UPDATE: LOUDELL EXITING WILM

[bierkenstock]

All Access Net News:
ALL ACCESS hears that longtime Talk WILM-A/WILMINGTON, DE PD and host ALLAN LOUDELL is exiting the station.

-------------------------------------
All Access Job Openings:
Wilmington News PD
1450 WILM in Wilmington, DE is seeking to fill its first PD opening in 17 years. WILM is a heritage news/talk station with a great staff, great listeners, and impeccable reputation. This PD will be passionate, driven, and ready to lead the staff into WILM's 8th decade of excellence. This person will direct and monitor all programming and activities in conformance with FCC rules & regulations, company policy, and applicable federal, state, and local laws. This person oversee all on-air programming, production, and other content. This person will audition, hire, develop, and coach on-air staff. This person will coordinate with programming and sales staff to plan and execute promotions and marketing. Finally, this person will assist in logistics for the possibility of moving in to a new multi-station facility. Plus additional responsibilities. Excellent organizational and time management skills are a must, as are the ability to be flexible and work under short deadlines and emergent conditions, and the ability to perform as on-air announcer. Send tape, resume, and cover letter to Bob Walton, Operations Mgr., Clear Channel Delaware, 3001 Philadelphia Pike, Claymont, DE 19808. EOE.
Walton Bob, bobwalton, 9/7/2005 7:54:36 AM, [email protected]
Message#168525
<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by bierkenstock on 09/08/05 05:33 PM.</FONT></P>

 

[valkyrie777]

Look Up!

> All Access Net News:
> ALL ACCESS hears that longtime Talk WILM-A/WILMINGTON, DE PD
> and host ALLAN LOUDELL is exiting the station.
>
>

Pity. Now, what WILL all those people on that OTHER board gossip about? Oh, yeah...everybody ELSE.

 

[jimwalsh2001]

Details, anyone?

>WILM-A/WILMINGTON, DE PD
> and host ALLAN LOUDELL is exiting the station.
>

 

[MikefromDelaware]

As of now, the only info available is that he'll be leaving for another position. Nothing on where, if in Wilmington, Lower Delaware Area, Philly, Chicago, Radio, TV, Print media, still in CC, outside of CC, etc.

I know that some of you didn't like Allan's style or how he did the news, etc, but he's had a good long run on WILM and did a lot, in my opinion, to improve Wilmington radio news during his tenure in Wilmington, he'll be missed by many loyal listeners. I enjoyed working with Allan. I learned a great deal from him and appreciate his willingness to share his insights, knowledge of the radio business, etc, with me a part timer, who worked on weekends. He always treated me as a professional and was always courteous and fair with me. I wish Allan well in his next job.

> Details, anyone?
>
> >WILM-A/WILMINGTON, DE PD
> > and host ALLAN LOUDELL is exiting the station.
> >
>

 

[jimwalsh2001]

I too worked with Allan. We had our differences of opinion but we worked well together and respected each other as pros. I hope he's happy with wherever he's going.

 

[ixnay]

> I know that some of you didn't like Allan's style

If you mean arrogance, well, I detected none of that on the air. Having never met the man, well...
ixnay

 

[mwebster]

MORE ON LOUDELL AND WILM

I know some believe it is unseemly to speak ill of the departed, but some perspective and balance may be appropriate here.

17 years is a long time in this business. And his owners gave him a lot of freedom to do "his thing," which many in radio would envy.

He tried to bring big city-style all news radio (a la WBBM, WTOP, WCBS) to a medium market. If he did not succeed in replicating the formula of the legendary CBS all news stations, many have praised him for the attempt.

Although WILM was first with a news-talk format in the Wilmington market, they were over-taken by a locally owned rival flipping from another format a decade or so ago. And WILM lost money consistently on Loudell's watch (despite the station's reputation for not spending much).

As one of the moderators posted a week or two ago, the station seems to have had an unusual number of disaffected current and former employees. Turnover was above average. From comments I've heard and read, this may relate to a problem inherent in one person serving as management (PD) and air-talent (morning show host). In such situtations, other staff members often end up in competition (for air time, recognition, assignments, resources) with their own boss. The manager/air talent can't function effectively as a PD (supervisor/mentor)for others; and in his role as air talent, he doesn't have a PD himself (all air talent needs some direction and coaching). It may be telling that the ad for a replacement mentioned "develop and coach on-air staff." And the ad also mentions "organizational skills." Many radio people seem to enjoy a more seat-of-the-pants approach and as a result never quite develop organizational skills.

Nothing was mentioned about Loudell's next job. Possibly this move was not anticipated.

As one who moved from the broadcasting side of the business to the advertising, PR and marketing side, the way Loudell promoted the station to the trade and to the public was ingenious and highly affective (his approach was neatly captured in one headline I saw: "The Little Station That Could"). The guy could be a brilliant PR person, and would likely make 4 or 5 times what he has been making.

 

[Darren]

Loudell to WDEL beginning Monday...

> All Access Net News:
> ALL ACCESS hears that longtime Talk WILM-A/WILMINGTON, DE PD
> and host ALLAN LOUDELL is exiting the station.
>
> -------------------------------------
> All Access Job Openings:
> Wilmington News PD
> 1450 WILM in Wilmington, DE is seeking to fill its first PD
> opening in 17 years. WILM is a heritage news/talk station
> with a great staff, great listeners, and impeccable
> reputation. This PD will be passionate, driven, and ready to
> lead the staff into WILM's 8th decade of excellence. This
> person will direct and monitor all programming and
> activities in conformance with FCC rules & regulations,
> company policy, and applicable federal, state, and local
> laws. This person oversee all on-air programming,
> production, and other content. This person will audition,
> hire, develop, and coach on-air staff. This person will
> coordinate with programming and sales staff to plan and
> execute promotions and marketing. Finally, this person will
> assist in logistics for the possibility of moving in to a
> new multi-station facility. Plus additional
> responsibilities. Excellent organizational and time
> management skills are a must, as are the ability to be
> flexible and work under short deadlines and emergent
> conditions, and the ability to perform as on-air announcer.
> Send tape, resume, and cover letter to Bob Walton,
> Operations Mgr., Clear Channel Delaware, 3001 Philadelphia
> Pike, Claymont, DE 19808. EOE.
> Walton Bob, bobwalton, 9/7/2005 7:54:36 AM,
> [email protected]
> Message#168525
>