The Trouble with WEJZ

[JohnRadioFan]

For those making a list of successful Jacksonville radio stations, Lite 96.1 WEJZ would be either at the top or very close to it. The station is a cash cow for Renda and over the years it has consistently delivered key demos particularly among female listeners. For a long time WEJZ has also been the station of choice in professional offices and businesses.

And so what is the trouble? Given the station is the only game in town I wonder how many listen out of habit rather than genuine love of the station. Could they continue dominance against a new competitor? I'm not so sure.

There are aspects to the programming quite frankly I just don't get. Let's start with the morning show. Arthur Crofton has name and voice recognition - a plus for a successful morning show. I've said this before so I apologize for the repeat but his sidekick, Lara Carlson, needs to tone it down. She talks over everyone and is way too hyper and shrill. For a station that promotes itself as being a stress-free ride, she reminds me of the stress-filled meetings I often attend at work

The newscasts are way too long and concentrate too much on world events instead of local news. The contests/interactions with listeners are, in my opinion, allotted too much time. All of these elements detract from what easy listening is all about.

I'm happy to see the lunchtime request show really plays requests - usually one right after the other. John Dalton does a good job overall but sometimes it gets mechanical sounding. In this venue, I think it's OK to engage a little more with the listeners and make the program more fun.

My main problem with the afternoon drive program is the love/hate routine Ed Fairbanks and Linda Baker do. It's no longer fresh. And the deliberate slow delivery Ed does is not natural sounding. I'd pick up the pace.

Lastly, that Delilah syndicated show is one I will never understand. The terminal five-minute analysis she engages callers with just to get to a request blows my mind. In this case, I'd go automated if the station is not budgeted for live, local talent in the evening hours.

Renda has a history of being more reactionary than being proactive. I sincerely hope they are not taking the WEJZ audience for granted.

 

[djtommyr]

Great analysis.

For me, I listen because I like the music. So, if there WAS a competitor, I might give them a shot too. But at best I would NOT abandon WEJZ, just put the competitor on my presets as another choice. I guess that would affect TSL if nothing else.

If there was another choice, it would have to be different enough for listeners to say, "I like them better because..." Then there's the challenge of trying to get everyone to sample the new station.

Can someone tell me what was good and bad about Coast 102.9, Soft Rock 102.9, and Mix 103? How did they all stand up against WEJZ in numbers, demos, music, and presentation?

 

[Sawer]

Nice, John.
I couldn't agree more about Lara Carlson. She talks over anyone and everyone. I guess it goes along with the egos found in radio as well as television. Some people feel that what they have to say is more important than anyone else. I just happen to catch the Morning Show the week Lara was on vacation and it was great. Arthur and The Weather Channel guy had very nice conversations that weren't "overwhelmed" (putting it nicely) by Lara. I do manage to find the next station on my radio when she gets wound up in the early morning hours. She's way too over the top for me!

 

[Superjax]

Yes, Yes, you are right on the money with Lara Carlson. The Lara situation isn't the only example of that in Jax radio. It seems like every female ever paired with Robbie Rose or Boomer, and now Boomer and Robbie together, have been "in the way", just like in the case of Arthur.

I also agree that John Dalton should spend more time with requesters and Delilah a lot less!

WEJZ is vulnerable, but what unchallenged monopoly ain't?

The Soup



> There are aspects to the programming quite frankly I just
> don't get. Let's start with the morning show. Arthur
> Crofton has name and voice recognition - a plus for a
> successful morning show. I've said this before so I
> apologize for the repeat but his sidekick, Lara Carlson,
> needs to tone it down. She talks over everyone and is way
> too hyper and shrill. For a station that promotes itself as
> being a stress-free ride, she reminds me of the
> stress-filled meetings I often attend at work
>
> The newscasts are way too long and concentrate too much on
> world events instead of local news. The
> contests/interactions with listeners are, in my opinion,
> allotted too much time. All of these elements detract from
> what easy listening is all about.
>
> I'm happy to see the lunchtime request show really plays
> requests - usually one right after the other. John Dalton
> does a good job overall but sometimes it gets mechanical
> sounding. In this venue, I think it's OK to engage a little
> more with the listeners and make the program more fun.
>
> My main problem with the afternoon drive program is the
> love/hate routine Ed Fairbanks and Linda Baker do. It's no
> longer fresh. And the deliberate slow delivery Ed does is
> not natural sounding. I'd pick up the pace.
>
> Lastly, that Delilah syndicated show is one I will never
> understand. The terminal five-minute analysis she engages
> callers with just to get to a request blows my mind. In this
> case, I'd go automated if the station is not budgeted for
> live, local talent in the evening hours.
>
> Renda has a history of being more reactionary than being
> proactive. I sincerely hope they are not taking the WEJZ
> audience for granted.
>

 

[motherscratcher]

>
> There are aspects to the programming quite frankly I just
> don't get. Let's start with the morning show. Arthur
> Crofton has name and voice recognition - a plus for a
> successful morning show. I've said this before so I
> apologize for the repeat but his sidekick, Lara Carlson,
> needs to tone it down. She talks over everyone and is way
> too hyper and shrill. For a station that promotes itself as
> being a stress-free ride, she reminds me of the
> stress-filled meetings I often attend at work
>

Lara Carlson's delivery didn't start out being that bad. It's something that has developed over time. The more comfortable she became with the show the more domineering she has become. It has resulted in someone who feels the need to not only have the last word, but to have control over all of the words leading to the last word! I have worked with other radio personalities over the years who feel they must deliver the payoff in every break which certainly isn't the case. It doesn't matter who (your co-host, the newsperson or even the listener)has the last word as long as it makes the break end in a truly spectacular way! THAT'S great radio!

One other thing worth mentioning. When Arthur takes time off the show suddenly becomes "Carlson & Crofton" rather than "Crofton & Carlson". I recall one ocassion where a live caller asked her on the air why she does that for which she had no legit answer! But it's obvious what the answer is. EGO! Get over it Lara. It's NOT all about you! You have a good radio personality but you need to learn how to control it.

 

[mountaineer]

What're they thinking?

What's amazing is how an outfit like Clear Channel can own/operate New York's #1 radio station, WLTW--can run its revenue & cashflow figures through its accounting department--but not take a run at WEJZ with, ummm, let's say 107.3. It's not exactly as though they don't know the format...


> For those making a list of successful Jacksonville radio
> stations, Lite 96.1 WEJZ would be either at the top or very
> close to it. The station is a cash cow for Renda and over
> the years it has consistently delivered key demos
> particularly among female listeners. For a long time WEJZ
> has also been the station of choice in professional offices
> and businesses.
>
> And so what is the trouble? Given the station is the only
> game in town I wonder how many listen out of habit rather
> than genuine love of the station. Could they continue
> dominance against a new competitor? I'm not so sure.
>
> There are aspects to the programming quite frankly I just
> don't get. Let's start with the morning show. Arthur
> Crofton has name and voice recognition - a plus for a
> successful morning show. I've said this before so I
> apologize for the repeat but his sidekick, Lara Carlson,
> needs to tone it down. She talks over everyone and is way
> too hyper and shrill. For a station that promotes itself as
> being a stress-free ride, she reminds me of the
> stress-filled meetings I often attend at work
>
> The newscasts are way too long and concentrate too much on
> world events instead of local news. The
> contests/interactions with listeners are, in my opinion,
> allotted too much time. All of these elements detract from
> what easy listening is all about.
>
> I'm happy to see the lunchtime request show really plays
> requests - usually one right after the other. John Dalton
> does a good job overall but sometimes it gets mechanical
> sounding. In this venue, I think it's OK to engage a little
> more with the listeners and make the program more fun.
>
> My main problem with the afternoon drive program is the
> love/hate routine Ed Fairbanks and Linda Baker do. It's no
> longer fresh. And the deliberate slow delivery Ed does is
> not natural sounding. I'd pick up the pace.
>
> Lastly, that Delilah syndicated show is one I will never
> understand. The terminal five-minute analysis she engages
> callers with just to get to a request blows my mind. In this
> case, I'd go automated if the station is not budgeted for
> live, local talent in the evening hours.
>
> Renda has a history of being more reactionary than being
> proactive. I sincerely hope they are not taking the WEJZ
> audience for granted.
>

 

[Superjax]

Re: Here's what they're thinking, but what if!

Mountaineer,

Your plan looks great on paper, but it won't happen. As long as there is a Rooster, the Gator will only be a competitor to the 2nd tier Country station.

It's kind of like Rooster and Gator play Triple A ball and WQIK is in the majors.

While we're on the subject of monopolies,how about WOKV. I think it is a great radio station, kind of like a compact version of WSB. However, if you unleash WPLA with the same format, and play the Clear Channel Ace in the hole, take Rush Limbaugh away, you have torn 690's heart out!

It's open for discussion!

The Soup

> What's amazing is how an outfit like Clear Channel can
> own/operate New York's #1 radio station, WLTW--can run its
> revenue & cashflow figures through its accounting
> department--but not take a run at WEJZ with, ummm, let's say
> 107.3. It's not exactly as though they don't know the
> format...
>
>

 

[motherscratcher]

Re: What're they thinking?

> What's amazing is how an outfit like Clear Channel can
> own/operate New York's #1 radio station, WLTW--can run its
> revenue & cashflow figures through its accounting
> department--but not take a run at WEJZ with, ummm, let's say
> 107.3. It's not exactly as though they don't know the
> format...
>
>

I agree with what you're saying. If you look across the country at Clear Channel AC stations, most of them do quite well. Closer to home, WMFG(AC)in Orlando has been #1 in the market for quite some time. I think that Planet would be a better choice for a flip mostly because the Jax market is too overcrowded with stations targeting male audiences, Planet being one of them.

So how should Renda react to a new AC competitor? First, don't wait for the new station to hit the air. Tune up WEJZ NOW and get some marketing in place. Rebuild what has been eroding away and reclaim your position of strength. If Renda waits until the the new kid hits the air it'll be a much bigger struggle. Clear Channel has no shortage of marketing venues in Jax and they certainly won't put a new format on the air and "hope the audience finds them". They will attack in an aggressive manner and won't back off until the damage is done.

The Fall book starts in less than a month. Stations that go into the book unprepared will pay for it in late January.

<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by motherscratcher on 08/26/05 11:18 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[JohnRadioFan]

Re: What're they thinking?

"Tune up WEJZ NOW and get some marketing in place. Rebuild what has been
eroding away and reclaim your position of strength."

Yes, totally agree. This is a part of being proactive instead of reactionary and Renda misses the mark there....often.

> > What's amazing is how an outfit like Clear Channel can
> > own/operate New York's #1 radio station, WLTW--can run its
>
> > revenue & cashflow figures through its accounting
> > department--but not take a run at WEJZ with, ummm, let's
> say
> > 107.3. It's not exactly as though they don't know the
> > format...
> >
> >
>
> I agree with what you're saying. If you look across the
> country at Clear Channel AC stations, most of them do quite
> well. Closer to home, WMFG(AC)in Orlando has been #1 in the
> market for quite some time. I think that Planet would be a
> better choice for a flip mostly because the Jax market is
> too overcrowded with stations targeting male audiences,
> Planet being one of them.
>
> So how should Renda react to a new AC competitor? First,
> don't wait for the new station to hit the air. Tune up WEJZ
> NOW and get some marketing in place. Rebuild what has been
> eroding away and reclaim your position of strength. If Renda
> waits until the the new kid hits the air it'll be a much
> bigger struggle. Clear Channel has no shortage of marketing
> venues in Jax and they certainly won't put a new format on
> the air and "hope the audience finds them". They will attack
> in an aggressive manner and won't back off until the damage
> is done.
>
> The Fall book starts in less than a month. Stations that go
> into the book unprepared will pay for it in late January.
>

 

[mountaineer]

AC just no fun despite the $$$?

Can't help but think it's odd how many broadcasters, in so many markets, shy away from AC--like in Jax (and NYC & Philly, et cetera)--and dedicate perfectly good sticks (like 107.3) to the scraps that go to 2nd/3rd players in any format, rather than going for a split of the big bucks. I've observed the same phenomenon with big FMs allowing an AM to go unchallenged in the news/talk arena. With all respect to the Mighty 690, history shows it to be... well, not quite unbeatable against a 100-kw FM. Weren't they once a Top 40/CHR of note back in the day?


> Your plan looks great on paper, but it won't happen. As
> long as there is a Rooster, the Gator will only be a
> competitor to the 2nd tier Country station.
>
> It's kind of like Rooster and Gator play Triple A ball and
> WQIK is in the majors.
>
> While we're on the subject of monopolies,how about WOKV. I
> think it is a great radio station, kind of like a compact
> version of WSB. However, if you unleash WPLA with the same
> format, and play the Clear Channel Ace in the hole, take
> Rush Limbaugh away, you have torn 690's heart out!
>
> It's open for discussion!
>
> The Soup
>
> > What's amazing is how an outfit like Clear Channel can
> > own/operate New York's #1 radio station, WLTW--can run its
>
> > revenue & cashflow figures through its accounting
> > department--but not take a run at WEJZ with, ummm, let's
> say
> > 107.3. It's not exactly as though they don't know the
> > format...
> >
> >
>