I Haven’t Even Unpacked & You’re Moving Me Where? …

Every time a strange phone number pops up, it doesn’t mean that it’s one of those fake car warranty robo-calls. But it might be, so if you’re like me, you don’t pick it up. Instead, you either try to Google the number or maybe call it back. I recently received a call from the Midwest that I did not recognize, but he did leave a voice mail. If he hadn't, I probably would not have called back.

PD: Sam, I took this job at the end of last year. But because of the pandemic, I wasn’t able to step inside the station until the beginning of March. I’ve been getting ready to implement my programming strategies. But a couple of weeks ago, the company informed me that they are flipping the format and want to move me to another city.

Coach: Did they offer you a chance to stay within whatever the new format is going to be?

PD: No, they said they think I don’t fit the flipped format. At the same time, my family has been preparing to move here.

Coach: Is the company paying for the move?

PD: Yes.

Coach: Is the format that they’re switching to, new in the marketplace?

PD: Well, I guess corporate thinks so. But it doesn’t make a lot of sense to me, because the format they’re flipping to has a direct competitor. We had no competition in this market with the station I was brought here to run. My Market Manager is trying to get corporate to change their minds. Meanwhile, I have been talking to the people at the station they want to send me to. I really wanted to prove that I could win here.

Coach: It’s too bad when it comes to winning in radio that it’s not a clear-cut thing. I’m assuming you’re talking about being number one in the market. And if that’s the case always remember no matter how well you do everything, you don’t control the methodology of the ratings system.

PD: No. I get all that. I just feel lost and I’m not sure what to do.

Coach: What should you do is to play smart politics. While your Market Manager is trying to talk to corporate out of flipping, act as if you are excited about your new opportunity in the other market. Now I know that’s not how you feel, but they don’t need to know anything other than you’re good at your job.

PD: What I’m really worried about is the fact that they have pigeonholed me when it comes to programming. Why is it that they think I can only program one format?

Coach: All I can say is that in this business everybody’s different. Personally, I have always looked for the talent that people have. But everyone doesn’t think like me. Unfortunately, you have people who pigeonhole programmers and air personalities based on lifestyle, age, and assumptions of all sorts. They don't realize that a good programmer is a good programmer and can program anything. Or that a good air personality can work any format and connect to the target audience.

But pigeonholing happens pretty much in all walks of life. In radio some Program Directors only look for people working in their particular format. Sometimes they don't take into consideration that the aircheck/demo they received came from a talent working in a different format--who assumed they were being judged on how they sounded and not the music they were playing.

PD: Why is that ?

Coach: I don’t understand it either, but unfortunately everyone’s common sense does not always match. What can you tell me about the station they want to send you to?

PD: I’ve had several discussions with the Operations Manager there and he’s very much on the ball. I did a little digging and found out he has a great reputation.

Coach: And how long have you been in radio and programming?

PD: I’ve been in radio now for 12 years and I’ve been programming for two years. I took this job for the opportunity because I thought it was better than where I was before.

Coach: It sounds to me that you might be able to progress a lot faster going to a new situation, where there’s somebody you can learn something from. I’m sure you know a lot now but being around someone like this Operations Manager will probably accelerate your growth. Look, the good news is although your company did a flip, they didn’t dump you altogether. That did happen to a friend of mine in Denver, after only three months.

PD: So, in other words, this might be a blessing in disguise?

Coach: Pretty much.

PD: Okay, thanks for the advice, that’s why I reached out for you. I hear what you’re saying, it actually makes a lot of sense. I’m not happy, but things could be worse. Thanks for getting back with me.