WLGZ sold

[scooterodell]

I haven't been by this way in quite a while, but I still get alerts whenever "WLGZ" shows up in a new place in Google (haven't bothered to turn that off yet), and this just hit my inbox:

http://www.rbr.com/radio/radio_deals/18195.html

Apparently, Don Crawford, Jr., who started managing WLGZ shortly after the May lay-offs, is buying the station from dear ol' dad. He's getting it at a good price, too: $350k for a class A with decent coverage. It wasn't that long ago that Don Sr. turned down offers much, much higher than that for the signal.

I wouldn't expect much in the way of changes; Jr. has a tendency to leave formats in place. Probably most of the changes (if any) will be in behind the scenes things like staffing (they still share space with 990 AM, which is still Don Sr.), where some roles might change, and in the sales process.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Interesting development. Junior gets to buy a decent station for 350K from his old man and there won't be any changes. (Translation no new jobs).

I'm still waiting for CC or Entercom to come up with a competitor to Legends. I might have a long wait ;D

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Interesting development. Junior gets to buy a decent station for 350K from his old man and there won't be any changes. (Translation no new jobs).

I'm still waiting for CC or Entercom to come up with a competitor to Legends. I might have a long wait ;D

 

[Bob1370]

This looks like nothing more than a sale among family at deep discount, to minimize estate tax liability down the road (remember, starting at the end of 2010 the estate tax kicks back in at the pre-2001 rate)...in all likelihood there truly will be no changes.

 

[umtrr-author]

A deal can be arranged for leasing of the current space at Blossom and Browncroft, for some nominal sum just to keep it legal. So moving vans might not be needed either.

 

[scooterodell]

Yeah, I doubt anyone will be moving. I imagine both stations will stay right where they are. The only thing to figure out is who signs the paycheck for the receptionist!

 

[cee]

This looks like nothing more than a sale among family at deep discount, to minimize estate tax liability down the road (remember, starting at the end of 2010 the estate tax kicks back in at the pre-2001 rate)...in all likelihood there truly will be no changes.

That sounds about right. Legends sounds much better lately - new imaging and jingles and the music, while still variety oriented, seems more focused than before. Could this have something to do with Don Jr. taking over?

 

[scooterodell]

Legends sounds much better lately - new imaging and jingles and the music, while still variety oriented, seems more focused than before. Could this have something to do with Don Jr. taking over?

I really, really doubt it. From what I can tell listening, nothing has changed. They get new jingles on the air when the PD has time to produce them. The music is up to the luck of the draw... some days it's good, some days it's awful. I don't think anyone has time to work through the playlist... they're probably just taking whatever the computer spits out without tweaking it.

 

[yugoidar]

Scooter, why the time constraints? Why wouldn't the PD have time to "produce" the jingles?
Why do they not have the time to tweak the music logs? What goes on? Are they that busy?

 

[scooterodell]

I haven't worked there since May, but unless some miracle has taken place, yes, they are that busy. Everyone wears multiple hats. The PD is the only local management (GM was laid off in May as well), so he handles the PD duties, plus an air shift, plus any production outside of commercials, plus sales management, plus HR, plus promotions, plus the website... and possibly a few things I'm forgetting. As far as I know, there is no MD, no APD, and no production staff. The air staff (all two of them!) do pitch in, but their focus is on their airshifts. The sales staff and receptionist probably aren't much help, and the rest of the staff is for 990.

 

[Mark Giardina]

Words of wisdom from an "old sage" in Rochester radio.

My theory is that eventually WLGZ will morph into a WEZO of the 21st century.

Meaning that in order to save money, there will just be an emphasis on early morning drive only, with the rest of the day voice-tracked. Music will be the key engine that drives the station as live personalities fade away.

I'm not saying that this will happen; I'm just offering an opinion based on the numerous owners I had to work for during my time in commercial radio in Rochester and the basic concept these days that "less is more."

 

[cee]

I haven't worked there since May, but unless some miracle has taken place, yes, they are that busy. Everyone wears multiple hats. The PD is the only local management (GM was laid off in May as well), so he handles the PD duties, plus an air shift, plus any production outside of commercials, plus sales management, plus HR, plus promotions, plus the website... and possibly a few things I'm forgetting. As far as I know, there is no MD, no APD, and no production staff. The air staff (all two of them!) do pitch in, but their focus is on their airshifts. The sales staff and receptionist probably aren't much help, and the rest of the staff is for 990.

Wow, that's one small staff. Hopefully Don Crawford, Jr. will make things a little better when he takes over. Most of us on this board agree there's a real market for Oldies in this town and I think it might work better NOT run by one of the big boys. Legends' tendency to play more "wow" songs make for more fun than the usual "all well-researched hits, all the time" approach of the big corporate-casters. The Fox is a good example of a pretty stale Classic Hits format. After Wease, it's non stop songs you'd have to have been living in a cave the last 30-40 years to not recognize instantly.

My theory is that eventually WLGZ will morph into a WEZO of the 21st century.
Meaning that in order to save money, there will just be an emphasis on early morning drive only, with the rest of the day voice-tracked. Music will be the key engine that drives the station as live personalities fade away.

While that's their choice to make, if they do that, it means they won't be a true oldies station. Oldies with no dj's just doesn't make it.

 

[Bob1370]

Mark Giardina says, "My theory is that eventually WLGZ will morph into a WEZO of the 21st century. Meaning that in order to save money, there will just be an emphasis on early morning drive only, with the rest of the day voice-tracked. Music will be the key engine that drives the station as live personalities fade away. I'm not saying that this will happen; I'm just offering an opinion based on the numerous owners I had to work for during my time in commercial radio in Rochester and the basic concept these days that "less is more."

Hate to see that happen, because it'll mean radio management across the country is learning nothing from the lesson of the financial and ratings disaster of Jack in New York--or the followup lesson of how successful the same station became when it went back to its personality roots (#2 12+ and 25-54 in the #1 market for two consecutive quarterly books now, and the billing is substantially up in a down advertising market). WLGZ is making it despite its sometimes goofy music mix simply because they know how to combine music with a human touch. Lose that, you lose the main reason to opt for it over an always commercial-free iPod.

 

[therealjm12]

"less is more."

Les Moore! Didn't I work somewhere with him?

 

[The Voice of Reason]

Mark Giardina says, "My theory is that eventually WLGZ will morph into a WEZO of the 21st century. Meaning that in order to save money, there will just be an emphasis on early morning drive only, with the rest of the day voice-tracked. Music will be the key engine that drives the station as live personalities fade away. I'm not saying that this will happen; I'm just offering an opinion based on the numerous owners I had to work for during my time in commercial radio in Rochester and the basic concept these days that "less is more."

Hate to see that happen, because it'll mean radio management across the country is learning nothing from the lesson of the financial and ratings disaster of Jack in New York--or the followup lesson of how successful the same station became when it went back to its personality roots (#2 12+ and 25-54 in the #1 market for two consecutive quarterly books now, and the billing is substantially up in a down advertising market). WLGZ is making it despite its sometimes goofy music mix simply because they know how to combine music with a human touch. Lose that, you lose the main reason to opt for it over an always commercial-free iPod.

I hate to come across as being negative, but hasn't radio been going in that direction for years now?

 

[ThePickleReport]

I've heard some interesting tales about WLGZ in the last few years. Every time they seem to have some success they also take two steps back, and all of it is their own doing. Maybe the change in ownership will stabilize the situation. Only time will tell.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I've heard some interesting tales about WLGZ in the last few years. Every time they seem to have some success they also take two steps back, and all of it is their own doing. Maybe the change in ownership will stabilize the situation. Only time will tell.

The only change in ownership is from Father to Son. Perhaps if new owner(s) purchased the radio station, then I would be more optimistic.

Hopefully when it comes to broadcasting, the apple will fall far from the tree. Otherwise I don't see any major changes forthcoming at WLGZ.

 

[scooterodell]

When I was with Crawford, most of the feedback I heard from other stations that had passed from Sr. to Jr. was positive... Jr. had a reputation for being better to work for and more willing to make adjustments in the sales process. I haven't worked for him personally, so I can't say anything more than that, but I hope he does bring some more common sense and stability to the operation of WLGZ. There are good people who work there; they deserve better leadership than what they've had in the past.

 

[The Voice of Reason]

I just never could figure out why Crawford Sr. would clean house right after his staff managed to double the ratings.

You would think that instead of punishing employees, the old man would have rewarded them for the great job they did.

Talk about a morale killer. :

 

[Mark Giardina]

I just never could figure out why Crawford Sr. would clean house right after his staff managed to double the ratings.

You would think that instead of punishing employees, the old man would have rewarded them for the great job they did.

Talk about a morale killer. :

My friend, welcome to the world of radio.

Ask anyone on this board who either is currently employed, or used to work in the business, and they will back me up when I say that a good number of hard working people end up losing their jobs for no good reason at all.