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Mike Preston: Part Two

The former KISS/Seattle P.D. returns, this time as P.D. at the Wolf. Quite a resume but I'm not sure he's ever been in charge at a Country station before.
 
the brakes said:
Quite a resume but I'm not sure he's ever been in charge at a Country station before.

And why should that matter? The Wolf is essentially a CHR station playing Country music so Preston's experience should do him well there.

The REAL question is will Entercom let Preston actually program the station or will he have his hands tied as most of the PDs before him did.
 
SeattleRadioPro said:
the brakes said:
Quite a resume but I'm not sure he's ever been in charge at a Country station before.

And why should that matter? The Wolf is essentially a CHR station playing Country music so Preston's experience should do him well there.

The REAL question is will Entercom let Preston actually program the station or will he have his hands tied as most of the PDs before him did.

I didn't say it should matter, I simply stated that I wasn't sure if he's ever programmed a Country station. Lighten the hell up S-R-P!
 
Mike was last head of CBS Radio in San Francisco.I worked with Mike when he was Music Director at KSFM in the early 80's.We did have country music in our format and Mike did a good job with those country songs we played in the Top 40 format.You could not ask for a better guy.I chatted with him today and he is real excited with the job and the challenge.
 
I worked with Mike back in the day. All I can say is that he is not only a great PD, but he is one of the greatest guys ever.
I can also say that Jalisco's Mexican restaurant in Queen Anne will be happy too!!!!!!
 
I believed he programmed KYCW 1090's Classic Country format.

And he's still the voiceover of KPTK. Will this change now that's he's with Entercom?
 
Well cowboys, told you a surprise was a comin :eek: Preston will own Country in this market and will dismantle KISS 18-34 as well :p By the way he has a quite a bit of country experience to go along with a stellar programming record :) Seems Entercom does actually spend money, lets see if CBS can match up or will their country station go down the turd whirler :-\ Bets on when KMPS goes AMP?
 
TakeItFromMe said:
Well cowboys, told you a surprise was a comin :eek: Preston will own Country in this market and will dismantle KISS 18-34 as well :p By the way he has a quite a bit of country experience to go along with a stellar programming record :) Seems Entercom does actually spend money, lets see if CBS can match up or will their country station go down the turd whirler :-\ Bets on when KMPS goes AMP?

The Wolf hires a PD that has a big track record with CHR stations, and you're "asking" when KMPS is changing?
 
Not to mention the fact that the guy was a FAILURE in SF. The numbers for the stations he oversaw prove it. The guy was out of work and was willing to take anything. Like he is really committed to making the Wolf the top country dog....please! He needed a job, even if it involved moving back to the PNW and having to program a Carrie Underwood song every hour.
 
Preston would love to take WOLF CHR but would have zero success against KISS. Only question is whether Jackie and Bender cross the street when their contract is up. Sorry Fitz but Preston used to mock your show and now that he is in charge things will change :-X By the way Becky B and Preston are friends and I wonder how long that will last? No one will flip to take on KISS anytime soon. Too big a hill to climb.
 
To even compare the Wolf going against KBKS is inane. And to say that MP 'failed' in SF isn't fair. How many PD's and DJ's have been fired in the last 3 years?
Hundreds.... Why? The economy and poorly run corporate radio that needs to show "pending" sales at every meeting. They have no patience anymore.

And respectfully, Iamrightandyouarewrong, KBKS and Jackie and Bender only have ratings because they have ZERO competition and the PPM helped them as well. Name one straight up
CHR station in Seattle other than KBKS. If another group went head to head with them they would fall quickly. Get over yourself
 
TU1 said:
Not to mention the fact that the guy was a FAILURE in SF. The numbers for the stations he oversaw prove it. The guy was out of work and was willing to take anything. Like he is really committed to making the Wolf the top country dog....please! He needed a job, even if it involved moving back to the PNW and having to program a Carrie Underwood song every hour.

And who crapped in your oatmeal this morning?

Just saying he was a "FAILURE" ain't going to cut it. Why don't you tell us why he failed? Do you know the entire picture of what's going on with CBS Radio, and specifically the SF market?

As for the "take anything" comment, there's probably some truth to that. But, he didn't get a job in some gorilla's **** like Fresno or Victorville. Programming the number two country station in Seattle isn't that bad. Smart move on Entercom's part of getting a guy familiar with the market and likely still has connections. Despite what Fitz says on this board, it's not all about playing Country music and having a CHR approach.
 
I know Mike very well and have for over 29 yrs.Yes this is a new format for him.Lets just let him do what he does best and then judge him on that.I will just say that he is really excited about the PD job and the move back up to Seattle.
 
I second that Snake.

Yes, there are many things wrong with todays radio, but Mike personifies everything that is right about todays radio. I'd go work for Mike in a heartbeat....and I hate country music...LOL

Let's just say at that INTEGRITY still stands for something and I for one think it's time for a comeback. Mike personifies professionalism and Seattle is lucky to have him back. He'll do a great job for Entercom and he'll treat his people with respect. I wish him the best!

just please tell me he did NOT move back to Covington...
 
The stint in SF is not a fair comparison. Looking at the numbers Mike did well with KBKS in the early years in Seattle, but numbers suffered a bit just before he left. Like most good programmers you have good years and bad. Bad programmers only have bad years.

The world has changed with the PPM on the sales and programming front. Some programmers adapt, others don't as I look at markets I sell. Preston never really got the chance to program in the PPM environment for long in SF. His first test will be here.

KKWF in October was 7th in the market 25-54 while KMPS was 12th.
In mornings WOLF is 11th 25-54. That is the baseline.

The poster who said KKWF is going after KBKS 18-34 may not be far off. 18-34 in morning drive the WOLF is tied with KISS and KKWF is easily number one 18-34 women. Maybe Preston's 18-34 programming can move the entire station in that direction.
 
...not to mention that was a turbulent window for CBS/SFO. Most of the shots were being called from OUT of the market and Mike had to implement other ideas, etc. Almost as soon as they would get a station on the air they would take it off (e.g. KFRC, etc.).
 
Okay, here is some real 'out of the box' thinking and I might be way off here.
I'm sure you'll let me know how far off I am. LOL

These days very few PD's run just one station, after the fall, when they started firing PD's,
They gave the Programming duties to existing PD's within the cluster(s). This was efficient as they got a 'two-fer'
two programmed stations by one PD. It happened everywhere regardless of format experience.

So here's my thought. Okay Preston takes over the Wolf. To my knowledge Their numbers are good. Maybe not great, but good and holding their own.
I may be wrong about that, but I think 'The Wolf' is a format that Entercom is happy with. I'm sure they are happy to take a huge bite out of KMPS.
That had been coming for years. I doubt they will change that. MP will do fine there. Now then, what if down the road they gave Mike Preston another Entercom station to run?
Like The End. Once again, I'm not sure of their ratings and billing, but Seattle only has one true CHR, KBKS. If he did take an Entercom station and flip it to CHR, they would
do well against KBKS. Right now they have no competition. I could totally see that happening. CHR does well in the PPM.....

If you doubt that, look at KIIS FM vs AMP in Los Angeles. KIIS owned the market for years. AMP came in and is running head to head with them. Even beat them in the PPM a few times.
I could see that totally happening in Seattle and the Mighty MP could make that an awesome battle between CBS and Entercom.

Here's the thing to remember about Mr. Preston, He is a 'RADIO' guy. Mike loves radio way more than music per say. So whatever duties he tackles, he knows what he's doing.

If Preston did that I wonder what AM Drive talent he would consider for CHR.......

okay, tell me how wrong I am....LOL
 
Not sure if flipping KNDD is the best idea......ESPECIALLY to CHR..... :-\

Could happen though, 107.7 has been struggling painfully in PPM.....
 
Ah Yes! you are correct LittleBoyBlue. I should've remembered that!

I also agree with the fragrant vase (bongwater). LOL. I love rock and personally am not
a fan of CHR, however my personal feelings would not change my business stance on this one.

After all Entercom would still have KISW and if you really look at the rock climate, alternative and active rock
are almost the same thing these days. It's the old library's that sets them apart. Once again, I may be totally off base.
But if it was me over there on Olive Ave.(are they still there?) I'd notch up the rock on KISW and flip the End to AMP
and go straight up against KISS. Preston would simply roll...

What about Jodi from the old The Mountain morning show as part of the new CHR morning show?
She probably knows everyone there still. I think she could appeal to a CHR female driven audience for sure.
I also worked with Jodi (years ago) and she is good person. Once again THAT MATTERS!!!!
and oh yeah, CBS would support Mike Preston and the AMP brand going up against Clear Channel and The End (of KBKS).


Wow..this could work, but I fear I just gave my old buddy two jobs...LOL

and if you need new alternative rock, listen to 88.1theburg CWU's college station. College radio still offers the best alternative around....always will.
 
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