Winter 2007 Phase II Arbitrends

[Bryan Simmons]

<<I will grant you that AC's are doing well in many markets, but really that's not the whole story.>>

Umm yes, that pretty much is the whole story. Currently, 6 of the Top 10 markets have an AC station at #1. (NYC, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Philly and Detroit) The AC format is surging right now, and not because of anything intern Stella Schwartz is doing.


<<You still have to be good to succeed in this business, or at least better than your competition.>>

Considering her competition is owned by the same company she works for, this is hardly true a statement. If Stella is such a great programmer, why hasn't she been asked to save KBIG and/or Star? I think we all know the answer to the that, because she wouldn't have a clue where to start! Fortunately for Stella, she fell ass-backwards into a successful station that is on auto-pilot.

<<Here again, I ask, how would you make KOST better?>>

For starters, I would get rid of that horrible new TV commercial they are running. It is an animated nightmare. The cheap graphics were okay at Christmas, since those commercials matched the holiday theme, but those new commercials are an embarrassment. That shows the lack of creativity at KOST. I can just hear Stella in the meeting now: "I have a great idea, let's use the same commercial, minus the Santa hats! I'm a genius! Can one of the interns get me some coffee?"


<<Did you get turned down for an internship by Ms. Schwartz? Why such hatred? Do you even know her?>>

Puh-lease, like I'd ever work for a no-talent puppet like Ms. Stella Schwartz. I prefer an employer with vision and some talent to back it. And no, AGAIN, I do not know her personally. My comments are about her as a programmer, not as a person.


<<DE already made valid points so we already know that your wrong about this woman>>

Again, David Eduardo is not our savior. Just because he says something does not make it fact. I happen to disagree with him on this one, deal with it. And in answer to David's question, YES, I WOULD HAVE MUCH MORE RESPECT FOR STELLA IF SHE HAD MOVED TO A SMALLER MARKET AND WORKED HER WAY BACK TO LOS ANGELES. That was exactly my point!!! She is nothing more than a puppet who fetched coffee for Mark & Kim and answered request lines. I think interns are a great thing for radio, and I understand many people start out that way. No problem with that. I just don't like how CheapChannel is fast-tracking these puppets to the position of PD just to save a few bucks. What's more sickening are you corporate suck-ups who praise Stella Schwartz just because your boss told you too, or because you hope to land a gig with her.

<<your hatred seems to be very strong for this woman. It can't just be jealousy can it?>>

I have absolutely no hate for this woman. Again, I do not know her. I just don't respect her as a programmer, it's as simple as that. What would I be jealous of? Intern Stella hasn't done anything spectacular, she is merely in the right place at the right time. The bottom line is the music cycle is currently on AC, so she and KOST win. Good for her. But with that comes the realization that it will only take another huge boy band or Nirvana to put KIIS or KROQ back on top. AC stations are doing well right now because the other formats are slumping. With that said, I'll let you all get back to praising Stella Schwartz for a <ahem> job well-done. Good intern, remember---Christmas music all December!!

Okay, now from someone who does know her. She didn't fall backward into her job. She earned it. Anyone who knows Jhani Kaye knows that you work hard for your job. That's not a bad thing, it's how one learns. She was promoted to her position after working up the ladder at KOST and was promoted by Mr. Kaye himself. This is how Johnny Chiang was promoted to KOST PD. He is and continues to program in Houston and by all accounts has done well. The same can be said for Tip Landay who spent 5 years programming the Coast in Miami. By constantly using the term "intern" you are making it personal. If you have no hate for Stella then why do your words literally drip with sarcasm and hate? As for being in the right place at the right time that could be said for most people. It doesn't mean they didn't work hard or didn't deserve their promotion. I know you'll say that I'm defending her because she's my boss and you have that right, but you'd be wrong. I've known Stella since she started with KOST many, many years ago and can tell you that she is a woman of integrity and talent and doesn't deserve the way you talk about her. Your argument that the format is doing well across the country doesn't quite fly either. It is doing well in many cities, but her success has little to do with that. Her success comes from within. So you don't respect her as a programmer, that's your right as well, but you don't have to be so demeaning. You could at least show her the respect we as humans all deserve and make your point without the barbed words. I don't know David Eduardo, but I can tell you that he is totally correct here. It's tough to admit you're wrong so I'm sure you'll go on with more entries on this thread to try and have the last word. But those who know better won't buy into it.

 

[SuperRadioFan]

Well done Bryan...

If you have no hate for Stella then why do your words literally drip with sarcasm and hate?

Can you say "Transparent" Boys and Girls??

 

[StopWhining]

Well done Bryan...

If you have no hate for Stella then why do your words literally drip with sarcasm and hate?

Can you say "Transparent" Boys and Girls??

No, but we can say "Butt-Kissing Employee".

 

[LoveLARadio]

I've been reading these entries for a while - as my ID implies, I love LA Radio (no, this isnt Don Barret) ;-)
Bryan, good job, I couldnt have said it better myself -

I know the ratings are seasonal, and this period had x-mas in it - so what???
Its a level playing field, that KOST and their PD decided to run specialized music -
I do think the attacks on the KOST PD seemed personal, which, coming from someone that hasnt met her, seems interesting...

Back in the day, someone that started out in the mail room, or as an intern in this case, and worked their way up was someone to be admired. I would imagine Ms. Schwartz has a great amount of knowledge on the inner workings of the station and therefore can have tremendous impact. Why hold her experience against her, unless, you StopWhinning wanted the KOST PD job and didnt get it -
so, is all this sour grapes???
I can imagine, being beat out by an intern, as you say, must be quite the ego boost!!!

See, the personal attacks only diminish what this board is intended to do and provide -

Back to the issue, as we all know ratings is what this game is all about, and for now KOST and Stella have them - good for them...keep up the good work!!!

As for who gets who coffee, StopWhinning, I take mine with creme and sugar ;-)

 

[calguy]

Well done Bryan...

If you have no hate for Stella then why do your words literally drip with sarcasm and hate?

Can you say "Transparent" Boys and Girls??

No, but we can say "Butt-Kissing Employee".

Don't know Bryan, but I found his response to you educated and fair. Your response is juvenile.
He sounds more like a "loyal" employee. Having loyalty is totally different from what you called him. Loyalty is bred through trust, respect, good communication and fair treatment. I doubt he has to kiss anyone's backside to get or keep his job. He was hired by Jhani Kaye and I'm sure for his talent. He was brought back over from KBIG by Stella and I'm sure for the same reason. I'll bet you wouldn't say these things to him or his boss to their faces.

 

[StopWhining]

Too funny!! Because I do not agree with you people, that means I am "filled with hate" and *obviously* wanted Stella's job. GET REAL, PEOPLE. You couldn't be more off.

The problem with this board is that discussions are not really encouraged. Unless you're a Clear Channel corporate stooge, or a worshipper of David Eduardo's, your thoughts and opinions are deemed worthless.

If you people want to sit around and praise Intern Stella for nothing, go for it. It really doesn't matter to me if Los Angeles radio gets even more boring than it already is. Why don't we all get together for a big party (with vanilla ice cream) when Clear Channel and CBS successfully water down EVERY Los Angeles station to a 2.0 rating. What a glorious day that will be, corporate robots!!!

In fact, let's just all agree to kiss the big company's butts, no matter how bad their stations sound. Deal? I'll start:

Stella Schwartz, congratulations on blazing new trails in Los Angeles radio!!! You are INCREDIBLE!!! No person has ever made the same old Celine Dion song from 1993 sound so FRESH!! Kudos to you, babygirl!! You are the BEST in the business!!! KOST 103 would be off the air without you!!! Personally, I think you are overqualified for your position. I just hope Clear Channel makes you the 1,000th VP of Programming for this region, because YOU, honey child, deserve it. Keep doing what you do, baby doll!! There's only one you!!! Hugs-n-kisses!!! :-*

 

[StopWhining]

Yup, sad but true. What everyone has failed to mention is that AC stations are doing well IN MOST OF THE COUNTRY RIGHT NOW. Check the Top 10 markets and you will see that more half currently have an AC station at #1 12+. Still MORE proof that Intern Stella really hasn't done anything to make KOST better, she is just riding a wave of good luck. Maybe CC should put an intern in charge of the gawd-awful STAR 98.7. It's not like they could make it sound much worse than it already does.

This "intern" thing is getting sickening. Stella began as an intern, but has done on air, been morning show producer and been APD over quite a few years... she is eminently qualified to lead KOST today.

AC's have always done well for the last 20 years or so. KOST has a unique challenge in that it is doing such a format in a market that is so overwhelmingly ethnic and immigrant and doing so well.

STEVE HOLT!!!

 

[Archervox]

If working your way up from intern to PD at only one station is automatically a bad thing, then working your way up from intern to ANYTHING at one place is bad too. Ridiculous. Working at more than one station doesn't automatically make you talented. If that were true, we should be looking for someone who's worked at 15 stations in the last 10 years -- that person must be a genius!

And 14 years is hardly a "fast track."

 

[StopWhining]

If working your way up from intern to PD at only one station is automatically a bad thing, then working your way up from intern to ANYTHING at one place is bad too. Ridiculous. Working at more than one station doesn't automatically make you talented. If that were true, we should be looking for someone who's worked at 15 stations in the last 10 years -- that person must be a genius!

And 14 years is hardly a "fast track."

I agree. Stella Schwartz is one of the most talented programmers in the market, and you guys need to quit picking on her. So what if she started out as an intern. She is a true genius and a gem in the crown that is Clear Channel's L.A. cluster. Congrats Stella, KOST 103 has never sounded better!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!

 

[Archervox]

If working your way up from intern to PD at only one station is automatically a bad thing, then working your way up from intern to ANYTHING at one place is bad too. Ridiculous. Working at more than one station doesn't automatically make you talented. If that were true, we should be looking for someone who's worked at 15 stations in the last 10 years -- that person must be a genius!

And 14 years is hardly a "fast track."

I agree. Stella Schwartz is one of the most talented programmers in the market, and you guys need to quit picking on her. So what if she started out as an intern. She is a true genius and a gem in the crown that is Clear Channel's L.A. cluster. Congrats Stella, KOST 103 has never sounded better!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!!

Now there's a fantastic example of a post that has absolutely nothing to do with the one it was "answering."

Do you have a response that's a little less of a non sequitur?