WIBC Blows Out News Director

[Indy Radio Vet]

Emmis fired the WIBC News Director Friday. Anyone got the scoop?

 

[flip23]

Maybe the new pd wants to "go in a different direction"

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Was the new PD hired before or after Ed Wenck and WIBC parted ways?

 

[StellaTruth]

Emmis fired the WIBC News Director Friday. Anyone got the scoop?

Different direction is translated to "stop running good people out of the newsroom" (which, according to reports, is exactly what she did).

Was she ever on the air? I thought radio News Directors talked and stuff....

 

[butlerguy03]

Does this effect Network Indiana at all?

 

[Southport_road]

Our dedicated news and sports staff will continue to strive to provide unmatched coverage of interest to our Indiana affiliated radio stations. We continue to raise the bar at Network Indiana.

John

 

[Indy Radio Vet]

Since my original post I have learned from two current employees that she was a horrible manager--no people skills and zero personality. She was fired from Channel 8, the job she took after 8 and now Emmis. Alan Furst hired her.

 

[Drucifer]

Back in Indiana recently on vacation. Had to stomach nasal-chatter Garrison and Rush between the news. Yuck!

 

[flip23]

Greg "let me clear my throat" Garrison can be tough to listen to.

 

[flashback]

and now garrison is reran at night.

 

[Rosebud3]

and now garrison is reran at night.

I listened to the John Batchelor Show where the reruns of Garrison are now. John Batchelor had an informative and thought provoking show which at times was almost too intellectial for commercial radio. Many times the stories did have a conservative slant to them but not to the degree a progressive person would object.

Garrison provides some "red meat" to the conservatives that at late night is a little edgy. However, Garrison trys to back his opinion with facts while the Dana Loesch opinions, on her show, almost meet the criteria of propaganda.

This has nothing to do with the news director but shows WIBC is branding itself as a conservative talk radio station.

 

[flip23]

Batchelor concentrates on things like internal Chinese politics and obscure historical incidents from 200 years ago. These are not exactly topics that interest a lot of people in Indianapolis. Garrison has passion but often lacks basic facts. Without his producer there to fill in the obvious blanks in his knowledge, he'd be in trouble. Audio wise, His ISDN connection leaves something to be desired. Dana seems to be aiming straight at St. Louis much of the time, which makes sense for her home audience, but not for the WIBC audience. Denny Smith or Steve Simpson would be more interesting/entertaining, but they're not available.

 

[Drucifer]

Batchelor concentrates on things like internal Chinese politics and obscure historical incidents from 200 years ago. These are not exactly topics that interest a lot of people in Indianapolis. Garrison has passion but often lacks basic facts. Without his producer there to fill in the obvious blanks in his knowledge, he'd be in trouble. Audio wise, His ISDN connection leaves something to be desired. Dana seems to be aiming straight at St. Louis much of the time, which makes sense for her home audience, but not for the WIBC audience. Denny Smith or Steve Simpson would be more interesting/entertaining, but they're not available.

A dog would be more entertaining. I am sure Greg Garrison is an outstanding legal counsel and there is no doubt his passion about politics is clear but he is a monumental bore.

 

[MikeStandardsFromIndiana]

Batchelor concentrates on things like internal Chinese politics and obscure historical incidents from 200 years ago. These are not exactly topics that interest a lot of people in Indianapolis. Garrison has passion but often lacks basic facts. Without his producer there to fill in the obvious blanks in his knowledge, he'd be in trouble. Audio wise, His ISDN connection leaves something to be desired. Dana seems to be aiming straight at St. Louis much of the time, which makes sense for her home audience, but not for the WIBC audience. Denny Smith or Steve Simpson would be more interesting/entertaining, but they're not available.

A dog would be more entertaining. I am sure Greg Garrison is an outstanding legal counsel and there is no doubt his passion about politics is clear but he is a monumental bore.

I think the main Reason WIBC carries Dana is because shes on their sister station in st Louis. odds are if she wasnt on KFTK (Emmis) she wouldnt be on WIBC IMO

 

[flip23]

Garrison's producer Todd Meyer was filling in for him for an hour today. He does a good job with having all his facts straight and not constantly clearing his throat on the air. Sounds like Tom Rose has taken over the 4-6p slot at least for now. Larry Downes was on 6-7pm the other night. They are looking for a permanent afternoon person. Not a lot to do in that slot since it's 50%-60% news, traffic, weather and mortgage company/home repair/low-t spots. The quality sounding spots wibc used to get seem to be long gone. Money's money, but the national spots did sound better.

 

[WBDG]

I can't figure out what's going on at WIBC. Seems like they are in full cost-cutting mode there, and that could be true. I just glanced at the ratings, and they used to be a solid 3 or 4 in the market. Now they've slipped into the second 5.

If I were running that station...which I'm not...I think everything but Steve Simpson should be on the table. I'd also consider moving him back to the afternoon drive.