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Jeff Dauler

He is in a "Before Cumulus" contract more than likely, and considering the previous company that he worked for, 250-350 is probably where he has averaged as a result. Think of the money they weren't able to make early on for years when they had a much smaller signal. In better economic times, he certainly was worth that amount to keep him happy.

And yes, radio stations purposely purposely try to keep them expiring at different times for that reason. Radio station agents have a hard time keeping show's members with the same expiration date sometimes, unless they are hired out of market to a new company. Think about it, the Morning Mess all expired at the same time...lol, and maybe Cumulus want Dauler's wife out of the contract next go around.

If you command that kind of money, then many are forced to take off one or two years off sometimes till you find that one available gig, but then your really not making that kind of money once you average it out. The vacation time that comes with that kind of demand, can make it somewhat worthwhile though.
 
When going into contract negotiations, Jeff is faced with the unenviable position of having to prove he's worth it. He has to prove that not Bert, not the whole Bert show...but Jeff's presence on the show alone is worth the dollar amount he's seeking. In the current radio and advertising environment, that's an enormous uphill climb. Cumulus holds all the cards because Jeff (and Mrs. Jeff) need that radio platform more than they need Jeff.

The only way Jeff gets what he wants is if the whole show surrounds him with solidarity and says they'll walk if he's not there. Is that likely?

If it is a stunt, and it may very well be, it's an ill-advised one because it starts the very real discussion as to just how critical he is to the show's success.
 
Someone get some oxygen for CK.....Bert makes 7 figs a year. And whoever made the point about Dauler being in a pre-Cumulus contract makes a very astute point. He absolutely pulls in over $300K a year with endorsements, and that doesn't happen in Dickeyland if your name isn't on the marquis. The reason Bert makes so much is because he IS the station and when his last deal was up there was a bidding war between Star, Q, and one other (I forgot who). Lew Dickey wasn't about to be outbid for his franchise player so he threw a figure out there that he knew nobody would touch....and in perhaps one of the few wise things the Dickey's have done, it worked. There is likely no such bidding war going on with Dauler and they know that.
 
wooder said:
... and that doesn't happen in Dickeyland if your name isn't on the marquis.
Click to expand...

Man, that would have been really confusing for management if Cumulus had taken over while 99.7 mornings was still called "The Don Miller Morning Show". ;D
 
Look upon highly paid talent as much the same as a pro athlete: With luck maybe a decade or so of high income. The smart ones save and invest, while the not so smart ones live it up, blow it, and end up selling Oldsmobiles. I don't look to see Dauler in a checked jacket at Par's Cars any time soon.
 
littlejohn said:
Look upon highly paid talent as much the same as a pro athlete: With luck maybe a decade or so of high income. The smart ones save and invest, while the not so smart ones live it up, blow it, and end up selling Oldsmobiles. I don't look to see Dauler in a checked jacket at Par's Cars any time soon.
Click to expand...

I guess that would have to be used Oldsmobiles.
 
I thought Bert handled that extremely well. He basically said Jeff and Cumulus are at a money impasse. Bert made his feelings--that he badly wants Jeff to stay and feels he's vital to the show--known in an honest and nice way. And though he said he's in effect "begged" Cumulus management to keep Jeff, he was respectful of management.

My guess is that this is more than Jeff not getting the figure he wants based on the show's success. It's probably about not having to accept a big pay cut.

If Jeff still has his outside business interests and wants to stay in Atlanta, I wonder if he has any radio options. The only one I can think of that would make sense would be for Star to move Cindy & Ray back to afternoons and start a new morning show with Jeff as host or co-host. Mornings are obviously Star's problem.

I didn't care for Cindy & Ray in afternoons because I felt it interrupted Star's CHR pacing. But since the station is moving in a Hot AC direction, that might work. Star's former sister station The Link in Charlotte was Hot AC/Pop Conservative with a morning-type show in PM drive. (That station is now all talk.) But whether Star 94 is in a position to pay Jeff and another morning host is questionable.
 
Dauler is not a morning draw... he's been lucky to make the money he's made. Take a huge cut and stay with Bert or focus all your energy at the Flying Biscuit. I'm guessing he will be back on-air with Bert soon and monies will not be discussed.
 
There was a span of time in 2007 when TRG was off the air, a lull in sports talk or perhaps up to early to catch their powered won ITP signals that I was actually listening to Bert Show a fair amount. The only one I cared for was Jeff(outside of some Jenn Hobby lust whicich is so wrong since she was married...). His humor matches mine, called them like he saw them and was good as the irritant and not the total pansy Bert is(gratuitous Bert slam).

When TRG came back and now with Jimmy on, my finger barely hits the q100 button at all in the morning(and even rarer when not in the morning unless with the kids). Without Jeff on the show though to keep the rest in check they might as well call it the The Henhouse Morning Show or Estrogen Radio.

My advice to Jeff is unless you have some strong leads on a good paying job or a new challenge the best offer is going to come from Cumulus at this moment and he would be wise to take it. Perhaps a little last minute posturing to squeeze in another $25k or some other perk. He just needs to ask his friend Jimmy what it is like sitting on the side lines for years waiting for the next gig.

If this does fall through or Jeff's pride gets in the way I like Roddy's idea of competing show on Star. That would really ratcheted this town up.

If I was playing Fantasy Radio PD I would add him to my team and pair him up with Jimmy at Dave. I think they would pair well together like Chianti and Fava Beans. Add Yvonne into the mix and I think it would be a much stronger show. Of course this is Fantasy Radio so not likely.
 
Agreed, Tibbs. Jimmy, Jeff, and Yvonne would gel very well. It's all about chemistry and it's pretty well known that Jimmy and Jeff are close friends. Additionally, the three of them are incredibly woven into the city which is always important. Unfortunately, CBS is obviously not spending much money right now.
 
Cumulus' money problems - like most radio companies these days - have been well-documented. Atlanta morning talent has always been overpaid in the past, but it seems like those days are over. Stations just can't afford to offer those big payouts/contracts anymore. Even if Jeff can prove he's worth it, the money probably just isn't there. Also, his name isn't on the show. Regardless of how well-liked he is among listeners, that can't help. The reason Bert was able to shop the show around when his contract was up is because he IS the show. He can move the other players around if he needs to - as evidenced my the revolving door of traffic reporters on the show and how he replaced Lindsay with Jenn early on. Contract negotiations aren't fun, though. I don't envy any of them.
 
If you are in the RIGHT position contracts can be VERY fun! Jeff is not (and it's not his fault but there is no other company offering a better gig and we are in a recession). Take the cut Jeff - it will work out better in the long run. I listen to the show and think he is one of the best ont he show.
 
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