Week of March 2, 2009

Throughout this week, we have been discussing disturbing trends in radio operations brought on by the recession. Look, I get it -- we are in the worst recession of all time. But there must be a level of creativity embedded within each station that serves the community. Having a 24/7 satellite-delivered automated format on a full-market signal will never achieve the results desired. Can we re-think the business model? It's a new day; it requires a new model. Let's design it together. Send your ideas to us here at All Access. The dialogue must begin; change is coming. Are you prepared for it?

Throughout this week we have been discussing disturbing trends in radio operations brought on by the recession. For the life of me, I can't understand the trend of having sales people write copy. Yet, in many radio stations today, that is exactly what is happening. If sales people are writing copy, at least TRAIN THEM to write. Otherwise, the ineffective spots written by inexperienced people will result in spots that simply don't draw to the client. Then the station, or radio, or advertising "doesn't work." We know better.

There is a disturbing trend starting to filter into the minds of corporate CFOs that I would consider scary. This notion that G's, all local air staff, marketing people, production people, PDs, news people, and even engineers (full- or part-time, and contract) are not necessary in the running of a local cluster. Basically, it's everyone who doesn't generate immediate revenue. This "tower with a sales department" approach to radio strikes me as more than short-sighted. As a manager, I just hope this recession does just enough to convince owners that creativity and content mean something so we can get back to doing what radio does best. That would be to create local content for listeners, advertisers and employees.

Can you imagine a cluster without a General Manager? I realize the times are tough, but having heard that many large companies are considering doing away with GMs gives me the shivers. The local GM is the person with the relationships, the connection with the community, and the keeper of the license. I suspect there will be trouble in Washington if this is a trend that catches on. More tomorrow, right here at www.allaccess.com

This week we will be discussing disturbing trends in radio operations brought on by the recession. Would Paul Harvey have a chance to succeed in today's environment? The notion of a news department with writing skills coupled with local "on the scene" reporting is becoming a rare site in radio stations. Where will the next generation of news writers come from? Take a look online. Identifying talent (in the future) will come from the Internet. Can you imagine laying Paul Harvey off? I can't. Neither can the advertisers that supported the show for years. More all this week, right here at www.allaccess.com