Over the past two weeks in Providence and around the nation, one name has been synonymous with radio: Ted Williams. When I first saw the viral video posted on Facebook, I thought it would be a funny industry insider video. I cannot imagine that anyone was able to foresee this onslaught of nonstop media coverage surrounding a homeless radio announcer. The hype that lit up the blogosphere and cable news networks proclaiming Mr. Williams as ‘proof that the American Dream is still alive’ seemed a little preemptive to me, considering this guy was still technically homeless.
As the meteoric rise to public attention proved to be too much for Williams to handle, the headlines turned from “triumphant” to “rehab.” Watchdogs uncovered deep hypocrisies, both in Ted Williams’ personal life and in his business offers, like the correlation between his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans; the latter being one of the major banks causing homelessness in Ohio by means of foreclosure.
The public interest has shifted from radio and announcing, to the all-too-familiar story of a private person confronting heavy issues in a very public manner. Whether or not producers had good intentions for Williams, the actions that led to his arrest and his agreement to enter rehab prove that he is not the guy you want on your airwaves.
This story has inadvertently shown the public just how hard the radio industry is scrambling to be ahead of the curve. Programmers all over the country are struggling to integrate new media and guerrilla marketing into their promotion strategies, and Ted Williams was an oasis in the desert to which everyone flocked. The industry has become much more challenging over the past fifteen years, but that does not warrant clamoring to make a person like Ted Williams the next radio star. No programmer or station manager would or should pull a random homeless guy off the street and give him a contract, because we know that prolonged homelessness often can stem from irresponsible behavior like drug abuse. The 10-Day Ted Williams Saga has proven what we already knew. Sure, it was a fun adventure to follow Williams, but was it worth it? Is this REALLY what the public wants in the future of radio?
I am one of dozens of out-of-work and under worked recently-graduated young radio professionals. Over the past weeks, Ted Williams has gone from homeless, to YouTube sensation, to NBA and TV announcer, to rehab. We all understand the need for more exciting, engaging, local radio, but should it really cost that much? In the end, nobody wins.
If you’re a program director reading this, I know you are looking for someone who is unique, smart, and articulate. Someone who is reliable and trustworthy, and won’t get into an altercation in a Hollywood hotel. You need me, or any one of dozens of my talented peers who spent exorbitant amounts of money the last decade not on drugs, but on college education, so that one day we might get a job offer like Ted Williams.
Joel "Jay" Buff
[email protected]
As the meteoric rise to public attention proved to be too much for Williams to handle, the headlines turned from “triumphant” to “rehab.” Watchdogs uncovered deep hypocrisies, both in Ted Williams’ personal life and in his business offers, like the correlation between his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Quicken Loans; the latter being one of the major banks causing homelessness in Ohio by means of foreclosure.
The public interest has shifted from radio and announcing, to the all-too-familiar story of a private person confronting heavy issues in a very public manner. Whether or not producers had good intentions for Williams, the actions that led to his arrest and his agreement to enter rehab prove that he is not the guy you want on your airwaves.
This story has inadvertently shown the public just how hard the radio industry is scrambling to be ahead of the curve. Programmers all over the country are struggling to integrate new media and guerrilla marketing into their promotion strategies, and Ted Williams was an oasis in the desert to which everyone flocked. The industry has become much more challenging over the past fifteen years, but that does not warrant clamoring to make a person like Ted Williams the next radio star. No programmer or station manager would or should pull a random homeless guy off the street and give him a contract, because we know that prolonged homelessness often can stem from irresponsible behavior like drug abuse. The 10-Day Ted Williams Saga has proven what we already knew. Sure, it was a fun adventure to follow Williams, but was it worth it? Is this REALLY what the public wants in the future of radio?
I am one of dozens of out-of-work and under worked recently-graduated young radio professionals. Over the past weeks, Ted Williams has gone from homeless, to YouTube sensation, to NBA and TV announcer, to rehab. We all understand the need for more exciting, engaging, local radio, but should it really cost that much? In the end, nobody wins.
If you’re a program director reading this, I know you are looking for someone who is unique, smart, and articulate. Someone who is reliable and trustworthy, and won’t get into an altercation in a Hollywood hotel. You need me, or any one of dozens of my talented peers who spent exorbitant amounts of money the last decade not on drugs, but on college education, so that one day we might get a job offer like Ted Williams.
Joel "Jay" Buff
[email protected]