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Just When You Thought You Knew Someone ...
June 21, 2022
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It’s impossible to measure the "insanity factor" when it comes to radio. In this business I have known the crazy creative, the generally insane, and the borderline criminal control freak who have just enough skill to get over on everyone. You never know who you're dealing with until you do. Here’s a PD dealing with that now.
PD: I'm at my wits end, I promoted this guy from part time to be my Music Director. He's messing up the music logs. I don't get this guy. He's been here for a couple of years. He spent his entire career in only one other market until I hired him for our cluster for part time and weekends. Until his promotion, he was working at a pizza place. Before he moved here, I told him that if he got a full-time job, I'd hire him for part time. Well, now that he's got his foot in the door as my full time MD and afternoons, he's been a pain. So far, he's alienated Promotions, seems to never pay attention to details, and won't communicate in any other way than in e-mail.
Coach: And you never got any signs that he was like this before?
PD: I had no idea. He was always willing to do things that I couldn't talk anyone else into. But now he knows everything. Regardless of how much research or Mscore info I share, he just keeps walking to his own drummer when scheduling music. I recently went on vacation and left him and my acting APD in charge. I guess he didn't expect me to check the music logs until I got back. Well, I did and sent him and the APD an e-mail about my concerns. I'll share the exchanges with you, but I will X out the names and make a couple of adjustments to the artists mentioned. Please read and give me your read on my situation.
First E-Mail from Me
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XXXX and ####,
Please check the turnover on the following records for Monday, May 16th
- Latto- 2-hour turnover when it's a B2 category
- The Weekend - B & M: 2-hour turnover when it's a B category
- Doja Cat -- 2-hour turnover when it's a B category
- Black Eyed Peas/Shakira/Guetta -- 1-hour turnover after the Hot 8 at 8 when it's a C category
- Lil Nas X- 2-hour turnover when it's an A2
- Ed Sheeran -- 2-hour turnover multiple times as a B category
Who programmed Monday's log and why wasn't it massaged properly?
Please advise,
Thank you.
Second E-Mail from Me
XXXX,
Good morning. Yesterday, I sent you and #### an e-mail about the turnover on records. She responded and you didn't. Can you explain why you did not and why are you continuing to have issues with programming the logs correctly? We had a conversation about this less than two weeks ago.
If you need help, do not be afraid to ask questions. This is how you learn to work out problems and improve. I do not expect you to be like me, but I expect the logs to be programmed correctly.
Please advise,
Thank you.
MDs Reply
Good morning,
First of all, my mailbox was full, I just got this e-mail. Second of all, I ran into artist separation problems and daypart restrictions. I actually take my time to program the log to the best of my ability without deviating from your standards, and with the expectation of you to review the log, making your personal changes, and sort of fixing these issues. Contrary to your belief, my intentions are not to undermine or disregard your programming philosophy, as I'm still trying to get used to this style of programming.
As for the team effort, lately it seems like I can never do anything right to your standards, regarding production, programming, promotions, imaging, etc. You promoted me for a reason, and I'm trying to help in any way I can, and I'm also trying to learn. I can't continue to learn or grow if I keep getting pushed back, and if you continue to not relinquish control on certain things and not let me do my job. I'm trying to work with you, the best that I can. I don't just want to sit on the sidelines to be some lame duck assistant. I came here to help you and make an impact. Once again, I'm not trying to take your job, I still have your back, but you have to trust me, and you have to let me be great.
I know the ratings are down some, and you're under a lot of pressure. Allow me to at least help to you to get back to where we need to be. As I try to work with you, I'm asking you to work with me.
Thank you … enjoy the rest of your vacation.
My Reply to MD
XXXX,
My e-mail to you was not about my job security, pressure, ratings, or relinquishing control. It was about helping you and making sure that you understand the importance of scheduling the logs properly. If you worked at any station and a B2 was coming up within two hours, you would be questioned why. Especially when there are five to six songs in the category and there is either one B2 programmed per hour or every other hour (between 9a-3p and overnights), then the song should not come up within two hours. If there's an A2 category song, it should not be programmed like an A1.
This isn’t about a programming philosophy, it's about you paying attention to detail. If you need help, ask. If you want to learn, listen. If you can't work within my system, then you need to figure out if this is what you want to do. We'll have a meeting when I get back from vacation. In the meantime, follow the scheduling procedures I've laid out.
PD: So, what do you think?
Coach: You said he usually e-mails and doesn't like to have actual conversations. How does he respond when you do talk in person?
PD: Gets fidgety, jaws tighten, and he gets intense. Everything is a battle.
Coach: My solution is simple. Find his replacement. When the day comes lock him out of every software program important to programming. And you might want to have an off-duty policeman on hand when you let him go. He sounds like he's unstable and has the potential to not leave quietly.
PD: OMG, yeah, he's wound way too tight. Well let me figure out what to do about a replacement and then make a move on this guy. With my luck, the company won't let me hire anyone else, and I'll be stuck doing my own music logs. I wasn't allowed to keep my acting APD.
Just Be Careful …
You just never know until you work closely with someone. Before you appoint anyone to such an inner circle position, such as Music Director, be a lot more thorough in your assessment process. -
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