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Martin Giles leaving WFLA

I

iimutt

Eric Deggans reports in his tampa bay times blog that Martin Giles has decided to retire from WFLA effective March 1st

He said the workload had grown in recent years with the blog indicating "Giles, 76, said executives at WFLA owner Clear Channel have required the news staff to also deliver news reports for Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and other cities, increasing the pace of his job."


http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media...to-retire-after-28-years-citing-heavy/2106010
 
iimutt said:
Eric Deggans reports in his tampa bay times blog that Martin Giles has decided to retire from WFLA effective March 1st

He said the workload had grown in recent years with the blog indicating "Giles, 76, said executives at WFLA owner Clear Channel have required the news staff to also deliver news reports for Orlando, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and other cities, increasing the pace of his job."


http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/media...to-retire-after-28-years-citing-heavy/2106010
Click to expand...
I'm sorry to see him leave WFLA, but I can certainly understand why he is retiring; he has been the voice of WFLA radio news for years. (not sure how many).

drt,
st. petersburg,fl
 
It's probably for the best for both parties. Martin is an exceptional newsman, but since his return after that illness in 2011, he has increasingly stumbled over words, misread copy, misstated the time, and more. I'm sure most of it is, indeed, because of the ungodly workload being forced upon him and his colleagues. But, let's face it, when the pressure starts showing up on air, it's time for a change.

Martin is -- and always will be -- a Hall of Fame radio newsman in this market. Here's wishing the best in the next phase of his life.
 
tampalistener said:
It's probably for the best for both parties. Martin is an exceptional newsman, but since his return after that illness in 2011, he has increasingly stumbled over words, misread copy, misstated the time, and more. I'm sure most of it is, indeed, because of the ungodly workload being forced upon him and his colleagues. But, let's face it, when the pressure starts showing up on air, it's time for a change.

Martin is -- and always will be -- a Hall of Fame radio newsman in this market. Here's wishing the best in the next phase of his life.
Click to expand...
Very well said, wish I could take credit for that post! :)

drt
 
If you do the simple arithmetic of adding up how many minutes of air time per hour newsies have to cover and how much time is left to actually gather, write and edit news, as well as gather sound and make beat calls, you will quickly understand the workload that Martin was talking about. Of course, management brushed that aside, but what else are they going to do? Admit that their staff is underworked and overpaid and the quality of the product is suffering? I wouldn't hold my breath.
 
We will miss you, Martin!

Jeff in Sa-ra-so-ta!
 
Martin is a true legend and will go down in history as one of the greatest on-air voices in Tampa Bay radio. It's a shame he has to leave on these terms since his quotes in that article sound more angry at CC than anything. But, in a way, I'm glad he is speaking out for everyone in the industry who is having to do more and more since so many people have been laid off. Imagine how much better WFLA could be if the news staff was putting all of its efforts into only covering Tampa Bay. Cheers, Mr. Giles, and I wish you nothing but the best as you ride off into the sunset.
 
I listened to "AM Tampa Bay" from 6-9 this morning (missed the 5 am hour), and I heard no mention whatsoever of Martin's retirement. At the very least, this was odd. Overall, it was sad.
 
Part of that I'm sure was his preference. Martin nver struck me as a sentimental guy and management may have had their own reasons for not wanting to play it up. Besides, in that time slot, there is no free time for anything. Keeping up with the demands of morning drive is much like Lucy in the chocolate factory...it's okay as long as you keep up. Fall behind and it gets ugly fast.
 
My station in Erie carried ABC news in brief each hour. Giles was one of the drive time news men. Flash ahead a few years at WFLA and was delighted to meet and work with Martin. Was in awe to meet the man we've heard for years on the network.
 
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