The Zimmer group

[jimwalsh2001]

I had some contact with the Zimmer Group recently about working at one of their stations (i won't go into details here, but it didn't pan out). I'm curious: what kind of rep do they have in the region?

 

[Kent]

> I had some contact with the Zimmer Group recently about
> working at one of their stations (i won't go into details
> here, but it didn't pan out). I'm curious: what kind of rep
> do they have in the region?

I worked part-time for Zimmer in Mid-MO for about 9 months. Although my departure wasn't entirely my own decision and I wasn't there long, I have no axe to grind. I was treated professionally and reasonably well during my stay there. I liked pretty much all of my co-workers and had a good time during my stay. I really wish my stay there had not ended so quickly, but life goes on. I got a good reference out of them, and it helped me land another weekend job that paid better and was more flexible.

Zimmer is much like most other broadcasters. It's a business first and foremost, and whether you have a good or bad experience working there depends mostly on you.

 

[adz]

I worked for Zimmer as their ''empire'' was just getting started..I was not a model employee, and realize that much of my problem with them stemmed from some of the stuff I did..having said that..be prepared to wear a whole lot of hats, and multi task for what was then a pathetic sum of money..I made around $13,000..full time..between the late 80s and early 90s..you've been warned..

 

[Kent]

> I worked for Zimmer as their ''empire'' was just getting
> started..I was not a model employee, and realize that much
> of my problem with them stemmed from some of the stuff I
> did..having said that..be prepared to wear a whole lot of
> hats, and multi task for what was then a pathetic sum of
> money..I made around $13,000..full time..between the late
> 80s and early 90s..you've been warned..

I have to agree with you about the pay situation. Even by radio standards, I got pretty low pay working there. However, they were upfront with me about it, and I already had a full-time job that paid just fine. I wanted to keep doing radio and to get revenge on my former employer (actually one specific individual more than the employer) across the street more than I wanted money.

 

[BuzzCalhoun]

I worked on Mornings at their flagship K-103 in Cape, and also had what I considered to be a great experience. I had problems with my PD and communication of what exactly they (the PD and Ops Guy) wanted from the show, but found the people to be fun to work with and very professional. I'd work for Zimmer again!

 

[Robb_Reel]

...be prepared to wear a whole lot of hats...

I spent about nine months -- summer of 2006 into spring of 2007 -- programming KTGR in Columbia as well as working on Clear 99 and KCMQ.

The above statement couldn't be more on the nose. At ZRG, you will be expected to do a LOT of different things for your pay. However, I found the money to pretty good for the market size. If you are a "four-and-out-the door" or just not prepared or equipped to multi-task, it's the wrong place for you. If you like to have your fingers in a lot of different pies -- as I do -- you'll fit right in. Not only does it stay interesting, but you'll have the opportunity to effect genuine change and implement your ideas since there's much less corporate red tape.. The Zimmers are real "radio people," not stock-price-driven accountants; they understand and can foster quality radio and they let their managers do the jobs they hire them to do.

There were really only two people with whom I had any lasting friction [unfortunately, I had to work closely with one of them] but that's pretty much par for the course for anyone at any station. Overall, the people and the atmosphere were better than most stations where I have worked. Sure, you would butt heads with co-workers from time to time, but it was always clear that even disagreeing parties were all trying to do what they believed best for the stations...and they could all happily go for a beverage together after work.

If it weren't for an opportunity to move back to Indianapolis, I would still be there and would be quite happy.

 

[blaster69]

Zimmer, Withers, whatever, in MO. ALL pay is low or below what you should be making (check any other part of the country.) Mostly because of the fact that so many new folks graduate from the many broadcast "schools" in St. Louis and surrounding areas. Having been an OM there it was a requirement to search the
available candidates (available at below standard living wages) first, with experience or work ethic not ranking at the top of the check list. Unless you have family, a spouse, or have won the lottery, pass on either of the aforementioned companies for many reasons beyond low pay. I must mention though these guys are mostly smaller markets, and this doesn't really apply to the larger markets where there is more cash spread around. Get ready for little to no talent fee's, find your own group insurance, and to be treated like a complete moron. Never Again.

 

[Robb_Reel]

Get ready for little to no talent fee's [sic], find your own group insurance, and to be treated like a complete moron.

This is not an accurate description of Zimmer at all...certainly not in Columbia/Jeff City.

Talent fees, benefits and working conditions were all commenserate with market size, as was the pay.

 

[gassoff]

Zimmer, Withers, whatever, in MO. ALL pay is low or below what you should be making (check any other part of the country.) Mostly because of the fact that so many new folks graduate from the many broadcast "schools" in St. Louis and surrounding areas. Having been an OM there it was a requirement to search the available candidates (available at below standard living wages) first, with experience or work ethic not ranking at the top of the check list.

Do you believe what someone says about their work ethic on their own resume?

Also, There is absolutely nothing wrong with the education you get at broadcast schools. But, that first job right out of school must be considered an extension of the education process. While I didn't work for a company mentioned above, my first job was at a radio station in a small town. I had the opportunity to be afternoon drive host, as well as doing news reporting, public affairs shows, production, selling commercials, and mopping the floor. The pay was terrible.

BUT, it was better education than I could have ever gotten from any school. I was soon moving on to the medium market near-by, and getting paid for what I learned in the small market.

 

[skippertthomas]

I worked around them in their EZ listening days, when I was across the street at Ruth and Toad Withers Cape stations.. Then I saw their agreesive move into better facilities and large FM's in those small/regional markets.. Many of my friends worked for them and stayed along time... Even stations that had lost their 'big' numbers of old, were given talent and time to regain share and sales, in a more diverse marketplace.. They have great engineering in Obergainer and I have loved their blueprint for studios and the visual presence in each market.. If I were to go back into commerical radio, fulltime, I'd find them worth looking at.. You can live alot cheaper in their markets and raise a family, yet be close to a weekend in KC or STL and be happy.. Not all is rosie, in the big's these days... Real radio owners tend to be in markets 100 and down... I work for South Central part time and love how they treat and pay us... There are a few class owners still out there in the 'regions' around small and medium markets... ;D

 

[MrOtis]

I worked with Robb Reel (above) at ZRG in Columbia and I agree with his assessment of the group.  In addition to programming the station, booking guests for and hosting the afternoon show, and setting up the group's first regular podcast, I was pulled into a sort of consulting role on the group's non-radio Internet properties. Apparently I did well enough on web content management that I was tapped to head up the new Internet division.

The money was fair for the market size, and like Robb, I like to do a lot of different things -- although the Internet job is full-time by itself. That on top of the PD/PM host responsibilities wore me ragged pretty quickly.

Sadly, family matters compelled us to leave before we really got the Internet side off the ground and now we're in the process of relocating to Indiana.  Based on what I read about Cumulus/Indy, Robb, I hope you're still OK!

 

[jackd]

I worked for Zimmer in the late 90s in Joplin & lets just say that I would take Cumulus or Clear Channel any day over Zimmer!!!

 

[skippertthomas]

Hey Jack... What's up in 'Rocketown'???? Might see you at GMA... Be Blessed and Be Well... "Skipper T." up and running the National Christian College Athletic Association Basketball Championships, this week.. Basketball is getting old....

 

[Robb_Reel]

I worked for Zimmer in the late 90s in Joplin & lets just say that I would take Cumulus or Clear Channel any day over Zimmer!!!

I can't speak to the experience in Joplin, Lawrence, Cape, etc., but I loved my time in Columbia. It's disappointing to hear that others didn't enjoy their stints as much.

I have worked for all three -- Zimmer, Cumulus and Clear Channel -- and I could make a strong case for or against any of them depending on what elements are important to someone looking at a job.