Been away a while but have been listening up and down the FM dial. I see y'all have a new Standards combo on-the-air, but what's up with MARC Radio. I don't really hear anything different (except some chanes I guess with the AM stations.) Somebody told me they're trying to run things with out of state management. Surely, that can't be true. They so deserve to be taken seriously, and I figured the new ownership would get a handle on that. Clue me in if you know. And, why is this board so much less active than it used to be? Has Gainesville radio lost its enthusiasm????????
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What's Happening in Gainesville? MARC Radio?
- Thread starter backinthesunshine
- Start date
There really hasn't been anything new and worthwhile to discuss recently regarding Ocala/Gainesville which may explain why the North Florida Boards have been quiet lately.
With regards to Marc Radio Gainesville, my understanding is ownership is searching for a GM/GSM. What it will take is someone not only experienced in management, sales and marketing, but also someone well versed in the market who knows the market forward and backwards. Key is knowing the other media's strengths and weaknesses as well as knowing the Marc group's strengths and weaknesses, and further exploiting the group's strengths for maximum ratings and revenue growth. Once Marc Radio has someone that fits that description in the GM's driver's seat, you will see vast improvements overall.
With regards to Marc Radio Gainesville, my understanding is ownership is searching for a GM/GSM. What it will take is someone not only experienced in management, sales and marketing, but also someone well versed in the market who knows the market forward and backwards. Key is knowing the other media's strengths and weaknesses as well as knowing the Marc group's strengths and weaknesses, and further exploiting the group's strengths for maximum ratings and revenue growth. Once Marc Radio has someone that fits that description in the GM's driver's seat, you will see vast improvements overall.
Quoting "the old professor" back on 11/5/13: "Give her a year or two." when commenting on the latest GM/GSM for the MARC cluster. Looks like Camillia Pflum lasted about 1 year 9 months before heading north to Indiana. Has there been anyone else in the drivers seat since she left? I heard the big man had taken a more hands on approach to his investment in big time radio.
Hey Mark, long time no talk to. Was your last post a comment, or a resume???
Hey Mark, long time no talk to. Was your last post a comment, or a resume???
Hello, John. Yes, it has been a long time. There hasn't been very much action lately so it has been rather quiet.
Regarding the previous GM/GSM, I do not know any of the circumstances or details regarding her departure. I do, however, wish Ms. Pflum the very best in success in her new job.
As for me, I'm simply making a comment. My resume' is quite long and detailed to post here. If I were interested in posting my resume, I'd simply send a copy direct to the decision maker of whatever position I am interested in pursuing.
Once again, John, it was great hearing from you and thank you for commenting.
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O
ok walters
Guest
"My resume' is quite long and detailed" - quote of the day. Being how it is "long and detailed", does it include where you got your PhD? When I asked you before you refused to answer for some unknown reason, but surely important information like that would be included in a resume', would it not?
Your above post does read like a resume' whether that was the intent or not.
I did not read it that way. I believe the post suggests that anyone with those reasonable qualifications could be successful. Probably, there are several potential candidates for that job that meet those qualifications.
Here is the straight-out scoop on Marc Radio. First off, as a human being, owner Roger Holler is a great man. His intentions are noble. He is one of my favorite people.
Here is why any yardage gain at this signal challenged, history of unimaginable distress, the intensely challenged Marc Radio Group is a slooooooowwwww, frustrated process. Watching paint dry is much more exciting. YES...there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. Doesn't matter if you put a monkey in the GSM/GM chair, a sadistic Bi-Polar troll, a hot shot up and comer, a rock rock star of GM from 80s and 90s trying to reboot his career, a former National VP or something from the actual Mad Men era, an experienced in-market out of work former crosstown GM, someone with a long detailed resume that knows the market inside and out and claims to know the answer to everything and is convinced he could be the savior of Marc Radio...or my dog that sleeps 20 hours a day, the result will be the same: there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. Let me say it again: there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. An out of market consultant that should be really good, but is stretched to thin and gets wrapped up with this bizarre "Shadow Government". Remember? There IS an out that micro manages EVERYTHING. A lawyer, an interior decorator, landscaper, an IT guy, a graphics design guy, a security guy, an HR team that doesn't even know what a radio is (back ground is auto dealerships only), and a so-called national sales rep that weaseled her way in to take any and all existing agency accounts from the local reps (their list is so shallow as it is) and NEVER acquires new business, just sits by the phone and laptop at a car lot in Orlando. The amount of individuals in this strange "Shadow Government" team exceeds the actual employees at the Gainesville offices and studios. How dehumanizing. Oh, did I happen to mention that the out of market shadow government micro manages EVERYTHING, even it not in their department? Does all of this sound harsh? This is not an embellishment. This is just not sugar coating the situation. So go ahead, GM boy...take a seat in the big chair and change the world!
Here is why any yardage gain at this signal challenged, history of unimaginable distress, the intensely challenged Marc Radio Group is a slooooooowwwww, frustrated process. Watching paint dry is much more exciting. YES...there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. Doesn't matter if you put a monkey in the GSM/GM chair, a sadistic Bi-Polar troll, a hot shot up and comer, a rock rock star of GM from 80s and 90s trying to reboot his career, a former National VP or something from the actual Mad Men era, an experienced in-market out of work former crosstown GM, someone with a long detailed resume that knows the market inside and out and claims to know the answer to everything and is convinced he could be the savior of Marc Radio...or my dog that sleeps 20 hours a day, the result will be the same: there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. Let me say it again: there IS an out of market team that micro manages EVERYTHING. An out of market consultant that should be really good, but is stretched to thin and gets wrapped up with this bizarre "Shadow Government". Remember? There IS an out that micro manages EVERYTHING. A lawyer, an interior decorator, landscaper, an IT guy, a graphics design guy, a security guy, an HR team that doesn't even know what a radio is (back ground is auto dealerships only), and a so-called national sales rep that weaseled her way in to take any and all existing agency accounts from the local reps (their list is so shallow as it is) and NEVER acquires new business, just sits by the phone and laptop at a car lot in Orlando. The amount of individuals in this strange "Shadow Government" team exceeds the actual employees at the Gainesville offices and studios. How dehumanizing. Oh, did I happen to mention that the out of market shadow government micro manages EVERYTHING, even it not in their department? Does all of this sound harsh? This is not an embellishment. This is just not sugar coating the situation. So go ahead, GM boy...take a seat in the big chair and change the world!
All I can say is WOW.
It's good to see you here Kevin. It also sounds like maybe you have had a negative experience with the group in question. Let me say I have always had much respect for you as an industry professional. Your (for lack of a better term) essay appears to sum up your overall thoughts, opinions and feelings about Marc Radio Gainesville, LLC. If what you described is the undisputed truth, that is a real shame because under the right circumstances, that cluster can be more than it is at the moment.
I'm switching modes for a moment and will speak generally from this moment forward and not direct any opinions towards any particular group, person, or market. I agree with you. You are correct that no one can do justice if said person is not allowed to do their job. I'm not speaking direct against Marc Radio; but, rather I am speaking in general terms of any business, including radio.
I hope all is going well for you, Kevin. Once again, it is great hearing from you.
Whoa. An interior decorator? Really??? Kinda sums it all up. Thanks.
I gotta know...are the descriptions of managers real or fiction. Aside from the obvious reference, "a Bi-Polar Troll" sounds NOT made-up.
It's a shame for sure. I won't get my hopes up for any VT work from them. Sounds like 30 mins. in the bldg (well landscaped on the outside I'm sure) could be damaging to my mental health. (I acutally did call them but no one answered the fone. Guess the interior decorator had phone duty and was busy with color swatches.)
I gotta know...are the descriptions of managers real or fiction. Aside from the obvious reference, "a Bi-Polar Troll" sounds NOT made-up.
It's a shame for sure. I won't get my hopes up for any VT work from them. Sounds like 30 mins. in the bldg (well landscaped on the outside I'm sure) could be damaging to my mental health. (I acutally did call them but no one answered the fone. Guess the interior decorator had phone duty and was busy with color swatches.)
Two key words in Kevin's post—"signal challenged".
I've posted before that I would love to see the business plan that Pamal drew up when purchasing the stations that MARC now owns. They (Pamal) invested a lot of money in buildings and equipment but never seemed to make much headway with programming and ratings. The economic crash caught them invested in auto dealerships and radio which was a lethal combination at the time. They ended up selling the local group as well as the two big FM's in Pensacola which must have been profitable but may have been compromised due to hurricane damage.
It will take incredible hard work to ever make these stations successful. It sounds like MARC is unwilling to give someone local free reign to make it happen.
I've posted before that I would love to see the business plan that Pamal drew up when purchasing the stations that MARC now owns. They (Pamal) invested a lot of money in buildings and equipment but never seemed to make much headway with programming and ratings. The economic crash caught them invested in auto dealerships and radio which was a lethal combination at the time. They ended up selling the local group as well as the two big FM's in Pensacola which must have been profitable but may have been compromised due to hurricane damage.
It will take incredible hard work to ever make these stations successful. It sounds like MARC is unwilling to give someone local free reign to make it happen.
DUDE! Now tell us what you really think! If I were you, and from the looks of things I am glad I am not 
), I would be lining my walls and windows with aluminum foil and being on the lookout the the IT guy, the security guy and all the rest to be parked in my parking lot with a spaghetti strainer dish aimed at my wifi!
Seriously, I know a little of whats happened up there, past and present. Remember I actually own one of those original PAMAL stations! A lot of car dealers get caught up in radio, Dick Pope from WRGO (another former PAMAL station) among them. Your observations are very interesting. I would be curious to hear what you, Mark T, Kyle, and others may think of what JVC has done with their new stations. Two very different groups with different management philosophies. What is working and what is not?
), I would be lining my walls and windows with aluminum foil and being on the lookout the the IT guy, the security guy and all the rest to be parked in my parking lot with a spaghetti strainer dish aimed at my wifi! Seriously, I know a little of whats happened up there, past and present. Remember I actually own one of those original PAMAL stations! A lot of car dealers get caught up in radio, Dick Pope from WRGO (another former PAMAL station) among them. Your observations are very interesting. I would be curious to hear what you, Mark T, Kyle, and others may think of what JVC has done with their new stations. Two very different groups with different management philosophies. What is working and what is not?
DUDE! Now tell us what you really think! If I were you, and from the looks of things I am glad I am not ), I would be lining my walls and windows with aluminum foil and being on the lookout the the IT guy, the security guy and all the rest to be parked in my parking lot with a spaghetti strainer dish aimed at my wifi!
Seriously, I know a little of whats happened up there, past and present. Remember I actually own one of those original PAMAL stations! A lot of car dealers get caught up in radio, Dick Pope from WRGO (another former PAMAL station) among them. Your observations are very interesting. I would be curious to hear what you, Mark T, Kyle, and others may think of what JVC has done with their new stations. Two very different groups with different management philosophies. What is working and what is not?
), I would be lining my walls and windows with aluminum foil and being on the lookout the the IT guy, the security guy and all the rest to be parked in my parking lot with a spaghetti strainer dish aimed at my wifi! Seriously, I know a little of whats happened up there, past and present. Remember I actually own one of those original PAMAL stations! A lot of car dealers get caught up in radio, Dick Pope from WRGO (another former PAMAL station) among them. Your observations are very interesting. I would be curious to hear what you, Mark T, Kyle, and others may think of what JVC has done with their new stations. Two very different groups with different management philosophies. What is working and what is not?
I have been a JVC supporter from the beginning, having witnessed good radio from the four Gainesville - Ocala JVC stations. John Caracciolo and his team are true radio professionals. Billing has improved at the Ocala stations under JVC and I see some ratings gains with the Gainesville stations. Also, JVC has spared no expense in making technical and aesthetic upgrades with all of its stations. Overall, I believe the market will see even better things coming from JVC as it sets the standard for how radio should be done.
James Morrell and Pamal Broadcasting's main objective in its business plan was to acquire properties in Florida's Top 100 radio markets, beginning with Gainesville and Pensacola. The Gainesville group never gained the ratings and billing success Pamal had hoped for largely due to the signal issues with its FM stations. However, WTMG is the signal challenged anomaly as 101.3 has the weakest Gainesville signal yet it is the crown jewel in the group, being the highest billing "cash cow" for lack of a better term.
Once Pamal decided to sell its Gainesville group, Pamal made the decision to leave Florida altogether to concentrate solely on its New York holdings; hence the reason WMEZ and WXBM Pensacola were sold once Cumulus Media made a bid for those stations.
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I'm still digesting all the MARC Radio stuff and thanks to each of you who've contributed. To digress slightly, I'm curious about WRGO referenced here by Nostalgia. I guess that was sold separately. Is "Mr. Pope" local? I tried tuning 102.7 but can only catch a whiff of a distant signal. Did they change freq's? What's happening with them?
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