New PD at Mix

[MassMusicMan]

An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.<P ID="signature">______________
"The Adam Carolla quote is getting old!" - DidYouKnow</P>

 

[RumourControl]

> An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports
> that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
>
Unjustly? possible, but even though he has been there for years Jerry has actual PROGRAM DIRECTOR experience and I dont think that is a first time PD job even for someone who is completely familliar with the station's operations having been there for years prior. Mike deserves a pd gig no doubt but it's always easier to go elsewheere where you're not already seen as say the number two guy if you want to do something like move up.

Good luck Jerry, that's a great move for you!.

 

[MassMusicMan]

>I dont think that is a first time PD job even for someone who
is completely familliar with the station's operations having
been there for years prior. Mike deserves a pd gig no doubt
but it's always easier to go elsewheere where you're not
already seen as say the number two guy if you want to do
something like move up.>

Why does that kind of thinking plague the business? Obviously, I still have a lot to learn about radio. Why is it that a guy who busts his ass for years in middle management doesn't get a chance to be the top dog? Does this happen in other industries? Or does radio have a really strong old boy network that enables veteran PD's to keep getting jobs?

That's not to take away from Mr. McKenna's accomplishment. I don't know him personally, so I can't give an opinion on his hiring. I just hate to see somebody who has worked so hard get passed up for the PD gig twice. What message does that send to up and comers in the business today?




<P ID="signature">______________
"The Adam Carolla quote is getting old!" - DidYouKnow</P>

 

[weee]

Maybe they want Jerry for his hugely popular, enormously bright ideas such as switching a station that was quite good with a big fan base into a station that 3 people listen to.

 

[MassMusicMan]

> Maybe they want Jerry for his hugely popular, enormously
> bright ideas such as switching a station that was quite good
> with a big fan base into a station that 3 people listen to.

I highly doubt that Mr. McKenna made that decision himself. It's more likely that the decision came from reactionary executives at Entercom desperate to find a way to dump salaries to appease their stockholders.<P ID="signature">______________
"The Adam Carolla quote is getting old!" - DidYouKnow</P>

 

[RumourControl]

> >I dont think that is a first time PD job even for someone
> who
> is completely familliar with the station's operations having
>
> been there for years prior. Mike deserves a pd gig no doubt
> but it's always easier to go elsewheere where you're not
> already seen as say the number two guy if you want to do
> something like move up.>
>
> Why does that kind of thinking plague the business?
> Obviously, I still have a lot to learn about radio. Why is
> it that a guy who busts his ass for years in middle
> management doesn't get a chance to be the top dog? Does
> this happen in other industries? Or does radio have a
> really strong old boy network that enables veteran PD's to
> keep getting jobs?

You raise good points, does it happen in other industries? I would say yes of course, It probably LOOKS to be more prevelent in raido because the examples are so easy to see because the positions are so high profile. It isnt even so much the old boy network as it is the outsider is looked at as more viable for some reason. It's always easier to be more respected when you're outside the building looking in, those inside can tend to be taken for granted because they're known for the position that they hold and have held, the mentality is "Oh he's our mid day guy he's not an afternoon or morning host" as if they COULD'NT be just because they are not, or "He's the MD or apd" that's who he is.

I am a little surprised by this move because although Jerry is a smart guy and a good programmer it is not as if Star was killing MMix on any leveel.

What's the difference? methinks Greg Strassell will be the puppet master at that station anyway since he'll never be able to restrain himself and take his hands off of the baby that he built.
>
> That's not to take away from Mr. McKenna's accomplishment.
> I don't know him personally, so I can't give an opinion on
> his hiring. I just hate to see somebody who has worked so
> hard get passed up for the PD gig twice. What message does
> that send to up and comers in the business today?

Great guy, down to earth, smart guy. The message? well it's not as simple as that but the message to Mike might be JUST that, you're the APD here. If you want to move up you have to MOVE, and not everyone is capable or interestted in that. That is the problem with radio you have to sacrifice on so many levels to "make it".......Some are lucky and do not have to but they are the exception and not the rule. Like the words to the theme to wkrp in Cincy "town to town up and down the dial".....That's what they're talking about, radio people have to uproot and go where the work is, you can stay here and be employed but if you want to be a PD you have to go town to town up and down the dial I suppose. It's mostly that way for air talent but it applies here too. Mike deserved a shot but again a first time PD is a first time PD and they usually do not start at a station or even a market that size.
>

 

[WizardofProd]

> Maybe they want Jerry for his hugely popular, enormously
> bright ideas such as switching a station that was quite good
> with a big fan base into a station that 3 people listen to.
>
Clearly you know nothing if you think the Mike move was JERRY's idea. that has "stupid corproate premptive strike move" written all over it. Let's also not get confused, if star had such a big fan base as you think you would be listening to "born to be alive" on it right now instead of Molly Hatchet or Pablo Cruise, or whatever their playing. Dont slight Jerry because radio is filled with managemennt that listen to consultants armed with research that read like stereo instructions, rather than being creative anymore.

 

[MassMusicMan]

It's always easier to be
> more respected when you're outside the building looking in,
> those inside can tend to be taken for granted because
> they're known for the position that they hold and have held,
> the mentality is "Oh he's our mid day guy he's not an
> afternoon or morning host" as if they COULD'NT be just
> because they are not, or "He's the MD or apd" that's who he
> is.

That's really sad. Seems like another example of management not respecting employees by pigeonholing them. I really don't like to be a unilateral critic of people in corporate positions in radio, but this attitude makes it difficult for me not to be one. Is this because demand for radio jobs outnumbers the supply? In other words, do people who make hiring decisions have the attitude that "if you don't like it, you can be replaced?"

Mike
> deserved a shot but again a first time PD is a first time PD
> and they usually do not start at a station or even a market
> that size.

Is being a PD really that big of a step up from being an APD? Seriously, I've only worked for one station, so I don't have much to go on here.
<P ID="signature">______________
"The Adam Carolla quote is getting old!" - DidYouKnow</P>

 

[RumourControl]

> It's always easier to be
> > more respected when you're outside the building looking
> in,
> > those inside can tend to be taken for granted because
> > they're known for the position that they hold and have
> held,
> > the mentality is "Oh he's our mid day guy he's not an
> > afternoon or morning host" as if they COULD'NT be just
> > because they are not, or "He's the MD or apd" that's who
> he
> > is.
>
> That's really sad. Seems like another example of management
> not respecting employees by pigeonholing them. I really
> don't like to be a unilateral critic of people in corporate
> positions in radio, but this attitude makes it difficult for
> me not to be one. Is this because demand for radio jobs
> outnumbers the supply? In other words, do people who make
> hiring decisions have the attitude that "if you don't like
> it, you can be replaced?"
>
> Essentially yes. Welcome to radio my friend, you now know the sort of mentality that is not only polluting the industry as you suggested, it's an example of why radio is suffering. Too many people over thinking things and pigeonholing everything, people, music, formatics, draining creativity out of the industry, the talent, yet wondering why there is a mass migration away from radio? and few listeners who have any passion for it anymore.

Now the reality chaser: as much as I feel for Mike, he really should have known. If you're already there in the building, if you were the guy you would have gotten it day one when they started the search, there probably would not have even been a search. When John Z left and the position became available again if he didn't get promoted right then and there he should have known it was not coming. Harsh but true so he can't really cry about it because the writing was on the wall you've just got to read it.

Good luck to Jerry, Good luck to Mike. May they both succeed!.

 

[lazerlight]

> Does anybody find it odd that 2 entercom program directors: Jerry Mckenna/MIKE 937 & Keith Hastings/WAAF drastically wanted out?


An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports
> that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
>

 

[WizardofProd]

> > Does anybody find it odd that 2 entercom program
> directors: Jerry Mckenna/MIKE 937 & Keith Hastings/WAAF
> drastically wanted out?
>
>
> An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports
> > that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> > Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
> >
>
Prolly a coincidence

 

[Mickey37]

> Maybe they want Jerry for his hugely popular, enormously
> bright ideas such as switching a station that was quite good
> with a big fan base into a station that 3 people listen to.


Please be fair. That wasn't his call. That came from someone (someones, even) a couple of rungs higher up the corporate ladder.

 

[Cabbage_Patch]

I personally think it should have been Mike Mullaney's time to shine. He's been MD of the year on more than one occasion and he's very bright... give him a shot at PD. Maybe he DOES have to leave to be a PD to come back and PD in Boston.

(and I think he will after being passed over twice.)



> > Maybe they want Jerry for his hugely popular, enormously
> > bright ideas such as switching a station that was quite
> good
> > with a big fan base into a station that 3 people listen
> to.
>
>
> Please be fair. That wasn't his call. That came from
> someone (someones, even) a couple of rungs higher up the
> corporate ladder.
>

 

[neanderpol]

Leaving To Come Home

First off...let me say this:

I do not know Mike Mullaney. I barely know Jerry McKenna. This post has nothing to do with either of them, but everything to do with the concept presented.

Often times, when someone makes their way up the ranks of a station, they're always looked upon by upper management as that person that "didn't know anything until they got here". And, because they theoretically have never been shown how to do "the job", they're not qualified to do it.

It sucks for those who want to advance fron within. I've been a victim of this. It's called "good part-timer's syndrome". You're looked upon as a decent temporary stopgap, but not for the full time gig. You have to earn your stripes elsewhere.

Mike's probably very worthy of consideration. But, will probably have to leave Boston and build up his reputation as a competant PD in a smaller market.

That's not to take anything away from Jerry, who's proven himself already over the years.

It's not fair, but it seems to be the way our industry works.


You have to leave to come home. How many times have we seen it?

 

[WizardofProd]

Re: Leaving To Come Home

> First off...let me say this:
>
> I do not know Mike Mullaney. I barely know Jerry McKenna.
> This post has nothing to do with either of them, but
> everything to do with the concept presented.
>
> Often times, when someone makes their way up the ranks of a
> station, they're always looked upon by upper management as
> that person that "didn't know anything until they got here".
> And, because they theoretically have never been shown how
> to do "the job", they're not qualified to do it.
>
> It sucks for those who want to advance fron within. I've
> been a victim of this. It's called "good part-timer's
> syndrome". You're looked upon as a decent temporary stopgap,
> but not for the full time gig. You have to earn your stripes
> elsewhere.
>
> Mike's probably very worthy of consideration. But, will
> probably have to leave Boston and build up his reputation as
> a competant PD in a smaller market.
>
> That's not to take anything away from Jerry, who's proven
> himself already over the years.
>
> It's not fair, but it seems to be the way our industry
> works.
>
>
> You have to leave to come home. How many times have we seen
> it?
>
Yes he's right, this has been well covered in previous posts in this very thread. Paul is dead on if you're already there you're thought of as the last thing you've done there. In other words if you're MD then you're thought of as the MD for the duration. Jerry has been a PD at a few stations none hugely successful but still he has the experience.

 

[OldiesCat]

question about PD``

So, was Jerry McKenna the PD at the Mike FM station?


> An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports
> that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
>

 

[mistercrabs2]

You're all missing a major point!!

Its possible that Mullaney doesnt WANT to be PD!!

As someone who has been MD and PD in several markets including Boston, I will tell you that, often, being MD is the greatest job in radio. especially if you never have to do an airshift. Like Mike, you get weekends free (with the exception of station events), you can win heaps of who-cares industry awards to solidify you position as a valued employee of the station, you probably make a terrific salary and if you dont, you've got enought free stuff from the industry to open you're own store on EBAY, you canget into any club, any time, for free, see any show, anytime, for free, eat for free, even shop for free, and you never have to deal with the face-to-face every-day corporate pressures a PD does that are brought on every day by the suits upstairs.

Being an APD/MD is the best job in the world and Mullaney should be happy right where he is. The first day you become PD starts the countdown to losing your job.


> An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section reports
> that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
>
<P ID="signature">______________
It is a good life, and not a good living, to which the wise aspire.</P>

 

[RumourControl]

Re: You're all missing a major point!!

> Its possible that Mullaney doesnt WANT to be PD!!
>
> As someone who has been MD and PD in several markets
> including Boston, I will tell you that, often, being MD is
> the greatest job in radio. especially if you never have to
> do an airshift. Like Mike, you get weekends free (with the
> exception of station events), you can win heaps of who-cares
> industry awards to solidify you position as a valued
> employee of the station, you probably make a terrific salary
> and if you dont, you've got enought free stuff from the
> industry to open you're own store on EBAY, you canget into
> any club, any time, for free, see any show, anytime, for
> free, eat for free, even shop for free, and you never have
> to deal with the face-to-face every-day corporate pressures
> a PD does that are brought on every day by the suits
> upstairs.
>
> Being an APD/MD is the best job in the world and Mullaney
> should be happy right where he is. The first day you become
> PD starts the countdown to losing your job.
>
>
> > An item in today's Boston Globe Living/Arts section
> reports
> > that Jerry McKenna has left Mike to become the new PD at
> > Mix. Again, Mike Mullaney gets unjustly passed over.
> >
>
I see the point you're trying to make but unfortunately it does not apply here as Mike wanted the job very much......both times it was available. It's probably not a matter of being unhappy as apd, but a desire to be rewarded and acknowledged on his part and who cannot understand that?.