Beaver definately deserves his new gig! The new station is lucky to have him. What a great programming mind! He's got his finger on the pulse, and he truly "gets" top 40 radio. Beaver has a bright radio future ahead of him. Why wouldn't he? Beaver has had some great mentors, like Cat Thomas, Randi West...and Hollywood!
Let's not forget that Hollywood is still a fairly new PD. In the short time since he took the reigns at WERO, he's taken the station from a state of disaster to a top arbitron contender! Single-handedly? No. But it's not because Hollywood is the great and powerful OZ, and Beaver's the man behind the curtain either. Believe it or not, Hollywood does know what he's doing. He knows how to execute his brand, and how to make it successful. Hollywood has many of the qualities that make a good leader. The Bob staff loves him and everyone gets along. How often do you hear that?
You see, no matter what the circumstances, Hollywood maintains a positive attitude. He finds the good in everyone and ignores the bad. Never will you hear him utter a bad word about others. He certainly wouldn't blast another radio person in an online forum.
Hollywood's the kind of PD everyone wants! He listens and takes direction from others. Sometimes, this makes him appear to be a "yes man". That couldn't be further from the truth! What he IS is a leader who assumes that most people did something right to get to where they are. So he listens to consultants, managers, and others who are above his position. But he also listens to his staff, sales, PDs at other stations, even part-timers! Ha! Can you imagine? He listens to everyone and considers the thoughts and ideas of others. Then he takes those opinions and decides for himself. Unlike most PDs, he believes that everyone has something to offer. Although Hollywood is the head at Bob, the whole staff is a team in the true sense of the word. Each staff member feels valuable, since each is allowed to contribute and be creative without micromanagement. Credit is always given where credit is due. Hollywood is often heard in meetings or on the phone saying something like, "Don't you love it? That was Gina's idea!" or "I couldn't have done it without Beaver. He took the idea and ran with it to make it great!"
Hollywood is open to ideas but make no mistake, he will not compromise the integrity of his radio station! He's quick to shoot down any suggestion that doesn't fit the station format or brand, no matter who made the request. He fights for what's right for the station even if he feels it could cost him his job. Hollywood is not one to be pushed around since his promotion to PD. His staff is aware that he's always in their corner, and that he'll go to bat for any one at any time.
Rarely will you find a PD who is adored by management AND staff. Hollywood is loved by everyone he encounters, both personally and professionally. And all-around nice guy, Hollywood has no known enemies. Anyone who has anything negative to say about Hollywood either does not know him or has played the radio game against him and lost.
If jealousy is the case, here's a suggestion: Apply for the night jock position that's newly become available at WERO. Who knows? Maybe you'll get lucky and have the opportunity to learn how to win.
