Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Radio: CBS Radio's thirty percent solution


Aw, come on. Stop your whining!

So you work for a major to medium size market newspaper. Your owners instituted optional buyouts, mandatory pay cuts – on average between 10 to 12 percent – and week-to-ten day unpaid furloughs to non-union employees.

It could be worse. You could be working for CBS Radio in Cleveland.

Maybe you’re in television, where buy outs are strongly suggested and the alternatives not very pleasing. There, you’re looking at pay cuts hovering around 4 to 8 percent, and unpaid week-to-two-week furloughs.

It could be worse. You could be working for CBS Radio in Cleveland.

And radio? The marrow’s already been sucked out of the bone in that industry. The pilots are automatic and voice-tracking’s the norm. There’s no need to endure the foul breath of those plebeians.

Say you’re that rare real live flesh and blood human still working in local radio and not playing a significant role in the top morning drive show in the market. You now know how an endangered species feels when learns that it’s endangered.

It could be worse. You could be working for CBS Radio in Cleveland.

Here's the CBS Radio backstory.

Akin to most publicly traded radio chains; it's had downsizing disasters, demotions in motion, and survivors doubling to quadrupling up on duties.

I’m not sure if this goes for other markets but in Cleveland CBS Radio recently imposed a 30 percent pay cut for selected employees in a take it or leave deal.

I never would've known about it if it weren't for some local agency people that tipped me off - and asked me for my take on it. This was a well kept secret. For a day or two. When will they learn? This is the Naked City. Secrets don't stay that way for long. I should've known something was up when one of their former account executives posted his resume on every media site around town, including mine.

You read that right. Thirty percent. That’s almost a third of one’s salary.

It’s bad enough when one must scale household budgets back five, ten, fifteen percent – but thirty? Making ends meet just got tougher for the selected servitude of CBS Radio Cleveland.

I wonder how many CBS Radio employees were able to convince their bank to discount their mortgage by 30 percent?

This is what we call deflation. And in its truest form it’s deadly.

This marks the first time since the Great Depression that companies are cutting jobs and existing wages simultaneously.

It’s supply and demand. If there’s no money left after paying off the essentials like food and shelter –goods stack up at retail, which force prices down.

I wonder how many CBS Radio employees were able to convince their local supermarket to give them a 30 percent discount on their food bill?

Thirty percent also means that anything left over will not be spent on anything less than an absolute necessity. Consumers that can afford to will save whatever they can for an uncertain future.

And the only certainty at CBS Radio is that it’s not going to change.

Though CBS Radio told the Wall Street Journal it’s projecting an uptick in revenue in the third and fourth quarters of this year, facts are facts. CBS Radio revenues were down 29 percent in the first quarter and 23 percent in the second. Maybe “Cash for Clunkers” brought a few auto dealers back to radio – but now that it’s over do you really believe they’re going to continue buying time at a clunker’s clip?

And consistency is not one of CBS Radio’s stronger points. 20 percent of its stations have changed format over the last two years.

Let’s read between the lines of their claim that their format flips in New York, L.A., and Chicago boosted revenue. The stations replaced their higher-priced full-time talent.

What’s the translation? Downsized positions at CBS Radio aren’t coming back. If you agreed to the 30 percent pay cut in Cleveland you’ve lived to see another day.

CBS Radio would certainly like to sell some of their stations, Cleveland included, but who’s got that kind of money and willing to risk it on radio?

Lenders aren’t lending. The only radio station buyers are those like Larry Wilson who have the liquidity to do so with their own dough.

Even a massive fire sale doesn’t do much good if no one has money to buy radio in these deflationary times.

The radio industry could learn something from Bill Veeck, the last owner to bring a World Series championship in 1948 to the Cleveland Indians. He said, it wasn’t the high cost of talent killing the game; it was the high cost of mediocrity.

The same could be said about the radio industry, post-1996.

CBS Radio, where one manager insisted that company policy was "Don't be creative!"

CBS. The acronym for Cut Budgets Severely.
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160 comments:

Anonymous said...

30 %? That is high. I have not heard of that happening in Boston although CBS just killed WBCN, moved Mix and installed their new FM sports station. So a lot of people were fired here, too. No pay cuts that I am aware of but I will check up on it. Even the Globe was far less than that and they are teetering on the edge.

Anonymous said...

CBS is hopeless. If the local guys are any example, a 30 pay cut would still leave them overpaid.

I'm in the DC market where they just flipped WJFK to sports talk. Seriously, if you have a minute then check out the new programming. It's absolutely horrible. Lots of splash about how they're going from "guy talk" to sports talk. Every morning I've listened in, I haven't heard a single sports story or even serious sports discussion in a sports-rabid town.

The first ratings since the changeover shows them losing listeners. I know it takes time to develop a following, but given how few listeners they had to begin with, they hould have seen something just from the publicity. I'll bet these numbers are the best they'll see. All the buzz I've heard is how stunned people are by the stupidity of the new programming.

There's nothing these guys at CBS couldn't F-up. I'm out of the business today, but still follow it out of habit. I'm amazed at how inept this transition has been. I haven't heard from my old stomping grounds how the conversion of BCN to sports is working out. But if it's going as well as it is here, it must be a total joke. Seriously, you can't make a legendary music brand like WBCN in Boston work? Then you're in the wrong business.

Anonymous said...

CBS is hopeless. If the local guys are any example, a 30 pay cut would still leave them overpaid.

I'm in the DC market where they just flipped WJFK to sports talk. Seriously, if you have a minute then check out the new programming. It's absolutely horrible. Lots of splash about how they're going from "guy talk" to sports talk. Every morning I've listened in, I haven't heard a single sports story or even serious sports discussion in a sports-rabid town.

The first ratings since the changeover shows them losing listeners. I know it takes time to develop a following, but given how few listeners they had to begin with, they hould have seen something just from the publicity. I'll bet these numbers are the best they'll see. All the buzz I've heard is how stunned people are by the stupidity of the new programming.

There's nothing these guys at CBS couldn't F-up. I'm out of the business today, but still follow it out of habit. I'm amazed at how inept this transition has been. I haven't heard from my old stomping grounds how the conversion of BCN to sports is working out. But if it's going as well as it is here, it must be a total joke. Seriously, you can't make a legendary music brand like WBCN in Boston work? Then you're in the wrong business.

Anonymous said...

CBS is one messed up radio company. I don't care what anyone says about Dan Mason. He does not understand radio. He is one of those lucky right place at the right time ceos. His prints are all over the death of so many great CBS radio stations. He always interfered with success and turned it into failure. He made so many bad judgements on station managers. I could go on for hours. Everything he touches turns to crap. I really tried to like the guy when I worked at CBS. I could see right through the transparancy, He isn't a bad guy like Lew Dickey or John Hogan. He just does not get radio. I had high hope for him that were dashed away by his wrong decision making. There is nothing to be proud of in saying that 20% of your radio formats had to be changed.

Anonymous said...

This was a local decision, not a nationwide reduction.

It did not affect on-air, business or support staff.

It was on sellers not meeting their draws. Those draws were cut completely. Now 100% commission is the norm after 120 days of work.

How many times have you been at a radio station and seen sellers just sitting around all day not doing much of anything? In today's economy every dollar counts, and you've got to fight for it.

The Free Lunch is over.

Anonymous said...

It wasnt just sales. Airstaffers not under contract got cut too.

Anonymous said...

i'm with the commenter above, they gutted WJFK and killed the only local talent we had in the process. i've not listened as religiously since don geronimo/mike sorce left, but mike o'meara still gets a smile out of me during drivetime. the sport 'shows' they have now are terrible, and lavar arrington sounds like he's been hit in the head a few too many times.

we already have one ESPN relay on FM, and lord knows how many AM sports stations. thanks CBS, les moonvez and the rest of the crew for killing the only thing i listened to besides NPR.

Anonymous said...

They screw up every market they get involved in. Be thankful if you are one of the smaller markets like Clevelnad. You may have you nepotism thing going there but it is nothing compared to the crap we have to put up with in the majors. They are all over our ass for nothing. Whoever said Mason does nt get it is being kind. Mason should be doing Grand Rapids or Grand Fork. That is his speed. He will kill the radio div. Bet on it.

Anonymous said...

What is going on with you guys in Cleveland? Why all the snooping around about billing?

Anonymous said...

This is all a right wing conspiracy

Anonymous said...

No full time airstaff were affected.

Part time wages were reduced by $1.10 to $2.10 per hour.

Anonymous said...

If CBS/Cleveland is looking for expense savings may I suggest an idea?

Drop the morning show on WNCX.

WOW is that show awful.

Dead air is more entertaining. I'm not kidding. Don't believe me?
Try this tomorrow morning: listen to WNCX for HALF of the morning commute. Then at the halfway point, shut the radio off for the rest of the drive.

Tell me which half of the drive was more entertaining.

I've not heard such a poor excuse of a morning show in a large market. (Alan Fee included) Just put a jock on, time and temp the thing.

It would be easier on the ears.

and cheaper.

Anonymous said...

i dont care what the deal is. 30% is too ridiculous to bear. what kind of morale exists at those stations. what can they hope to accomplish? they would have been better off downsizing rather than subject their "selected" employees to such a rash paycheck cut. try living on 30% less of your salary.

Anonymous said...

You guys in Cleveland are a pretty sorry bunch. I heard that your Radio One stations there fired their program director right after she delivered the best numbers the stations had seen in years. Now the GM will be PD too. I have heard the stories about CBS in Cleveland. I have worked for CBS in the past. I know how bad it can be. At least I thought I did until I read the 30% solution. 30% is cruel. I wonder if those that instituted this have families of their own?

Anonymous said...

John, You don't know the half of it. I used to work there. If there are two people they have taken advantage of over the years its Bill Louis and Dave Jockers. They are the hardest working and most dedicated people i have ever worked with. CBS treats Louis terribly and have always paid him poorly. To this day Bill feels he is lucky to have his job. He has had more challenges than any other program director in this market and through thick and thin kept WNCX with respectable ratings even when CBS piled on the spots. Dave Jockers meticulously goes over playlists and no matter what is handed to him does not complain. They also make Jockers feel like he owes them for employing him. The fact is that CBS is lucky to have these two guys that stuck it for them and should stop treating them and making them feel like their jobs are expendible.
Thank you for allowing me my two cents.

Anonymous said...

I agree with the comment on Bill Louis. He is a good fair program director. Yes CBS does treat him poorly. He has spent his career with CBS always looking over his shoulder and never got paid what he deserves.

CBS Radio in Cleveland is a mess. Forget the 30%. They nickel and dime everything. I don't know what facility is the worst to be in Huron or Radio Lane.

Anonymous said...

Gorman lay offf on CBS in Cleveland. You are full of crap. Radio sucks everywhere. I would rather be here than at Clear Channel or Radio One where they politics are really bad. CBS has good people and good stations and we are not having layoffs like other companies here. Stop picking on CBS. We have good people here. Anyone who got a pay cut deserved it. We have a lot of dead weight and our management is too kind to let them go. WNCX is also live in more time slots than any other stationin Cleveland too.

Anonymous said...

Gorman lay offf on CBS in Cleveland. You are full of crap. Radio sucks everywhere. I would rather be here than at Clear Channel or Radio One where they politics are really bad. CBS has good people and good stations and we are not having layoffs like other companies here. Stop picking on CBS. We have good people here. Anyone who got a pay cut deserved it. We have a lot of dead weight and our management is too kind to let them go. WNCX is also live in more time slots than any other stationin Cleveland too.

Anonymous said...

If " Paulie Walnuts " paid as much attention to his station as he does his " Miami Vice " outfits maybe we would not be in such bad shape here. Ever think about that?

Anonymous said...

John Thank you. This was overdue. I don't know why CBS Radio is overlooked as far as a poorly managed group. They certainly are. Look what they did here in New York. The problem with CBS Radio is they do not allow local managers to do their jobs. Hire good people and get out of the way and let them produce. Dan Mason turned out not to be the guy I thought he was. That is an understatement by the way.

Anonymous said...

I would be offended if I worked in radio in Grand Rapids or Grand Fork! What did those people do to you Mr. Anonymous poster #8?

Anonymous said...

Man you are speaking the truth as are the people commenting here regarding Cleveland CBS Radio. Whatta Pit! Talented people treated like dogs.

Anonymous said...

You have nothing special going on in Cleveland although those 30% paycuts are extreme. Try CBS Radio in Philadelphia. Just begin Googling the stations then check out the comments on various radio boards. CBS really eff-ed these stations up. WYSP especially.

Anonymous said...

I remember that Cleveland was the market where the GM fired the program director of the Extreme station there because her husband was a male stripper. Oedipus at WBCN had to step in and get her job back. What was the story on that? I remember Oeddie talking about the guy being a Jehovah's Witness and insulted by his PD's husband's line of work. Does anyone remember the story? It became a big deal here in Boston for some reason. Is the same GM still there?

Anonymous said...

The Cleveland Indians have not won a World Series championship since 1948? Pitiful. Your Browns suck too. Who carries the sports in Cleveland? Hopefully not CBS Radio. They f up everything they handle.

Matt Haze said...

This is good for those of us who are working with and growing new media alternatives. There are numerous alternatives to get content, and that opens up ad dollars for the rest of us. Sorry, CBS.

Anonymous said...

Was that Walt Tiburski? He was the GM when 92 was Extreme. I don't think he was a Jehovah's Witness and I don't recall anything like that happening when he was there. Was it after he left? I remember the story. It was many years ago. I forget the PDs name. I think she went to work for Sony Music afterwards. She came from Seattle to work in Cleveland? Ugh.

Anonymous said...

I'm in Detroit. CBS Radio is in better shape here. I checked out your CBS stations streams. If WDOK is AC why did they play that 6:00 Soft Cell Tainted Love/Where Did Our Love Go? Since when is Fat Bottom Girls and I'm In the Mood high testing tracks for classic rock and I heard them back to back. What in the world is Radio 92.3? Does anyone listen to their own radio stations in Cleveland?

Anonymous said...

Oedipus said it was Chris Maduree.

Anonymous said...

CBS is bad in every market they are in. Believe it. Some are not as interfered with as others. Boston may get a temp winner with WBZ-FM during the Pats season. Otherwise it is pretty lame. I am already back to WEEI which will now carry the Sox instead of RKO.

I think CBS made a huge mistake of interfering with WBCN over the past few years. It was a good station until they began changing the jocks and turning into a typical imitation WAAF T&A station.

Anonymous said...

Oedipus is right. His name however is spelled Maduri. The PD was Kim Monroe, originally from Youngstown. Kim's husband was a male stripper (strip-o-gram - not in a club) and that did not sit well with Chris Maduri who claims to be a Jehovah's Witness. He fired her and Oedipus and Kevin Weatherly from KROQ had her rehired and reinstated. Maduri was furious because he was overruled. Maduri was market manager for Cleveland and oversaw WDOK and WQAL both ACs while Tom Herschell oversaw WNCX and what is now WKRK. What Gorman did not mention in his blog was that Maduri had Herschell busted down to SM and he alone now oversees all four Cleveland stations. Maduri also pulled the PD position from Bill Louis and gave it and WKRK to Dave Popovich. Bill Louis still does the PD work. He just does not have the title. There are rumors that more changes will happen around Labor Day or within a couple of weeks after.

Anonymous said...

I was there when Kim was PD. Maduri did not like the way she dressed either. Come on. It was a rock and roll station. It wasn't the Fish.

Anonymous said...

I was there when Kim was PD. Maduri did not like the way she dressed either. Come on. It was a rock and roll station. It wasn't the Fish.

Anonymous said...

This is not a good day for Chris Maduri. Mike Kenney the three sheets to the wind jerk is being transferred to Charlotte. Clear Channel is making George Mincer the new market manager. That could be a problem for the CBS cluster. No one liked Kenney but Mincer is well liked in the ad community. Maduri is going to have to get out and work the market now. Mincer is ten times the market manager than Kenney was.

Anonymous said...

Hey John, Don't go walking down Radio Lane or Huron Rd without an armed body guard. Paulie is pissed.

Anonymous said...

Kim Monroe was a great PD. So good in fact she's moved on from CBS Cleveland to program Zero stations.

People are idiots.

Matt Haze - if you hate CBS and Clear Channel so much, please stop sending us your resume. I've worked at both shops in Cleveland and there wasn't a job you didn't apply for, then and now. The minute air-talent post something on Facebook, you post a comment within nano seconds. We laugh at you.

Anonymous said...

Who is Paulie Walnuts?

Unknown said...

Check out the Sopranos!

Anonymous said...

Herschell has been Maduri's patsy bitch from the beginning..he is pretty much a low level jerk off that has a reputation for being disrespectful to people, women, in particular.The writer above is correct ! With Gary Mincer now in as Market Manager, Maduri--the biggest fake in Cleveland will have to go to work for the first time in his adult life.."Mr Nepotism"'s --daughter is cleaning up on the WDOK sales staff..at the expense of veterns more deserving.

Anonymous said...

look @ a photo of Paulie Walnuts from the Sopranos and look @ Chris Maduri. They are look a likes. Dopplegangers of one another.

Mincer was already telling Maduri jokes to his sales staff. One in particular cannot wait to get even.

Anonymous said...

This did effect CBS on air talent. Anyone telling you otherwise is full of it.

Anonymous said...

i am so pleased to see so many people calling maduri and herschell on the carpet on the way they treat people & run the stations. i think maduri is setting up herschell to take the fall. not that anyone cares mind you. i don't care what anyone tells you. radio does suck in this town but it is far worse at cbs than it is at clear channel, radio one or salem.
what could be better for morale than to hire your daughter & have aes that fought for accounts give them up so the commissions can stay "all in the family". cbs corporate should wake up to how poorly these statons are run.

Anonymous said...

Believe me, there is very little difference between Joel Hollenger and Dan Mason. They may do things in slightly different ways but their end results are always the same: FAILURE.

Any success CBS Radio has had has been in spite of those two.

Changing 20% of a chain's formats should be a red flag to Les Moonves.

Mason must have pictures.

Anonymous said...

I do not understand how CBS Radio corporate can allow Chris Maduri to hire his daughter as an account executive & have other a.e.'s turn over accounts to her. If CBS Radio is not aware of what is going on in Cleveland it is another blemish on the less than stellar record of one Daniel Mason. If Mason/CBS Radio is aware and allowing it to happen shame on them for allowing morale to hit rock bottom at Radio Lane. In all my years in broadcasting I have never seen such an unprofessional management group as what CBS Radio put together in Cleveland, Ohio.

Anonymous said...

Has Dave Jockers worked at any radio station besides WNCX?

Anonymous said...

Don't count out Maduri yet. He has left a wake of corpses including Walt Tiburski's. He is a shrewd bastard and a silver tongued devil who has had the ear of every CBS radio executive going back to Mel. Watch how he will set up Herschell using Gary Mincer's appointment as the excuse to get rid of him. Maduri has done things that no other CBS market manager could get away with regarding trade and compensation. These are things you cannot cover up. That place could be hit by a bomb and Maduri would walk out of the rubble without a scratch.

Biggus Jerkus said...

To Anonymous @ 755a 8/27:

Wow. So you're bragging because CBS hasn't laid anyone off? Would you like chocolate chip, sugar or a peanut butter cookie? I'm sure your defending of the company will get you far. Are you getting this sarcasm or is it going over your head? CBS in Cleveland is one hot mess. Something to be proud of -- boasting about not laying anyone off, but cutting some salaries 30% is something to be proud of, isn't it.

So, if you're making 25k and you take a 30% cut, congratulations!! The person taking your order at your neighborhood fast food restaurant is now making more than you. AND THEY have job security. Actually, they have a CAREER, not just a "job" which is what radio is nowadays and nothing more. I'm sure you think CBS appreciates you giving them the 'reach-around' on here, but they won't give you that courtesy when you're shown the door.

And @ Anonymous about 12 hours later: I would say your comment shows you what an idiot you are. You might want to update your circa 1995 comebacks. Do you know how many people left radio because they are actually smart and want to make a decent living and not have to worry about all the BS happening in the industry today. So what if someone is not programming anymore. Anyone who sticks around in this industry -- or does not have some sort of a back-up plan to go onto something else -- I have absolutely NO sympathy for.

The writing's been on the wall for years. Over the past year alone, that writing is now in ALL CAPS (shouting). So, please stop boasting about what you're doing in this industry. Nobody's impressed because all of our days are numbered.

Anonymous said...

Some amazing comments on this board!

Anonymous said...

Dave Jockers has been on the bubble for years. I was there on the other show when he was the board op for the Howard Stern show. He would come in 30 seconds before air time, settle in and then take long naps between commercial breaks. They don't give him raises, they give him titles...and he's willing to accept that. He'll tell you he's been there twenty years. He won't tell you he's making $30K a year. That's it! Twenty years in broadcasting and $30K! Do you have a family? Think of them! Get a job at Arby's!
WNCX has been a house of cards since Stern's departure. When Rover left KRock (because of Tom Herschel!) that station went down in flames. Bill Louis has been compensated more than fairly. He was PD in name only and made $100K until earlier this year when he was cut by 30%. How many people do you know in radio...supposedly underappreciated...making $70K?! Bill Louis' success as PD can be summed up in five letters: STERN. He thought Mud was a talent! No Stern, no ratings, no credibility. No one trusts or likes Jockers (known as an a** kisser) and Bill has never been respected as a programmer. Look for both to be gone soon (and Tom Herschel is looking over his shoulder!)

Anonymous said...

It's true that Jockers is seen as expendable. The sales department hates him. He has always been the staff joke on our floor and he will not be missed.
The morning show: It's over and has been over for a long time. We can't sell that show. Miller was a foolish move. We try to sell the rest of the station and move some spots to morning. They cut our commissions earlier this year and told us to make it up by selling more. Selling what? Interviews with Sponge Bob Square Pants?! Miller going on and on about himself? Jockers effeminate giggling? Blanchard yelling? Oak Tree knows every one of our sales people. We've been trying to get in there for months. Hey Chris. Did you cut your daughter's commissions, too?
We're hoping for a syndicated show. Bill Louis walks around looking very nervous. Hey Bill! We can't sell your idea of programming! CBS is coming in at the end of the third fiscal quarter. Please bring us some hope! Revenue is down. Give the sales department something to sell!

Anonymous said...

Time to clean house at CBS Cleveland. Start with Maduri and everyone around him incl. Popovich. Whattajoke. Jockers - history. Bill Louis - he is over. Get some fresh blood or seasoned pros. We used to have the best radio in the country right here in Cleveland. Now we have crap thanks to Maduri, Hershey, Louis, Jockers, Popovich & their ilk. Dan Mason, if you are reading this. Do something. Do something NOW.

Anonymous said...

Yes, how about taking WNCX and turning it into a real world class rock station that Cleveland deserves. I am sick and tired of the s.o.s. from WNCX. The worst morning show ever followed by Beeeeeel Looouis and his double negatives. Then we have Michael Stanley who bores us to death. The girl at night is good when I get to hear her. Who or what is that screaming Mr. Classic? Why can't we have a real rock radio station like WMMS in its prime. I don't care if you are classic rock current rock or alternative rock. Be exciting. Sound like you want to be on the air. This is from a listener. I am not in your business. Give the people what they want and what we don't want is the s.o.s. from WNCX. Take 92.3 and fix that too why don't you.

Anonymous said...

The foul breath....

Does that mean Jockers?

The grooming and hygiene of those WNCX people leave much to be desired.

Anonymous said...

"Nice shoes" (there really aren't - pastel?)

"Thank you. I got them Italy....."

Guess who.

Anonymous said...

This confirms all that we have seen and heard from a distance. Clear Channel may not be a summer picnic. We are still far more together than what is going on at WDOK-WQAL-WNCX-WENZ. Those stations are a mess in every possible way. Do you make all of your decisions based on politics or economics. I have to wonder. Almost every AE at CBS Radio applied for jobs here and elsewhere. You never hear of anyone coming from another radio group to CBS do you? There is good reason why. Clear Channel has a bad rap. I don't argue that but it is in no way as mismanaged as CBS Radio is in Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

me thinx a visit from cbs corp is in order. U made 1 hell of a mess. mr m.

Anonymous said...

The immaturity in your business is ridiculous. No wonder radio sucks. You are like a bunch of little kids whining and crying. If you got a job be happy for it. If you want a better job go out and find one. Now that I know what goes on behind the scenes at these stations do you think I want to listen to a bunch of immature a-holes?

Anonymous said...

DON'T BLAME BILL LOUIS FOR MUD! HIS CHOICE WAS CHRIS MADURI'S IDEA! That is a FACT! Ask Louis, Jockers or anyone else there. Maduri forced MUD on to Louis. They were interested in Flash Ference and a few others & even made a lowball offer to Flash ($40K) so Maduri could hire Mud for $100K. The current morning show IS ALSO MADURI NOT LOUIS. He brought back Scott Miller. Olfsheski was fired because Miller did not like him. HERE IS A FACT TO KEEP IN MIND - NOTHING HAPPENS AT CBS RADIO IN CLEVELAND WITHOUT CHRIS MADURI. He makes EVERY decision whether he admits to it or not. ASK ANYONE THERE.

Anonymous said...

Who is the only sales or management person at both Huron Rd and Radio Lane who DIDNT apply for a position at Oak Tree? You win. That was too easy.

How many people from Huron Rd and Radio Lane called Gary Mincer on Friday to congratulate him and ask if there would be any openings there?

Raise your hand. Count your fingers.

Anonymous said...

I can second that statement about Chris Maduri and Mud. Mud was already chosen by Chris. The "audition" bullshit was just a ruse by Maduri to make it look like a "people's choice".

NO ONE except Chris Maduri wanted Mud. Chris said he owed Mud because he always supported his family's record/management business when he was a program director at WDMT in Cleveland.

Mud turned out to be a major disapointment. At first he tried to blame Bill Louis as the "program director of morning drive" before realizing it was best for him to cut his losses and that his choice of Mud for morning drive was bad. Mud and Chris are still friends and still talk.

Chris picked Scott Miller as his replacement because he did not want to let him go from WDOK but had to because of the favors he owes a certain someone to put Skippy in charge. Even Maduri answers to a higher authority. He promised Miller that he would find a way to get him back in there and did.

Scott is nice guy and I have nothing against him other than not sounding like a rock jock. He is too soft rock favorites in his delivery.

CBS Radio in Cleveland is riddled with nepotism, deception and trade-e-o. Working there is a joke. That is why everyone is looking and more than five of us called up Mincer to congratulate him. We would rather work for him in a heart beat.

Clear Channel may have had a bad reputation too but that manager has been replaced and Gary Mincer knows how to treat people and keep the corporate types at bay. Now that he is running things he will clean Chris's clock.

Anonymous said...

ask oedipus his opinion of chris maduri. how he survives is one big mystery to everyone who has ever come in contact with him. he must have an amazing collection of polaroids or something. his godfather swagger is laughable.

Anonymous said...

I am reading this and LMFAO. You people in Cleveland @ CBS radio just don't get it. Nothing will change.

Chris Maurdi has been w/CBS as long as I can remember. He is well liked @ New York and knows what to say and who to blame.

Now that it looks like he has lost control & will have to be replaced he will get a nice benefits package and move on to something else. I hate to tell you this but I hear he already has other business interests with a rival radio group that may be acquiring more stations in your area. He will have the last laugh on you.

He knows everything about the company and everything about you who work there. He will find ways to use that knowledge against you.

Who do you think CBS will replace Maudri with? Someone better? Think again. If you are lucky you will get someone as bad as Chris Maudri. If you are not you may end up with someone even worse.

Look how f--ed up CBS radio is in other markets. They make the changes, you get the blame if they made the wrong ones.

Laugh and tattletale about Chris Maudri all you want. You will get your wish and he will be replaced.

Warning. The next manager may even be worse. Mason picks them.

Anonymous said...

I have never been to Cleveland and...nothing against the people there....I have no reason to. Detroit may have its image problems but CBS is strong here, and we hear stories about Cleveland losing the number one show (Rover?), the WNCX PD showing up for meetings with CBS wearing a dirty t-shirt and long greasy hair and the disaster called Scott Miller. I also know Doug Podell and the horror stories he tells about NCX and some wannabe named Dave (Jockers?)would make your head spin. Good luck! Hey! you still got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (which we all know belongs in Motown!)

Anonymous said...

"If you want a better job go out and find one."


Like where, stupid? That's what you don't get! This business has been trashed! The people you accuse of whining and immaturity unfortunately have this shit in their blood! It's damned hard to get rid of and there are fewer & fewer radio gigs left! They are decidedly NOT the reason that, as you put it, radio sucks!!!

Anonymous said...

I am a former CBS Radio employee. What has not been mentioned here is that there are two CBS Radio Cleveland operations. One is the pretend Godfather's headquarters at Radio Lane. The other is Huron Road that is the pretend Godfather's version of District 9. If you saw the movie as I did with some radio friends you'll know what I mean. The pretend Godfather considers Herschell that character in District 9 who begins to transform into one of the aliens and now wants him out. The pretend Godfather cannot stand the WNCX staff and considers them dirty and dumb. Since then we have been calling Huron Road District 9.

Anonymous said...

The problem at WDOK is that Chris Maduri thinks it's a family business.

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous 12:14 PM -

YOU SAID IT! GIMME FIVE!

If CBS in NY only knew. Now they do.

Tradeee-oh! Tradeee-oh! Tradeee-oh!

Anonymous said...

Chris Maduri is absolutely right in his belief that CBS is a family business.Where he gets it wrong is that it is not HIS family's business. If he wanted that he should have been born a Redstone.

Anonymous said...

what the hell are those guys smokin in cleveland? that is one messed up cluster. and i thought phil was bad?

K. Carter said...

Most of you posting missed Gorman’s point by spinning the comments section into a diatribe against your employer or competitor.

Nowhere did he cite any names or details other than “selected employees” receiving 30% pay cuts.

I believe the position he was making was that industry cheerleaders like Inside Radio, RBR and Radio Ink are impulsive in forecasting a imminent economic recovery for radio.

The “cash for clunkers” and insurance reform pros and cons spots are on one occasion bonus returns. When those go away what will replace them?

The other position I think Gorman was making was economic on the subject of the harmful effect pay cuts have on recovery and growth. There is a vicious cycle created by pay reduction. It puts fewer dollars in the marketplace and spurs more savings in expectation of more pay cuts yet to come.

That commentary in this forum to confront management verifies that the radio industry is too large to manage effectively. Even with top down management in broadcasting there are too many properties to maintain control of. It permits local managers to craft their own banana republics.

Anonymous said...

Jeez. I don't check Gorman's site for a week and all hell breaks loose? What in the world is going on at CBS?
Here I thought Clear Channel, Citadel and Cumulus had all the fun.

Mr. Vlassick said...

NO FULL TIME AIRSTAFF TOOK A PAY CUT???? Keep dreaming. WNCX - Bill Louis took a big one. Michael took one. Paula took one. That sounds like 3 full time on air staffers to me. Part timers took a pay cut. I hav not heard about WDOK-WQAL.

Anonymous said...

I hear Maduri just did another of his special "retirement packages"--at WQAL--this time his GSM--got the axe..why is Sales Manager Herschell(?) still working there ?

Anonymous said...

Just listening to WNCX's online stream. They replace the local commercials with their own, one for CBS Sportsline.

"Go to our website and we'll show you an offer TOO GOOD for the radio"

I know it's a really small example, but this isn't an "adult enhancement" commercial, it's for a CBS product! "Too good for the radio..." Way to position your radio stations as a bastard medium, guys!

Anonymous said...

I have had the opportunity to work with both Chris Maduri and his father Carl over the past forty years. Carl was a class act in a tough business in any sense of the word. He always took the high road even if others in his organization did not. He could look you in the eye. Chris is just the opposite. I no longer deal with his stations and he has lost revenue to his competitors because of that. The media in Cleveland has changed. It is barely recognizable. You would think that the few familiar faces would use that to their advantage. Chris has chosen to be the most unfamiliar of them all.

Anonymous said...

are they checking everyone s computer at huron & maduri lane to see who sent emails to gorman's blog? warning. don't use your work computer.

Anonymous said...

I heard someone got fired already for leaking stuff to Gorman's Blog. I don't knwo who it is. I work for a competitor and we are having a good laugh about this. All the things we heard about Chirs Madurie turned out to be true.

Anonymous said...

For a few years, I cut radio out of my media plan, then recently made a few mercy buys. There is no question now what I will do in the future. This made it easy. I will not buy radio. It's over.

Anonymous said...

On behalf of everyone here at Oak Tree Boulevard we would like to sincerely thank Chris Maduri, Tom Herschel, Bill Louis, and Dave Jockers for sending us the number one show in Cleveland radio (Rover), and strengthening our market share with that sonic stool sample called the WNCX morning show. Seriously,we are loving every minute of this and look on with awe and amazement at every move you make. How do you top yourselves?

Anonymous said...

On behalf of all of those who know how f--ed up this management is: you are absolutely right. Chris Maduri wanted Tom Herschell to call Robert Eaton's bluff. He did and Eaton took Rover over to you. Maduri was convinced Eaton who let him counteroffer than the WMMS deal was not real. When Rover left Maduri told everyone around him Herschell blew the deal. If Herschell leaves tomorrow we will have a 3-day party This weekend. We couldn't care less. He is a belligerent bastard who treats women like shit. If Maduri gets fired we will throw a month long party then put these stations back together without the godfather and his kind and go after your ass at Oak Tree. Let the battles begin once we get rid of our own dead weight. Maduri, Skippy, Herschell, Louis, your days are numbered. Maybe Embrescia will hire them in Ashtabula.

Anonymous said...

Think CBS is bad? Thank whatever god you may worship that Cumulus is not in Cleveland (yet)!

Cumulus is totally top-down until it comes to taking responsibility for bad decisions (and there are lots of them)- the serfs on the bottom take the heat for not executing their "strategy" correctly. They've managed to loose - through accounting write-downs about 75% of the 1.2 BILLION they paid for Susquehanna .. and pretty much destroying those legacy stations at the same time. Thinking about working for Cumulus? Unless your last name is Dickey ... or you have a willingness to kiss-ass like the newly appointed "interim" CFO you're just a marching ant.

It's amazing to me that a few people - less than a dozen total - delusional CEO's who somehow thought that they (and maybe members of their family) alone have the knowledge of what the listeners want, and they possess the business savvy to build media empires managed by incompetent and self-serving family members and supposed programming "experts" have managed to expose an entire industry.

I know there's still radio operators with integrity out there .. but all of the corporate entities are virtually the same -- arrogant, incompetent, blind and greedy. They bought into the industry because of it's vitality, then stifled it with top-down management

Anonymous said...

Sorry guys, gotta disagree with at least one point.

Skippy is a good PD, no, a damn good PD.

Success in Cleveland at
-WLTF
-WDOK
-WMVX/WMJI
Now WDOK and WQAL.

WQAL sounds better than it even has, despite the lackluster Alan Fee who couldn't program his way out of a paper bag.

Dave cleaned up the mess that was WDOK.

Numbers are UP at both stations. BOTH.

The Sha-Sha-Shadow Knows (major hint but he won't get it) said...

What???????????Skippy????????? The guy is a puppet for Mike McVay and Marty Schwartz.....You don't for a moment believe that Skipster is calling his own shots???? Come the f-- on, dear boy.....Christopher "the Godfadder" Maduri and his posse found major NTR for themselves in this deal.....There are more off the book NT revenue streams at Radio Lane than all lakes in Minneapolis....Q104 sounded better when Fee was PD.... The music mix was solid....Now its a wreck. Q was on it's way to becoming the WDVD of Cleveland..... Jen Tooey was being developed into a star radio personality.....Crewcut Skippy turned her into Joan River's daughter......Fee & Wild found their stride. U could listen to that station all day..... Then Crewcut Skippy took over and neutered the whole station and f--ed up the music.....Have you heard WDOK lately? Soft Cell the Traxx/U4ria mix????? How about Skippy moving Nancy Alden to afternoons???? Smart, baby, smart.....Numbers, baby, numbers.... Where did they go????When he does a rare move on his own he f's up everytime.....Scott Miller may suck as a morning drive host on NCX but he was a much much much better PD than the Skipster... Huron Road may have its own problems. Radio Lane is a clusterf---k disaster scene..... If anyone from CBS in NY really really figures out what is going on in Radio Radio Lane.... heads will he rolling.....rolling....rolling....The Oak Tree gang has just begun to fight!!!!!!!! You let Rover move over now we are going do you in!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

after reading how badly run your cleveland operation is c b s should stand for "cut (the) bull shit".

its people like this that give radio its bad name. did this manager really hire his daughter to sell time & give her the best accounts.

hell, i would hire my daughter too. except that i woud give her the phone book and say learn the business like i did - cold call.

he must have pictures of someone in a compromising position because i worked for cbs for many years and i never would have gotten away with any of the stunts i have read about here.

Anonymous said...

Why does everyone hate Dave Jockers so much?

Joe said...

Thanks Dave for checking in

Anonymous said...

Joe hit that right on the head!

Anonymous said...

I hear CBS Corporate is coming to town. Wonder if they will make any changes in management? They should. Crack a Walnut named Paulie for one.

Reflections in a blood shot eye said...

Long as Don Bouloukos is at CBS Chris Maduri will be safe. Don loves Chris. Maduri brags about it. Maduri has carte blanche and Bouloukos knows how to look the other way on those certain trade-o occasions. Most believe Maduri actually tells Bouloukos what to do. The relationship goes back years. Keep that in mind. As long as Bouloukos is at CBS Maduri will own Cleveland. Herschell is walking on eggs right now.

Anonymous said...

The CBS visit is all that anyone is talking about...here and at the CBS cluster f***. Got a feeling there won't any sweeping changes immediately. Herschel thinks he's gone (and don't think he hasn't contacted Oak Tree! Don't hold your breath Tommy!), Louis is at serious risk, and Jockers is very nervous and looking over his shoulder (and should be). Maybe some cosmetic changes, a vote of confidence and then the axe starts falling when CBS leaves town. They don't want a lot of publicity on this. The ad community has little if any confidence in the CBS cluster now. (KRock? WNCX? Really!) Maduri starts discretely saying goodbye to people and when he's done, "Oh Chris. Dan Mason on line one." They have a year of rebuilding ahead of them from the ground up. CBS losing Rover was the best thing that has happened for us in a loooooong time.

Anonymous said...

Don Bouloukos. You are right. I forgot about him. What would Don think if he found out that Chris Maduri brags about telling Don what to do? Witnesses, we got witnesses.

Tom Worthlesshell said...

In Depressed Radio Ad Market, Clear Channel Innovates with Integrated Approach
By Kate Kaye, ClickZ, Sep 1, 2009

Terrestrial radio hasn't exactly been synonymous with innovation, but industry behemoth Clear Channel could be changing that. When it comes to advertiser offerings, the national radio station network is dedicating significant resources to branching out its integrated media department. The department recently set up a location in New York to complement its original L.A. office, and boasts custom work for brands like Ford and McDonald's.

Radio ad revenues are poised to drop 15 percent in 2009 compared to last year, according to BIA Advisory Services. But Clear Channel appears to be dedicated to leveraging its broad on-air, online, and mobile presence to ensure it remains appealing to national advertisers that are shifting budget allocations away from traditional media.

Since Michele Laven, VP of integrated media for Clear Channel Los Angeles, started the department three-and-a-half years ago, it's grown to include just her and an intern to a bi-coastal staff of around 26 sales managers, project managers, designers, and developers. In New York, the department is hiring a digital marketing and social platforms intern and an integrated media project manager, among other available positions.

The goal of the department, said Laven, has been "to create platforms that take radio's strength and really extend them to multiple platforms."

The group recently ran a custom campaign for Ford to raise awareness of its environmentally-friendly vehicles and help build a database of potential customers. In addition to standard display ads, the integrated team developed a portal aimed at L.A.-area residents including a vehicle customization tool, video, and a contest promotion to win one of the featured cars. The automaker also ran ads across all stations in L.A.

An event held at Manhattan Beach this past Saturday helped tie in the Web to real-life and connect Ford's "blue oval" logo to its "green beaches" message. According to Clear Channel, the campaign portal attracted 76,000 unique visitors and garnered 1,895 registrations for Ford.

Nationwide, the company claims to receive an average of 22 million unique visitors to its sites per month, and 8 million audio and video users per month. "Radio is about reach and frequency," said Laven. "Our online and mobile assets simply extend our reach and frequency."

On its station sites, Clear Channel often uses Rovion video units to connect on-air DJs to digital promos. A recent custom campaign for Taco Bell on L.A.'s KIIS-FM included a video unit featuring DJ JoJo Wright hovering above the station site's content to promote a contest related to the campaign. The effort also included video webisodes featuring the DJ, produced by the integrated media team.

"It's tied into the personality, to the fabric of the radio station," said Laven. Six Flags and convenience store AMPM are also recent integrated advertisers. The integrated media department created a custom "Build Your Own Coaster" online game for the amusement park to help boost attendance and introduce its new "Terminator" roller coaster.

The firm considers mobile to be another important layer of its integrated approach. Visa recently signed on to sponsor a live music channel available through its iheartradio offering, which streams stations via Apple iPhone and BlackBerry and Web-based widgets. The credit card brand is sponsoring the "stripped" on-demand channel, which features the music of acts like Alicia Keys, Green Day, and Kanye West, recorded live at Clear Channel's 200-seat New York studio.

The integrated group works closely on a day-to-day basis with the company's digital division, which is responsible for its station Web site content and national ad sales. From New York and L.A., Laven explained, "We're working together and making [programs] scalable for the rest of the country."

Anonymous said...

The CBS radio operation in Cleveland is making the rest of us look bad. Please get it fixed.

Anonymous said...

Whoever thought Clear Channel and John Hogan would be running rings around CBS Radio and Dan Mason.

I am no fan of C.C. Still they are making an effort to move forward while Mason and CBS Radio are clearly stuck in the past.

Cumulus and Citadel may be poorly run operations but CBS Radio "takes the cake" for their 30 % pay cuts to the staff.

No wonder morale is so bad in Cleveland. I don't know of any other CBS radio market that ordered pay cuts of that magnitude. (or any pay cuts for that matter.)

I understand Gormans' message and I also understand why the CBS radio employees used it as an opportunity to vent on what happened there.

Anonymous said...

Dave Jockers is the backbone of WNCX.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, baby......beware of Greek bearing gifts Mister Maduri.....your time is coming soon.....The way you treated people....it is all coming back on you....See how many friends you have when youre on your ass on St Clair....where you belong......What goes around comes around......your turn, baby face.....

Anonymous said...

We'd like to thank Dave again for his post at 12:16

Anonymous said...

Maduri has staying power because he has a huge profit margin with WNCX-WKRK. He has one of the lowest payrolls in Cleveland radio. That staff gets paid shit. WKRK is Nard. The local show does it for free. Long as he can keep WNCX costs down to nothing he will be left alone. He got a surprise with Q104 in the last book. His only sour point was WDOK and he took care of that by putting Nancy back in the right slot. No matter what you guys say or do or write or grouse about Maduri is safe. Mason and Bouloukos could not give a shit about all the mentions and comments here. It is strictly bottom line driven. The only ones are on the review are Louis, Jockers and Nard on the programming side. Scott is on the outs with Jockers. Maduri feels he can get someone cheaper than Louis and get rid of Nard and have one PD cover both WNCX and WKRK. Nard would get the job except there are doubts he can do a shift on WNCX and win over Louis's audience. Other than that expect no change even with Herschell. He is safe for now.

Anonymous said...

Rumor has it at CBS radio that Dave Jockers is going to be named Program Director of Radio 92.3 and WNCX

Anonymous said...

Then Jockers would have to blatantly kiss his own ass to keep his job.

The Sha-Sha-Sha-Shadow knows is back Hahahahaha said...

ILMFAO over the "family business" comment.?????????...You don't know the half of it.....Chris "love your shoes/buy them in Italy?" Madman-duri employs his other daughter too.....She is a (highest) Paid street team member.....I spy for my daddy.....Beeelive me when I tell you I'll never doooo you know harm like PaulMcC sings in Oh Darlin (get the hint????????).....Want to guess who else is related to Madman-duri?????????......If the name ends in a vowel...a,e,i,o,u......There is a connect....whether its an CBS employee or client......We are family....All of my Maduris and me!.....What a clusterf---k!!!!!!!!! How about that phony address for tradeee-o?????????????

The Nudie Professor said...

"I spy for my daddy....."

I've never worked for a radio station where this does not happen.

Anonymous said...

Dave Jockers is a good man. Why do you people keep attacking him?

Anonymous said...

Glad to see you're still posting, Dave!

Charles Mason family says said...

restifo is a relative.

Joe said...

We would like to thank Dave Jockers and his #1 fan (himself) for all his posts.

Transplantation said...

Poor Christopher. He thinks everyone "respects" him like he is Michael Corleone when they really know him for who he really is....Fredo. I can see him now practicing his line..."You broke my heart, you broke my heart".

Notre Dame Rules said...

No wonder Cleveland radio sucks. Your all a bunch of frigging inbreds and relatives. I bet your stations brag about having all Cleveland staffs. Thats cause no one will come to your frigging city to work and your stuck with those whohavent made it out of Cleveland yet. I used to hear all this bullshit about Cleveland radio. After listening to it its all putrid. Even your NPR station blows.CBS has problems in other cities. Pittsburgh sucks too although nothing is as bad as what Ive readabout what s going on in Cleveland.

DannyWrightRules said...

Cleveland radio is great. Where else can we still talk about Jeff/Flash and their boring radio show and still think it was top flight radio

Anonymous said...

Cleveland, Akron, Detroit, Buffalo all had great radio when it was live and local and competition between them was fierce. Anything that happened after that radio deregulation bill was signed neutered every market. If you can show me one radio market that is even half as good as it was a dozen years ago please speak up. Otherwise shut up because you don;t know what you are talking about. Deregulation allowed a small group of companies to control everything. Radio sucks in Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

The best morning show in Cleveland is Brian/Joe

Your Worst Nightmare said...

Hay-o, Christopher

When is Mike Weiss coming in to relieve you of your duties? Nice shoes.

Love,

Another ex-employee.

P.S. Sha-Sha-Sha-Shadow.

Anonymous said...

They'd better have a Black Maria with plenty of body bags. Maduri, Herschel, Louis, Jockers, Skippy, whoever is on the morning show. Don't bother applying at Oak Tree losers.

Anonymous said...

CBS Radio - the swine flu of Cleveland radio.

Gorilla said...

Brian and Joe haven't been funny since they left the End. Thats why they are not on the radio anymore.

Carl Monday through Friday said...

This is what I want to see. I will gladly pay $1,000 in cash to observe Dan Mason, Mike Weiss and Don Bouloukos and two other people never seen before with Chris Maduri at the conference table with files neatly laid out. I want to hear them ask the questions "How many books do you keep, Chris"? and "Which one has all that trade, Chris"? Then they can run down the names on the phantom payroll. I will pay $1,000 cash. I will even pay another $1,000 to video it.

Anonymous said...

PUT IT ON YOU TUBE. WATCH HIM SQUIRM.

hush hush sweet said...

he should be worrying about kim getting calls from cbs in ny that he doesnt know about.

did she really ask what does the word indemnify mean after a certain call?

Anonymous said...

The "bookkeeper" Kim? Uh oh.

Your good friends at Oak Tree said...

The view is wonderful from beautiful Oak Tree Blvd in charming Independence Ohio, Chris. Could we request "There's no way Out of Here" and dedicate it to you & Kim? Did the boys book their flight from NY yet?

Prince said...

The JW Q-104:
1. God is not a Trinity; the doctrine is inspired by the Devil
2. Jesus is not to be worshiped or prayed to-he is only an angel (a.k.a. Michael the archangel)
3. Jesus Christ is a "created being," who at one time did not exist
4. The Holy Spirit is not a person but is "God's active force" i.e. gravity, electricity etc.
5. Heaven is hope only for select Jehovah's Witnesses. The majority of JWs hope to live on "paradise earth"
6. Heaven is limited only to 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses.There are only 9,105 alive today (2006 figures)
7. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only "true Christians." All churches and denominations are considered "false religion"
8. There is no Hell or eternal judgment ("Hell" is simply the grave)
9. There is no life after death except for the 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses
10. Salvation is earned only by being a loyal Jehovah's Witness
11. Jesus second coming happened invisibly and secretly in 1914
12. The "first resurrection" occurred in 1918
13. Jesus did not rise from the dead bodily but as a spirit being
14. Jesus was equal to Adam (just a man)
15. Jesus could have sinned and failed in his mission
16. Jesus was not born the savior but became the savior at his baptism
17. God is not omnipresent
18. God is not omniscient
19. JWs are not sure of their salvation
20. All earthly governments are controlled by the Devil
21. The Holy Spirit is only available to select Jehovah's Witnesses
22. They are forbidden to serve in the military
23. They are forbidden to buy Girl Scout cookies
30. They are forbidden to celebrate any holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.)
31. They are forbidden to celebrate their birthday
32. They are forbidden to run for or hold a political office
33. They are forbidden to vote in any political campaign
34. They are forbidden to serve on a jury
35. They are forbidden to own or wear a cross
36. They are forbidden to speak to former members who are shunned (disfellowshipped)
37. They are forbidden to accept Christmas gifts
38. They are forbidden to purchase Christian products (books, music, plaques, pictures etc.)
39. They are forbidden to read Christian literature
40. They are forbidden to have friends who are not Jehovah's Witnesses
41. They are forbidden to marry a non-Jehovah's Witness
42. They are forbidden to salute the flag, stand for the national anthem, or own a flag
43. They are forbidden to say "God bless you" when someone sneezes.
44. They are forbidden to have a tattoo
45. They are forbidden to use pet foods made with blood or blood products
46. They are forbidden to donate blood or their organs
47. They are forbidden to read any anti-Jehovah's Witness material
48. They are forbidden to interpret the Bible without Watchtower literature to explain it
49. They are forbidden to wear any Christian jewelry or shoes from Italy
50. They are forbidden to support their country and be patriotic

Shelia E said...

51. They are forbidden to be involved in martial arts, boxing or wrestling
52. They are forbidden to join any clubs or sports teams
53. They are forbidden to participate in a school play
54. They are forbidden to use any tobacco products
55. They are forbidden to attend the funeral of an ex-Jehovah's Witness
56. They are forbidden to say "good luck"
57. They are forbidden to be a police officer
58. Women are forbidden pray in the presence of men without a hat or head covering
59. They are forbidden to play chess
60. They are forbidden to wear jade jewelry
61. They must not own wind-chimes (they are for chasing away evil spirits)
62. They must read and study Watchtower literature regularly
63. They must go from door to door weekly to gain converts
64. They must attend five meetings per week
65. Only officially approved sexual practices are allowed in marriage
66. Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Halls have no windows
67. If they witness another Jehovah's Witness breaking the rules they must report them to the elders to be interrogated
68. They are forbidden to take a blood transfusion
69. Men are forbidden wear beards
70. The Watchtower organization is God's prophet on earth today
71. Women must submit to the authority of Watchtower elders
72. They must forgo vacations to attend annual conventions unless it is to Italy to buy new suits and shoes
73. They must study Watchtower books at least six months before they can be baptized
74. Before baptism, one must answer over 80 Bible questions with Scripture references in front of a panel of elders
75. Most of The Book of Revelation applies to the Jehovah's Witnesses
76. They cannot celebrate Mothers or Fathers day (it may produce pride)
77. Kingdom Halls cannot have pews for seating
78. They must appear before a Judicial Committee if they are caught breaking Watchtower rules (Secret files are kept on all members which record these meetings-these files are kept in New York and are never destroyed)
79. All pastors are the "Antichrist"
80. All churches are of Satan
81. God only speaks through the "Governing Body" in Brooklyn, New York
82. They are discouraged from attending college
83. The Lord's supper is only to be eaten by select Jehovah's Witnesses (144,000 group-99.99% of Jehovah's Witnesses are forbidden from taking the Lord's supper)
84. The Lord's supper can only be celebrated annually
85. JWs in times of crisis, are strongly discouraged from consulting with family counselors, including mental health professionals who are not Jehovah's Witnesses
86. Only faithful Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon
87. If they have a non-Witness spouse their first loyalty is to the elders over their spouse
88. Angels direct the Watchtower organization
89. Judgment day is 1000 years long
90. If you leave Jehovah's Witnesses or are expelled from the organization you will not be resurrected
91. Only Jehovah's Witness prayers are heard by God
92. Man's salvation is secondary in God's plan; Jesus was sent to "vindicate Jehovah's name"
93. God will destroy all non-Jehovah's Witnesses at Armageddon
94. They are strongly discouraged from giving to charity (except Watchtower causes)
95. They must never enter a church building
96. They must never attend a church service
97. They are discouraged from buying a two door car-A "Theocratic" or "spiritually strong" Jehovah's Witness will have a full size car for the door to door work
98. Men must wear short hair in the style of Paulie Walnuts from the Sopranos
99. They must refer to all Jehovah's Witnesses as "brother" or "sister"
100. They can never question what is printed in Watchtower literature
10l. They must report their witnessing activity to the elders
102. They are allowed to set up trade at radio stations and not report it
103. They are allowed to slash salaries of employees by up to 30%
104. They are allowed to lie so they can hire their family and friends in positions they are not qualified for

Anonymous said...

You people miss the point. Did CBS authorize 30% pay cuts? If they did, moot point. Sorry. You people complain either way. Corporate dictate-wrong. Individual market - wrong. What's right? A company has to do what it has to do, right? If it means a 30% pay cut in lieu of firing - what is the problem? We are in an economic chaos fueled worse in radio by the telecom bill results. Like it or not, that is where we are. Live it or shove it. Okay?

Anonymous said...

Weiss: "So Mr. Herschel,Mr. Maduri...let me get this straight. You let the number one show in Cleveland slip through your fingers to a competitor. You offer no alternative in morning drive. And how much did the stations make from those half price deals? I don't see that on the books. How many restaurants? 50? 20 meals per restaurant...and the station took in how much from each deal? Where is it? Mr. Maduri, you hired how many relatives? And you gave your daughter established accounts at the expense of other AEs hard work? You maintain top heavy inept management at your classic rock station. Your revenue is down...again. Morale is at an all time low on the sales and programming side. People are looking for any opportunity to jump ship. And you can explain why we should keep you on? This ought to be good!"

Anonymous said...

Calling Eaton's bluff about Rover was a dumb move. Somehow these guys managed to convince New York that CC had Rover wrapped and there was nothing they could do. They told CBS they were not given the opportunity of a counter offer. That could not be further from the truth. Yes, Eaton is looking at Clear Channel's other rock stations as an opportunity to expand Rover's network but no, he was willing to hear Chris and Tom's counteroffer which never came. That is how 92.3 lost Rover. They gave him away and it has cost them elephant dollars in morning drive. Chris's loyalty to Scott Miller will cost him even more with WNCX.

Anonymous said...

It would be nice to have a Bill Veek type in radio today. There is no imagination whatsoever. Most of the posts about CBS RADIO here are mean spirited and there is good reason why. When you treat people like slaves, like animals and dismiss them on a whim while practicing nepotism, favoritism and nothing in the way of reality and addressing the real issues this is what you are going to get. Your situation in Cleveland is pitiful. It is not unique to this business. Eventually it catches up to everyone just like its caught up to everyone at CBS in Cleveland.

Anonymous said...

There's no question that the loss of Rover was a blunder of monumental proportions and may have sealed Herschel and even Maduri's fate. The loss of income is also casting a long shadow on WNCX. How do you think Maduri's association with Miller will hurt him? Granted, Miller is a weak morning drive jock, but we thought he would be programing 'NCX after Louis got the boot. Even so, more of the same and Clear Channel is looking awfully good right now!

Anonymous said...

Any news on when the CBS brass plan to come to town? Inquiring minds want to know so we can have our ears to the door. There are a few good people here. Not everyone is a shmuck.

Anonymous said...

Did you read the Inside Radio interview with Dan Mason? That is why Chris Maduri is safe. Dan comes across as someone who can't even tie his shoelaces without input on where to place his fingers. How did this guy ever end up running a radio operation. Oh I answered my own question. He has all of the qualifications. Dan: Did you do all these things you are accused of Chris? Chris: No Dan: Okay let's have dinner
End of story

Anonymous said...

Oooh. Saw the trends. WNCX, WDOK, WQAL - Oooh.

PPM - will the formats stay or will they go?

Bet on the Oak Tree mob to annihilate Radio Lane and Huron Rd. outposts.

Anonymous said...

It is sad to see so many (supposedly employed) people wasting their time with such unproductive exercises. Stations would have higher ratings, more revenue and happier staffs, if you all went back to work and let the good managers manage and the bad managers fail. I remember when broadcasting was fun, productive and profitable. Is this blog (and others like it) what the digital age has given us? Go do your job and enjoy your life. If you can help save local radio and/or tv, do it. Sounds like you are all trying to destroy it!

Anonymous said...

Remember that Paula Cole song "Where have all the Cowboys Gone"? Change the lyrics and apply it to station managers. The good ones have all be driven out in favor of facilitators who just follow corporate orders without question. Some like the manager being singled out here may have found a way to make it work for himself provided he deliver their bottom line.

Anonymous said...

jeez - why the hate? and so much of it. youre only radio stations & not very good ones at that. instead of bickering and fighting why dont all of you try to improve your stations? i see cbs taking shots @ clear channel & vicea versa but your all of your stations sound bush league regardless of ownership. cleveland used to have competitive radio with everyone trying to out program the next guy. cant it get back to that? come on people.

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I think CBS is over...

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. companies in the airline, automobile, television and publishing industries are about four times more likely to file for bankruptcy in the next year than companies in other industries, according to a study.

The study by Audit Integrity, which usually analyzes accounting risks, used a quantitative model to track liquidity, debt levels, profitability, market prices and governance and fraud risk measures at more than 2,500 companies.

Bankruptcy filings have jumped sharply in the past year.

"Even if we're coming out of the recession, companies have been substantially weakened," Audit Integrity Chief Executive Jack Zwingli said in an interview.

"The concern was that the economic environment had changed and the risks on company balance sheets have changed."

Zwingli said investors needed new models to detect bankruptcy risk as the combination of the U.S. recession and more complex corporate debt structures meant that bankruptcy could now happen with little advance warning.

Among companies with more than $1 billion in market capitalization, the study showed that No. 3 U.S. drugstore chain Rite Aid Corp was most at risk of bankruptcy in the next year. The study gave the company about a 10.5 percent chance of filing for bankruptcy in the next 12 months.

Despite a recent investment deal, satellite radio operator Sirius XM Radio Inc, was second on the study's bankruptcy risk list, with about a 9 percent risk of filing for bankruptcy in the next year.

Both Sirius and Rite Aid are struggling with heavy debt loads stemming from recent acquisitions.

Sirius acquired XM Radio in 2007 while Rite Aid acquired the Brooks and Eckerd drugstore chains in the same year.

Representatives from Rite Aid and Sirius were not immediately available to comment on the study.

To test its model, Audit Integrity also applied it retroactively to companies that recently declared bankruptcy.

Companies such as Smurfit Stone Container Corp, BearingPoint Inc, Tronox Inc, Trump Entertainment Resorts and Circuit City Stores all scored a 99 on Audit Integrity's bankruptcy measure, which would translate to about a 10 percent risk of filing for bankruptcy.

Rite Aid and Sirius both scored a 98 on Audit Integrity's bankruptcy risk scale.

According to the study, companies that filed for bankruptcy in the past year typically scored between 84 and 99 on the company's measure, with the notable exception of Lyondell Chemical Co, which scored a 51.

Lyondell creditors said they were shocked by the bankruptcy filing in January when the company suddenly ran out of cash.

The study showed that American Airlines parent AMR Corp had an 8.7 percent risk of bankruptcy in the next year, while auto parts supplier Federal Mogul Corp had an 8.6 percent risk. It put the chance of a bankruptcy at manufacturer Textron Inc at a 7 percent.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co has about a 6.9 percent chance of bankruptcy according to the study, while Continental Airlines was given a 6.6 percent chance.

Rounding out the top 10 were media and entertainment companies CBS Corp, Las Vegas Sands and Liberty Media Corp with a 6.2, 5.9 and 5.6 percent chance of bankruptcy, respectively, according to the study.

(Reporting by Emily Chasan; Editing by Ted Kerr)

Anonymous said...

Here's the straight scoop. Yes, Maduri “aka Paulie Walnuts” has spent more time working the political system (surviving) at CBS than honing his skills as a respected leader. He's at the end of his career and is more interested in taking care of himself rather than serving CBS and the people who work for CBS. All great and respected leaders know you must first serve before you can lead. Maduri in all reality has accomplished very little as a businessman, he grew up in the business when it was booming thus not having to develop his management or leadership skill sets. When Tom A. sold the business Maduri was the senior management left standing to reap the benefits. He thinks very highly of himself yet carries the weight/burden of one who has yet to earn the right to carry the ego he projects. . He and his management team are extremely ill equipped to manage and lead a productive, solid sales endeavor and team. Their lack of development coupled with the economic challenges is precisely why Cleve is in chaos. Corporate America people like Maduri spend most of their energy ducking in and out of the gray area that knows neither victory nor defeat. The gray area is defined as, don't do too much and don't too little, in other words stay out of the line of fire. So their strategy becomes survival (the chess game of the weak) rather than a passion for accomplishment. A couple of surprise visits by CBS New York late in the week should give a glimpse into the lack of commitment.

Now all that truth being said, sales is sales is sales. You sales people in Cleveland get off your A**es and get back to the basics "prospect or perish". Quit feeding off those accounts you've had for years and go get some net NEW business. Leave the Maduri's to self destruct themselves. The game of sales is a self employed career. When's the last time you made 20 solid teleprospecting attempts(new business calls) in one 4 hour morning? C’mon that's 5 new business dials an hour, my 11 year old daughter could do that. Get recommitted, take responsibility , get to work early with a good outlook. It's funny how all the pain goes away when something is sold. So quit the blame game and put the blinders on and GO GET IT!!

PS. Don't worry about the controll freak manager, she's only doing what she learned from some other lousey manager 15 years ago. Maduri is incapable of developing her and the other management people (he never had to learn) couple with is lack of desire to do so means you'll have to get better on your own.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7:12.

You are so right. CBS has CC sales rejects. They must be independently wealthy over there because they are not making money selling time.

Anonymous said...

Did anyone from Cleveland CBS go to the NAB?

Anonymous said...

After seeing Dan Mason's "performance" at the Dickstein-Shapiro "blast" I think he should be worried about keeping his job rather than this menial crap in Cleveland. They are going to sell those stations eventually anyway. All they have to do more vt, fire more staff and they can show an improved bottom line. Their jocks at WQAL, WNCX, WDOK are lame anyway. I hate to say it but WKRK sounded better once they got rid of their jocks.

Anonymous said...

Walt Tiburski was NOT another "corpse" from CBS Cleveland radio! He actually RETIRED after 35 years in Cleveland radio management and station ownership. His last Cleveland post was at WNCX/WXTM(CBS radio) Cleveland in Dec.2004. He left Cleveland with a sweet "Golden Parachute"package from CBS corporate and moved to his "Beach Hideaway" home in Naples Florida.He continues to consult local radio stations in the SW Florida market and is active in the charitable fund raising community in upscale Naples.Remember,he sold his WIN Communications for 46 million to Merrill Lynch so he's doing just fine,as is Carl Hirsch and Tony Ocepeck and his other radio friends and partners in Palm Beach.

Anonymous said...

Ha ha ha ha. I laugh at the people at CBS Radio in Cleveland who put down the last great group of people to run radio here. Bill Louis said Gorman destroyed WMMS when Jeff & Flash turned into the Zoo. Maduri calls Walt Tiburski and Carl Hirsch fat asses. All I can say is the proof is in the ratings, the research and even the merchandising. I don't see anyone buying WNCX or Q104 shirts or putting their bumper stickers on cars. Whenever you read comments about WNCX it is about how bad they suck and how they play the same 200 albums tracks over and over I have to agree. Michael Stanley sounds like he hates every minute on the air. The morning show is the worst show in Cleveland. The rest of CBS is no better. WHo the hell is that hyenia they hired for Trapper Jack? I don't listen to the show but it used to be on in the Fitworks until they got Sirius. You guys at CBS keep putting down Gorman, Tiburski, Hirsch and the rest of them if it makes you feel that good.

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