WCRN's Peter Blute's Advertising Practices

[WhiskeyRobber]

Interesting way to make money but does it shade journalistic integrity of show?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma...009/02/01/ex_congressmans_roles_raise_issues/

 

[ChrisNH]

It's also rather ironic (and hypocritical) that The Globe calls into question Blute's practices while that very newspaper's parent company (the NYT) is probably going to run advertisements on the Front Page...and as long as The Globe is under the NYT's ownership, that newspaper will do the same. And more ironic (and hypocritical) is that when you click the link above, the page having the story has a big banner ad for NESN and the Red Sox. Care to guess whether there's a financial link between the Globe and the Red Sox?

Dispensing with the 'irony' and moving over to 'funny,' the Globe story takes the opportunity to identify Blute as 'a Republican.'

The Bow-Tie Brigade is in shambles over there on The Boulevard. Let's hope it continues.

 

[DavidZ]

The Bow-Tie Brigade is in shambles over there on The Boulevard. Let's hope it continues.

Although I don't personally read the Globe on a regular basis or in most cases agree with their editorial positions, I would hate to lose them or any other daily newspaper or media outlet. Some of the same issues that are affecting the newspaper business, i.e. greatly reduced Advertising dollars, are affecting radio stations, too.

I have to ask; how soon before owners turn off the lights and silence forever unprofitable radio stations just as the newspapers before them have been shut down?

 

[JIBGUY]

It's also rather ironic (and hypocritical) that The Globe calls into question Blute's practices while that very newspaper's parent company (the NYT) is probably going to run advertisements on the Front Page...and as long as The Globe is under the NYT's ownership, that newspaper will do the same.

But that's apples and oranges Chris... Having advertising on the front page is not much different than having it on any other page... it's just a disappointment, not diminishing journalism standards. Radio, though, is different. On radio, you don't see the obvious boxed advertisements.... radio is audio only and the beginning and end announcements saying that this does not necessarily reflect the views.... --is not heard by most, especially those who tune in in the middle of the half-hour infomercial. Since those "talk show" infomercials are so very well staged, dis-honestly pretending to be regular call-in shows, that certainly sets them apart from obvious ads in a newspaper. Fake testimonials on radio.... and a lot of radio doesn't mind.

Remember 100+ years ago when newspapers actually did have ads for Dr. Fellgood stuff in pictoral ads mixed in with news stories on the front page. NOW, newspapers have a long way to go before they get to that level. I would imagine that if the Globe or NYT were to put ads on the front page, they'd be along the bottom, like many small-town weeklies have been doing for decades. I see no problem with that, unless they are graphically designed to be undistinguishable from actual news stories above them.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

It's also rather ironic (and hypocritical) that The Globe calls into question Blute's practices while that very newspaper's parent company (the NYT) is probably going to run advertisements on the Front Page...and as long as The Globe is under the NYT's ownership, that newspaper will do the same. And more ironic (and hypocritical) is that when you click the link above, the page having the story has a big banner ad for NESN and the Red Sox. Care to guess whether there's a financial link between the Globe and the Red Sox?

Dispensing with the 'irony' and moving over to 'funny,' the Globe story takes the opportunity to identify Blute as 'a Republican.'

The Bow-Tie Brigade is in shambles over there on The Boulevard. Let's hope it continues.

Supposedly the Globe is losing close to a million dollars a week. How long that's been going on is anyone's guess, but particularly in this economy no one is going to stand for it for very long. And, since the Globe beats the Herald in metro circulation, Pat Purcell's ledgers are probably similarly red.

However, all newspapers are in the same boat. They're all plagued by horrible demographics...essentially, very few people under age 55. The younger generations get their news from TV (in ever diminishing numbers) and the Internet. The Christian Science Monitor has already given up all its print editions and is exclusively electronic now...and they're only the tip of this particular iceberg.

And BTW, in the Department of Nitpicking, otherwise known as "What's Your Agenda This Week?": Every time the Globe talks about Tommy Taxes, they ID him as a Democrat. The Blute reference is a matter of style, not an attack.

 

[WCRiNsider]

Guess you missed the story from the Herald...

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1148727


(awful picture by the way -- why couldn't they use your nice airbrushed one that is hanging up in the lobby?)

You didn't hear it from me, but Hank Stolz (PD/Board Op) has been trying for months to get Blute out... Hank is the one leaking this info to the papers so that he can talk the Carberry family into sending Peter packing, so he can take over 5-9am and TRY to get more than a 0.8 in the ratings. shhhh.

 

[DavidZ]

You didn't hear it from me, but Hank Stolz (PD/Board Op) has been trying for months to get Blute out... Hank is the one leaking this info to the papers so that he can talk the Carberry family into sending Peter packing, so he can take over 5-9am and TRY to get more than a 0.8 in the ratings. shhhh.

I figured when Hank started working the first hour at 5 a.m., the next move would be to get the whole 4 hours by squeezing Peter out the door. What Hank doesn't understand is that he has a big mountain to climb if he thinks that with the full 4 hours he will ever get higher ratings. Jim Polito at WTAG will continue to bury WCRN no matter who has morning drive.

BTW, WCRiNsider, who is responsible for that awful looking weekend schedule on the website? It's a joke. A 3rd grader could have done a better job putting together a professional looking schedule.

 

[magpie]

It's a sad thing when even on their "top" local show, the talent has to help sell commercials....

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Interesting way to make money but does it shade journalistic integrity of show?

http://www.boston.com/news/local/ma...009/02/01/ex_congressmans_roles_raise_issues/

Journalistic integrity, Gracie? It's a TALK show...not a four-hour news report. The only thing being "reported" is its host's opinions. Anyone who would look to a talk show for "journalistic integrity" must have a few screws loose.

 

[WCRiNsider]

website is done by a lady who is in a sales club with one of our sales people. she doesnt know anything about radio ... so she does her best. the content, however, is provided to her by Hank (PD) or Chris (GM)

 

[magpie]

That is so rinky-dink! Having a decent up-to-date website should be a priority.

 

[The Original]

An effective site would be nice. A good on-air product would be even better. What you must do, though, is travel back with me into the archives of WCRN history---long, long, long ago to begin getting the "BIG PICTURE." The plan was to have dumped 'CRN years ago. When it was discovered the old WQVR, Southbridge, was purchased for a cool million, upgraded, marketed and held by Mr. Wilks for only about three years as "The Fox" and then sold to Citadel for an even cooler $14-million, Ken went full-throttle to upgrade 'CRN to its maximum in hopes of dumping his station the same way. My main point is that the owner doesn't really care about the programming and especially about a web site. The upgrades took way too long and the signal doesn't get to Boston the way that was hoped for. In the meantime, the owner's tried to dress it up with a former congressman, some salesmen and new studios, all to make it more attractive. He's doing the nuts & bolts things an old-style broadcaster used to do to disguise the flaws. However, since moving downtown, the economy has tanked and now you can bet the goal is simply to stave-off even more significant losses. With the economy down the drain and all these big, publically-traded broadcasting companies trying to find the exit door, you better believe no one is giving Ken the offers he really wants. It's really a laugh-riot to listen and know what the current employees are going through. Keep the on-air side-comments coming! All your many predecessors understand and really enjoy them.

Future installments from the WCRN historical archives:
* The great toilet paper shortage of the '90s
* The falsifying of the "Magic Cream Show" affadavits
* The in-office breakdown of Smith-Corona
* The secretary, the 1099 forms, her trip to the state house and her 2 weeks notice
* The Yankee Kitchen and the spinach sandwich recipe
* The wind, the rain, the satellite dish, the landlord and my favorite co-worker: "this is WCRN transmitter"

 

[DavidZ]

I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment from the WCRN historical archives. The stories should be very interesting.

 

[Wilkins]

My name is Mike Wilkins. I will not hide behind anonymity on this board. I am new here, but I am not new to the radio business.

I know Mr. Carberry, and have worked for him. I take exception to some of the most recent comments made about him.

My main point is that the owner doesn't really care about the programming and especially about a web site.

Interesting quote, that. I know Mr. Carberry as not just an owner, but as a man. A "radio man," knowing - and caring - about every aspect of his radio stations (past and present). True, the current website is lacking, and it may not be a priority, but to say he doesn't care about the programming is more than a bit of a stretch.

In the meantime, the owner's tried to dress it up with a former congressman, some salesmen and new studios, all to make it more attractive. He's doing the nuts & bolts things an old-style broadcaster used to do to disguise the flaws.

I'm confused. Is he upgrading the *new* studios and doing "nuts & bolts things" - all very laudable efforts to my way of thinking; or is he trying to "disguise flaws?" What flaws? Be specific and not nebulous.

However, since moving downtown, the economy has tanked and now you can bet the goal is simply to stave-off even more significant losses.

Much like everyone else - corporations, family-owned businesses, and households.

With the economy down the drain and all these big, publically-traded broadcasting companies trying to find the exit door, you better believe no one is giving Ken the offers he really wants.

Yah, so? Staying in the radio biz is probably not a problem for him. Big deal.

It's really a laugh-riot to listen and know what the current employees are going through.

First, if there are problems (and which company - radio or not - doesn't have them), it's a shame it makes you laugh. But wait, you're laughing *with* them, right? Secondly, a disgruntled employee - or one trying to play office politics - doesn't speak for everyone.

Keep the on-air side-comments coming! All your many predecessors understand and really enjoy them.

I'm a predecessor, and I don't understand it one bit. You do not speak for me.

Future installments from the WCRN historical archives:

Isolated instances, spread out among many years may make for funny stories - and I'm all about funny stories! - they don't make for a pattern of abuse or neglect.

Whew! That was way more than I was going to say. My apologies for going on, and I'm sorry that *this* may be your first dealings with me. But really, I'm a nice guy. Really.

Mike

 

[The Original]

Mr. Wilkins,
I apoligize for not identifying you correctly. I know your real name is Mr. Wilkes, right? Anyways, I do think you should call North Star Media and request the toll-free number for Ron Turner to order some of his colon cleanser tablets because you are full of it. And, Mr. Wilkins, ah, Mr. Wilkes, please wish your father a happy 78th birthday. I somehow forgot to mail a card in December.

The Original

 

[Wilkins]

Mr. Wilkins,
I apoligize for not identifying you correctly. I know your real name is Mr. Wilkes, right?

Nope. You are wrong. Dead wrong. My name is Michael Wilkins. Is now. Has always been.

Anyways, I do think you should call North Star Media and request the toll-free number for Ron Turner to order some of his colon cleanser tablets because you are full of it.

Good comeback, Potsie. btw, I noticed you didn't rebuff any of my points.

And, Mr. Wilkins, ah, Mr. Wilkes, please wish your father a happy 78th birthday. I somehow forgot to mail a card in December.

My father, born in April (fwiw), passed away in September of 2001 from melanoma. You obviously know nothing about me or my family. Perhaps *you* need the colon cleanser.

The Original

"The Original" what?