give a station its
> identity...NEED AN UPGRADE! Most of the stations owned by a
> radio group kept playing "the same canned slug lines" over
> and over again. This was annoying and prompted me to hit
> 'the scan button!' Sadly, some of the LIVE on-air
> personalities (particularly one who works for a classical
> radio group) didn't vary their delivery at all! [Not to
> sound stupid...but do Program Directors still critique
> "weekly air checks" with their on-air personalities? Or has
> that professional practice 'gone the way of the dinosaur?'].
>
If the PD isn't airchecking, they're not doing their job. Even if you have voices coming in from other places, they should be airchecked. Stations should lose the slogan like "The most music....", "your 10 song in a row station", etc. They just sound phony these days and listeners don't really care anyways.
>
> 2. Canned syndicated talk programming has some of the lamest
> hosts in the world! Especially when they attempt to be
> funny! It doesn't matter if their political views are
> conservative or liberal...but some of their "alleged humor"
> and "show bits" were terrible! Maybe they looked funny on
> paper, but something happened after they were produced and
> "escaped" from the recording studio? [I still find it
> interesting how Paul Harvey can relate his news stories, but
> doesn't need to "dress them up with a lot of stupid
> one-liners!"].
>
Sorry, but Paul Harvey's good days are far back in the distance. He's a relic that needs to hang up his cans! His "news" stories that are actually commercials are horrible. As a listener it sounds contrived and dishonest.
> 3. How many of the "audio listener endorsements" for a radio
> station (irregardless of the format) are actually FROM
> LISTENERS....and not a secretary or an account executive who
> has been dragged into a production studio, and told to
> "sound like a typical listener?" Granted...WHOM seems to be
> 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line is
> starting to sound a bit tired? But I wonder about the
> others??? Even some of the people who LOVE FRANK-FM are
> beginning to sound a little...err...phony?
>
Most of those voices are from outsiders. How many stations are actually still doing their own imaging? I know that a lot of stations use Vanilla Gorilla and all of that comes from Texas. Since most stations are voice tracked, calls aren't being taped, so production people really have no choice but to ask the receptionist, sales people or even family and friends to lend their voices to imaging.
> Here's an idea.
>
> If you're a radio listener in Southern, Central or Northern
> Maine...and you could "program" a radio station with 'the
> format of your choice'---what types of music, talk
> programming or alternative would you like to hear? I'll bet
> there are a few of you who WISH a particular artist or
> format was available (and not just from a satellite
> service)?
>
> Maybe a program director...who isn't "completely locked into
> presenting the same old tired old format 24-7...MIGHT take a
> few of your suggestions seriously???
>
> argytunes
>
 
> Most of those voices are from outsiders. How many stations
> are actually still doing their own imaging? I know that a
> lot of stations use Vanilla Gorilla and all of that comes
> from Texas. Since most stations are voice tracked, calls
> aren't being taped, so production people really have no
> choice but to ask the receptionist, sales people or even
> family and friends to lend their voices to imaging.

I'm not so sure how many stations still use services like Vanilla Gorilla, especially with Cool Edit/Adobe Audition making it extremely easy to produce imaging in-house. I know Vox used to use VG but Nassau does all imaging production in-house, as does CC.

In terms of getting people to say things, the voicetracking does take a toll. But even if a station were to do one-hour with live requests (lunch, drive home, or esp. morning drive), get the jock to record and save the phone calls! Super easy at that point to use actual listeners in promos. Speaking of which, I remember back when I was a kid, calling into stations for requests and contests, and I'd often hear my voice used in production a few weeks to a few months later! I thought it was so cool!
 
>
> In terms of getting people to say things, the voicetracking
> does take a toll. But even if a station were to do one-hour
> with live requests (lunch, drive home, or esp. morning
> drive), get the jock to record and save the phone calls!
> Super easy at that point to use actual listeners in promos.

Aren't most stations around here tracked by in-house people? I can think of a couple shifts that are SO generic they have to be from people out of the area, but most sound local. This means the jock is probably in the air studio for an hour or so every day...why not just record some calls while you're in the studio?
 
Dead air is an outstanding format to attract listeners on AM radio especially during a severe electrical storm. That would be my format of choice.
 
> Dead air is an outstanding format to attract listeners on AM
> radio especially during a severe electrical storm. That
> would be my format of choice.

It's interesting you brought DEAD AIR up! During my year and a half at the (former) WJAR AM 950 (in Providence, Rhode Island), I convinced Peter Mokover, who was the WJAR PD at the time, to record a spoof promo for me. We offered WJAR listeners a chance to listen for "DEAD AIR ON WJAR!"

The moment they heard ANY "dead air on WJAR"---they were to call the radio station and report the name of the jock who was responsible for "dead air!" As a result....the jock (male or female) would be 'publicly flogged, stripped of his title and cast out into the street with the other former WJAR announcers!' Of course...every listener who called in would AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY for an "Escape Weekend" at the local MARRIOTT HOTEL in beautiful downtown Providence!

It's a damn shame we never aired this promo. It would have created a lot of feedback from our listeners. At least I still have the master tape somewhere even though I doubt there's ANY MAINE RADIO STATION that would want to copy it!"

argytunes
 
Great concept! I've often thought of trying out WWV or CHU from Canada for a stretch just to see how the listeners would react.



> > Dead air is an outstanding format to attract listeners on
> AM
> > radio especially during a severe electrical storm. That
> > would be my format of choice.
>
> It's interesting you brought DEAD AIR up! During my year
> and a half at the (former) WJAR AM 950 (in Providence, Rhode
> Island), I convinced Peter Mokover, who was the WJAR PD at
> the time, to record a spoof promo for me. We offered WJAR
> listeners a chance to listen for "DEAD AIR ON WJAR!"
>
> The moment they heard ANY "dead air on WJAR"---they were to
> call the radio station and report the name of the jock who
> was responsible for "dead air!" As a result....the jock
> (male or female) would be 'publicly flogged, stripped of his
> title and cast out into the street with the other former
> WJAR announcers!' Of course...every listener who called in
> would AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY for an "Escape Weekend" at the
> local MARRIOTT HOTEL in beautiful downtown Providence!
>
> It's a damn shame we never aired this promo. It would have
> created a lot of feedback from our listeners. At least I
> still have the master tape somewhere even though I doubt
> there's ANY MAINE RADIO STATION that would want to copy it!"
>
>
> argytunes
>
 
> 1. Some of the "catch phrases" that give a station its
> identity...NEED AN UPGRADE! Most of the stations owned by a
> radio group kept playing "the same canned slug lines" over
> and over again.

Not quite sure what you mean by "same slug line over & over" but if you are talking about a stations positioning statement, then yes they SHOULD be repeating the same one over and over again. If you are "The Hit Music Station" than you should say it everychance you can because along with your station name, it helps to build brand identity. The more positiotners you add, the more you blur what your brand is.


> This was annoying and prompted me to hit
> 'the scan button!' Sadly, some of the LIVE on-air
> personalities (particularly one who works for a classical
> radio group) didn't vary their delivery at all! [Not to
> sound stupid...but do Program Directors still critique
> "weekly air checks" with their on-air personalities? Or has
> that professional practice 'gone the way of the dinosaur?'].

Good PD's aircheck, still.
>
>
> 2. Canned syndicated talk programming has some of the lamest
> hosts in the world! Especially when they attempt to be
> funny! It doesn't matter if their political views are
> conservative or liberal...but some of their "alleged humor"
> and "show bits" were terrible! Maybe they looked funny on
> paper, but something happened after they were produced and
> "escaped" from the recording studio? [I still find it
> interesting how Paul Harvey can relate his news stories, but
> doesn't need to "dress them up with a lot of stupid
> one-liners!"].


Be specific....it's always easy to rip someone without giving examples.

>
> 3. How many of the "audio listener endorsements" for a radio
> station (irregardless of the format) are actually FROM
> LISTENERS....and not a secretary or an account executive who
> has been dragged into a production studio, and told to
> "sound like a typical listener?"

Are you serious? Do you know for a fact these were the secretary or AE? Unless you know them, then NO you don't know that...and neither does the listener.

> Granted...WHOM seems to be
> 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line is
> starting to sound a bit tired?

Once again, if you are refering to their positioner, it's part of their brand, it IS who they are. How long had Heinz been "America's Favorite Ketchup?"

> But I wonder about the
> others??? Even some of the people who LOVE FRANK-FM are
> beginning to sound a little...err...phony?
>
> Here's an idea.
>
> If you're a radio listener in Southern, Central or Northern
> Maine...and you could "program" a radio station with 'the
> format of your choice'---what types of music, talk
> programming or alternative would you like to hear? I'll bet
> there are a few of you who WISH a particular artist or
> format was available (and not just from a satellite
> service)?
>
> Maybe a program director...who isn't "completely locked into
> presenting the same old tired old format 24-7...MIGHT take a
> few of your suggestions seriously???
>

Wow, PD's programming their format on their station 24/7...I think they are doing the RIGHT thing then...the more you deviate from your brand, the more hurt your brand. If you were to buy a six pack of Coke and in one of the cans was Sprite, you'd wonder what happened...when you try to become more things to more people with a radio station, the same applies.
 
> It's interesting you brought DEAD AIR up! During my year
> and a half at the (former) WJAR AM 950 (in Providence, Rhode
> Island), I convinced Peter Mokover, who was the WJAR PD at
> the time, to record a spoof promo for me. We offered WJAR
> listeners a chance to listen for "DEAD AIR ON WJAR!"

Not to segue to another topic & market, but was that during the Superstar JAR days? You were there???
 
> > 1. Some of the "catch phrases" that give a station its
> > identity...NEED AN UPGRADE! Most of the stations owned by
> a
> > radio group kept playing "the same canned slug lines" over
>
> > and over again.
>
> Not quite sure what you mean by "same slug line over & over"
> but if you are talking about a stations positioning
> statement, then yes they SHOULD be repeating the same one
> over and over again. If you are "The Hit Music Station"
> than you should say it everychance you can because along
> with your station name, it helps to build brand identity.
> The more positiotners you add, the more you blur what your
> brand is.

IDENTITY IS ONE THING...AND I'M ALL FOR THAT. WHAT'S MONTONOUS IS THE "STUTTER-JOCK" ON WGAN WHEN HIS VOICE IS KEYED IN OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO REPEAT THE SAME DAMN PHRASE! THAT'S ANNOYING! AS FAR AS A HIT MUSIC STATION...EVERYBODY CLAIMS TO "PLAY THE HITS"----SO WHICH RADIO STATION DO YOU ACTUALLY BELIEVE?

I'M WAITING FOR SOME 'HIT FORMATTED RADIO STATION' TO USE THE LINE "ALL MEAT---NO FILLER!" SIMILAR TO WHAT THE ALPO DOG FOOD ADS HAVE BEEN USING FOR YEARS!
>
>
> > This was annoying and prompted me to hit
> > 'the scan button!' Sadly, some of the LIVE on-air
> > personalities (particularly one who works for a classical
> > radio group) didn't vary their delivery at all! [Not to
> > sound stupid...but do Program Directors still critique
> > "weekly air checks" with their on-air personalities? Or
> has
> > that professional practice 'gone the way of the
> dinosaur?'].
>
> Good PD's aircheck, still.

YES...BUT DO THE JOCKS 'GET THE MESSAGE' AND TRY TO IMPROVE? OR JUST FLUFF OFF THE CRITICISM AND "PLAY RADIO STAR" INSTEAD?
> >
> >
> > 2. Canned syndicated talk programming has some of the
> lamest
> > hosts in the world! Especially when they attempt to be
> > funny! It doesn't matter if their political views are
> > conservative or liberal...but some of their "alleged
> humor"
> > and "show bits" were terrible! Maybe they looked funny on
>
> > paper, but something happened after they were produced and
>
> > "escaped" from the recording studio? [I still find it
> > interesting how Paul Harvey can relate his news stories,
> but
> > doesn't need to "dress them up with a lot of stupid
> > one-liners!"].
>
>
> Be specific....it's always easy to rip someone without
> giving examples.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE LINE-UP AT WGAN? WYNZ? AND A FEW OF THE WLOB TALK-SHOW HOSTS? GRANTED...MOST OF THE BAD ONES ARE FROM A SATELLITE OR ARE SYNDICATED. BUT IF THEIR FORMAT IS LAME TO BEGIN WITH, DO YOU REALLY THINK "UNFUNNY HUMOR" IS GONNA HELP? [AND SORRY HOWIE CARR...BUT YOU'RE NOT THAT FUNNY ANYMORE...IN SPITE OF WHAT YOUR PRODUCERS MAY TELL YOU?
>
> >
> > 3. How many of the "audio listener endorsements" for a
> radio
> > station (irregardless of the format) are actually FROM
> > LISTENERS....and not a secretary or an account executive
> who
> > has been dragged into a production studio, and told to
> > "sound like a typical listener?"
>
> Are you serious? Do you know for a fact these were the
> secretary or AE? Unless you know them, then NO you don't
> know that...and neither does the listener.

READ SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS IN THIS THREAD. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS HAVE INDICATED THAT SECRETARIES, AE'S, AND EVEN AN OCCASIONAL GM HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO "VOICE A ONE-LINER!"
>
> > Granted...WHOM seems to be
> > 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line is
> > starting to sound a bit tired?
>
> Once again, if you are refering to their positioner, it's
> part of their brand, it IS who they are. How long had Heinz
> been "America's Favorite Ketchup?"

THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUTTING RED STUFF ON A BUN---AND LISTENING TO A RADIO STATION. KETCHUP IS ENJOYED BY ALL AGE DEMOS...ONE PARTICULAR RADIO STATION ISN'T!!! DO YOU HONESTLY THINK THERE'S ONE "FAVORITE RADIO STATION" IN MAINE? I THOUGHT THE SLOGAN WHOM WAS USING WAS STARTING TO SOUND...."TIRED!"

[KIND OF LIKE ALL THOSE BOB'S DISCOUNT FURNITURE TV SPOTS----BUT I DIGRESS!].
>
> > But I wonder about the
> > others??? Even some of the people who LOVE FRANK-FM are
> > beginning to sound a little...err...phony?
> >
> > Here's an idea.
> >
> > If you're a radio listener in Southern, Central or
> Northern
> > Maine...and you could "program" a radio station with 'the
> > format of your choice'---what types of music, talk
> > programming or alternative would you like to hear? I'll
> bet
> > there are a few of you who WISH a particular artist or
> > format was available (and not just from a satellite
> > service)?
> >
> > Maybe a program director...who isn't "completely locked
> into
> > presenting the same old tired old format 24-7...MIGHT take
> a
> > few of your suggestions seriously???
> >
>
> Wow, PD's programming their format on their station 24/7...I
> think they are doing the RIGHT thing then...the more you
> deviate from your brand, the more hurt your brand. If you
> were to buy a six pack of Coke and in one of the cans was
> Sprite, you'd wonder what happened...when you try to become
> more things to more people with a radio station, the same
> applies.
>
DID YOUR YOUR BROADCAST SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR OR PROFESSOR TELL YOU THIS? OR ARE YOU A PROGRAM DIRECTOR DEFENDING HIS (OR HER) ON-AIR PRODUCT? THE ONE GREAT THING RADIO "USED" TO HAVE GOING FOR IT WAS CREATIVITY! BUT A LOT OF THIS HAS GOTTEN 'LOST IN THE SAUCE!'

LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, IF YOU WERE "FORCE-FED A DIET" OF THE SAME TUNES AND THE SAME LINERS FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH [WITH NO VARIATIONS AT ALL]....HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE YOU TO THROW UP? OR KICK THE RADIO RECEIVER SENSELESS SO YOU WOULDN'T HAVE TO "EAT" ANYMORE OF THE SAME-OLD/SAME-OLD FORMAT?

ARGYTUNES (with apologies for the ALL THE CAPS, but I wanted to respond to each of your questions clearly).
 
>>
> Not to segue to another topic & market, but was that during
> the Superstar JAR days? You were there???


You Bet....I worked with Charlie Jefferds, Mike Sands, Bob Hollands, and several others. Somehow we managed to sell advertisers on the 'one-to-one jock to listener concept' as opposed to the IN YOUR FACE stuff that's present on a lot of stations at the moment.

I was Creative Director for "the nifty 950" for a few years before Outlet sold its radio holdings to someone else. A competitor in the Providence, RI market acquired the AM 950 frequency.

argytunes
 
is.
>
> IDENTITY IS ONE THING...AND I'M ALL FOR THAT. WHAT'S
> MONTONOUS IS THE "STUTTER-JOCK" ON WGAN WHEN HIS VOICE IS
> KEYED IN OVER AND OVER AGAIN TO REPEAT THE SAME DAMN PHRASE!
> THAT'S ANNOYING! AS FAR AS A HIT MUSIC STATION...EVERYBODY
> CLAIMS TO "PLAY THE HITS"----SO WHICH RADIO STATION DO YOU
> ACTUALLY BELIEVE?

I was using "Hit music as an example...and not every station claims to "play the hits", usually HIT music stations claim to ;)


> YES...BUT DO THE JOCKS 'GET THE MESSAGE' AND TRY TO IMPROVE?
> OR JUST FLUFF OFF THE CRITICISM AND "PLAY RADIO STAR"
> INSTEAD?

If the PD has the respect of the jocks and they are willing to learn, then "they get the message"...but you can't say all do or don't apply what is covered in an aircheck session because each person is an individual.


> WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE LINE-UP AT WGAN? WYNZ? AND
> A FEW OF THE WLOB TALK-SHOW HOSTS? GRANTED...MOST OF THE
> BAD ONES ARE FROM A SATELLITE OR ARE SYNDICATED. BUT IF
> THEIR FORMAT IS LAME TO BEGIN WITH, DO YOU REALLY THINK
> "UNFUNNY HUMOR" IS GONNA HELP? [AND SORRY HOWIE CARR...BUT
> YOU'RE NOT THAT FUNNY ANYMORE...IN SPITE OF WHAT YOUR
> PRODUCERS MAY TELL YOU?

If you don't like it, TURN THE STATION. Some people enjoy the stations you mentioned, you obviously are not one of them...it's ok, I don't like country music but I am not going to start ripping into Kenny Chesney because of it, I simply choose not to listen.

> READ SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS IN THIS THREAD. OTHER
> CONTRIBUTORS HAVE INDICATED THAT SECRETARIES, AE'S, AND EVEN
> AN OCCASIONAL GM HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO "VOICE A ONE-LINER!"

Ok, so a bunch of RADIO people know that these people are the GM, receptionist, janitor, et al...but the average listener doesn't know...and if you are reading this board, you are not an average listener.


> >
> > > Granted...WHOM seems to be
> > > 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line
> is
> > > starting to sound a bit tired?
> >
> > Once again, if you are refering to their positioner, it's
> > part of their brand, it IS who they are. How long had
> Heinz
> > been "America's Favorite Ketchup?"
>
> THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUTTING RED STUFF ON A
> BUN---AND LISTENING TO A RADIO STATION. KETCHUP IS ENJOYED
> BY ALL AGE DEMOS...ONE PARTICULAR RADIO STATION ISN'T!!! DO
> YOU HONESTLY THINK THERE'S ONE "FAVORITE RADIO STATION" IN
> MAINE? I THOUGHT THE SLOGAN WHOM WAS USING WAS STARTING TO
> SOUND...."TIRED!"

Point is, that their positioner is part of their brand like any GOOD brand (ie, Heinz Ketchup). I wasn't comparing a radio station to a condiment...lol.


> DID YOUR YOUR BROADCAST SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR OR PROFESSOR TELL
> YOU THIS? OR ARE YOU A PROGRAM DIRECTOR DEFENDING HIS (OR
> HER) ON-AIR PRODUCT?

I am a Program Director, but not in the area (I used to work in the area a few years ago and I still keep in touch with many in the New England).

> THE ONE GREAT THING RADIO "USED" TO
> HAVE GOING FOR IT WAS CREATIVITY! BUT A LOT OF THIS HAS
> GOTTEN 'LOST IN THE SAUCE!'

You can still have creativity within a format.

>
> LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, IF YOU WERE "FORCE-FED A DIET"

I didn't realize radio stations were forcing you to listen...damn, I should try that in my market, that can only HELP ratings ;)

> OF
> THE SAME TUNES AND THE SAME LINERS FOR AN ENTIRE MONTH [WITH
> NO VARIATIONS AT ALL]....

I agree that you should keep your imaging fresh and updated, and I do as a PD. And I am sure there are stations that don't update and don't care, but don't lump every station into that generalization...there are a lot of hard working people that you insult by doing that...or if you are going to, don't do it behind a screen name.


> HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE YOU TO THROW
> UP? OR KICK THE RADIO RECEIVER SENSELESS SO YOU WOULDN'T
> HAVE TO "EAT" ANYMORE OF THE SAME-OLD/SAME-OLD FORMAT?

Just because you don't deviate from a format doesn't mean you can't keep the stations sounding fresh...it all comes down to the PD.

>
> ARGYTUNES (with apologies for the ALL THE CAPS, but I wanted
> to respond to each of your questions clearly).
>

You are ANGRY all right...you should try decaf...lol!!
 
> >>
> > Not to segue to another topic & market, but was that
> during
> > the Superstar JAR days? You were there???
>
>
> You Bet....I worked with Charlie Jefferds, Mike Sands, Bob
> Hollands, and several others. Somehow we managed to sell
> advertisers on the 'one-to-one jock to listener concept' as
> opposed to the IN YOUR FACE stuff that's present on a lot of
> stations at the moment.

WHICH ONES? Agggghhhhhhh...once again, you generalize...use specifics.

>
> I was Creative Director for "the nifty 950" for a few years
> before Outlet sold its radio holdings to someone else. A
> competitor in the Providence, RI market acquired the AM 950
> frequency.
>
> argytunes
>
 
> > WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO THROUGH THE LINE-UP AT WGAN? WYNZ?
> AND
> > A FEW OF THE WLOB TALK-SHOW HOSTS? GRANTED...MOST OF THE
> > BAD ONES ARE FROM A SATELLITE OR ARE SYNDICATED. BUT IF
> > THEIR FORMAT IS LAME TO BEGIN WITH, DO YOU REALLY THINK
> > "UNFUNNY HUMOR" IS GONNA HELP? [AND SORRY HOWIE
> CARR...BUT
> > YOU'RE NOT THAT FUNNY ANYMORE...IN SPITE OF WHAT YOUR
> > PRODUCERS MAY TELL YOU?
>
> If you don't like it, TURN THE STATION. Some people enjoy
> the stations you mentioned, you obviously are not one of
> them...it's ok, I don't like country music but I am not
> going to start ripping into Kenny Chesney because of it, I
> simply choose not to listen.

DID I MISS SOMETHING HERE? YOU ASKED ME FOR SPECIFIC EXAMPLES AND I GAVE YOU A FEW. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT SOME LISTENERS WILL SUDDENLY GIVE UP THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC FORMAT OR TALK SHOW PROGRAM IF THEY'RE HOOKED ON IT!

>
> > READ SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS IN THIS THREAD. OTHER
> > CONTRIBUTORS HAVE INDICATED THAT SECRETARIES, AE'S, AND
> EVEN
> > AN OCCASIONAL GM HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO "VOICE A
> ONE-LINER!"
>
> Ok, so a bunch of RADIO people know that these people are
> the GM, receptionist, janitor, et al...but the "average
> listener" doesn't know...and if you are reading this board,
> you are not an average listener.

THE KEYWORDS ARE "AVERAGE LISTENER"----AND THANKS TO CONSULTANTS AND OUTSIDERS WHO DON'T KNOW THE MARKET...OR WANT TO COMPARE IT WITH 6 OTHERS...THAT IS WHAT MOST RADIO STATIONS IN NEW ENGLAND HAVE BECOME....AVERAGE! UNFORTUNATELY...THE ATTITUDE SEEMS TO BE "NOBODY GIVES A S**T---SO WE'LL KEEP PLAYING THE SAME 50 SONGS INTERSPERSED WITH THE SAME "LINERS" OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
>
>
> > >
> > > > Granted...WHOM seems to be
> > > > 'presenting real people'---even though their slug line
>
> > is
> > > > starting to sound a bit tired?
> > >
> > > Once again, if you are refering to their positioner,
> it's
> > > part of their brand, it IS who they are. How long had
> > Heinz
> > > been "America's Favorite Ketchup?"
> >
> > THERE'S A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUTTING RED STUFF ON A
> > BUN---AND LISTENING TO A RADIO STATION. KETCHUP IS ENJOYED
>
> > BY ALL AGE DEMOS...ONE PARTICULAR RADIO STATION ISN'T!!!
> DO
> > YOU HONESTLY THINK THERE'S ONE "FAVORITE RADIO STATION" IN
>
> > MAINE? I THOUGHT THE SLOGAN WHOM WAS USING WAS STARTING
> TO
> > SOUND...."TIRED!"
>
> Point is, that their positioner is part of their brand like
> any GOOD brand (ie, Heinz Ketchup). I wasn't comparing a
> radio station to a condiment...lol.

THEN WHY USE THE HEINZ KETCHUP REFERENCE? DOES HEINZ KETCHUP APPEAL TO A CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC....LIKE MOST RADIO STATIONS DO? OR DO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES USE IT ON A HOT DOG OR A HAMBURGER?
>
>
> > THE ONE GREAT THING RADIO "USED" TO
> > HAVE GOING FOR IT WAS CREATIVITY! BUT A LOT OF THIS HAS
> > GOTTEN 'LOST IN THE SAUCE!'
>
> You can still have creativity within a format.

AGREED....BUT IT'S OFTEN IGNORED BECAUSE OF THE "WE'VE ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY" MENTALITY. MANY PDS, AE'S AND GM'S ARE INTERESTED IN "GETTING THE NEW SPOT OR PROMO ON THE AIR AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE"----NO MATTER HOW LAME THE SPOT MIGHT SOUND! IF THE "HYPE" DOESN'T MATCH THE PRODUCT (OR PROMOTION)....PEOPLE STOP BELIEVING! [I'M SURE YOU'LL ARGUE WITH ME ABOUT THIS TOO?].
>
> >
>
> I agree that you should keep your imaging fresh and updated,
> and I do as a PD. And I am sure there are stations that
> don't update and don't care, but don't lump every station
> into that generalization...there are a lot of hard working
> people that you insult by doing that...or if you are going
> to, don't do it behind a screen name.

FIRST....I'M NOT "KNOCKING THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE" CONNECTED WITH THE RADIO/TV BUSINESS...BECAUSE I KNOW MANY OF THEM! MANY OF THE STAFF MEMBERS (ANNOUNCERS, AE'S, COPYWRITERS, PRODUCERS, ETC.) ARE BASICALLY CARRYING OUT THE WISHES OF A GM, GSM OR PD BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR JOB! UNFORTUNATELY, A FEW OF THE CURRENT "MANAGEMENT TYPES" HAVE NO BUSINESS BEING IN THE BUSINESS. FOR SOME, AS LONG AS THE STATION MAKES MONEY---THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!

SCAN THE DIAL LIKE I HAVE.....AND DO IT DURING DIFFERENT DAYPARTS/NIGHTPARTS AND WEEKENDS. YOU'LL SEE I'M NOT JUST RANTING---THERE'S A COMMON THREAD TO MOST OF WHAT LISTENERS ARE HEARING. THE KEYWORD IS: "TIRED!"

GRANTED, IT'S TOUGHER TO MAKE AN EXISTING FORMAT SOUND "FRESH"---BUT SINCE YOU'RE A PD, YOU KNOW THAT THIS CONCEPT CAN BE DONE! YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "FRESH SOUNDING RADIO STATION" AND ONE THAT BOUNCES BACK TO THE SAME 3 LINES TIME AND TIME AGAIN! IMAGING IS ONE THING...VOCAL EXECUTION IS ANOTHER!
>
>> Just because you don't deviate from a format doesn't mean
> you can't keep the stations sounding fresh...it all comes
> down to the PD.

AGREED....BUT HOW MUCH "SAY" DOES A PROGRAM DIRECTOR HAVE IN A FORMAT? OR IS HE OR SHE MERELY EXECUTING A "COMMAND FROM A CONSULTANT?"
>
>
> You are ANGRY all right...you should try decaf...lol!!

ANOTHER LAME ATTEMPT AT HUMOR, BUT YOUR JOKE HAS BEEN USED THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN THE PAST---SO I'LL LET IT SLIDE.

HERE'S MY POINT...WHEN THERE'S A PERFECT SOURCE FOR COMMUNICATING WITH A LISTENER "ONE TO ONE"...(a.k.a. A RADIO STATION)...WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOUNDING "TERRIFIC", BUT INSTEAD...FINDS IT EASIER TO "COAST ALONG"...IT DOES MAKE ME ANGRY!

LISTENERS AND ADVERTISERS HAVE MORE CHOICES NOW. SO IF KEEPING THEM FROM LEAVING A SINKING SHIP (a.k.a. a BORING radio station) FOR A COMPETITOR IS IMPORTANT TO AN OWNER OR A LARGE RADIO GROUP...."a change or two has gotta come!"

THE DAYS OF "WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 100 YEARS SO WE'RE GREAT" ARE OVER!

argytunes
 
>> > You Bet....I worked with Charlie Jefferds, Mike Sands, Bob
>
> > Hollands, and several others. Somehow we managed to sell
> > advertisers on the 'one-to-one jock to listener concept'
> as
> > opposed to the IN YOUR FACE stuff that's present on a lot
> of
> > stations at the moment.
>
> WHICH ONES? Agggghhhhhhh...once again, you generalize...use
> specifics.

I WORKED WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE AIR PERSONALITIES...PLUS JOE MACMILLAN AND MIKE IVERS. IS THAT SPECIFIC ENOUGH FOR YOU? OR DO I NEED TO RUN DOWN THE LIST OF ALL THE ADVERTISERS WE HAD AT THE TIME....WHICH, I CONFESS, IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE!

argytunes
 
> DID I MISS SOMETHING HERE? YOU ASKED ME FOR SPECIFIC
> EXAMPLES AND I GAVE YOU A FEW. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT SOME
> LISTENERS WILL SUDDENLY GIVE UP THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC FORMAT
> OR TALK SHOW PROGRAM IF THEY'RE HOOKED ON IT!
>

My point was that YOU think they may be lame or tired, but the listeners who enjoy it DON'T...did you see WGAN's 12+ ratings...obviously the appeal to SOMEBODY.

> >
> > > READ SOME OF THE OTHER COMMENTS IN THIS THREAD. OTHER
> > > CONTRIBUTORS HAVE INDICATED THAT SECRETARIES, AE'S, AND
> > EVEN
> > > AN OCCASIONAL GM HAS BEEN CALLED IN TO "VOICE A
> > ONE-LINER!"
> >
> > Ok, so a bunch of RADIO people know that these people are
> > the GM, receptionist, janitor, et al...but the "average
> > listener" doesn't know...and if you are reading this
> board,
> > you are not an average listener.
>
> THE KEYWORDS ARE "AVERAGE LISTENER"----AND THANKS TO
> CONSULTANTS AND OUTSIDERS WHO DON'T KNOW THE MARKET...OR
> WANT TO COMPARE IT WITH 6 OTHERS...THAT IS WHAT MOST RADIO
> STATIONS IN NEW ENGLAND HAVE BECOME....AVERAGE!

Nice way to skirt the issue of what I said to turn this into a consultant bashing thread...lol...you seem REAL bitter.


> UNFORTUNATELY...THE ATTITUDE SEEMS TO BE "NOBODY GIVES A
> S**T---SO WE'LL KEEP PLAYING THE SAME 50 SONGS INTERSPERSED
> WITH THE SAME "LINERS" OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
> >

Once again, is this EVERY station? NO. Why don't you rip who you don't like instead lumping everyone together.

>
> THEN WHY USE THE HEINZ KETCHUP REFERENCE? DOES HEINZ
> KETCHUP APPEAL TO A CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC....LIKE MOST
> RADIO STATIONS DO? OR DO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES USE IT ON A HOT
> DOG OR A HAMBURGER?

As someone who was a Creative Service or Prod director (I believe you said those are your credentials), you don't get "Brand Identity" do you? It doesn't matter what your business is, to create a brand certain criteria need to be met and marketing/advertising is one of those factors. Imaging and positioners "advertise" your brand.



> >
> >
> > > THE ONE GREAT THING RADIO "USED" TO
> > > HAVE GOING FOR IT WAS CREATIVITY! BUT A LOT OF THIS HAS
>
> > > GOTTEN 'LOST IN THE SAUCE!'
> >
> > You can still have creativity within a format.
>
> AGREED....BUT IT'S OFTEN IGNORED BECAUSE OF THE "WE'VE
> ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY" MENTALITY.

You say that radio used to have creativity...then you say PD's and GM's do things the way they do today (which is not creative) because that's of their "we;ve always done it this way" mentality. Make up your mind. Either radio was good or it has always sucked...pick a side of your mouth and stick to talking out of it.

> MANY PDS, AE'S AND GM'S
> ARE INTERESTED IN "GETTING THE NEW SPOT OR PROMO ON THE AIR
> AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE"----NO MATTER HOW LAME THE SPOT MIGHT
> SOUND!

More GM's and GSM's are interested in getting a lame spot on than PD's...lol.

> IF THE "HYPE" DOESN'T MATCH THE PRODUCT (OR
> PROMOTION)....PEOPLE STOP BELIEVING! [I'M SURE YOU'LL ARGUE
> WITH ME ABOUT THIS TOO?].

Without specifics, I can't agree or disagree with you.

> >
> > >
> >
> > I agree that you should keep your imaging fresh and
> updated,
> > and I do as a PD. And I am sure there are stations that
> > don't update and don't care, but don't lump every station
> > into that generalization...there are a lot of hard working
>
> > people that you insult by doing that...or if you are going
>
> > to, don't do it behind a screen name.
>
> FIRST....I'M NOT "KNOCKING THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE"
> CONNECTED WITH THE RADIO/TV BUSINESS...BECAUSE I KNOW MANY
> OF THEM! MANY OF THE STAFF MEMBERS (ANNOUNCERS, AE'S,
> COPYWRITERS, PRODUCERS, ETC.) ARE BASICALLY CARRYING OUT THE
> WISHES OF A GM, GSM OR PD BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR JOB!
> UNFORTUNATELY, A FEW OF THE CURRENT "MANAGEMENT TYPES" HAVE
> NO BUSINESS BEING IN THE BUSINESS.

Harsh words...you are tough when it is a generalization...who are you talking about??????

> FOR SOME, AS LONG AS THE
> STATION MAKES MONEY---THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!
>

GO figure, a business that makes money...wow...that's is sooooooo un-American.


> SCAN THE DIAL LIKE I HAVE.....AND DO IT DURING DIFFERENT
> DAYPARTS/NIGHTPARTS AND WEEKENDS. YOU'LL SEE I'M NOT JUST
> RANTING---THERE'S A COMMON THREAD TO MOST OF WHAT LISTENERS
> ARE HEARING. THE KEYWORD IS: "TIRED!"

To you, maybe. Listenership is up in a lot of markets.

>
> GRANTED, IT'S TOUGHER TO MAKE AN EXISTING FORMAT SOUND
> "FRESH"---BUT SINCE YOU'RE A PD, YOU KNOW THAT THIS CONCEPT
> CAN BE DONE! YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "FRESH
> SOUNDING RADIO STATION" AND ONE THAT BOUNCES BACK TO THE
> SAME 3 LINES TIME AND TIME AGAIN! IMAGING IS ONE
> THING...VOCAL EXECUTION IS ANOTHER!

Huh? Do you mean with the image voice or with the jocks? If the station voice sounds redundant or the jocks sound monotone, than yes, the PD is NOT doing his job...but once again, WHICH STATIONS?????????????

> >
> >> Just because you don't deviate from a format doesn't mean
>
> > you can't keep the stations sounding fresh...it all comes
> > down to the PD.
>
> AGREED....BUT HOW MUCH "SAY" DOES A PROGRAM DIRECTOR HAVE IN
> A FORMAT? OR IS HE OR SHE MERELY EXECUTING A "COMMAND FROM
> A CONSULTANT?"

It depends. I have pleanty of say in my station.


> >
> >
> > You are ANGRY all right...you should try decaf...lol!!
>
> ANOTHER LAME ATTEMPT AT HUMOR, BUT YOUR JOKE HAS BEEN USED
> THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN THE PAST---SO I'LL LET IT SLIDE.

Maybe you should take the advice if it has been said thousands of time in the past.

>
> HERE'S MY POINT...WHEN THERE'S A PERFECT SOURCE FOR
> COMMUNICATING WITH A LISTENER "ONE TO ONE"...(a.k.a. A RADIO
> STATION)...WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOUNDING "TERRIFIC",
> BUT INSTEAD...FINDS IT EASIER TO "COAST ALONG"...IT DOES
> MAKE ME ANGRY!

Which ones?

>
> LISTENERS AND ADVERTISERS HAVE MORE CHOICES NOW. SO IF
> KEEPING THEM FROM LEAVING A SINKING SHIP (a.k.a. a BORING
> radio station) FOR A COMPETITOR IS IMPORTANT TO AN OWNER OR
> A LARGE RADIO GROUP...."a change or two has gotta come!"

Once again, which station is boring? The one you used in a previous "example" is the number 1 12+ station in Portland...what a sinking ship that is!!!

And what changes do you propose?

>
> THE DAYS OF "WE'VE BEEN AROUND FOR 100 YEARS SO WE'RE GREAT"
> ARE OVER!
>
> argytunes

Radio today is much different than it was even 4 or 5 years ago, never mind 10 or 15 and it takes a certain type of person to survive in the industry today. It is obvious to me that radio has passed you by and you are bitter and it's easier to blame the consultants or group owners than to admit it. If you are so knowledgeable, why aren't you making a difference in radio today?
 
> >> > You Bet....I worked with Charlie Jefferds, Mike Sands,
> Bob
> >
> > > Hollands, and several others. Somehow we managed to
> sell
> > > advertisers on the 'one-to-one jock to listener concept'
>
> > as
> > > opposed to the IN YOUR FACE stuff that's present on a
> lot
> > of
> > > stations at the moment.
> >
> > WHICH ONES? Agggghhhhhhh...once again, you
> generalize...use
> > specifics.
>
> I WORKED WITH ALL OF THE ABOVE AIR PERSONALITIES...PLUS JOE
> MACMILLAN AND MIKE IVERS. IS THAT SPECIFIC ENOUGH FOR YOU?
> OR DO I NEED TO RUN DOWN THE LIST OF ALL THE ADVERTISERS WE
> HAD AT THE TIME....WHICH, I CONFESS, IS VIRTUALLY
> IMPOSSIBLE!
>

Are you really that thick headed or did you eat paint chips as a kid??? I meant which stations use the IN YOUR FACE tactics???????????????

Obviously I know the jocks you named are specific examples...and since you said something good about them, you used their names BUT you left out the names of those you bash...it's a common pattern for you I see.

> argytunes
>
 
> > DID I MISS SOMETHING HERE? YOU ASKED ME FOR SPECIFIC
> > EXAMPLES AND I GAVE YOU A FEW. THAT'S NOT TO SAY THAT
> SOME
> > LISTENERS WILL SUDDENLY GIVE UP THEIR FAVORITE MUSIC
> FORMAT
> > OR TALK SHOW PROGRAM IF THEY'RE HOOKED ON IT!
> >
>
> My point was that YOU think they may be lame or tired, but
> the listeners who enjoy it DON'T...did you see WGAN's 12+
> ratings...obviously the appeal to SOMEBODY.

PERSONALLY....I THINK IT'S A CREDIT TO WGAN TO HAVE THE SAME "STUTTERING VOICE TRACK ANNOUNCER" DOING THE SAME LINERS OVER AND OVER...AND STILL COMING OUT ON TOP! HOWEVER, YOU DIDN'T HAPPEN TO NOTE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE AUDIENCE WAS ACTUALLY LISTENING? DID WGAN GET A 10% SHARE OF THE AUDIENCE? 20%?? 40%???

THE KEYWORDS ARE "AVERAGE LISTENER"----AND THANKS TO
> > CONSULTANTS AND OUTSIDERS WHO DON'T KNOW THE MARKET...OR
> > WANT TO COMPARE IT WITH 6 OTHERS...THAT IS WHAT MOST RADIO
>
> > STATIONS IN NEW ENGLAND HAVE BECOME....AVERAGE!
>
> Nice way to skirt the issue of what I said to turn this into
> a consultant bashing thread...lol...you seem REAL bitter.

AND YOU SOUND VERY DEFENSIVE!!!! AS MUCH AS YOU'D LIKE TO ASSUME CONSULTANTS KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY MARKET...........THEY DON'T! FOR ALL I KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE A PART-TIME CONSULTANT "IN DISGUISE?"
>
> > UNFORTUNATELY...THE ATTITUDE SEEMS TO BE "NOBODY GIVES A
> > S**T---SO WE'LL KEEP PLAYING THE SAME 50 SONGS
> INTERSPERSED
> > WITH THE SAME "LINERS" OVER AND OVER AGAIN!
> > >
>
> Once again, is this EVERY station? NO. Why don't you rip
> who you don't like instead lumping everyone together.

WHY DON'T YOU GIVE ME A FEW OF THE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS? DON'T MOST MUSIC STATIONS HAVE PLAYLISTS OF 50-75 SONGS---SOME MORE HEAVILY ROTATED THAN OTHERS? I'VE CITED CERTAIN STATIONS AND FORMATS IN THE PAST THREADS. WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME WHICH OF THE COMMERCIAL ONES YOU THINK ARE "OUTSTANDING?" [PUBLIC RADIO DOESN'T COUNT...BECAUSE IT TRIES TO BE "A THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE!"].
>
> >
> > THEN WHY USE THE HEINZ KETCHUP REFERENCE? DOES HEINZ
> > KETCHUP APPEAL TO A CERTAIN AGE DEMOGRAPHIC....LIKE MOST
> > RADIO STATIONS DO? OR DO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES USE IT ON A
> HOT
> > DOG OR A HAMBURGER?
>
> As someone who was a Creative Service or Prod director (I
> believe you said those are your credentials), you don't get
> "Brand Identity" do you? It doesn't matter what your
> business is, to create a brand certain criteria need to be
> met and marketing/advertising is one of those factors.
> Imaging and positioners "advertise" your brand.

I'LL CONCEDE THIS....BUT YOU COMPARED A GENERIC PRODUCT (KETCHUP) TO A SPECIALIZED FORMAT FOR A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE DEMOGRAPHIC. ASK TIM MOORE WHAT THE AGE OF HIS "TARGET AUDIENCE" IS? I DOUBT IT'S THE TYPICAL 12-18 YEAR OLD TEENAGER WHO WOULD RATHER "RAP", "ROCK WITH THE OLDIES" OR "BANG WITH THE BONE?" NOR THE LISTENERS WHO ARE CRAZY ABOUT "THE CLASSICAL STATION" OR PROGRESSIVE JAZZ? NOR THE 24-HOUR NEWS-TALK ENTHUSIASTS WHO WOULD RATHER LISTEN TO A LIBERAL OR CONSERVATIVE INSTEAD OF GETTING 6-8 HOURS OF SLEEP?

> > > You can still have creativity within a format.
> >
> > AGREED....BUT IT'S OFTEN IGNORED BECAUSE OF THE "WE'VE
> > ALWAYS DONE IT THIS WAY" MENTALITY.
>
> You say that radio used to have creativity...then you say
> PD's and GM's do things the way they do today (which is not
> creative) because that's of their "we;ve always done it this
> way" mentality. Make up your mind. Either radio was good or
> it has always sucked...pick a side of your mouth and stick
> to talking out of it.

ONCE AGAIN...YOU'RE GETTING "A LITTLE TOO DEFENSIVE"---TYPICAL OF A PROGRAMMING PERSON WHO HATES ANY SORT OF CRITICISM WHEN IT HITS TOO CLOSE TO HOME! THERE'S A COMPLANCENCY THAT HAS BUILT UP OVER THE PAST 4-5 YEARS...AND THE RULE OF THUMB HAS BEEN 'IF A SLUG LINE MODERATELY WORKS' WE REALLY DON'T NEED TO CHANGE IT!

INCIDENTALLY...BOTH OF THE AFOREMENTIONED ANSWERS ARE CORRECT!

DEPENDING UPON THE DECADE...CERTAIN RADIO STATIONS (LIKE WLOB, "THE BIG JAB", WMGX, WBLM, WPOR, AND NOW FRANK-FM TO NAME 6) WERE OFTEN SINGLED OUT FOR THEIR "CLEVER FORMATS AND AIR PERSONALITIES WHO COULD SOMEHOW INTERACT WITH LISTENERS---AND MAKE THE SPECIFIC FORMAT INTERESTING?" PUTTING WGAN'S CURRENT #1 RATING ASIDE, WHO MIGHT YOU SUGGEST IS MAKING "A REAL DENT IN THIS MARKET" RIGHT NOW?

>
> More GM's and GSM's are interested in getting a lame spot on
> than PD's...lol.

AND YET...IF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR IS RESPONSIBLE (OVERALL) FOR THE ON-AIR PRODUCT OF HIS OR HER RADIO STATION....HE (OR SHE) IS OVERRIDDEN BY THE GM AND GSM....AS LONG AS THERE ARE A FEW EXTRA BUCKS INVOLVED....CORRECT?
>
> > IF THE "HYPE" DOESN'T MATCH THE PRODUCT (OR
> > PROMOTION)....PEOPLE STOP BELIEVING! [I'M SURE YOU'LL
> ARGUE
> > WITH ME ABOUT THIS TOO?].
>
> Without specifics, I can't agree or disagree with you.

THIS IS THE REASON I SUGGESTED YOU SCAN THE DIAL DURING DIFFERENT DAYPARTS AND ON THE WEEKENDS. LISTEN TO THE LINERS...THE PROMOS...THE COMMERCIALS! I ALREADY HAVE DONE THIS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PROGRAMMING I HEARD SOUNDED
"TIRED!"
>
> > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > I agree that you should keep your imaging fresh and
> > updated,
> > > and I do as a PD. And I am sure there are stations that
>
> > > don't update and don't care, but don't lump every
> station
> > > into that generalization...there are a lot of hard
> working
> >
> > > people that you insult by doing that...or if you are
> going
> >
> > > to, don't do it behind a screen name.
> >
> > FIRST....I'M NOT "KNOCKING THE HARD WORKING PEOPLE"
> > CONNECTED WITH THE RADIO/TV BUSINESS...BECAUSE I KNOW MANY
>
> > OF THEM! MANY OF THE STAFF MEMBERS (ANNOUNCERS, AE'S,
> > COPYWRITERS, PRODUCERS, ETC.) ARE BASICALLY CARRYING OUT
> THE
> > WISHES OF A GM, GSM OR PD BECAUSE THAT'S THEIR JOB!
> > UNFORTUNATELY, A FEW OF THE CURRENT "MANAGEMENT TYPES"
> HAVE
> > NO BUSINESS BEING IN THE BUSINESS.
>
> Harsh words...you are tough when it is a
> generalization...who are you talking about??????

YOU ARE A PROGRAM DIRECTOR...AND YOU CAN'T TELL A GOOD ANNOUNCER FROM A MEDIOCRE ONE??? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS? OR IS THIS JUST A SIDE JOB?
>
> > FOR SOME, AS LONG AS THE
> > STATION MAKES MONEY---THAT'S ALL THAT MATTERS!
> >
>
> GO figure, a business that makes money...wow...that's is
> sooooooo un-American.

SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY MOST RADIO STATIONS CAN MAKE ANY MONEY THESE DAYS IS TO SERVE UP A "BUCKET OF CRAP" AND FORCE FEED IT TO LISTENERS WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING WITH A LITTLE MORE SUBSTANCE? THEN AGAIN....YOU CITED "THE AVERAGE LISTENER" IN EARLIER THREADS SO YOU'RE PROBABLY ONLY INTERESTED IN "PASSIVE" LISTENERS? YOU KNOW...THE ONES WHO KEEP THEIR RADIOS ON IN THE BACKGROUND??
>
>
> >
> > GRANTED, IT'S TOUGHER TO MAKE AN EXISTING FORMAT SOUND
> > "FRESH"---BUT SINCE YOU'RE A PD, YOU KNOW THAT THIS
> CONCEPT
> > CAN BE DONE! YOU CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A "FRESH
> > SOUNDING RADIO STATION" AND ONE THAT BOUNCES BACK TO THE
> > SAME 3 LINES TIME AND TIME AGAIN! IMAGING IS ONE
> > THING...VOCAL EXECUTION IS ANOTHER!
>
> Huh? Do you mean with the image voice or with the jocks?
> If the station voice sounds redundant or the jocks sound
> monotone, than yes, the PD is NOT doing his job...but once
> again, WHICH STATIONS?????????????

IF YOU'RE GONNA USE "AN IMAGE VOICE"----WHAT'S WRONG WITH VARYING IT A LITTLE OR POSSIBLY CHANGING A LINE OR TWO EVERY FEW WEEKS? LIVE ANNOUNCERS----AND IT'S HARD TO TELL THESE DAYS WHICH ONES ARE ACTUALLY "LIVE" OR ARE PART OF A PRE-RECORDED AUTOMATED STOPSET...OFTEN HAVE A TENDENCY TO SOUND LIKE "I'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS SO MANY TIMES...I'M GONNA RECITE THE IMAGE LINER WITH VERY LITTLE ENTHUSIASM CUZ NOBODY OUT THERE IS LISTENING THAT CLOSELY!" [A CERTAIN AFTERNOON ANNOUNCER WHO WORKS FOR A GROUP OF CLASSICAL RADIO STATIONS IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND, BUT SINCE 'NAME DROPPING IS TACKY'...I'LL LET YOU DISCOVER WHO HE IS!].

NOW...IF YOU WANT ME TO DISSECT EVERY RADIO STATION IN THE STATE OF MAINE (WHICH NUMBER AT LEAST 24 OR 25)...WE CAN DRAW UP A CONTRACT AND YOU CAN PAY ME FOR MY TIME! I'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE AND BECAUSE I HAVE NO CONNECTION WITH ANY RADIO GROUP OR STATION AT THE PRESENT TIME, I CERTAINLY CAN BE MORE OBJECTIVE!
>
> > >
> > >> Just because you don't deviate from a format doesn't
> mean
> >
> > > you can't keep the stations sounding fresh...it all
> comes
> > > down to the PD.
> >
> > AGREED....BUT HOW MUCH "SAY" DOES A PROGRAM DIRECTOR HAVE
> IN
> > A FORMAT? OR IS HE OR SHE MERELY EXECUTING A "COMMAND
> FROM
> > A CONSULTANT?"
>
> It depends. I have pleanty of say in my station.

MUST BE NICE? SOME PD'S DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY! MANY TAKE THEIR "ORDERS" FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE!
>
>
> > >
> > >
> > > You are ANGRY all right...you should try decaf...lol!!
> >
> > ANOTHER LAME ATTEMPT AT HUMOR, BUT YOUR JOKE HAS BEEN USED
>
> > THOUSANDS OF TIMES IN THE PAST---SO I'LL LET IT SLIDE.
>
> Maybe you should take the advice if it has been said
> thousands of time in the past.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOUR JOKE...IT'S VERY OLD! HOWEVER...MAYBE YOU SHOULD STOP BEING "SO DEFENSIVE" WHEN IT COMES TO A LITTLE CRITICISM???

>
> >
> > HERE'S MY POINT...WHEN THERE'S A PERFECT SOURCE FOR
> > COMMUNICATING WITH A LISTENER "ONE TO ONE"...(a.k.a. A
> RADIO
> > STATION)...WHICH HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SOUNDING
> "TERRIFIC",
> > BUT INSTEAD...FINDS IT EASIER TO "COAST ALONG"...IT DOES
> > MAKE ME ANGRY!
>
> Which ones?

I'VE ALREADY BROUGHT UP SOME OF THEM....INCLUDING THE #1 STATION (ACCORDING TO THE CURRENT RATING BOOK)! I STILL FIND IT AMUSING THAT WGAN PROMOTES BASEBALL GAMES AND OTHER SPORTS THAT CAN ONLY BE HEARD IN YORK COUNTY (ON AM 1400---A 1000 WATT RADIO STATION THAT REDUCES ITS POWER AND GOES DIRECTIONAL AT NIGHT) OR ON AM 1490 WHICH HAS A TOTAL COVERAGE AREA OF ABOUT 35 MILES BEFORE IT STARTS FADING AWAY!

>
> >
> > LISTENERS AND ADVERTISERS HAVE MORE CHOICES NOW. SO IF
> > KEEPING THEM FROM LEAVING A SINKING SHIP (a.k.a. a BORING
> > radio station) FOR A COMPETITOR IS IMPORTANT TO AN OWNER
> OR
> > A LARGE RADIO GROUP...."a change or two has gotta come!"
>
>
> Once again, which station is boring? The one you used in a
> previous "example" is the number 1 12+ station in
> Portland...what a sinking ship that is!!!

AND HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN SINCE WGAN WAS THE #1 STATION IN THE MARKET??? YOU STILL DIDN'T INDICATE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE AUDIENCE WAS LISTENING TO IT?? AND WAS IT THE DESIRED 25-49 YEAR OLD DEMOGRAPHIC? OLDER LISTENERS? A MIXED BAG?
>
> And what changes do you propose?

YOU'RE A BIG FAN OF GETTING "FREE ANSWERS"....AREN'T YA?

HOW ABOUT AN INTERACTIVE MORNING SHOW THAT APPEALS TO WOMEN 25-49 FOR STARTERS?
MUCH OF THE TALK PROGRAMMING IS "MALE ORIENTED"---

I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WOMEN ANNOUNCERS ARE REQUIRED TO "LAUGH" AT A MALE JOCK'S JOKE THAT ISN'T FUNNY! I GUESS THAT'S CALLED BEING "A TEAM PLAYER", HUH? HAVE YOU EVER HEARD A FEMALE CO-HOST TELL A MAN TO "STUFF IT?"

HOW ABOUT SOME HONEST PROMOS TELLING LISTENERS WHAT A STATION DOES INSTEAD OF EXPECTING LISTENERS TO REMEMBER "THE COMPLETE PROGRAM LINEUP" FOR A BROADCAST DAY? AN OCCASIONAL "THANK YOU" WOULDN'T HURT EITHER....ALTHOUGH I KNOW THERE ARE SOME STATIONS IN MAINE WHO ALREADY DOING THIS!

IF AN UPCOMING REMOTE BROADCAST IS REALLY TERRIFIC...TELL US WHY...INSTEAD OF MAKING THE EVENT SOUND LIKE "THE 2ND COMING OF U-KNOW-WHO?" MOST LISTENERS AREN'T GONNA SHOW UP UNLESS THERE ARE A FEW INCENTIVES....NOT JUST BECAUSE THE RADIO STATION IS BROADCASTING LIVE ALL AFTERNOON!

IF A RADIO STATION IS ACTUALLY GIVING OUT A PRIZE...GREAT! BUT "QUALIFYING TO WIN" IS AKIN TO WINNING THE 'POWERBALL JACKPOT!' THE ODDS ARE PRETTY DAMN SLIM. IF LISTENERS INVEST THE TIME IN BEING CALLER #27----GIVE THEM SOMETHING (A GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR A SUPERMARKET OR A SPA) FOR THEIR TROUBLE! "QUALIFYING" IS BASICALLY TELLING A LISTENER THAT THE "GRAND PRIZE" IS THE ONLY PRIZE A RADIO STATION HAS!
>>
> Radio today is much different than it was even 4 or 5 years
> ago, never mind 10 or 15 and it takes a certain type of
> person to survive in the industry today. It is obvious to
> me that radio has passed you by and you are bitter and it's
> easier to blame the consultants or group owners than to
> admit it. If you are so knowledgeable, why aren't you
> making a difference in radio today?

SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE 'STILL IN THE INDUSTRY' KNOW WHO I AM AND WHERE TO FIND ME. [THE SURVIVAL PART YOU REFERENCED HAS TO DO WITH COST CUTTING AND CHEAPENING OF THE PRODUCT---AND I HAVE NO SAY OR CONTROL OVER THIS]. HOWEVER, MOST OF MY FORMER RADIO CO-WORKERS KNOW THAT IF THEY NEED A "CREATIVE IDEA OR SPARK" FOR AN UPCOMING PROMOTION...OR SOME SORT OF BROADCAST MATERIAL (A MUSIC BED, SOUND BITE, ETC.) THAT MIGHT HELP A COMMERCIAL SPOT OR PROMO SOUND A LITTLE BETTER, I'M HAPPY TO HELP THEM OUT!

SORRY YOU FEEL I'M BEING BITTER. BUT HAVING WORKED IN RADIO (AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN TELEVISION DOING VOICEOVERS) FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS....I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH A MEDIUM THAT WAS THE ONLY FORM OF TALKING DIRECTLY TO LISTENERS....BECOME A LITTLE STALE!

MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THE 'GROUP BUYOUTS' THAT HAS "CHEAPENED THE ON-AIR PRODUCT" DURING THE PAST 4 OR 5 YEARS? LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ANNOUNCERS WHO ARE JUST "VOICE TRACKING" AS OPPOSED TO THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY PREP AND PERFORM A LIVE SHOW? LISTEN TO THE WAY A SPOT HAS BEEN WRITTEN...AND THEN LISTEN TO THE WAY IT IS DELIVERED! CAN YOU HONESTLY TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE CAR DEALERSHIP OVER ANOTHER WHEN THE CONTENT OF THE SPOTS SOUND EXACTLY THE SAME? DO YOU REALLY THINK PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO ALL 50 NAMES OF THE "PARTICIPATING SPONSORS IN A PROMOTION"---WHEN THE NAMES OF THE SPONSORS ARE 'SHOTGUNNED' AT BREAKNECK SPEED?

MAYBE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR VIEW OF RADIO AND MINE IS THIS? I CAN BE A LITTLE MORE CRITICAL BECAUSE I'M NOT 'UNDER CONTRACT' TO A SPECIFIC COMPANY OR GROUP? YOU, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE EARNING YOUR LIVING THROUGH A BROADCASTING FACILITY. AS A RESULT, YOU HAVE TO 'PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE' TO YOUR EMPLOYER.

ONCE AGAIN...I APOLOGIZE IF I MADE YOU 'DEFENSIVE'...AND I'LL END MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS THREAD HERE.

argytunes
 
> EVER HEARD A FEMALE CO-HOST TELL A MAN TO "STUFF IT?"

Every...single...day....from two of them! I work on a morning show that the females are the lead rather then the male. It works well.

Rant on guys, this is fun :)
 
>
> PERSONALLY....I THINK IT'S A CREDIT TO WGAN TO HAVE THE SAME
> "STUTTERING VOICE TRACK ANNOUNCER" DOING THE SAME LINERS
> OVER AND OVER...AND STILL COMING OUT ON TOP! HOWEVER, YOU
> DIDN'T HAPPEN TO NOTE WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE AUDIENCE WAS
> ACTUALLY LISTENING? DID WGAN GET A 10% SHARE OF THE
> AUDIENCE? 20%?? 40%???

I said in my post that they were #1 12+...I don't have access to the breakdowns as I am not currently in the market....but SOMEONE is listening to the station to be #1...my use of them was to prove that while YOU may find it annoying, there are obviously people who don't.


> AND YOU SOUND VERY DEFENSIVE!!!! AS MUCH AS YOU'D LIKE TO
> ASSUME CONSULTANTS KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT EVERY
> MARKET...........THEY DON'T! FOR ALL I KNOW, YOU MIGHT BE A
> PART-TIME CONSULTANT "IN DISGUISE?"
> >

I am not a consultant, nor do I wish to be. I have worked with both good and bad consultants in my career.

> WHY DON'T YOU GIVE ME A FEW OF THE EXCEPTIONS TO THIS?

How come you always turn comments that you disagree with around? I am not here to defend any station in particular but you are ripping every station by generalizing...DON'T YOU GET IT??


> DON'T MOST MUSIC STATIONS HAVE PLAYLISTS OF 50-75
> SONGS---SOME MORE HEAVILY ROTATED THAN OTHERS?

Some formats, yes...MOST, no at all. CHR's generally have a tighter plylist due tho the fact they are stations that have higher cume than TSL so they play the biggest hits more often to cater to their P1's listening patterns. AC's, on the other hand, usually have a deeper library as their have much higher TSL (mostly due to at-work listening).

> I'VE CITED
> CERTAIN STATIONS AND FORMATS IN THE PAST THREADS.

I am not going to go and read evry one of your threads...be a man and tell us now.

> WHY DON'T
> YOU TELL ME WHICH OF THE COMMERCIAL ONES YOU THINK ARE
> "OUTSTANDING?" [PUBLIC RADIO DOESN'T COUNT...BECAUSE IT
> TRIES TO BE "A THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE!"].

Once again, I am not here to defend or toot the horn of ANY station...I just want to know why you can generalize about all radio without being specific.

> I'LL CONCEDE THIS....BUT YOU COMPARED A GENERIC PRODUCT
> (KETCHUP) TO A SPECIALIZED FORMAT FOR A SPECIFIC AUDIENCE
> DEMOGRAPHIC.

I didn't compare the PRODUCT...I compared the use of a slogan or positioner to help define one's brand, help build BRAND IDENTITY.

> ASK TIM MOORE WHAT THE AGE OF HIS "TARGET
> AUDIENCE" IS? I DOUBT IT'S THE TYPICAL 12-18 YEAR OLD
> TEENAGER WHO WOULD RATHER "RAP", "ROCK WITH THE OLDIES" OR
> "BANG WITH THE BONE?" NOR THE LISTENERS WHO ARE CRAZY ABOUT
> "THE CLASSICAL STATION" OR PROGRESSIVE JAZZ? NOR THE 24-HOUR
> NEWS-TALK ENTHUSIASTS WHO WOULD RATHER LISTEN TO A LIBERAL
> OR CONSERVATIVE INSTEAD OF GETTING 6-8 HOURS OF SLEEP?
>

What? I am quite sure Tim knows who his target listener is and I am sure that works to make sure that listener is served by the radio station. By you making broad generalizations about the poor state of radio today is the mismanagement of radio by PD's, GM and consultants alike, to me you don't seem to think that Tim knows his audience. If not him, then who?


> ONCE AGAIN...YOU'RE GETTING "A LITTLE TOO
> DEFENSIVE"---TYPICAL OF A PROGRAMMING PERSON WHO HATES ANY
> SORT OF CRITICISM WHEN IT HITS TOO CLOSE TO HOME!

You are not hitting to close to home for me. Yes I am defensive of radio and broadcasters. When a listener who is unhappy with the station has a complaint, I listen and respond to them to learn how we are perceived by our listeners. When a bitter former radio person makes generalizations that lump all broadcasters into one negative category, I get pissed.

> THERE'S A
> COMPLANCENCY THAT HAS BUILT UP OVER THE PAST 4-5 YEARS...AND
> THE RULE OF THUMB HAS BEEN 'IF A SLUG LINE MODERATELY WORKS'
> WE REALLY DON'T NEED TO CHANGE IT!

I know pleanty of radio PD's, GM's and such that are NOT complacent. Some of us live and breathe our stations and some of the people you lump into your generalization do to I bet and it is unfair of YOU to make that judgement on them by not telling us who you think is so bad.


> DEPENDING UPON THE DECADE...CERTAIN RADIO STATIONS (LIKE
> WLOB, "THE BIG JAB", WMGX, WBLM, WPOR, AND NOW FRANK-FM TO
> NAME 6) WERE OFTEN SINGLED OUT FOR THEIR "CLEVER FORMATS AND
> AIR PERSONALITIES WHO COULD SOMEHOW INTERACT WITH
> LISTENERS---AND MAKE THE SPECIFIC FORMAT INTERESTING?"
> PUTTING WGAN'S CURRENT #1 RATING ASIDE, WHO MIGHT YOU
> SUGGEST IS MAKING "A REAL DENT IN THIS MARKET" RIGHT NOW?

Once again, you name stations that you will say nice things about...when it comes to calling out who you think is bad or ruining radio or whatever you think, you won't answer. You are great at turning the tables and avoiding the issue.



> AND YET...IF THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR IS RESPONSIBLE (OVERALL)
> FOR THE ON-AIR PRODUCT OF HIS OR HER RADIO STATION....HE
> (OR SHE) IS OVERRIDDEN BY THE GM AND GSM....AS LONG AS THERE
> ARE A FEW EXTRA BUCKS INVOLVED....CORRECT?

Then why did you lump the PD into the same category as the GM originally? If a PD cares, but is overridden, that doesn't mean that he only cares about the money and will put a sub-par product on "for a buck."


>
> THIS IS THE REASON I SUGGESTED YOU SCAN THE DIAL DURING
> DIFFERENT DAYPARTS AND ON THE WEEKENDS. LISTEN TO THE
> LINERS...THE PROMOS...THE COMMERCIALS! I ALREADY HAVE DONE
> THIS AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PROGRAMMING I HEARD SOUNDED
> "TIRED!"

Well you are the all knowing, YOU tell US why the programming is tired. Once again, generalization. Until you call out those who are tired, you are insulitng EVERY broadcaster in the area, including people I know very well.


> YOU ARE A PROGRAM DIRECTOR...AND YOU CAN'T TELL A GOOD
> ANNOUNCER FROM A MEDIOCRE ONE??? HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN
> THIS BUSINESS? OR IS THIS JUST A SIDE JOB?

I can tell a good announcer from a bad one but I am not on this board ripping the jocks, YOU ARE DUMB@SS. Grow a set of rollers and tell us who YOU think is not good. Generalization and turning arguments around do ZERO for your credibility.



> SO YOU'RE SAYING THAT THE ONLY WAY MOST RADIO STATIONS CAN
> MAKE ANY MONEY THESE DAYS IS TO SERVE UP A "BUCKET OF CRAP"
> AND FORCE FEED IT TO LISTENERS WHO MIGHT BE LOOKING FOR
> SOMETHING WITH A LITTLE MORE SUBSTANCE?

Wow, sarcasm is a new concept for you, huh?

> THEN AGAIN....YOU
> CITED "THE AVERAGE LISTENER" IN EARLIER THREADS SO YOU'RE
> PROBABLY ONLY INTERESTED IN "PASSIVE" LISTENERS? YOU
> KNOW...THE ONES WHO KEEP THEIR RADIOS ON IN THE BACKGROUND??

I am interested in my P1's & P2's and how I can better serve them. I am interested in making my product compelling enough so that the P3's & P4's want to come back more and become P1's and 2's...I am interested in keeping my station sounding fresh in terms of imaging and making my jocks sound entertaining asnd informative on the air. I work hard to tie all this in together to build a consistant brand, but I guess there is no subsatnce to my radio station.

> IF YOU'RE GONNA USE "AN IMAGE VOICE"----WHAT'S WRONG WITH
> VARYING IT A LITTLE OR POSSIBLY CHANGING A LINE OR TWO EVERY
> FEW WEEKS?

That is exactly what I addressed in my last post, if the station is becoming stale, that falls on the shoulders of the PD. If there are stations that you feel are stale, you certainly haven't told us (and told us why you think they are).

> LIVE ANNOUNCERS----AND IT'S HARD TO TELL THESE
> DAYS WHICH ONES ARE ACTUALLY "LIVE" OR ARE PART OF A
> PRE-RECORDED AUTOMATED STOPSET...

Voicetracking...yes, it sucks when it steals someones job BUT you just admitted that even you the "all knowing angry one" can't even tell live from VT so obviously the people that are VTing are doing it right!!!

> [A CERTAIN
> AFTERNOON ANNOUNCER WHO WORKS FOR A GROUP OF CLASSICAL RADIO
> STATIONS IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MIND, BUT SINCE
> 'NAME DROPPING IS TACKY'...I'LL LET YOU DISCOVER WHO HE
> IS!].
>
Name dropping is tacky, when you name drop. Ripping someone apart and not having the man-parts to say their name AND hide behind your screen name is pathetic.


> NOW...IF YOU WANT ME TO DISSECT EVERY RADIO STATION IN THE
> STATE OF MAINE (WHICH NUMBER AT LEAST 24 OR 25)...WE CAN
> DRAW UP A CONTRACT AND YOU CAN PAY ME FOR MY TIME!

No offense, you have proven to me that a consultant you are not, a PD you are not, and angry, bitter person...yes you are.

> I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOUR JOKE...IT'S VERY OLD!

Just like your act, perhaps?

> HOWEVER...MAYBE YOU SHOULD STOP BEING "SO DEFENSIVE" WHEN IT
> COMES TO A LITTLE CRITICISM???

Criticism? I am defending radio broadcasters because you have so much nasty stuff to say about the industry that I love so much and you are lumping people that I have never even met into one negative category and they don't deserve it from you.

> YOU'RE A BIG FAN OF GETTING "FREE ANSWERS"....AREN'T YA?

From YOU!! Hahahahahahahaha.

>
> HOW ABOUT AN INTERACTIVE MORNING SHOW THAT APPEALS TO WOMEN
> 25-49 FOR STARTERS?
> MUCH OF THE TALK PROGRAMMING IS "MALE ORIENTED"---

>
> I'VE NEVER BEEN ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WOMEN ANNOUNCERS ARE
> REQUIRED TO "LAUGH" AT A MALE JOCK'S JOKE THAT ISN'T FUNNY!
> I GUESS THAT'S CALLED BEING "A TEAM PLAYER", HUH? HAVE YOU
> EVER HEARD A FEMALE CO-HOST TELL A MAN TO "STUFF IT?"
>
> HOW ABOUT SOME HONEST PROMOS TELLING LISTENERS WHAT A
> STATION DOES INSTEAD OF EXPECTING LISTENERS TO REMEMBER "THE
> COMPLETE PROGRAM LINEUP" FOR A BROADCAST DAY? AN OCCASIONAL
> "THANK YOU" WOULDN'T HURT EITHER....ALTHOUGH I KNOW THERE
> ARE SOME STATIONS IN MAINE WHO ALREADY DOING THIS!
>
> IF AN UPCOMING REMOTE BROADCAST IS REALLY TERRIFIC...TELL US
> WHY...INSTEAD OF MAKING THE EVENT SOUND LIKE "THE 2ND COMING
> OF U-KNOW-WHO?" MOST LISTENERS AREN'T GONNA SHOW UP UNLESS
> THERE ARE A FEW INCENTIVES....NOT JUST BECAUSE THE RADIO
> STATION IS BROADCASTING LIVE ALL AFTERNOON!
>
> IF A RADIO STATION IS ACTUALLY GIVING OUT A PRIZE...GREAT!
> BUT "QUALIFYING TO WIN" IS AKIN TO WINNING THE 'POWERBALL
> JACKPOT!' THE ODDS ARE PRETTY DAMN SLIM. IF LISTENERS INVEST
> THE TIME IN BEING CALLER #27----GIVE THEM SOMETHING (A GIFT
> CERTIFICATE FOR A SUPERMARKET OR A SPA) FOR THEIR TROUBLE!
> "QUALIFYING" IS BASICALLY TELLING A LISTENER THAT THE "GRAND
> PRIZE" IS THE ONLY PRIZE A RADIO STATION HAS!

I would say that I agree with a lot of what you have to say and I program with some of these things in mind myself (you see, you use specifics and you actually make a little sense...once again, sarcasm).


> >>
> > Radio today is much different than it was even 4 or 5
> years
> > ago, never mind 10 or 15 and it takes a certain type of
> > person to survive in the industry today. It is obvious to
>
> > me that radio has passed you by and you are bitter and
> it's
> > easier to blame the consultants or group owners than to
> > admit it. If you are so knowledgeable, why aren't you
> > making a difference in radio today?
>
> SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO ARE 'STILL IN THE INDUSTRY' KNOW WHO I AM
> AND WHERE TO FIND ME. [THE SURVIVAL PART YOU REFERENCED HAS
> TO DO WITH COST CUTTING AND CHEAPENING OF THE PRODUCT---AND
> I HAVE NO SAY OR CONTROL OVER THIS]. HOWEVER, MOST OF MY
> FORMER RADIO CO-WORKERS KNOW THAT IF THEY NEED A "CREATIVE
> IDEA OR SPARK" FOR AN UPCOMING PROMOTION...OR SOME SORT OF
> BROADCAST MATERIAL (A MUSIC BED, SOUND BITE, ETC.) THAT
> MIGHT HELP A COMMERCIAL SPOT OR PROMO SOUND A LITTLE BETTER,
> I'M HAPPY TO HELP THEM OUT!

But do you realize that you lump these friends of yours into one category by brushing a broad generlization about all radio?


>
> SORRY YOU FEEL I'M BEING BITTER. BUT HAVING WORKED IN RADIO
> (AND TO A LESSER EXTENT IN TELEVISION DOING VOICEOVERS) FOR
> MORE THAN 30 YEARS....I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO WATCH A MEDIUM
> THAT WAS THE ONLY FORM OF TALKING DIRECTLY TO
> LISTENERS....BECOME A LITTLE STALE!
>
> MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THE 'GROUP BUYOUTS' THAT HAS
> "CHEAPENED THE ON-AIR PRODUCT" DURING THE PAST 4 OR 5 YEARS?
> LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF ANNOUNCERS WHO ARE JUST "VOICE
> TRACKING" AS OPPOSED TO THE ONES WHO ACTUALLY PREP AND
> PERFORM A LIVE SHOW? LISTEN TO THE WAY A SPOT HAS BEEN
> WRITTEN...AND THEN LISTEN TO THE WAY IT IS DELIVERED! CAN
> YOU HONESTLY TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ONE CAR DEALERSHIP
> OVER ANOTHER WHEN THE CONTENT OF THE SPOTS SOUND EXACTLY THE
> SAME? DO YOU REALLY THINK PEOPLE ARE LISTENING TO ALL 50
> NAMES OF THE "PARTICIPATING SPONSORS IN A PROMOTION"---WHEN
> THE NAMES OF THE SPONSORS ARE 'SHOTGUNNED' AT BREAKNECK
> SPEED?


Once again, valid points. I guess I can equate your posts to an aircheck...if you are going to re-visit a thought or bit from earlier in the show, make sure you explian what happened in the bit so the new listener who may have just tuned in doesn't feel left out. When you explain specifically what you think should be addressed, you actually make some sense. Even if I didn't agree (and I do with some of your point and don't with others), you argument is more insightful and less "I am just going to rant."

>
> MAYBE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR VIEW OF RADIO AND MINE IS
> THIS? I CAN BE A LITTLE MORE CRITICAL BECAUSE I'M NOT 'UNDER
> CONTRACT' TO A SPECIFIC COMPANY OR GROUP? YOU, ON THE OTHER
> HAND, ARE EARNING YOUR LIVING THROUGH A BROADCASTING
> FACILITY. AS A RESULT, YOU HAVE TO 'PLEDGE YOUR ALLEGIANCE'
> TO YOUR EMPLOYER.

The great thing about my relationship with my employer is that my opinions and hard work is rewarded by them, and if I am not happy with a decision, I don't have to hide in my office or suck it up because I can express my views to them.


>
> ONCE AGAIN...I APOLOGIZE IF I MADE YOU 'DEFENSIVE'...AND
> I'LL END MY PARTICIPATION IN THIS THREAD HERE.

Hey, there is nothing wrong with two people who obviously have passion for an industry having a heated debate. Only in New England can you sit at a bar, get into a fight with the guy next to you and the next night be sitting right next to him with your arm around him buying each other shots of cheap Gin!!!

>
> argytunes
>
 
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