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My Contest Nightmare … Whoops
March 17, 2020
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I’m not sure who said it, but one of my favorite quotes is: “Good Judgment comes from experience, and experience? Well that comes from poor judgement.”
Wearing Too Many Hats …
In one of my first OM/PD gigs, the promotions director had quit, and I was left to do the job until we, or more accurately, I could find a replacement. Therefore, until such time, I had to do my midday shift, program, and promotions.One Man Band …
I had come up with an essay contest for high school students around the theme of a hit song on Columbia Records. First prize was $1,000. The Columbia regional music rep in the Carolina’s (John Green) and I coordinated the contest rules, students started sending in their essays, and the winner of the three-week contest was to be announced on the morning show. I don’t remember the song, but I do remember the overwhelming number of essays that had to be read; there was a weary few of us responsible enough to assist in reading everything.And The Winner Is …
The big day came, and the morning show announced the name of the winner without any problems or so I thought. We read live liners promoting the contest winner. At the time, I was doing the job of three people and it had taken a toll on me. Somehow, I misplaced the winning essay. I was frantic until the receptionist buzzed me and said the mother of the winner was on the phone. I breathed a sigh of relief, because the winner had an unusual last name, so I knew it was her mom. In fact, after talking with her, I found the essay; misplaced?Bad Blood Between Ex’s … Or So I Thought
Over the next week the mother phoned several times and expressed how excited she was for her daughter. She also told me about the bad divorce she had gone through with her daughter's father -- who had remarried and had another family. Nevertheless, she had wanted him at the dinner where we were going to give the $1000.00 to their daughter. I had given the winning essay to the regional music rep, so he could have Columbia’s New York office cut a check in the young lady's name.It Seemed Odd …
The dinner was to take place at an Olive Garden. I had confirmed the mom, and I just needed a confirmation from the young lady’s dad—the moms ex. I was in a meeting and missed her father’s call. I called the music rep and asked if he would call the dad; he agreed to do it. I told the rep that based on what the mother had told me, I thought he was a jerk and l didn’t want to deal with him. This diplomatic approach in handling the two ex’s and their daughter’s big day went on for weeks; I talked to the mom and the music rep dealt with the dad.Drum Roll Please …
The day arrived for the dinner and the music rep, the morning personalities, and I thought it would be best to greet everyone inside the restaurant by the hostess stand with a little sign bearing the station’s name. First came the mom, her daughter (the essay winner) and her son. The Morning crew escorted them to the table. The music rep and I were waiting on the father. He came and brought his new wife and family with a girl who looked to be the same age as his daughter; interesting to say the least. The music rep and I were both hoping this would not become awkward between his old and new family. This was a time for the ex-couple to set aside their issues and celebrate their daughters good fortune.Whoops …Who Are These People …
We walked the dad and his new family to the table, and we noticed he didn’t acknowledge his essay winning daughter or his ex-wife. Prior to meal, the music rep gave a speech and awarded the $1000.00 check to the young lady. Meanwhile the father and his new family looked annoyed and started whispering to each other. I was getting upset and the morning co-host who had repeatedly been pestering me since I sat down, kicked me under the table, put her hand over my mouth, and whispered, “We’ve been trying to tell you that these are two separate families with the same last name.”I Screwed Up …
What the rep and I assumed was callous indifference, was simply people with the same last name who didn’t know each other. He and I took the father aside and told him there had been a mix-up and to please bear with us. Somehow, I had pulled 2 separate letters and misplaced the first one I had selected.Trying To Fix A Disaster …
The rep and I called the New York Columbia offices and explained the situation to his boss --VP of Promotions Eddie Pugh. I still remember his words, “How did you two geniuses manage to do this?” It all worked out and later in the week Columbia gave another $1,000.00 to the other young lady, too. Honestly, to this day the music rep and I still can’t figure out how such a comedy of errors could have happened.I Never Forgot …
It’s no wonder I repeat my directions to others often or that I obsess on making sure everyone involved on a project gets the same information at the same time. By the way, I’ve never again been involved with an essay contest; call me superstitious. -
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