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The Worst Kept Secret In Waterloo/Cedar Falls Is.....???

W

withfrequency

That Ian Leonard is gone from KWWL as of December 1st. In fact, he just sold his house. Lot's of people know but the station has yet to announce it to the staff. Is Craig headed back to KWWL???? ???
 
Hmmm. Curious.
Craig would be better served than having to work with Edie Fawcett. She has lost whatever talent she once possessed.
 
supersoul said:
Hmmm. Curious.
Craig would be better served than having to work with Edie Fawcett. She has lost whatever talent she once possessed.
Click to expand...

At least they don't have him working with Linsey Grams.
 
I knew of this allready back last year when QNI was in the process of buying KWWL from Raycom Media. We heard from several sources that old talents who used to be on eastern Iowa TV were contacted by QNI to come back and be Ian's replacement. Last I heard it won't be Craig but some of the latest rumors indicate that QNI has contacted a former KGAN meteorologist whos been gone from the market for a few years now. QNI is not a big family company like they try to tell everyone, that was noticed by many people when they had there somewhat hostile take over and fired so many people who were working there for many years, some decades. QNI had the intent to replace the sports director Rick Coleman as well but have just now recently decided not to. Ian leaving is just the first of a few names to be leaving KWWL....
 
insight...

Who did they fire?

I don't remember anyone significant leaving KWWL in the last six months that didn't leave of their own accord...
 
I guess "significance" is in the eye of the beholder...but a photog with three decades experience was let go as were several other "lifers' who worked behind the scenes. As I heard it, when QNI came aboard, everyone was "let go" and had to "re-apply" for their jobs. Some were "rehired"...some weren't. My kind of family.
 
Just one more reason why the media world has gone straight to the dogs.

Dog eat dog.

Corporate America has taken over and trashed the communications industry.

The Fat Cats win again.
 
This is sad . Everyone at any organization is significant ....if each person switched jobs for one day , they would appreciate each other more and that winning team attitude would prevail.

I am thinking Wall Cloud was referring to ON SCREEN folks.

I am curious if Wall Cloud's background is or was in radio or tv?

KWWL has had employment ads for quite some time.
Is KCRG the only locally owned TV station in the CR area?
I think The Corporate world has taken a lot of spunk out of really great people .
I hate to say it ,but I agree with Supersoul about Corporate Corruption ...can't we do anything to take back what is right and what is ours???
It seems to be all about the buck...why do you think so many people are leaving radio and tv? Heck with long time dedicated employees.

Many return to the 'biz ...after finding people can't seem to see them as anything but their original role (Meterologist , news reporter , morning man etc) or that without a 4 year degree you cannot even make what you were making in the broadcasting industry. Many have the undieing passion and return with the "Will 2 Change" and end up fighting a losing battle.
Hail to the last remaining local guys!
 
Wall Cloud...I guess it depends on what you consider significant...several on air talents left either slightly before the takeover or there abouts, reporters, sports anchor..... But I was refering to many behind the scenes people such as people in the front office, graphics desginer, engineers, traffic....

ALO News/Talker....no one was "let go" really....it was more like when we were still working for raycom were given a application filled it out and then became part of the "QNI Family" The reason for the application was so that QNI would have offical paperwork on it's employees. QNI claimed they weren't able to get any of the records from raycom. As far as I can think of anyone who worked for Raycom were hired under QNI, sometime there after that point of transfer though is when they really started "letting others go"

Will2change...your right on with your comments....KWWL has had employment ads for longer than I can remember, they haven't been up to "full staff" for well over 2 years now. As of this moment they are down 4 reporter positions and a photog and that has been that way way before QNI took over...that dates back to almost a year ago when Raycom inacted their "hiring freeze" when they knew they were going to sell KWWL... Every day that goes by I start to feel more and more that KWWL is starting to spiral down the toilet and with the station being off for nearly a day again it just proves the fact even more. 2 engineers at one TV station can only fix so many things...
 
The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported today (10/12/06):

KWWL chief meteorologist Ian Leonard leaving station

WATERLOO — KWWL chief meteorologist Ian Leonard is leaving the Eastern Iowa television station after more than three years. Oct. 27 is his last day on the job. The announcement Wednesday said Leonard is taking a ‘‘dream job’’ in a larger market. KWWL marketing manager Chris Hussey said that, because of contractual obligations to his new employer, Leonard has not been able to reveal more.
Leonard will spend the week of Oct. 23 broadcasting the weather live each day from different parts of the KWWL viewing area and saying goodbye to viewers.
A nationwide search for his replacement will begin immediately.
 
(On my knees praying)

Dear God,

Please don't let the suits at KWWL replace Ian Leonard with "The Schnack". I promise that I will eat ALL my vegetables and go to church once a month for the rest of my life if you keep Mark Schnackenburg OUT of the afternoon/evening weather position. Amen.

The Stick
 
Glad to see you guys are all alive and well. It has been quite dead on this board as of late.

Here is a question for Stickman or anyone else that might have an intelligent guess or possible answer:

There is a Help wanted ad on IOWABROADCASTERS.com , the first one.
It says an Iowa Local coming looking to expand, seeking morning host.
When you respond to JAZZMAN , he or she is very secretive and says they are within 90 miles of CR but not in the CR market . They can't release any more info for several weeks, but if you want to leave your info you may.
What is your take? Is it legit, possible small mom and pop station , or is this a sneaky corrupt plan from the corporate guys to see who will take the bait ? Possibly trying to draw out current employees or former ones?
Just curious . Thank you.
 
My guess is that it is the Waterloo/Cedar Falls cluster owned by Bahakel. They are either trying to fill a void at KOKZ in the mornings OR they know that one of their morning show hosts at KFMW has been looking to get out. That is the word on the street anyway. "Expanding" is a word they are using to throw the rest of the stations off. There is ZERO expansion in eastern Iowa radio right now.

The Stick
 
Thanks Stickman for the quick response.
Any chance you have the resources to start-up a new station?
It sounds like you have the knowledge and experience?
I bet you'd be surprised what local former talents would be there to back you.
Just a thought to toss your way.

If you could start your own station right now...( assuming the FCC granted you permission and you had the resources to do so)
What would your line-up of local jocks be...past or present?
Would you be on air or off?
What format?
 
Now that you mention it, I have heard both were looking for "talent " recently.
What dial number is KWAY and can it be heard in CR ?
Thank you.
 
KWAY-FM is at 99.3 and can barely be heard in Waterloo/Cedar Falls.
 
Ian

So what are we heariing about Ian's new gig, and is there any word about who will replace him? Someone hinted that Craig Johnson might be in KWWL's crosshairs but would there be a non-compete in effect?
 
I heard the new suits told Ian to take a pay cut or hit the road. Just something I heard at the water cooler. As far as a replacement, I've heard everything listed in previous posts. From the "viewers" I talk to and hear from - KWWL has to restore some credibility. Ian was a clown (minus the red nose and makeup) and unwatchable.
 
AOL News/Talker....I have to respectfully disagree that Ian is a "clown." I will say that he was a contrast from Craig Johnson who was more of a scientest. Ian is more the entertainer. Also, Ian deserves credit for getting involved in the community the way he and his wife did when they first came to the area....being chairman of The Cedar Valley United Way being one example.

Finally, while I have no idea where Ian is going, I am fairly sure that it will be a much bigger TV market than this one. Certainly if Ian were an "unwatchable clown" he would be packing cookies for Archway and not going to a bigger market.
 
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