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KEY WEST & ED RODRIGUEZ

T

Talk-33040

Guest
Any information that can be passed on about Ed Rodriguez, "Conch Country" and the company that owns them would be deeply appreciated!
 
If you are asking these questions, hopefully you already live in the Keys and are not thinking of moving from afar. For if you are already living here, you might have other means to support yourself...for it is extremely expensive to live here. This is one of the things that misses many people when they see ads for jobs here and or in the Cayman Islands...and rarely ever stated in those ads is the cost of living. Excellent weather without a doubt...but being radio it is low pay and lower still considering this is a very small market (#298).

The company in my opinion does well in their northern holdings (out of Florida) and from my understanding is a decent outfit to work for up north...especially if you are in management. In my opinion little attention/support is given to their places in the Keys. The Marathon station I have heard is being or about to be sold...which would leave the two serving KW.

Ed, in my opinion is trapped in the past...the past glory of his days up north. He dominates conversations by bragging about the good ol' days when he was at station "X" in DC...he will talk your ear off about that! It's okay to be proud of your past...but to be continually harping on it and reliving it with every chance you can to bend someone's ear is not in my opinion...it's like Al Bundy constantly reliving and bragging about his touchdowns for Polk High. In my opinion he is not half as good as he thinks he is. In my opinion in the past months he has been here, he has shown signs of being overwhelmed and has dropped the ball many times. It is two radio stations he is OM of...not a cluster of six or eight and it is in a very small market. In my opinion he should not be having problems. If you want to get inside the head of Ed...I have include the link/url to his myspace page at the bottom of this. His myspace page is also linked from the Conch website...viewing his blog should give you some ideas.

If you are coming from afar...make sure you get everything in writing up front...do not accept the position sight unseen or trust anyone's word over the phone! Take time and look past the veneer of the laid back party atmosphere of KW and do research...look at the cost of housing etc. Unless you have a private benefactor, you may come to realize that this place is unaffordable. Market size in my opinion generally does not matter...if you have an opportunity to do the craft you love and make a living wage and work in a nice environment is what matters. But, KW is not a typical small market...it like Naples in Florida is very expensive to live and you have to keep this in perspective.

If you have other opportunities besides KW, I would strongly look at them over here...in my opinon you would find only heartache/frustration in working with that OM and mounting debt working for the company. Just my two cents. I hope it helps.


http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=59910584&blogID=256000404
 
That is some good advice when it comes to getting things in writing...especially if you are coming from afar. A lifetime ago I made a mistake and jumped to a larger market without checking out the radio station ahead of time...I had been approached by a General Manager of a broadcast company in a different market (far larger market) at a remote broadcast I was doing. We exchanged telephone numbers and he met me again in the city I was working/living in and finalized a deal at dinner. Being naive` I trusted that the handshake between us would all that would be needed. I was put up for a couple of weeks in a motel when I started the new gig. I was shocked when I showed up where the station was...I first thought it was the transmitter shack (the studios were located at the xmitter site)...for it was a dingy tiny metal windowless building located outside the city with weeds and tall grass surrounding the building and the dirt/gravel parking lot. The inside was worse, ancient equipment that had not been maintained. The place had terrible ratings I soon discovered. I also found within two weeks the salary we had agreed to was not honored and the remote talent fee we had negotiated was worthless because the station did not sell remotes. When pushed the GM stated that the company was under hard times and couldn't pay the salary offered and I could "possibly" make up the difference by selling my morning drive shift. I didn't bolt from the place and try to head back where I had left, because of pride...my unwillingness to admit error at the time...shame because of feeling foolish played a factor and ego played a part because of it being a far larger market on a 50KW signal. So, I learned the hard way.

To the person who started this thread...feel free to email me, I have had some experience dealing with the person and the stations you have questions about. Feel free to provide a number and I will call. US is correct about the cost of living and about researching the market in advance. I have provided a link to a place to start researching if you are from someplace far away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Keys
 
While it is expensive in the Keys, believe it or not, you can make a living in radio without having to take 2-3 other gigs. You'll either need to be in sales, or management. The base salary range is somewhere around 45-55 K. I also know of someone who had worked for CC Key West in Sales who was doing over 100 K. These jobs are scarce, but it can be done. If you are a jock, it won't be so easy and you'll need a roommate to help pay the bills along with other job related perks, if you can get them. By the way, Vox, for the most part, is a good company and Ed has a nice track record. Working in a small market can be a challenge if you are use to the big leagues. But, that is what makes it FUN, right Jessica?
 
listenandwin said:
You'll either need to be in sales, or management. The base salary range is somewhere around 45-55 K. I also know of someone who had worked for CC Key West in Sales who was doing over 100 K.
Click to expand...

Thank you to those who have responded about my post. I have another question, it comes from L&W's post about sales and making a living. Is there that much available ad dollars in the Keys? There are over thirty stations listed for the Keys alone...how are they all existing? I was told recently by a GM (not in the Keys) that the stations in the Keys are nothing more than tax right offs...is that true?
http://www.radio-info.com/content/arbitron.php?market=298
 
What I have been told is VOX dominates the billing in Key West. Now, with that stated I need to mention that I was told this by someone who is part of VOX, so I don't know if that is completely accurate.
 
Dude,

In my opinion there are quite a few reasons he slipped from market #9 to #298! If you are moving from outside the Keys...make sure you either have a substantial amount in savings so you can get out quickly if another gig opens up in a bigger/better market or make certain you get a part-time job someplace else and don't spend a dime of the PT money...save it so you can stay mobile and move quickly.

I have to agree with some of the statements above...in my opinion this guy is trapped in "the glory days"...that is all you hear from him..."they used to do it this way in DC...:"I remember when I met Ted Kennedy"...yadda-yadda-yadda. Big name dropper...and it gets OLD quick.

IMHO, he is scatterbrained...no focus...zip and gives out false promises at the drop of the hat. IMHO, he talks from both sides of the face far too easily. Lack of honor I believe...does not follow thru with things...and this will become frustrating very fast if you have worked somewhere else. Don't expect any proper coaching or guidance...no mentoring.

The billing question was answered correctly...except when it comes to collections...ask anyone...that is a BIG problem in KW. The facilities are a dump.

The person who really calls the shots there is the Sales Manager...the Market Manager...nice guy...but clueless to radio.
 
vampirella said:
In my opinion there are quite a few reasons he slipped from market #9 to #298!
Click to expand...

I spoke to Ed just the other day on the phone...he was polite and not "trapped in the past" in my eyes.

I agree with US's comments about market size. I firmly believe the market size is not an issue...not an issue unless you (your ego and bank account) make it one. In this day and age if you can find a decent company to work for...one that you can utilize your skills and abilities and work in the field that entered your blood and fused with your bones and be compensated with a decent wage...that is what matters...not the market size and I think that is what Ed has found (explaining the #9 to #298 comment from above).
 
P-R said:
I think that is what Ed has found (explaining the #9 to #298 comment from above).
Click to expand...

I respectfully disagree with you.

In my opinion he is inept. Think of Barney Fife being made Operations Manager of the Mount Pilot radio stations and that is what you get with Ed. In my opinion...AVOID! Speaking with him on the phone is not the same thing as dealing with him on a day to day basis.

If you want to know more about Vox...here is the link to their "official" website. It is rather basic. You will find at this site and the below link at the end of this post that ownership for WWUS/WCNK/WAVK is Vox Communications Group, Bershire Broadcasting Company, Houstatonic Equity Partners and MCG Capital Corporation. All are involved in the ownership/financing of the stations...many players with hands in the pie.

http://www.voxcommunicationsllc.com/index.html

If you want further information, I have provided the link to the FCC site for information on ownership report of WWUS/WCNK and the Marathon FM WAVK (which I hear is going to be sold) at the end of this post. If you take the time and click on each application link (not the info link...click application) for the first 6 lists of WWUS...you will get a detailed breakdown of the ownership of WWUS/WCNK/WAVK...which will show how Vox and Berkshire and Houstatonic Equity Partners are intertwined.

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/cdbs/pubacc/prod/own_list.pl?Facility_id=14346
 
In my opinion it shows how incompetent Ed is in the eyes of his company...last Friday (04.04) an ad for air talent at Ed's station in Key West was taken out in All Access not by Ed, but instead by the COO/Partner Ken Barlow and all materials are to be sent to Ken not Ed. This is the same position Ed advertised an opening in January for. He wasted people's time/money/energy by ending up hiring a person for that shift who never worked in broadcasting and their job was to play receptionist/office person part of the day and afternoon drive talent the rest :D That was actually done...that person was hired and needless to say a train wreck! Way to go Ed!!! In my opinion the company has lost people because of Ed and his inept behavior/conduct. Also, IMHO it shows the company doesn't trust him when they take over in fielding the apps. This is market #298...you would think Ed could handle that...and considering he is OM of only two stations he shouldn't be swamped and after all he is a BIG TIME star that worked in market #9 (like we haven't heard enough of that out of his mouth) he should be able to handle the pressure.

It's interesting the company didn't take the time to list the Keys opening in the Job section of their website http://www.voxcommunicationsllc.com/jobs.html ;D

Below is the contact page at their website.


http://www.voxcommunicationsllc.com/personnel.html

I find it funny, corporate advertising nationally for an opening that has been open forever and wanting to get submissions from far away and they have the audacity to state they offer a competitive salary. Last I heard it pays $35K...not much when you look at the high cost of living of Key West and the lower Keys (check below link for housing info). I hope whomever they find takes the time to research ahead and know what they are getting into.

http://fkren.com

IMHO, it would be nice to see they let Ed go and bring in someone who can coach, lead and conduct themselves in a more professional manner instead of dropping the ball, making excuses and living in the past.
 
Watch out Vox, once the CC deal is approved, rumors are that there are buyers standing by for the Upper and Lower Keys stations.
 
Ha! Vampirella is officially "outed" as having NO IDEA what he/she/it is talking about! :eek: I know the staff at US-1 and it sounds like you are just guessing. That station has had four OM's in the past year. Andrew J left last year about this time---FIRED! Race was there from late spring until fall and he ran screaming from the building. His story was that he and his wife wanted to have their baby on the mainland but he told plenty of tales around the table at Boondocks and Rob's about the GM being a drunk and a head case. Race wanted out so bad that he and wifey were headed up to South Carolina before the company begged him into going into another of their stations (Virginia? West Virginia?) They brought Ed in and the place started to get cleaned up---on the air and in the building. I used to be scared to go in there. It was a bloody dungeon! The receptionist/DJ that you spoke of was NOT Ed's idea. She was there doing traffic and they threw her on the air when the GM got mad and fired Andrew. She told me that she had been a waitress in Texas somewhere before US-1 hired her to work in the office! Ed's the one who got rid of her and tried to hire a professional DJ. He also brought in a very attractive, polite lady to run the office and the place started to look clean and organized! Now that Ed's been fired they got some guy using a silly fake DJ name (he spent the whole damn day spelling R-Y-N-O on US-1 and Conch Country) and sounding like a fool. The BizBaz show has never been my favorite but yesterday was rediculous. That new guy kept spelling his name and the girl (Leah/Lia) kept rambling on about getting high, getting drunk and the line of guys she's dating. She even goes on and on about how she wants to be spanked and telling about times that she was. What IS that? She sounds like a skank. :p And she's dumb. I could tell that she didn't get a lot of Ed's jokes and that was funny to here her get brought down a peg or two. Race used to keep her in line but he just sounded p.o.'ed. That wasn't fun or funny.

I'm sorry that they got rid of Ed. I thought that he brought a lot of class to that station...more like it was when Bob Soos ran it! Ed was a real friendly gentleman every time I met him. As smart as he is he will do better elsewhere. Maybe he'll go to WKEY or WAIL and kick US-1's butt!
 
:-[ Apparently something happened over the weekend, P-R. Ed and Leah/Lia were on the US-1 auction all day Saturday and then was not on BizBaz Monday. It sounded like no one was on Conch Monday afternoon, then this "R-Y-N-O" was on BizBaz and Conch yesterday! When I called up there, I was on hold forever before the lady came back to tell me that Ed was no longer with the station. I called the KW number and the girl said that he had been let go. I just looked and you are right about the websites, but they also show the items for the auction that was on Saturday!
 
BPK !!

Ed will end up back in the DC market. The potential new owners of WAIL and the other stations in Key West would bring back Ken Mckinsey (if he is available) and his wife before Ed, AND, at THEIR price! These guys spent years there during the CC days and actually BEAT Vox in the market. Mckensey is full of passsion and even got an Arbitron book re-issued a couple of years ago when he didn't like the results of one of his stations. Of course, the re-issue of the ratings went in his favor. I've run into him a couple of times over the years and I've always wondered why he never set the bar higher for himself. He is a smart broadcaster.
 
I overheard a guy at No Name Pub yesterday saying that now that Rodriguez has been fired from US-1 more will follow. It sounds like their planning to fire a bunch of people there. Why? He mentioned Steve Miller so I guess he'll be leaving soon. :mad:
 
Sooner or later, Vox Management is going to have to deal with the real problem in the Keys. It is not the staff, or the workers. It is the leadership.

There is none.

Management will keep changing the players to protect this tragedy. Meanwhile, experienced broadcasters will be sneakeing back into the market while the new OM of Vox tries to learn how things work in the Keys.
 
I was on the road today and received a surprise call from Ed. We spoke for a spell. He is doing okay and has secured a gig (not in the Keys). Over the past five months or so...Ed and I have spoken quite a few times...I almost came on board for him. Strange how things work out (at times radio is such an unpredictable mistress). Despite what some have posted...I have found him to be a positive light in a sea of darkness...a true professional! He didn't have to call me today...especially at his expense and tell me what had transpired. He could have easily just slipped into the shadows. He is a class act beyond a doubt.
 
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