tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26398930539500147592024-03-16T03:08:57.575-04:00John Gorman's Media BlogJohn Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.comBlogger216125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-64546094763491627992010-01-24T15:34:00.019-05:002010-01-25T09:49:48.358-05:00Radio: What's changed?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yyNz2cdOI/AAAAAAAADyk/zdipAGYBXWM/s1600-h/Tin+Men_34.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 144px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yyNz2cdOI/AAAAAAAADyk/zdipAGYBXWM/s200/Tin+Men_34.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430411201028584674" border="0" /></a>You wonder why so many look upon the radio industry as a collection of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tin_Men"><i style="">Tin Men</i></a> these days? <p class="MsoBodyText">I’m nearly certain that no maritime group or organization ever named “an excellence in shipmasting” award after the captain of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Titanic">the Titanic</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">I don’t believe the airline industry will name an “excellence in piloting” award after the two<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/26/feds-interview-northwest-_n_333326.html"> Northwest Airlines pilots that dozed off and overshot their Minneapolis airport destination</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Even Wall Street - in its<span style="font-style: italic;"> worst</span> behavior - never named an administration award after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_J._Dunlap">Albert “Chainsaw” Dunlap</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yxipeSwCI/AAAAAAAADyc/M_3xUOQ0pic/s1600-h/NAB+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 45px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yxipeSwCI/AAAAAAAADyc/M_3xUOQ0pic/s200/NAB+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430410459508555810" border="0" /></a>But leave it to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Broadcasters">National Association of Broadcasters</a> to further humiliate the radio industry by naming an “excellence in broadcasting” award after <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel</a> co-founder and patriarch <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowry_Mays">Lowry Mays.</a></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a href="http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1774&p=hidden">The Clear Channel Foundation</a> and one of its primary law firms, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Rein">Wiley Rein</a>, kicked in $125,000 to the dubious <a href="http://broadcastersfoundation.org/">Broadcasters Foundation of America</a> with that catch.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">The ethically challenged Lowry Mays, in a prepared statement, said the foundation is about “helping others in the industry who have run upon difficult times.”<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yxIXvJeII/AAAAAAAADyU/yT1fGzyJJw0/s1600-h/Mays_10302007.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 110px; height: 166px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yxIXvJeII/AAAAAAAADyU/yT1fGzyJJw0/s200/Mays_10302007.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430410008070813826" border="0" /></a>He could be speaking of the thousands of employees his company downsized over the past decade or he could even be referencing the ownership disaster his family conned private equity firms <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital">Bain Capital</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_H._Lee_Partners">Thomas H. Lee</a> into.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">One in his position with a cleaner conscience would’ve donated the $125,000 minus the “name the award after me” strings attached covenant.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">It’s true there was a time when Lowry Mays’ Clear Channel was a radio industry leader.<span style=""> </span>Whatever moves they made, others followed. </p> <p class="MsoBodyText">But you’re no longer a leader if no one is following you.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1ywuJgnACI/AAAAAAAADyM/WFyz4D2mk3U/s1600-h/aar.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 108px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1ywuJgnACI/AAAAAAAADyM/WFyz4D2mk3U/s200/aar.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430409557575139362" border="0" /></a>Was anyone stunned by the sudden Chapter 7 liquidation of liberal network <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_America_Media">Air America</a>?<span style=""> </span>I’m surprised that it lasted as long as it did.<span style=""> </span>It was to a radio network what <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_shaivo">Terry Schiavo</a> was to life support.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Air America had the wind sucked out of its sails when it chose to be a network instead of a syndicator of talk programming.<span style=""> </span>It was undercapitalized, overstaffed, and mismanaged.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Whatever the case, I won the bet by predicting that of the two artificially-alive radio entities Air America would go belly-up before <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio</a>.<span style=""> </span>Speaking of….how many HD Radio units were sold during the Christmas shopping season?<span style=""> </span>Yes, you can include <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune">Zune</a> sales.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">You have to give props to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh">Rush Limbaugh</a>.<span style=""> </span>Ratings stunts are the oldest trick in radio’s playbook - and Limbaugh parlayed his phony attempted heart attack as a perfect roll-up to the winter <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitron">Arbitron</a>.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Rush also deserves recognition for hanging on to his showboat crown.<span style=""> </span>Rival <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_beck">Glenn Beck</a> pulls off an appendix scare, Rush tops him with his ticker fib.<span style=""> </span>One can only imagine the medical ills these gasbags will conjure up with for the spring book.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Then there’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Stern">Howard Stern</a>.<span style=""> </span>Will he stay or go?<span style=""> </span>Those that know aren’t talking - but the sure bet is that wherever Howard goes <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Karmazin">Mel Karmazin</a> will follow - or vice versa. Their fortunes, including agent <a href="http://www.buchwald.com/">Don Buchwald’s</a>, have been intertwined for twenty-four years and what makes anyone think that’s about to change?</p>Is it even worth speculating about the next half-dozen or so radio groups about to file for bankruptcy protection?<p class="MsoBodyText"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yv3wEUAwI/AAAAAAAADyE/8AUJbbtlMQc/s1600-h/FARID+SULEMAN.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 75px; height: 98px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yv3wEUAwI/AAAAAAAADyE/8AUJbbtlMQc/s200/FARID+SULEMAN.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430408623032632066" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/">The Citadel</a><a href="http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/"> </a>bankruptcy is yesterday's news. Its CEO <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">Farid Suleman</a> is a kept man.<span style=""> </span>Kept by the bankers who can’t figure out his bean counting schemes.<span style=""> </span>How could anyone who made that much money for Mel fall so flatly on his face?<span style=""> </span>Then again, did he actually do anything to make Mel money other than to provide an accurate bean count?<span style=""> </span>When he was at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_Radio">CBS/Infinity</a> was all the Farid hype just hype?<span style=""> </span>‘Fraid so.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yvgR-APEI/AAAAAAAADx8/hTT-MRAxpZE/s1600-h/coal_400x266.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 110px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S1yvgR-APEI/AAAAAAAADx8/hTT-MRAxpZE/s200/coal_400x266.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5430408219816115266" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;">F<span style="font-size:85%;">arid gave himself a nice Christmas present and stuck his investors with coal. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;">He portrayed himself basking in the limelight as the radio industry’s new big time operator of the third largest broadcast chain.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=""> </span>Instead, he proved that he was pulling everyone else’s.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Rewarding failure stifles growth and innovation.<span style=""> </span>It sends the message that wrong is the new right.</p> <p class="MsoBodyText">Until radio addresses that fact the bad news will continue to outweigh the good.</p><p class="MsoBodyText">---</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoBodyText"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Walls of the Buzzard</span></span></a><!--EndFragment--></p>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com314tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-60946415509200326112010-01-10T15:35:00.011-05:002010-01-10T20:09:16.449-05:00Radio: The song remains the same<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o-ma_fSFI/AAAAAAAADx0/r7pvUHEYLPY/s1600-h/citadel-logo-way-too-big.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 120px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o-ma_fSFI/AAAAAAAADx0/r7pvUHEYLPY/s200/citadel-logo-way-too-big.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425217530922747986" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:100%;" >You haven’t heard from me because there’s been little to write about.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I know.<span style=""> </span>There was <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citadel </a>and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NextMedia">NextMedia.</a> <span style=""> </span>Those were inevitable.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o-Vv6hD2I/AAAAAAAADxs/tCFhma7Pp9c/s1600-h/FARID+SULEMAN+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 155px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o-Vv6hD2I/AAAAAAAADxs/tCFhma7Pp9c/s200/FARID+SULEMAN+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425217244481261410" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Citadel.<span style=""> </span>It’s the tale of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">bean counter</a> that couldn’t count his own beans.<span style=""> </span>There are reasons why proficient n</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >umber twos make terrible n</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >umber ones.<span style=""> </span>Number twos believe in cutting and firing their way to a victory they never achieve.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >That’s wh</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >y other radio chains utilizing the equivalent philosophies will be condemned to same fate.<span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br />Are they even worth writing about when we already know <span style="font-style: italic;">the end of the story?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Then there’s NextMed</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o95Qr445I/AAAAAAAADxk/qMH-YQSCgfs/s1600-h/logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 38px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o95Qr445I/AAAAAAAADxk/qMH-YQSCgfs/s200/logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425216755062072210" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >ia.<span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Its business plan was to buy up smaller market stations and sell them to greater fools for more than they paid for them.<span style=""> </span>One problem.<span style=""> </span>They paid some hefty multiples to acquire these stations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o9bb147kI/AAAAAAAADxc/RalScOecDBw/s1600-h/rogers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o9bb147kI/AAAAAAAADxc/RalScOecDBw/s200/rogers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425216242660732482" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >They initially benefited from a bounty of takers but the company didn’t heed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Rogers">Kenny Rogers</a>: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc0xQfi4vPA"><i style="">Know when</i></a></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><i style=""><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kc0xQfi4vPA"> to hold them, know when to fold them</a>.<br /></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >There was that moment in time when they should’ve sold while the greater fools were still buying- but exit strategy disagreements ensued - and Next Media ended up holding on to yesterday.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >There’s more.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Lending institutions continue to hold on to their bad assets and allow those that got them into this jam to contin</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >ue running their empty shell companies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >What was that quote from Citadel’s CEO and architect of doom Farid Suleman?<span style=""><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >“</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Business </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >will continue as usual.”<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I keep saying it over and over.<span style=""> </span>I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o8ZcC55wI/AAAAAAAADxU/I-k9yU6Ln0w/s1600-h/1125200974132A.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 118px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o8ZcC55wI/AAAAAAAADxU/I-k9yU6Ln0w/s200/1125200974132A.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425215108843955970" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >That means Citadel, and the other major radio chains, will continue to downsize and devalue their programming, promotion, and marketing.<span style=""> </span>Instead of investing in content, they’ll pick up long-in-the-tooth <a href="http://www.melodika.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15449&Itemid=50">Donnie Osmond </a>or some other syndication off the bird.<span style=""> </span>Live and local?<span style=""> </span>Get real. <span style=""> </span>The stink of human costs money. <span style=""> </span>Promotion and marketing?<span style=""> </span>That’s a needless and costly expense.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It wasn’t all that long ago, actually, that the only stations that carried nets and syndication in their most important dayparts were small market stations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="">Maybe Farid was duped into believing that Donnie can host the 21st century version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_McNeill%27s_Breakfast_Club"><span style="font-style: italic;">Don McNeill's Breakfast Club</span>.</a><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I’ll bet Suleman truly believes that Citadel could survive as a content provider for news, sports, and program</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >ming.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It gets better.<span style=""> </span>The other radio chains teetering on bankruptcy believe their eventual bankruptcies will be con</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >sidered as a cost of doing business.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o74eZJD9I/AAAAAAAADxM/xMpiVF8j4O4/s1600-h/FIRE+SALE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 101px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/S0o74eZJD9I/AAAAAAAADxM/xMpiVF8j4O4/s200/FIRE+SALE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425214542538411986" border="0" /></a><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br />What about real broadcasters?</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">They’re exercising great patience.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Two words: Fire sale.</span></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com53tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-74965415961240928162009-12-17T10:05:00.015-05:002009-12-17T11:01:48.588-05:00Radio: It's the same old song<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypL5nghWYI/AAAAAAAADxE/VOKcjknAFK0/s1600-h/monotony.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 106px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypL5nghWYI/AAAAAAAADxE/VOKcjknAFK0/s200/monotony.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416224955096455554" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Please understand that it’s as monotonous for me as it is for you to keep harping on the same old subjects day after day, week after week.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >You want to read it as much as I want to write it.</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Yes, <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105645&p=irol-govBio&ID=76432">Dickey</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">Suleman</a>, <a href="http://connect.in.com/john-hogan-executive/biography-147075.html">Hogan</a>, et al continue to coast and boast while their empires crumble.</span><br /><br /><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In today’s agitated cutthroat media market, competency is expected and faultless implementation is tolerable.<span style=""> </span>If you believe that, you’re burnt-beyond-recognition toast.<span style=""> </span>The decisive competitive advantage is passion and desire. <span style=""> </span>Success is achieved by creativity and understanding the marriage of art and commerce.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The reports coming from the major radio chains whiff of extreme anxiety.<span style=""> </span>They can’t afford any more distressing news. <span style=""> </span>The chains are doing their best to block their dire news from hitting the trades.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Look, politicians do it.<span style=""> </span>Other CEOs do it. Even <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/16/AR2009121603940.html">Tiger Woods in his own way</a> did it until he went from <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/16/AR2009121603940.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">nailer</span> to </a><span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/16/AR2009121603940.html">nailee</a>.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypLrndNj6I/AAAAAAAADw8/BJunKWYBnuM/s1600-h/InvertedAxis-Initial.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 120px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypLrndNj6I/AAAAAAAADw8/BJunKWYBnuM/s200/InvertedAxis-Initial.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416224714564407202" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">Heading off bad news at the pass is standard operating procedure, but it risks dispersion of the real negative information to a</span><span style="font-size:85%;">n even larger group, which in due course draws even more attention to crises old media is</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> facing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Down slightly</span> is the new <span style="font-style: italic;">up</span>.<span style=""> </span>Failure is rewarded.<span style=""> </span>That’s radio logic.<span style=""> </span>It’s also radio nowhere.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I’ve been hearing per inquiry spots on the top-rated morning drive shows since the beginning of the mont</span><span style="font-size:85%;">h. <span style=""> </span>Some stations are doing commercial-free (and billing them as such) workdays.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Year end or decade end - take it any which way.<span style=""> </span>It has the same melancholic ending.<span style=""> </span>Radio is in far worse shape today because of mediocre leadership, an inability to plan long term and identify new competition, and a refusal to replace the dated components of radio programming.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">John Hogan was</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypLdTyvVsI/AAAAAAAADw0/7udjwWVyHQQ/s1600-h/finish.off.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 137px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SypLdTyvVsI/AAAAAAAADw0/7udjwWVyHQQ/s200/finish.off.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416224468767823554" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> wrong.<span style=""> <span style="font-style: italic;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Less is less</span> is the new <span style="font-style: italic;">less is more</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Remember, radio’s dor</span><span style="font-size:85%;">mant, not dead.<span style=""> </span>Once we get the spectators off the field, the pros can get back to the game at hand.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">I’ll be back in a few days.</span><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">----</p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">The early days of TV simulcasts</span></a><br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com98tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-8752312592931860282009-12-08T18:47:00.026-05:002009-12-09T09:32:57.985-05:00Lie of the Tiger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx72Lbyth7I/AAAAAAAADwI/mtq-xtIAG-4/s1600-h/resized_tiger_woods_farts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx72Lbyth7I/AAAAAAAADwI/mtq-xtIAG-4/s200/resized_tiger_woods_farts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413034478445365170" border="0" /></a>You can sum up damage control straightforwardly.<br /><br />When you dig yourself in a hole - the first thing you do is stop digging.<br /><br />Or if you’re <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Woods">Tiger Woods</a> - know the difference between a sand trap and quicksand.<br /><br />Tiger Woods is damage control gone wrong.<br /><br />I have a friend who covers the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Golfers_Association">PGA</a> for news organizations.<br /><br />A few years back, when everyone was talking up Tiger as the world’s greatest golfer - and a fine role model, he told me that if word got out on what he was really like - he’d be toast - and wouldn’t know how to handle it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx71VeUi4sI/AAAAAAAADwA/ksuXNV3-4ug/s1600-h/Tiger+Woods0001.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 90px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx71VeUi4sI/AAAAAAAADwA/ksuXNV3-4ug/s200/Tiger+Woods0001.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413033551411208898" border="0" /></a>When Tiger turned 21, <a href="http://www.charlespierce.net/">Charles Pierce</a> <a href="http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/199704/tiger-woods-profile">did a piece on him in <span style="font-style: italic;">GQ</span></a> that touched upon his penchant for hot babes and dirty jokes.<br /><br />Following the <a href="http://www.gq.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">GQ</span></a> piece he refused to do informal interviews, claiming that he couldn’t understand “tabloid scrutiny.”<br /><br />When your 21 and single and you can pick and choose from a bevy of golf groupie babes. You’re a kid. It’s expected.<br /><br />You don’t <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx70WjvhcbI/AAAAAAAADv4/e1MzbcIqhwM/s1600-h/w-pastchamps-pga480_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 148px; height: 89px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx70WjvhcbI/AAAAAAAADv4/e1MzbcIqhwM/s200/w-pastchamps-pga480_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413032470534779314" border="0" /></a>know <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicklaus">Jack</a> if you think <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arnold_Palmer">Arnold</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Player">Gary</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Watson_%28golfer%29">Tom</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Trevino">Lee</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobby_Locke">Bobby</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hogan">Ben</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Snead">Sam</a> didn’t partake in the spoils of the links back in their early days, too.<br /><br />Sports? Come on. That’s where the real toned and slim babes are. Even rock stars fantasize on <a href="http://www.thefrisky.com/post/246-the-secret-code-of-sports-mistresses/">sports sluts</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7y5i2uK_I/AAAAAAAADvw/MOfVa9mo_Dk/s1600-h/425.woods.family.lc.021809.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 148px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7y5i2uK_I/AAAAAAAADvw/MOfVa9mo_Dk/s200/425.woods.family.lc.021809.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413030872568703986" border="0" /></a>In the fifties, when it was an honor and privilege to cover national politics, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy">Sen. John F. Kennedy</a> had an understanding that reporters would refuse to even tell their closest friends outside the business about the bevy of beauties he was bedding.<br /><br />For over a decade, Tiger knew that the PGA would permanently bounce and blacklist any reporter who’d dare tell Tiger tales.<br /><br />But there comes a time.<br /><br />Tiger, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7yUpkNKII/AAAAAAAADvo/vdhKx0w2Qkg/s1600-h/tiger-woods-mistresses_514x375-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 98px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7yUpkNKII/AAAAAAAADvo/vdhKx0w2Qkg/s200/tiger-woods-mistresses_514x375-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413030238714931330" border="0" /></a>you’re 33. <a href="http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/golf/sfl-tigergirl041002,0,6032835.photogallery">You’re married with two young children</a>. For their sake, if not your own, you should know better than do flaunt your groupies, especially when they’re down a few notches or two from a decade ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7xZJOiTiI/AAAAAAAADvY/YvL3GaFHP7Y/s1600-h/tiger-woods-mistresses_514x375.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 85px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7xZJOiTiI/AAAAAAAADvY/YvL3GaFHP7Y/s200/tiger-woods-mistresses_514x375.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413029216421826082" border="0" /></a>Tiger, come on. You’re doing hostesses and waitresses from casinos, strip joints, pancake restaurants - and two porn stars? Tiger, you’re slumming in rock star regions! Maybe you prefer your groupies pierced?<br /><br />You can’t blame Tiger for succumbing to the fantasy that he could get away with these trysts but, in the end, what happened in Vegas didn’t stay in Vegas. Or New York. Or Atlanta. Or Newport Beach. Or Bay Hill.<br /><br />If I had an endo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7rIVx--CI/AAAAAAAADvQ/6ShhHwGRJ_E/s1600-h/Ambien+5+mg.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 69px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7rIVx--CI/AAAAAAAADvQ/6ShhHwGRJ_E/s200/Ambien+5+mg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413022330664187938" border="0" /></a>rsement deal with Tiger I’d demand a refund. Here’s Tiger projected to surpass $12 billion in career earnings next year - 90 percent of that from endorsements - and he’s throwing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zolpidem">Ambien</a> - the prescription drug for insomnia - a <span style="font-style: italic;">freebie?</span><br /><br />Number two of eleven - and counting - mistress <a href="http://newsnidea.com/21327/rachel-uchitel-wikipedia-or-wiki/">Rachel Uchitel</a> told the press that Tiger turned her on to sex on Ambien. “You know, you have crazier sex on Ambien,” she said. “You get into that Ambien haze.”<br /><br />Want to bet against Tiger selling more Ambien than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nike,_Inc.">Nikes</a> in the past twenty-four hours? Didn’t think so.<br /><br />How many guys called their doctors this morning for an Ambien script?<br /><br />Chances are calamity started with Tiger’s wife <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elin_Nordegren">Elin</a> sensing the scent of other women - and ended with a damage report covering everything from a fire hydrant to her marriage.<br /><br />Tiger may be one of the greatest golfers in the history of the game but a member of the <a href="http://www.snopes.com/photos/architecture/tigerwoods.asp">32819</a> zip code chapter of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mensa_International">Mensa</a> he’s not. You don’t call one of your eleven back door honeys and leave a voice mail saying, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/02/tiger-woods-voicemail-aud_n_376692.html">"My wife went through my phone and may be calling you....."</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7p4SCogEI/AAAAAAAADvI/-zSKMx8dI8s/s1600-h/247030700-02095013.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 170px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7p4SCogEI/AAAAAAAADvI/-zSKMx8dI8s/s200/247030700-02095013.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413020955270742082" border="0" /></a>Who’s responsible for this admission impossible? Whoever talked Tiger into that “transgressions” line should be off the payroll. You don’t admit to something ambiguously - then run and hide - and, worse, cancel an appearance at your own tournament!<br /><br />Now, and for the foreseeable future Tiger will be smack dab center in our public consciousness. What his handlers have to worry about is that he doesn’t end up on a lower stem that feeds off <a href="http://www.etonline.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Entertainment Tonight</span></a> and <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://www.etonline.com/">E!</a> </span>where hyperbole is shoveled out by the ton.<br /><br />How about Tiger Woods, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steven_Tyler">Steven Tyler</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Letterman">David Letterman</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Duchovny">David Duchovny</a> doing a togetherness <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_service_announcement">PSA</a> for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_addiction">sex addiction?<br /></a><br />Nearly everyone in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio">radio</a> at one time or another will be faced with crisis management and damage control. It comes with the territory.<br /><br />My advice? Come clean, tell the truth and be transparent. If you’re not <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7onXBFH9I/AAAAAAAADvA/evKkNkJ-dnI/s1600-h/CCBirmingham_Studio_Remora.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 72px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sx7onXBFH9I/AAAAAAAADvA/evKkNkJ-dnI/s200/CCBirmingham_Studio_Remora.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413019565037002706" border="0" /></a>you’ll be hunted like Tiger - and the incident will spin out of control.<br /><br />Either that or blame it on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Computing_Services">Prophet System</a>.<br />----<a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><br /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Fleetwood Mac Attack</span></a><br /></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com87tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-23023723469279128802009-11-29T15:05:00.033-05:002009-11-30T04:30:54.604-05:00Radio: Smart phones and dumb radios<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLkmYgt-mI/AAAAAAAADuw/KbjN6RhpMzk/s1600/christmas-shopping.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 101px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLkmYgt-mI/AAAAAAAADuw/KbjN6RhpMzk/s200/christmas-shopping.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409637450491230818" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">There are smart gifts and there are just plain dumb ones.</span><span style="">
<br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;color:maroon;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Let’s handicap the Christmas shopping season with two products that relate to radio.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;color:maroon;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;color:maroon;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Say yo</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >u have a product that few know or care about, which features a medium in desperate need of reinvention and revitalization?<span style=""> </span>Do you really believe that it’s on anyone’s Christmas wis</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >h list?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;color:maroon;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >A recen</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >tly released survey of 4,225 U.S. consumers by <a href="http://www.changewave.com/">Changewave</a>, a research network that spots budding trends and technologies, show that twelve percent plan to buy a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone">smartphone</a> in the next ninety days.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLj7ntiJgI/AAAAAAAADuo/oMY69EMKkC0/s1600/iphone-3gs-review-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 86px; height: 157px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLj7ntiJgI/AAAAAAAADuo/oMY69EMKkC0/s200/iphone-3gs-review-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409636715837138434" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Last Christmas, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone">iPhone</a> owned the smartphone market.<span style=""> </span>This year, iPhone’s 3G S is up against real competition from the</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_Droid">Droid</a>, the new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry_Storm_2">Blackberry Storm2</a>, a new <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Pixi">Palm Pix</a>i/<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Pre">Pre</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorola_CLIQ">Motorola’s CLIQ</a>, and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTC_Hero">HTC Hero</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I’m saying <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs">Steve Jobs</a> has little to be concerned with on that front. <span style=""> </span>His iPhone remains the superior product.<span style=""> </span>It enjoys a two and a half year head start -and is numero uno in <a href="http://www.brandkeys.com/">Brand Keys</a>’ <a href="http://www.brandkeys.com/awards/">annual survey</a> - with a 74 percent of satisfaction rating ve</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >rsus only 43 percent for Blackberry owners.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It’s true that most of the time the pioneers get the arrows.<span style=""> </span>But Jobs has the unique ability of taking </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >roads less traveled, which turn out to be the shortest distance between two points.
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<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Sure</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLis7aqunI/AAAAAAAADug/S3UO-sQW7u0/s1600/200910191814100_motorola-droid.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 68px; height: 112px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLis7aqunI/AAAAAAAADug/S3UO-sQW7u0/s200/200910191814100_motorola-droid.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409635363917052530" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google"> Google</a> is great, Google is good.<span style=""> </span>Let us thank them for our search - and our e-mail, maps, social networking, video sharing, and advertising - but can they make a go of it in the smartphone biz with the Droid?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The iPhone’s <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> invulnerable.<span style=""> </span>It has its Achilles’ heel.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AT%26T">AT&T</a>.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Of all the iPhone users you know - is there one that has <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>complained about AT&T?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It remains to be seen what becomes of the iPhone-Droid rivalry.<span style=""> </span>My guess is that Jobs will deal with iPhone’s AT&T exclusi</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >vity.<span style=""> </span>He doesn’t really have much of a choice when his two chief rivals, Motorola’s Droid and Blackberry’s </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Storm2</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >, are tied to Verizon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Advantages?<span style=""> </span>iPhone has over 100,000 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_software">apps</a> - ten times the amount of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_%28operating_system%29">Android</a>, its nearest competitor.<span style=""> </span>Then, again, wh</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >at product apps will translate into dollars?<span style=""> </span>For example, name one radio station app that will increase its listenership and sales.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >This is strictly empirical.<span style=""> </span>Roughly half the smartphone users I know connect to Internet radio - and <span style="font-style: italic;">none</span> via an app.<span style=""> </span>Of those</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > that do, most listen to out-of-town <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio">terrestrial</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NPR">NPR national</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio">Internet-only</a> stations.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >We’ll revisit this topic in next quarter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Both Apple’s iPhone 3G S and Motorola’s Droid retail for $200 and offer an average $1,500/yr. plan.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLiIrrP8BI/AAAAAAAADuY/3g75K-M_vRU/s1600/blackberry-storm-2-wi-fi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 80px; height: 142px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLiIrrP8BI/AAAAAAAADuY/3g75K-M_vRU/s200/blackberry-storm-2-wi-fi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409634741216342034" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Like Mac users, iPhone users are loyalists.<span style=""> </span>If anything, I’d bet on the Droid cutting wide and deep into Blackberry</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >’s Storm2 sales.<span style=""> </span>It limped out of the box with a soft launch compared to Droid’s $100 million-plus campaign.<span style=""> </span>Compared to both iPhone and Droid, Blackberry’s dated design negates any positives on the product’s attributes. <span style=""> </span>Storm2 comes in $20 ch</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >eaper than the iPhone and Droid - and that sends a <span style="font-style: italic;">cheaper isn’t better</span> message to consumers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLhQ1b1g-I/AAAAAAAADuQ/JTYW_mVjDRk/s1600/palm-pixi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 75px; height: 149px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLhQ1b1g-I/AAAAAAAADuQ/JTYW_mVjDRk/s200/palm-pixi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409633781763376098" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >To some <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sprint_Nextel">Sprint</a> is a pariah best to be avoided.<span style=""> </span>That translates to a limited market for Palm Pixi/Pre</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >.<span style=""> </span>It’s cheaper - $99 for t</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >he Pixi; $150 for the Pre - with an average $1,200/yr. plan.<span style=""> </span>It’ll attract newbies and those in fear of being outs</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >marted by their phone. Beyond that? Not much.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLdu_J14GI/AAAAAAAADuI/V82MhW-OLjE/s1600/htc-hero-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 152px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLdu_J14GI/AAAAAAAADuI/V82MhW-OLjE/s200/htc-hero-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409629901721821282" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The same holds true for the HTC Hero.<span style=""> </span>Sprint is the carrier.<span style=""> </span>Hero was the top-selling Sprint product prior t</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >o the Palm Pixi/Pre hitting retail.<span style=""> </span>HTC claims it’ll have the heaviest promotional campaign of all smartphones, with its “You” campaign, pushing the Hero's personalization and customization abilities.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It’ll be</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLc6U4IHCI/AAAAAAAADuA/cx_lKlruE_U/s1600/motorola-cliq-smartphone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLc6U4IHCI/AAAAAAAADuA/cx_lKlruE_U/s200/motorola-cliq-smartphone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409628997020032034" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > a Christmas in the red for Motorola’s CLIQ.<span style=""> </span>It’ll do well with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile">T-Mobile</a> loyalists and young demos - don’t expect much beyond that.<span style=""> </span>It has a boxed-in following, which will attract, at best, a few new consumers into their fold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >There’s also the <a href="http://mobile.engadget.com/2009/10/26/samsung-moment-review/">Samsung Moment</a> - but it’s hitting the market too late to make much of an impact during the Christmas season.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Now, we d</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >umb down to a product that most in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_industry">radio industry</a> have chosen to link with - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLcIeqg8QI/AAAAAAAADt4/yECWdupGvPo/s1600/BOB+STRUBLE.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 156px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLcIeqg8QI/AAAAAAAADt4/yECWdupGvPo/s200/BOB+STRUBLE.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409628140653834498" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The only smartness connected with HD Radio comes from the crooked and crookeder <a href="http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/management_profiles#robert_struble">Bob “Booble” Struble</a>, w</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >h</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >ose iBiquity stuck radio with an investment they can’t get out of.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It’s a low-tech 21<sup>st</sup> century version of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebel_Without_a_Cause"><span style="font-style: italic;">Rebel Without A Cause</span></a>.<span style=""> </span>We have the major radio chains - and other inv</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >estors - nervously eyeing one another, and continuing to play chicken with their properties while wondering whom their <a href="http://www.freebase.com/view/en/corey_allen">Buzz Gunderson</a> will be.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >By committing to HD Radio, the radio industry bought an apple for an orchard.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It’s perplexing.<span style=""> </span>The economics of the radio industry are remorseless, but it’s still alarming to witness this continued</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > cannibalism.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >We don</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >’t need more radio stations and formats - we need better radio stations and formats.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Ask anyone with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_XM_Radio">Sirius XM</a> or an Internet radio fan.<span style=""> </span>They listen to the same two, three, four, five - and no more than six stations - <span style="font-style: italic;">that’s it.</span><span style=""> </span>Most have a favorite and a second favorite.<span style=""> </span>Offering more choice - especially when they're even worse than the conventional terrestrial fare - will <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> draw consumers to HD Radio.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Struble doesn’t always tell a <span style="font-style: italic;">Struble</span>, which is synonym for not telling the truth. Sometimes he just talks out of both sides of his mouth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Just a couple of weeks ago Struble released another torrent of press releases announcing new HD radio models, apps, and adapters and predictions on how well HD Radio will do at retail this Christmas.<span style=""> </span>More lies - more <span style="font-style: italic;">Strubles</span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLb3LXFVBI/AAAAAAAADtw/fJkgp-NDMnI/s1600/PH09281-b-1-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 83px; height: 144px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLb3LXFVBI/AAAAAAAADtw/fJkgp-NDMnI/s200/PH09281-b-1-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409627843414283282" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >latest misadventure occurred when Struble tried to perfume his HD Radio hog with a<a href="http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=124915"> new app</a> and att</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >achment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >We live in a compact, wireless world, Bob.<span style=""> </span>Why would you sign off on an HD Radio iPhone app that requires one to go to a participating </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Shack">Radio Shack</a>, and pay $79.95 plus tax for this bulky add-on HD Radio tuner, which you have to attach by wire to your iPhone?<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>And, Bob, it can’t work with a car’s docking system because the iPhone’s 30-pint port c</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >onnects to only</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > one device at a time.<span style=""> </span>Brilliant.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Please explain this to me.<span style=""> </span>There isn’t a shred of evidence that this is HD Radio’s year at retail. If anything, you’ll sell fewer HD Radios this season than you did last - and that's even less than you did the year before and the year before that. Prove me wrong.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The time has come to recognize and own up to HD Radio as a major blunder.<span style=""> </span>It’s not happening. It hasn’t in the past, it isn’t now, and it never will.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Audio_Broadcasting">DAB radio</a> is a <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/03/06/dab_fail/">failure in Europe, too</a>.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLbYEJrItI/AAAAAAAADto/73eaicrxZ6U/s1600/article-1079796-022E9B1A000005DC-400_468x346.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 108px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SxLbYEJrItI/AAAAAAAADto/73eaicrxZ6U/s200/article-1079796-022E9B1A000005DC-400_468x346.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409627308903047890" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >What’s taking place is simply not working.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br />I think you look at it a different way.<span style=""> </span>Why work when you’ve forced radio to do all the heavy lifting for you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >After all, robbing isn’t the toughest part of heisting. The getaway is. That's what separates the pros from the cons. </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-30288048685330342542009-11-24T11:06:00.026-05:002009-11-24T13:44:46.176-05:00Radio: Of golden turkeys and chucked ducks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwMB5SXGHI/AAAAAAAADtI/FpoDwrBMD3E/s1600/Pic60MQ65.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwMB5SXGHI/AAAAAAAADtI/FpoDwrBMD3E/s200/Pic60MQ65.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407710479262357618" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwN1rx5oaI/AAAAAAAADtQ/SdIe19Qu89k/s1600/LEW+DICKEY.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 82px; height: 104px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwN1rx5oaI/AAAAAAAADtQ/SdIe19Qu89k/s200/LEW+DICKEY.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407712468501373346" border="0" /></a> <span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >Cho</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >ices, choices. Who's most worthy of radio's Golden Turkey award?</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Let’s bring out the three finalists.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Lew Dickey, President and CEO of Cumulus.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwLW8kVu1I/AAAAAAAADs4/YFU3tQP3b4U/s1600/FARID+SULEMAN+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 76px; height: 99px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwLW8kVu1I/AAAAAAAADs4/YFU3tQP3b4U/s200/FARID+SULEMAN+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407709741408697170" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Farid Suleman</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >, President and CEO of Citadel.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >John H</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >o</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >gan, CEO of Clear Channel Radio.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Come </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwLJ60IqQI/AAAAAAAADsw/yplJbJI8IMA/s1600/JOHN+HOGAN+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 83px; height: 109px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwLJ60IqQI/AAAAAAAADsw/yplJbJI8IMA/s200/JOHN+HOGAN+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407709517599779074" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >on down.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Lew, Farid, and John have contributed immeasurable improprieties to the decline and fall of the radio industry. They’re the top executives at radio groups where failure is continually rewarded.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Let’s begin with Lew.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwK0TDRx4I/AAAAAAAADso/tiYti9-rnyQ/s1600/CUMULUS+MEDIA.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 66px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwK0TDRx4I/AAAAAAAADso/tiYti9-rnyQ/s200/CUMULUS+MEDIA.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407709146148620162" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >L</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ew Dickey. You and your brother John boast of being amongst the select few mere mortals to be born</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >with “these extra-large hard drives” in your heads. Your words, not mine. Say you’re right. So what?<span style=""> </span>It’s not the hard drive.<span style=""> </span>It’s what’s on it. The palpable mismanagement you’ve given Cumulus only reinforces the maxim, “garbage in, garbage out.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Lew</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > Dickey and we can’t fault you for being so vain.<span style=""> </span>Maybe you and John are the smartest men in any room.<span style=""> </span>Okay, Lew, you are</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > the smartest; John is a little slower - <span style="font-style: italic;">but close</span>.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Lew Dickey and anyone with the unfortunate fate of being involved with you and your Brainiac brother fin</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ish up in a quick spin through the official Cumulus revolving door.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Lew Dickey an</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >d you and John know how to clutch your piece of the action while the company dissipates around you. On the day when Cumulus finally fades into the fog, you and John will wink, smile, look you the rest of us in the eye and paraphrase that old Connie Francis song, “Who’s Smarter Now?” as you walk from your corrupt deal wheel-barrowing bushels of cash.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >And how about that Farid Suleman?<span style=""> </span>Talk about rewarding failure!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwKbaTVcgI/AAAAAAAADsg/5K9NJ_XrJlA/s1600/CITADEL.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 52px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwKbaTVcgI/AAAAAAAADsg/5K9NJ_XrJlA/s200/CITADEL.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708718598287874" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Farid Sule</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >man. It’s all about bankrupting your company so thoroughly that its lenders are forced to ke</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ep you on since y</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ou’re the only one who truly knows how badly you screwed up Citadel.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Farid Suleman and you lusted for own kingdom and got it - but you were King Midas in reverse.<span style=""> </span>Everything you touched turned to cr</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ap.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Farid Suleman and, you couldn’t even afford to keep one of your Pennsylvania stations on the air - so you just turned it off and fortuitously forgot to report that incident to the FCC, which you are obligated to do as a license-holder.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re Farid Suleman and you always wanted to be a number one and now you’ll have the dubious distinction </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >of being the <span style="font-style: italic;">first</span> CEO of a major radio chain to drive it into Chapter 11.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwKDoIKD2I/AAAAAAAADsY/ZG8Yn_DPCug/s1600/CLEAR+CHANNEL.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 103px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwKDoIKD2I/AAAAAAAADsY/ZG8Yn_DPCug/s200/CLEAR+CHANNEL.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407708309992640354" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >John Hogan?<span style=""> </span>Have you gotten used to the mechanism and strings Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee attached </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >t</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >o your body?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You are John</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > Hogan.<span style=""> </span>Clear Channel led the way in voice-tracking and now, here you are - voice-tracked</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > by Bain and Lee.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >You’re John Hogan.<span style=""> </span>You believe that we must flout the fact that local sales have as much to do with building relationships as ratings.<span style=""> </span>Don’t confuse Bain and Lee with those facts.<span style=""> </span>They plan to nationalize radio sales.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >It’s Das Klear Kh</span><span style="font-size:130%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwJo4vLzwI/AAAAAAAADsQ/SfUhGpZupZk/s1600/SOVIET+UNION.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 142px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwJo4vLzwI/AAAAAAAADsQ/SfUhGpZupZk/s200/SOVIET+UNION.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407707850594832130" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >annel all over again.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >Their radio markets ar</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >e mere Klear Khannel satellite republics.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>There’s New Yorkistan, Los Angelistan, Philadelhiastan, </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >San Franciscoastan, and Bostonia, and others too numerous to manage, er, mention.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >Like the Soviet</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" > Union, it may work on paper - but in practice it will be a dismal failure.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >Remember </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >a few years back when you signed off on Clear Channel banning some songs written by John Lennon from airplay?<span style=""> </span>You should’ve banned Vladimir Lenin, whose playbook has too much in common with Clear Channel’s.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >You’re John Hogan and if your programming isn’t done locally, why should sales be trusted with those who know the market best?<span style=""> </span>So you hire Chris Soechtig, the former Tampa sales director for the new position of Senior VP of sales operations to oversee the thousand-plus properties.<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >You’re John Hoga</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >n. Your national programmers control what everyone hears on the air. Now, Soechtig will be the counterpart for sales. <span style=""> </span>We can expect those “one day fire sale” e-mails a few markets promoted to become uniform.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >If it worked in Philadelphia, it’ll work in Detroit.<span style=""> </span>Same lunch bucket market, right?<span style=""> </span>Sorry, John.<span style=""> </span>Didn’t mean to quote Dan Mason</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;" >.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You’re John Hogan and you r</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >emember the old term “black dollars,” the buys agencies would set aside for urban contemporary formats, some which were on minority-owned radio stations.<span style=""> </span>Clever sales managers at these stations would make sure the buys were spread to all of their properties.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >It worked - and it kept many urban stations afloat during lean times.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Now, Clear Channel plans to do this nationally by creating an urban network and putting all of its African-American targeted formats under one umbrella.<span style=""> </span>Buy one? You gotta buy ‘em all.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Okay, turkey </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >of the year?<span style=""> </span>It’s up to you.<span style=""> </span>Lew, Farid, and John.<span style=""> </span>You pick.<span style=""> </span>It’s too close to call.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >One more thing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwI4fI56vI/AAAAAAAADsI/w0ahUhDxOxk/s1600/nab_logo_2008_hi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 70px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwI4fI56vI/AAAAAAAADsI/w0ahUhDxOxk/s200/nab_logo_2008_hi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407707019089668850" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >You can mark this date on the calendar since I’m making a <span style="font-style: italic;">rare, positive</span> statement about the National </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >A</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ssociation of Broadcasters (NAB).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Yes, you read that right.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I’m thankful that the NAB chucked the duck and David “Fumbles” Rehr along with it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >So far, I adm</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwIYpu-MUI/AAAAAAAADsA/_wymlbEZYy4/s1600/NAB-Pres.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwIYpu-MUI/AAAAAAAADsA/_wymlbEZYy4/s200/NAB-Pres.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407706472177873218" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >ire the approach its new CEO, Gordon Smith, is taking with the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA) robber barons.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >He’s not sending Congress and the RIAA stuffed ducks.<span style=""> </span>He’s not making veiled threats to labels and artists.<span style=""> </span>He’s not writing long-winded letters to the President.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >What Gordon Smith is doing is telling the truth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Radio doesn’t have money.<span style=""> </span>It cannot afford the ludicrous performance royalty tax the RIAA wants to levy on the industry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Radio is not in the bail out business for the labels.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I’ve said it before.<span style=""> </span>There are no good guys here. When the labels were healthy, radio took advantag</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >e of them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >It wasn’t entirely their fault.<span style=""> </span>Whenever the labels offered payola and other incentives for airplay - radio took it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Radio took it whether it was illegal, semi-legal, or legal.<span style=""> </span>It doesn’t really matter.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >In the end, it nearly killed both industries.<span style=""> </span>Music radio ceased to provide the soundtrack to popular culture and the labels pushed only music by artists and managers willing to give up a percentage of their royalties to fund payola.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Radio lost its ability to sell music and the labels have no solid replacement.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Before there is even a discussion on why the RIAA wants to siphon off of radio what it can no longer get fro</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >m the consumer its labels screwed - Smith is telling it like it is.<span style=""> </span>There is no money to be had.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Mismanagement on radio’s behalf, though real, is not an issue since the record industry suffers from the sa</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >me disease.<span style=""> </span>Smith didn’t have to say if the music’s not free, we’ll be all sports and talk.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwHmR8rM7I/AAAAAAAADr4/2zaHoAeb0Pw/s1600/NAB+DUCK+CLOSE+UP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwwHmR8rM7I/AAAAAAAADr4/2zaHoAeb0Pw/s200/NAB+DUCK+CLOSE+UP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5407705606799438770" border="0" /></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >The NAB still faces a tough battle in Congress.<span style=""> </span>David “Fumbles” Rehr did nearly irreparable damage to th</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >e</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" > radio industry’s image during his brief reign.<span style=""> </span>His abrasive “ready, fire, aim” statements and threats can’t be erase</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >d that easily.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Let’s be thankful for two things.<span style=""> </span>Fumbles is gone and we’re another day closer to effecting change in our industry.<span style=""> </span>It will come.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10pt;" ><span style="font-size:130%;">Happy Thanksgiving.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com97tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-10344724858617133202009-11-16T09:51:00.023-05:002009-11-17T16:20:47.539-05:00Radio's Rubes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGCb0VjfII/AAAAAAAADrg/fmATlVeCFv4/s1600/5000_large.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGCb0VjfII/AAAAAAAADrg/fmATlVeCFv4/s200/5000_large.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404744442238434434" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.rubegoldberg.com/">Rube Goldberg</a> is the patron saint of the <span style="font-style: italic;">old</span> radio industry.<br /><br />Don't know Rube? He was a popular early 20th century cartoonist who sketched comics depicting multifarious devices for performing simple tasks in unusual and often convoluted ways.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />By the early thirties, the <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/">Merriam-Webster</a> dictionary turned his name into an adjective, defining it as "accomplishing something simple through complex means."</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /><br />The same definition could be applied to the old radio industry, accompanied by banking, insurance, and a select - but large - number of public companies that cloak their cooked booked financial statements in indecipherable jargon and figures.<br /></span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><br />But eventually even the most complex, convoluted financial schemes crash and burn.</span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGCFWeVmQI/AAAAAAAADrY/x3LEQUXGHoE/s1600/paycheck.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGCFWeVmQI/AAAAAAAADrY/x3LEQUXGHoE/s200/paycheck.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404744056265087234" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Take the ethi</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >cally dubious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">Farid Suleman</a>, CEO of the crumbling <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citadel</a> radio group, which, at any moment, wil</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >l</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > file for Chapter 11 protection.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Poor Farid.<span style=""> </span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Tired of toiling under <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Karmazin">Mel Karmazin</a> as his official bean counter, he wanted to prove he could be a </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >numbe</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >r one.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Instead, h</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >e proved to be a lifeguard who couldn’t swim.<span style=""> </span>Mini-Mel he will never be.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >But failure is rewarded in the radio industry many times over.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><br /><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Despite his destruction o</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >f the third largest radio chain in America, one notion being bandied about would have him falling uphill by staying on as CEO of Citadel to help bring the chain out of bankruptcy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF_U42mp1I/AAAAAAAADrI/KFk0Y3nxI4w/s1600/Citadel-Broadcasting-Logo_COLOR.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 92px; height: 98px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF_U42mp1I/AAAAAAAADrI/KFk0Y3nxI4w/s200/Citadel-Broadcasting-Logo_COLOR.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404741024656828242" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >When Suleman gobbled up the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Radio#ABC_Radio">ABC Radio</a> chain - he got the networks, too.<span style=""> </span>Losing</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sean_Hannity">Sean Hannity</a> to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harvey">Paul H</a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Harvey">arvey</a> to his life cycle erased $8 million in revenue off the books compared to a year ago. <span style=""> </span>Overall, </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >network revenue was down 31.5 percent, which translates to a $13.5 million loss.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGDNlmqtcI/AAAAAAAADro/9n6kkUXTyWc/s1600/RubeGoldberg.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGDNlmqtcI/AAAAAAAADro/9n6kkUXTyWc/s200/RubeGoldberg.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404745297277138370" border="0" /></a> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Let’s stop here for a moment.<span style=""> </span>Paul Harvey was 92.<span style=""> </span>How many more years and how many more breaths did Fa</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >rid foresee squeezing out of him?<span style=""> </span>Did he expect Harvey to give him five years advance notice before he passed away?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >I’m stunned that Suleman didn’t come up with some Rube Goldberg apparatus that would record every wor</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >d Harvey ever said so he could assign some poor minimum wage schlub to continue his broadcast by rearranging words f</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >rom prior newscasts and commentary.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >When Farid bought the nets, Hannity made it apparent that he had no intention of sticking around and cozying up to the draconian </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >management of Citadel once his existing deal expired.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGECwVbShI/AAAAAAAADrw/4d-gPZsQY_U/s1600/pencil_sharpener.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 114px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwGECwVbShI/AAAAAAAADrw/4d-gPZsQY_U/s200/pencil_sharpener.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404746210690681362" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Granted, Cita</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >del-ABC was the last bad big deal in radio broadcasting - but it’s painfully evident no lender bothered to skim through Farid’s faulty Rube Goldberg-style business plan.<span style=""> </span>Was it assumed that being Mel’s beanyman w</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >as reason enough to fund his folly?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Disney wanted ABC Radio off their books.<span style=""> </span>They were cutting a deal with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs">Steve Jobs</a> to acquire <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pixar">Pixar</a> and weren’t interested in holding on to yesterday, especially when the radio division was likened to a country club.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Last Tuesday, just after Suleman signed off on still another massive staff bloodbath and the elimination of whatever localism remained on his distressed properties, he joined eight other radio group heads, to pitch the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCC">FCC</a> on myths and leg</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >ends.<span style=""> </span>Specifically, they were asking the commission to make <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_broadcast_band">FM receivers</a> mandatory in cell phones</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >.<span style=""> </span>That way, in case of an emergency - FM stations would be available to provide detailed information on where to go, what to </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >do, and why.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a href="http://www.wavsource.com/bg/play.htm?sfx/laugh2_zz.wav"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Insert laugh track here.</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Excluding pu</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >blic radio, give me twenty FM stations in this great country of ours you could listen to for immediate emergency information.<span style=""> </span>Okay, I’ll settle for ten.<span style=""> </span>No, final game scores on sports-talk FMs don’t count as emergencies.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF7KI_LScI/AAAAAAAADq4/AM_vVXi5-PM/s1600/959watdLogo2006.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 97px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF7KI_LScI/AAAAAAAADq4/AM_vVXi5-PM/s200/959watdLogo2006.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404736441962678722" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Actually, I’ll tell you what FMs do provide that coverage.<span style=""> </span>Small, independent market FMs.<span style=""> </span>I’ll give you one -</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > <a href="http://www.959watd.com/">WATD in Boston’s South Shore</a>, which on many occasions has provided my family and friends who live in its signal </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >range with pertinent and</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > vital information related to regional news, weather, and traffic.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Does the station make money?<span style=""> </span>Yes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Did these radio CEOs understand that the FCC has <span style="font-style: italic;">no</span> jurisdiction to force manufacturers to add FM to cell pho</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >nes?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br />Do these radio CEOs really believe the FCC is not aware of how these chains ruined the radio industry post-deregulation?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF4tMScSsI/AAAAAAAADqw/HX7aFz8-mDo/s1600/3619027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 96px; height: 109px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF4tMScSsI/AAAAAAAADqw/HX7aFz8-mDo/s200/3619027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404733745609329346" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Then we have <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/11/radio-drawn-and-third-quartered.html">Lew Dickey</a>, the CEO of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus_Media">Cumulus </a>chain who also made the trek to the FCC.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >The smartest ma</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >n in any room was shrewd enough to kick ahead its inevitable insolvency for one more year with his Rube Goldberg accounting so he could continue screw his shareholders, investors, vendors and anyone else who’s reluctantly hitched up to his wagon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Lew doesn’t know how to make money but credit him for knowing how to filch it.<span style=""> </span>He is challenging Clear Chann</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >el CEO <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hogan_%28executive%29">John Hogan</a> and the aforementioned Farid Suleman for the title of <span style="font-style: italic;">career derailment king.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Instead of stepping aside when his company spiraled downward in revenue and ratings under his direction, Dickey’s slanted family and friends’ board anointed him to save it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Dickey’s in serious need of a spine transfusion before he even considers a financial one for his company.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF0oDurJaI/AAAAAAAADqo/0izY64BCyrE/s1600/art.morgue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 142px; height: 106px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwF0oDurJaI/AAAAAAAADqo/0izY64BCyrE/s200/art.morgue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404729259365967266" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >You’ve pro</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >bably heard the joke.<span style=""> </span>How do you identify an old radio chain?<span style=""> </span>Look for the makeshift morgue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >I define radio to those who ask as a business where luck is running out for those who are presently contro</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >lling it - but it’s like passengers in an airplane where the pilot dies and there’s no way to land the plane without crashing</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >The only good news is that by keeping Suleman, Dickey and the other usual suspects in place will speed-up th</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >e impending fire sales.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >I saved the best Rube Goldberg for last.<span style=""> </span>By now, you’ve heard of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBiquity">iBiquity’s</a> latest scheme to jumpstart their D.O.A. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Here’s a seriously flawed technology that has <span style="font-style: italic;">zero </span>consumer interest despite millions of dollars of donated radio time to promo</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >te it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >At iBiquity, there’s nothing more rewarding than to spend other people’s money on preposterous promotion, marketing, and gadgetry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >So what do you make of the <a href="http://www.mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=124915">HD Radio iPhone app</a>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Yes, the app is free - but there’s a catch.<span style=""> </span>It’s iBiquity.<span style=""> </span>There’s <span style="font-style: italic;">always</span> a catch!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwFxyjmc3AI/AAAAAAAADqg/v2rSkgTuKUk/s1600/shack.jpg.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 151px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwFxyjmc3AI/AAAAAAAADqg/v2rSkgTuKUk/s200/shack.jpg.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404726141185219586" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >To receive HD Radio on your iPhone, you must go to a participating <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Shack">Radio Shack</a>, er, the Shack store and plunk down $79.95 plus tax for a bulky add-on HD Radio tuner, which you have to attach to your iPhone.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Yes, you are now carrying around two devices.<span style=""> </span>One, which is sleek and stylish, the other - pure Rube Goldberg.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >There’s another catch.<span style=""> </span>You cannot use the device through your iPod-docking car stereo system because the 30-pint port of an iPhone connects to only one device at a time.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwFvk9E_rQI/AAAAAAAADqY/9znYn5CFL40/s1600/PH09281-b-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 72px; height: 131px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SwFvk9E_rQI/AAAAAAAADqY/9znYn5CFL40/s200/PH09281-b-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404723708482792706" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >It is said that iBiquity CEO <a href="http://www.crutchfield.com/S-KfkY8DdkniI/learn/reviews/20040127/hd_radio_interview.html">Bob “Booble” Struble</a> hasn’t even uttered the word <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zune">“Zune”</a> sinc</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >e his iPod Rube, er, a</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >pp</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >, was released.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Wonder if <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/10/radio-flap-on-apps-and-spotify-spice.html">Freddie</a> sold him the app?<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">Together we con!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Rube Goldberg and radio. Life imitates art.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >----</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com"><span style="font-size:78%;">Carl Hirsch & Gil Rosenwald interviews from 1979</span></a><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com62tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-51704391338777478322009-11-08T08:26:00.030-05:002009-11-09T07:53:55.920-05:00Radio: Drawn and Third Quartered<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbawKPa0XI/AAAAAAAADqQ/xylAqo51SFc/s1600-h/Lew_Dickey_hi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 174px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbawKPa0XI/AAAAAAAADqQ/xylAqo51SFc/s200/Lew_Dickey_hi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401745323995091314" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">All hail the genius that believes he’s the smartest man in any room, <a href="http://www.cumulus.com/">Cumulus</a> CEO <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/03/radio-head-in-clouds.html">Lew Dickey</a>.</span></span><div><span><o:p></o:p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >He’s one of a few broadcast CEOs that were spinning their companies’ third quarter results this past week.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Yes, it’s time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" > again for another swirl of misinformation and panic.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >So many disasters, so little space.<span style=""> </span>I’ll do my best.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Lew Dickey believes that every time he speaks, he learns something new.<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >The smarte</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >st man believes that every time he reads one of his quotes in a trade, he gains even more insight into his own mind, which he’ll let you know is such a fine mind.<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbZjjrNiKI/AAAAAAAADqI/IlWj9t0NPCQ/s1600-h/Harvard_University32.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 121px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbZjjrNiKI/AAAAAAAADqI/IlWj9t0NPCQ/s200/Harvard_University32.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401744007972620450" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >He'll also remind you at least once during conversation that it’s also a <a href="http://www.harvard.edu/">Harvard University</a> educated mind.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >He has an insatiable obsession to brag of his intellect with the masses, and the smartest man in any</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" > room actually looks forward to delivering his spin to his quarterly conference call to analysts.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >It gives him a b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >reak from seeding future fiascos.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >So what is the eminent brainiac of broadcasting ready to impart to us mere mortals?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >How about <i>wrong is the new right</i> and smoke and <i>mirrors are the new transparency.</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Let’s listen </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >in </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >on how Lew weasels his way in and out of <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105645&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1350072&highlight&utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=394e4ba89f-TRI_11-04-2009&utm_medium=email">Cumulus’ third quarter</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbYEqH5CMI/AAAAAAAADqA/zJYaKWj_mQQ/s1600-h/cumulus+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 93px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbYEqH5CMI/AAAAAAAADqA/zJYaKWj_mQQ/s200/cumulus+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401742377615952066" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">It’s almost </span><span style="font-family:Arial;">ap</span></span></o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">ocryphal.<span style=""> </span>And Lew doesn’t even have to look that word up.</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >“Larger markets appear to be gaining revenue traction,” sayeth the Lewdick. He reached </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >that conclusion since </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >revenue at the </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=695021">Cumulus Media Partner</a> markets, which include Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and San Francisco, was down an average -15.9% for Q3. His small and medium markets, which Lew used to call the “bread-and-butter” cities of Cumulus Media took an -18.5 percent plunk.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >“We have to do a better job of selling our industry, selling the true value of it.”<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Here’s on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >e p</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >roblem with Lew.<span style=""> </span>He assumes we’re almost as smart as he is so he never gets around to e</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >xplaining exactly what that <i>true value</i> is.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Some of Dickey’s new-speak reads like it was lifted right out of a <a href="http://www.kenyanentrepreneur.com/dot-bomb-business-plans">late nineties dot.com bomb business plan</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbXMA3-TOI/AAAAAAAADp4/XaIAXk64EvQ/s1600-h/jetsons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbXMA3-TOI/AAAAAAAADp4/XaIAXk64EvQ/s200/jetsons.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401741404470660322" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >For example, he said </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Cumulus believes in “sustainable operations” in 2010 and beyond by </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >“employing stat</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >e</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >-of-the-art technology to run the enterprise and drive productivity.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Maybe Lew was talking up the <a href="http://radiomankc.blogspot.com/2009/05/local-sales-people-resent-too-much.html">spy videophones he had installed at most of his stations to keep an eye and ear on his salespeople?</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >At least that’s what I think he was pontificating about since he followed that line by a claim that Cumulus hired fifty - <i>count ‘em</i> - fifty new sales people in just the last six weeks alone.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >He also plans </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >to hire another fifty by the end of the year - though he neglected to mention that the next fifty will be replacing the fifty he just hired over the last six weeks when they don’t work out.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Okay</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >, Lew.<span style=""> </span>Let’s do the numbers.<span style=""> </span>What say you?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >“Our industry revenu</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >es peaked in 2006 at $21.5 billion. So, in 2006 radio was a $21.5 billion industry – a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >nd this year revenues are forecast to finish around $15.5 billion, a decline of $6 billion. We believe it could be – from peak to trough back to peak again – it could be 10 years, maybe 2016 before we reach $21.5 billion again.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >What’s it going to, Lew?<span style=""> </span>2016 <i>or</i> 2019?<span style=""> </span>Or will <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_phenomenon">2012</a> be <span style="font-style: italic;">your</span> apocalypse?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Back t</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >o Lew.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >'We definitely believe the industry is going to come out of this cycle and continue to grow, but it’s going to be quite some time before we reach the 2006 level. So, more than ever before we </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >believe efficiency is becoming the greatest source of </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >competitive advantage in our business today.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >That all well a</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >nd good, Lew.<span style=""> </span>But what about all the people you’ve already fired?<span style=""> </span>How do you run a business when you’ve lost or fired most of your best executives and you’re stuck inside a downtrend with a skeleton crew?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >“It’s not about cutting bodies, but rather it’s about resource allocation, systems and customer-focused solutions.” </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Okay, Lew, enough of the b.s. Let’s do <i>your </i>numbers now.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >I’ll spare you h</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >is well-placed <em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Arial;" >gobbledygook</span></em><i style=""> </i>and get down to business.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p>Lew successfully sidestepped providing analysts and investors on the conference call with specific dollar</o:p></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> figures for its fourth quarter guidance - but insisted that he was budgeting for positive revenue growth in 2010.</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Let’s stop here for a moment.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Could you imagine what Lew would’ve done to any sales manager that failed to provide specific sales figure</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >s for the next quarter within a nano-second of being asked?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Here’s how Dick</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >ey did it.<span style=""> </span>He “expected” to improve on both revenue and the <a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_2060379_calculate-ebitda.html">EBITDA</a> performance posted for third quarter, <a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105645&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1350072&highlight&utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=394e4ba89f-TRI_11-04-2009&utm_medium=email">which he </a></span><a href="http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=105645&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1350072&highlight&utm_source=Subscribers&utm_campaign=394e4ba89f-TRI_11-04-2009&utm_medium=email"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >released a few hours before the call.</span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >He called it “impro</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbWFvEPgAI/AAAAAAAADpw/V_n6dhARK6Y/s1600-h/money-wings-flying-clip-art-thumb2807082.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 129px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbWFvEPgAI/AAAAAAAADpw/V_n6dhARK6Y/s200/money-wings-flying-clip-art-thumb2807082.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401740197099438082" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >vement.”<span style=""> </span>The third quarter revenues were down from a year ago - <i>but they weren’t as bad as the second quarter</i>.<span style=""> </span>Put another way.<span style=""> </span>Q2 was -21.1 percent down.<span style=""> </span>Q3 was only a “mere” -18.5 percent down.<span style=""> </span>And that was direc</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >tly due to his elimination of human stink at his facilities over the last few months.<span style=""> </span>Need proof?<span style=""> </span>Dickey’s operating expenses dropped 20.9 percent.<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Cumulus Media also landed an income tax benefit of $27.2 million in the third quarter.<span style=""> </span>A year ago, it ha</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >d a</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >n income tax expense of $7.3 million.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >He added that, “</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Furt</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >her consolidation is going to be essential to improving the overall fundamentals of the industry."<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Only the smartest man in any room would want to acquire even more radio stations when he can’t even preserve what he already has. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Excuses, <i>excuses</i>. </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >When it comes to answering a question, Lew, despite his Harvard education, is a man of few words - rep</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >eated over and over and over again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >You’re Le</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >w Dickey, you’ve been there, done that, and really, what will it all amount to in the end?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbUBTrhlvI/AAAAAAAADpo/DShGxl6lVRM/s1600-h/cbs-radio.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 135px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbUBTrhlvI/AAAAAAAADpo/DShGxl6lVRM/s200/cbs-radio.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401737922005276402" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Now, let’s quickly move to <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/ADVERT/idUSN0514043120091106">CBS</a>, where the news was <i>not too bad</i> being the new <i>incredible</i>. Revenue dropped a mere one percent.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Good news first. TV’s doing well - both network and syndication - to show a 9 percent increase.<a href="http://news.radio-online.com/cgi-bin/rol.exe/headline_id=b12016"> Radio?</a><span style=""> </span>Well, would you believe a -19 percent drop?<span style=""> </span>That translates to a fall from $392.5 million to $318.9 mil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_Radio">CBS Radio</a> operating income was $41.1 million, which included an impairment charge of $31.7 million for station divestures; in particular, the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1933204,00.html">Portland, Oregon stations sold to Larry Wilson.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Though</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" > CBS CEO Les Moonves alleged that he planned to keep radio as part of CBS’s portfolio, he was barely believable.<span style=""> </span>Would you be if you had <a href="http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_radio/executive?id=401">Da</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.cbspressexpress.com/div.php/cbs_radio/executive?id=401">n Mason</a> running your stations and running out of excuses?<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >They don’t make radio CEOs like Dan Mason anymore. Then again, the world he occupied simply doesn’t exist anymore.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Now, let’s </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbPr8Pq9KI/AAAAAAAADpg/2TS6dOcScIY/s1600-h/images-4.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbPr8Pq9KI/AAAAAAAADpg/2TS6dOcScIY/s200/images-4.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401733156890670242" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >touch upon the “not really a radio company” radio company,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_XM_Radio"> Sirius XM</a>.<span style=""> </span>Their revenue was up $630 million - a 3 percent increase over a year ago.<span style=""> </span>Its subscriber base was down 2 percent from a year ago, but up b</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >y 102,295 subscriber</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >s.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Karmazin">Mel Karmazin</a> didn’t say why - but I will. Three words: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System"><i>Cash for clunkers.</i></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Mel’s creative financing also made their “material” payments due disappear until 2011.<span style=""> </span>How does Mel do it?<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >“We expect the company’s cash flow growth momentum to continue into 2010,” sayeth the King of Karma. “And we project full-year adjusted income from operations to increase approximately 20 percent next year.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Mel also told the Street he expects revenue growth in the “mid to high single digits” and free cash flow growth.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >And how about that?<span style=""> </span>Mel’s the <i>only </i>radio guy being taken seriously by Wall Street.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbNUkJavhI/AAAAAAAADpA/g2um7kh3dDA/s1600-h/top-heading-logo2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 65px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbNUkJavhI/AAAAAAAADpA/g2um7kh3dDA/s200/top-heading-logo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401730556261744146" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >In keeping with bad is the new good; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_Communications">Salem’s</a> 11 percent tumble in Q3 was nothing short of a Godsend, so to speak.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><o:p>True, it would've been a lot worse had the saints at Salem not bartered most of their stations up the tokus with religious programming. </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Salem.<span style=""> </span>I feel for you.<span style=""> </span>Seems like only yesterday that you could conjure up even<a href="http://www.srnradio.com/"> a C-list of right wing zealots</a> for a <a href="http://www.salem.cc/RadioFormat.aspx">talk show netw</a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.salem.cc/RadioFormat.aspx">ork</a> and make it work.<span style=""> </span>Alas, their audience is getting long in the tooth, and harder to sell; especially when so many of them have turned into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism">survivalists</a>. <span style=""> You know that</span> survivalists don’t listen to the radio because they’re convinced they’re all implanted with microchips and they're listening to them.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Then you have Christian Hot AC. <a href="http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-97220561.html">The Fish</a> format programmers are just figuring out that when all of your music sounds the same, the entire format fries.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Their Fish and </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbPBTIdkJI/AAAAAAAADpY/dbAQ32boa9Q/s1600-h/frying-fish-square.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 118px; height: 94px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbPBTIdkJI/AAAAAAAADpY/dbAQ32boa9Q/s200/frying-fish-square.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401732424300073106" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Foul talkers revenue fell from $47.4 million to $42 mil.<span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >Sale</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > hoped to find some divine revenue intervention with new media - like <a href="http://www.townhall.org/">TownHall.org</a> - but that site has been renamed <a href="http://www.defendmyvote.com/">Defendmyvote.com</a>, an inactive site, which is being </span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >maintained in the interim by <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/default.aspx">GoDaddy</a>, </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.godaddy.com/Shared/Video/hp-popupvideo-large.aspx?app_hdr=99&ci+15152&mediaid=speeding"><span style="font-family:Arial;">where you can watch their host’s “Too Hot for TV” spots</span></a></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >.<span style=""> </span>OMG! <span style=""> </span>Still, some of the other sites are still on-line but their revenue slipped from $7.1 million to $6.9 mil.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Salem also took a $14.1 impairment charge on the value of radio licenses in Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, and Portland Oregon, and its still playing the waiting game on selling <a href="http://www.wrfd.com/">WRFD</a>, a AM in Columbus, Ohio to another conservative group, <a href="http://streamingradioguide.com/licensee-list.php?showall=on&showTV=&licensee=CHRISTIAN%20VOICE%20OF%20CENTRAL%20OHIO,%20INC.">Christian Voice of Central Ohio</a> for a whopping $4 mil.<span style=""> </span>Will it <i>ever </i>close?<span style=""> </span>God only knows.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Come on, now.<span style=""> </span>Admit it.<span style=""> </span>If you’re in radio - either in sales or programming - do you really believe you could get away with offering the same lame excuses your CEOs offered to Wall Street last week?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >I’m calling it <i>radio noir.</i> There are those unable to change with the times. So the changing times roll over them.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >The past decade of unrestrained consolidation led to an arduous crusade of cost reductions, as well as departures of key long-time</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" > creative executives.<span style=""> </span>Sure, Dickey, <a href="http://www.clearchannel.com/Corporate/PressRelease.aspx?PressReleaseID=1447&p=hidden">Mays</a>, Mason, and the usual suspects can aver new hires - but it’s obvious that the loss of institutional knowledge has crippled the industry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >In the <i>go-go buy-sell</i> days of the late nineties, few mega-chains even considered a plan B.<span style=""> </span>Now, it faces an uphill battle to define to both listeners and clients what radio is - <span style="font-style: italic;">and will be</span> - in the 21<sup>st</sup> century.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Instead of being mired in its own mediocrity, radio needs to concentrate its efforts on where it can win and contain its losses.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >There are so many radio CEOs</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" > that are chasing something they couldn’t hold on to even if they caught it.<span style=""> </span>Some part of them real</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;" >izes the vainness of this chase even as another part clings to the need for it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbOHnus34I/AAAAAAAADpI/YHRXsloCVyk/s1600-h/wile_fall.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 145px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SvbOHnus34I/AAAAAAAADpI/YHRXsloCVyk/s200/wile_fall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401731433396756354" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >For the next quarterly report, I suggest that Lew Dickey allow othe</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >r radio CEOs to share his vide</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >op</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >hone - and instead of another mumbo jumbo of words and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >figures, show a <span style="font-style: italic;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wile_E._Coyote_and_Road_Runner">Road Runner</a> </span>cartoon.<span style=""> </span>Fast forward to the end where Wile E. Coyote takes a flying leap of a cliff, followed by a rising cloud of dust.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >----</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">A 1981 investigative report into radio station exclusives</span></a><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment--></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-38962696533599743912009-10-30T11:15:00.011-04:002009-10-30T13:38:08.227-04:00Radio's annual Halloween Party<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusNKtLimoI/AAAAAAAADno/HGn9wD_F_KI/s1600-h/9028271+-+CLEAR+CHANNEL+-+11_16_2006.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusNKtLimoI/AAAAAAAADno/HGn9wD_F_KI/s200/9028271+-+CLEAR+CHANNEL+-+11_16_2006.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398423055911524994" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The annual radio industry haunted house party is being held at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel’s</a> <a href="http://sanantonio.citysearch.com/profile/map/10103270/san_antonio_tx/clear_channel_communications.html">headquarters in San Antonio</a> this year.<br /><br /></span></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The joint actually f</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">eels haunted.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">For years, it was the ce</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">nte</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">r of the universe for all decisions made for its radio stations.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now it’s a disembodied mess</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and run by spirits from a distant city.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusNmkVqW3I/AAAAAAAADnw/tuAWZFfjeTk/s1600-h/little+lord+fauntleroy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 123px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusNmkVqW3I/AAAAAAAADnw/tuAWZFfjeTk/s200/little+lord+fauntleroy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398423534574394226" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’m sorry to report that <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704222704574499953011470132.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_sections_business">Randall Mays</a>, the soon-to-be-former CFO of Clear Chann</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">el, is boycotting this year’s party after being told by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital">Bain Capital</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_H._Lee_Partners">Thomas H. Lee</a> th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">at he would have to get their approval </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">before he could wear his <a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=gyu&defl=en&q=define:little+lord+fauntleroy&ei=sRbrSuCZAZS8lAfEipyABQ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CAsQkAE&cts=1256920756159">Little Lord</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=gyu&defl=en&q=define:little+lord+fauntleroy&ei=sRbrSuCZAZS8lAfEipyABQ&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title&ved=0CAsQkAE&cts=1256920756159"> Fauntleroy</a> costume</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Brothe</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusOB0kLQSI/AAAAAAAADn4/qXWzMUI5U60/s1600-h/pol-pot-786423.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 101px; height: 125px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusOB0kLQSI/AAAAAAAADn4/qXWzMUI5U60/s200/pol-pot-786423.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398424002786705698" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">r Mark will be coming as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Pot">Pol Pot</a>, the former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia">Cambodian</a> leader.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pol</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> Pot eliminated hundreds villages in Cambodia and killed tens of thousands. Mark and his family eliminated hundreds of radio stations and altered the lives of tens </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">of thousands.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The ma</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">naging directors of Bain Capital and Thomas H. Lee need no cos</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">tu</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">mes.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Their very presence is scary enough.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just ask the banks that invested in the Clear Channel privatization debacle.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusObyXoS9I/AAAAAAAADoA/DZPJX2AnHsI/s1600-h/33739.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 91px; height: 91px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusObyXoS9I/AAAAAAAADoA/DZPJX2AnHsI/s200/33739.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398424448873810898" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The unimaginative <a href="http://radioink.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=147200&PT=industryqa">John Hogan</a> wears the same costume year after year and this is no exception.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He’ll be coming as the abandoned puppy dog, unsure of whom his next master will be.<br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusPJur44xI/AAAAAAAADoI/9t6QMqnArKA/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusPJur44xI/AAAAAAAADoI/9t6QMqnArKA/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398425238159024914" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/03/radio-head-in-clouds.html">Lew Dickey</a> is bring two cost</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">umes. First, there's his customary Smartest <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_%28personification%29">Grim Reaper</a> in the Room.<br /></span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Unlike Clear Channel, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citadel</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_Radio">CBS Radio</a> and other companies that set up their kills in a manner that you know that they’re coming but not quite sure who the victims will be, Lew just shows up unannounced and says, “Boo! You’re fired!”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusPvo0TNmI/AAAAAAAADoQ/UMkWUORZyhw/s1600-h/278275431_448b4cff1f.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 104px; height: 78px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusPvo0TNmI/AAAAAAAADoQ/UMkWUORZyhw/s200/278275431_448b4cff1f.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398425889418720866" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">His se</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">cond costume is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_the_Body_Snatchers"><i>Invasion of the Body Snatche</i><i>r</i> pod</a>.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After he fires you, he’ll take over your job and since he's always the Smartest Grim Reaper in the Room, he'll do it better than you.<br /></span></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Did you happen to read Lew Dickey’s interview in <a href="http://www.portfolio.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;">Portfolio?</span></a> <a href="http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/health-care/2009/10/01/some-ceos-take-charge-of-health-care-spending/">Click here if you missed it.</a></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.portfolio.com/industry-news/health-care/2009/10/01/some-ceos-take-charge-of-health-care-spending/"><br /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are a couple of highlights.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">To cut health care costs at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus_Media">Cumulus</a>, Dickey dumped Human Resources from the task and seized </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">total control of the project.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“It’s handled at human resources.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I think that’s a big mistake,” he said. “I could immerse myself in office supplies, and in 15 minutes I could have a knowledge about that.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Frightening.<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusQgDFT1mI/AAAAAAAADoY/WCFQu_7UiCA/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 75px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusQgDFT1mI/AAAAAAAADoY/WCFQu_7UiCA/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398426721103107682" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The unimaginative <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/10/radio-peter-principle.html">Peter Smyth</a> is going to wear horse blinders and rose-tinted sunglasses.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That way he won’t be spooked by the realities of increased unemployment, lack of consumer confidence, sucker rallies on Wall Street, and unsold invento</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ry.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusRDf1-wSI/AAAAAAAADog/6v11NHuECdg/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 77px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusRDf1-wSI/AAAAAAAADog/6v11NHuECdg/s200/images-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398427330118861090" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">Farid Suleman</a> is coming as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dracula">Dracula</a>.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He bought <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_Radio">ABC Radio</a>, sucked the life out of it, and somehow, he’s still standing.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusRmwX0dQI/AAAAAAAADoo/iHJi3suU6Uo/s1600-h/images-3.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 76px; height: 95px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusRmwX0dQI/AAAAAAAADoo/iHJi3suU6Uo/s200/images-3.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398427935851181314" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dan Mason will arrive as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandrake_the_Magician">Mandrake the Magician</a>.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">With a wave of his magic wand, he’ll turn one of his stations into a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_hit_radio">contemporary hits</a> format whether the market needs it or not.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Though he wasn’t invited and has no plans to show, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sirius_XM_Radio">Sirius XM</a> CEO <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Karmazin">Mel Karmazin</a> will be the most visible person in the room.</span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Like it or not, Wall Street considers Sirius XM a “radio company” and of the top five, his is the only one showing a increase in revenue (+18.6 percent).</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By comparison, number one chain, Clear Channel had a -7.4 percent loss; number three, CBS was down -12.2 percent; number four, Citadel was down -9.4 percent, and Cumulus, a -6.9 percent drop.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusSoz7VQ6I/AAAAAAAADow/QU6Uto1XBoY/s1600-h/bribe.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 70px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SusSoz7VQ6I/AAAAAAAADow/QU6Uto1XBoY/s200/bribe.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5398429070676804514" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, that’s scary.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:Arial,serif;font-size:85%;" >Almost forgot. At this party, "Trick or treat" has been replaced by "pay for play."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;">----</span></p> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/">The Dr. Destructo story</a></span><br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com37tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-7437820453654181892009-10-26T18:36:00.009-04:002009-10-26T20:07:04.195-04:00Forgotten anniversary<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYl9XyPJxI/AAAAAAAADnA/Oc9njOWHrt0/s1600-h/1512954541785052.JPG.6507243390148454.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 175px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYl9XyPJxI/AAAAAAAADnA/Oc9njOWHrt0/s200/1512954541785052.JPG.6507243390148454.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397042939737089810" border="0" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shame, shame, shame on me. One of the most important dates in recent history and I missed it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’m going to stop short of taking full blame here. There were no reminders. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No hints. No nothing.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You’d think with <a href="http://www.google.com/">Google</a> and <a href="http://www.wikipedia.org/">Wikipedia</a> someone would’v</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">e flagged this date.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I didn't even see a single <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter">Tweet</a> about it.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYnREAyWxI/AAAAAAAADnI/I-y6m2CbR0M/s1600-h/keep-rockin-ipod-birthday-cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYnREAyWxI/AAAAAAAADnI/I-y6m2CbR0M/s200/keep-rockin-ipod-birthday-cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397044377538419474" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Eight years ago last Friday, October 23, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod">iPod </a>was introduced.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I was in my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Store">Apple store</a> last week. I’ve gotten to know most of the people there.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You’d think someone would’ve invited me to stop by and have cake and ice cream last Friday.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But no. Not a word. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do you remember the first iPod?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_broadcasting"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_broadcasting"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_broadcasting">Radio</a> ignored it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_labels">labels</a> mumbled something about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_property">intellectual property</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright">copyrights.</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Though it was a significant technological advance over the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_%28digital_audio_players%29">Diamond RIO</a> MP3 player, the iPod was compatible onl</span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">y with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh">Macs</a>, which excluded 90 percent of the computer market.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And only geeks and Goths and art students owned Macs.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYpriAVClI/AAAAAAAADnQ/0bfn0giPITU/s1600-h/143480-jobs-ipodlaunch_386.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 123px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYpriAVClI/AAAAAAAADnQ/0bfn0giPITU/s200/143480-jobs-ipodlaunch_386.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397047031289416274" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It was weird looking and clunky; the size of a deck of cards. It didn’t look or operate like a radio or a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkman">Walkman</a>.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just a year earlier Diamond REO released its second and third MP3 players with 32 MB and 64 MB of internal memory respectably which were compatible with PCs. </span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They weighed roughly 2.5 ounces and ranged in price from $200 to $250.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The downside was their fragility. They were prone to cracks and breakage.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The iPod, by comparison, weighed 6.5 ounces and had a whopping maximum 5 GB of storage.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Initially, the only way you could add music to it was by ripping songs from CDs.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And it was pricey. $400.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2001 - the year that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkman">Apple</a> introduced the iPod, it made $5.4 billion - nearly all of it from sales of Macs to geeks, Goths, and art students. It posted a loss of $25 million.<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYrGXIXX2I/AAAAAAAADnY/LBkt16A5b-Y/s1600-h/new_acrylic_3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 104px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYrGXIXX2I/AAAAAAAADnY/LBkt16A5b-Y/s200/new_acrylic_3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397048591738429282" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Let’s fast forward to last year’s figures. Apple made $36.5 billion - good for $6 billion in profits - from the sale of iPods, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone">iPhones</a>, Macs, and digital content.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">220 million iPods users can’t be wrong.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">While I’m thinking of it. We missed another important date earlier this year.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">January 5. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The eighth anniversary of the sale of the first <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio</a>.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYrkAJPuFI/AAAAAAAADng/fNDONdOGUGg/s1600-h/Kenwood_KTC-HR100TR_low-res.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 112px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SuYrkAJPuFI/AAAAAAAADng/fNDONdOGUGg/s200/Kenwood_KTC-HR100TR_low-res.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397049100964182098" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That’s when Cedar Rapids, Iowa resident Nathan Franzen bought a <a href="http://www.crutchfield.com/S-YroEL5CMO4H/p_113KTCHR10/Kenwood-KTC-HR100.html?search=hd+radio&ssi=0">Kenwood KTC-HR 100 HD Radio tuner</a> to install in his 2001 Pontiac Gran Prix.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial,serif;"><br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The less said about HD Radio the better.<br /></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">220 HD Radio users can’t be right.</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">----</p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">Seger & Sweet in Cleveland</span></a><br /><span style="font-family:Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-78932571346736656212009-10-20T17:31:00.031-04:002009-10-21T12:59:24.258-04:00Radio: The Peter Principle<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St40uf-ZdnI/AAAAAAAADlw/BJ-lh1GoLMU/s1600-h/smythe-mission-accomplished.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 216px; height: 121px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St40uf-ZdnI/AAAAAAAADlw/BJ-lh1GoLMU/s200/smythe-mission-accomplished.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394807377098274418" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><a href="http://www.greater-media.com/executive_team/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Peter Smyth</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, it’s true that people </span></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">are worried about the future of radio - or at least those of us who work for radio are.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I read your latest</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://www.greatermedia.com/corner/index.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">From the Corner Of</span></span></i></a><a href="http://www.greatermedia.com/corner/index.html"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fice</span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> last week and have to respond.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Peter, I’m </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">not going to counter-point the half-truths and untruths in your latest letter.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just a few points, please.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St472jwsUiI/AAAAAAAADl4/i7GUHU_ueiw/s1600-h/LNS14000000_192958_1256077536475.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 114px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St472jwsUiI/AAAAAAAADl4/i7GUHU_ueiw/s200/LNS14000000_192958_1256077536475.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394815212134879778" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You say the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late-2000s_recession"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Grea</span></span></a></span><span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late-2000s_recession"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">t Recession</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> is over?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Really.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How might I ask did you reach that conclusion?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Unemployment continues to rise.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Foreclosures are on the increase.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They’re related, you know.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If you don’t have a job, </span></span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/15/AR2009101502123.html?hpid=moreheadlines"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">you can’t afford to pay the mortgage</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - and you lose the house.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St48mqcaw5I/AAAAAAAADmA/pSbcfeZhcJ4/s1600-h/ld_foreclosure_071206_ms.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 119px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St48mqcaw5I/AAAAAAAADmA/pSbcfeZhcJ4/s200/ld_foreclosure_071206_ms.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394816038562612114" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> And Peter, what does one do when they're foreclosed-upon. For one, they're less likely to spend whatever money they have left.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Our industry is based on </span></span><a href="http://dictionary.bnet.com/definition/consumer+advertising.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">consumer advertising</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">If they’re not buying, clients stop advertising.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Some go out of business.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are </span></span><a href="http://www.bls.gov/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">all the stats you need</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The real world isn’t like radio, Peter.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When </span></span><a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/03/radio-head-in-clouds.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Lew Dickey</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> or </span></span><a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2008/08/radio-citadel-crumbles.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Farid Suleman</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> misses a payment, they have floatible options.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They can give up more equity or try and pawn off debt.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; line-height: 11.25pt;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Happy days are here again because the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dow_Jones_Industrial_Average"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dow </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">cracked </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10000_%28number%29"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">10,000?</span></span></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Two words:</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sucker’s rally.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; line-height: 11.25pt;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Peter, you need to get out more. There’s little reality between </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wall_Street"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Wall Street </span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">and </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_street"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Main Street</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">O</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">r </span></span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DORCHESTER+STREET+BOSTON&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Dorchester+St,+Boston,+MA+02127&gl=us&ei=NE_eSvWFKpC0lAfK2N1F&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dorchest</span></span></a><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=DORCHESTER+STREET+BOSTON&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Dorchester+St,+Boston,+MA+02127&gl=us&ei=NE_eSvWFKpC0lAfK2N1F&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CAsQ8gEwAA"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">er Street</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St49lST0wJI/AAAAAAAADmI/Vk16sHfmeC8/s1600-h/vacant-newbury-st-storefront_summer-2009-7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 135px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St49lST0wJI/AAAAAAAADmI/Vk16sHfmeC8/s200/vacant-newbury-st-storefront_summer-2009-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394817114415874194" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I can even show you a few empty storefronts </span></span><a href="http://internet128.com/index.php/2009/07/20/for-lease-newbury-street-the-summer-of-2009/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Newbury Street</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How about </span></span><a href="http://www.simon.com/Mall/?id=784"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Copley Place</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">? It </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ha</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> a few</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> s</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">haky tenants.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Remember that 10,000 hallmar</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">k was hit a decade ago - March 30, 1999 to be exact.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So even by Wall Street terms, our economy is, at best, torpid.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Are we really better off today than we were a year ago?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yes and no.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_fiscal_policy_response_to_the_late_2000s_recession"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">stimulus programs</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - tax cre</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">dits and </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cash_for_clunkers"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">“Cash for Clunkers”</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> brought consumers out of hiding - but all of that money’s been absorbed.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How many publicly traded radio groups are about to go belly-up?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How about the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_industry"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">radio industry</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Are we better off today, post-pillage deregulation?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’d prefer your optimism to remain cautious, Peter.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We now know</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5KJ76QSlI/AAAAAAAADmQ/KU22Zjzb4_Y/s1600-h/yoursign.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 104px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5KJ76QSlI/AAAAAAAADmQ/KU22Zjzb4_Y/s200/yoursign.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394830938197740114" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> that the country was thisclose to plummeting into another </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Great Depression</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We also know that we’re not even close to lifting ourselves out of this current Great Recession.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Truth be told, Peter.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We’ve managed some temp</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">orary form of stabilization in a still depressed market.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Did you read </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northeastern_University"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Northeastern University</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> economic prof </span></span><a href="http://www.northeastern.edu/dukakiscenter/about_us/people/staff/#Alan"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Alan Clayton-Matthews'</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> take on the economy in yesterday's </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Boston Globe</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">? "I had seemed we hit the bottom this summer, but I'm not so sure anymore."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Yes, I believe we will have a turnaround - but it will be slow and imbalanced. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Not everyone will get out of here alive.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Could we agree that the Internet is to radio what the horse was to the car?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5K5jHjfiI/AAAAAAAADmY/QsBEGPfv3vc/s1600-h/one-horse-power-car.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 104px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5K5jHjfiI/AAAAAAAADmY/QsBEGPfv3vc/s200/one-horse-power-car.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394831756176358946" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The first cars were manufactured in retooled horse carriage factories.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The engine replaced the part where the horse used to be.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The only surviving radio stations will be those with creative content and retooled and grafted to on line and mobile.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">See, we don’t need more radio stations.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We already have too many.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We do need live and localized radio stations providing what our potential audience wants.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And I don’t care what your </span></span><a href="http://www.jacobsmedia.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">consultants</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> say.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Slapping one of your </span></span><a href="http://www.jacapps.com/radio.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">radio station apps</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> on a smart phone isn’t social networking.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There’s only o</span></span><span><span><span><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5MX4oEumI/AAAAAAAADmg/Hq1a6HfC_FU/s1600-h/hd_ad.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5MX4oEumI/AAAAAAAADmg/Hq1a6HfC_FU/s200/hd_ad.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394833376857602658" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ne alternative.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It’s the obit you don’t want to read, Peter: </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">After</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> several attempts to shock the radio industry</span></span></i><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> back to life with gimmicks like </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">HD Radio</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> failed, it was pronounced obsolete on - </span></span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">fill in the date</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Since deregulation, radio’s been in denial.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Don’t blame the casino for losing your money.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Look in the mirror.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Don’t blame the audience for your loss of time spent listening.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just listen to your product.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Don’t say it can’t happen here.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It already has.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Radio lives in an alternate reality where fish sing, birds swim, and humans get in the way of voice tracking and syndication.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">There will be more rounds of economic disasters from time to time. It’s inevitable.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But you are in control of your own destiny.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The disasters will be measured by how much or how little you prepared for them.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5NPDTHeWI/AAAAAAAADmo/4pFgyyG0PwM/s1600-h/9368292_BG1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 114px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5NPDTHeWI/AAAAAAAADmo/4pFgyyG0PwM/s200/9368292_BG1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394834324615297378" border="0" /></a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here are three more words:</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125167422962070925.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Commercial real estate</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">We haven’t felt the aftershocks - because the quake hasn’t happened yet.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">But it will.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Those commercial deals were bundled up and sold along side the equally toxic subprime residential mortgages.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Remember the </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dot-com_bubble"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">tech boom</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> at the end of the last decade when VC’s were running out of ink signing off on anything that had the word Internet embodied in the first sentence of a business plan?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Remember it was assumed that housing prices would continue to rise forever, which led to banks giving away mortgages to anyone whether they wanted them or not?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Supply and demand?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Come on.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Normally, I try to let sleeping dogs lie. But this is one hound that keeps barking and won't shut up.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; line-height: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I’m talking about your bud Lew Dickey.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He’s now whining to </span></span><a href="http://www.insideradio.com/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Inside Radio</span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> that he gave away the store just to f</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ill inventory.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He forgot to add that he and others kept adding more inventory, too, in an attempt to meet budget.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Supply and demand? </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Come on.</span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; line-height: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; line-height: 10.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How can you have demand when you have an endless supply?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial,serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><span><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5OFHTpj5I/AAAAAAAADmw/eaREL8tHS_k/s1600-h/gary1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 196px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5OFHTpj5I/AAAAAAAADmw/eaREL8tHS_k/s200/gary1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394835253404209042" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I don't know how everyone missed this one. A couple of weeks back a </span></span><a href="http://crosscut.com/2009/10/01/arts-beat/19272/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Seattle paper got radio broker Gary Stevens on the phone</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> to discuss classical music formatted </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KING-FM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">KING-FM's</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> financial problems.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You're familiar with classical music, Peter. You dumped the format in two markets, </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WMGC-FM"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Detroit</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> and </span></span><a href="http://airchexx.com/markets/philadelphia/format-change-957-wfln-philadelphia-becomes-max-957"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Philadelphia</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">. Too bad the formats you replaced them with stiffed, too.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here's what Gary said about the radio market to </span></span><a href="http://crosscut.com/"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Seattle Crosscut</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">: "Two years ago, a Seattle FM would have been worth $50-70 million, even if it wasn't profitable. In the current meltdown, so few radio stations have been traded, there aren't comparable sales numbers, but if I had to guess, KING-FM might bring in $15-25 million, in today's market, assuming a buyer could find financing."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Times are tough when even a seasoned radio broker like Stevens is quoting rates out of </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filene%27s_Basement"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Filene's Basement's automatic markdown</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> - </span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">before the markdown.</span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></i></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Shall we join reality, already in progress, Peter?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Let’s start with this report from </span></span><a href="http://www.vss.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Veronis Suhler Stevenson (VSS)</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Their </span></span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/04/business/media/04adco.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">23rd annual U.S. Communications Industry Forecast</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> report that the largest declines in 2009 ad revenues will be newspapers (-18.7 percent/$35.5 billion); consumer magazines (-14.8 /$11 billion); radio (-11.7 percent/$15.8 billion), and broadcast television (-10.1 percent/$43.0 billion).<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Growth will come from digital media. VSS forecasts increases in mobile (+18.1 percent/$1.3 billion) and Internet (+9.2/$23.8 billion).<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">VSS also predicts 2010 will be the year marketers will move advanced and sophisticated social media into its mainstream - effecting nearly all marketing initiatives.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Sounds like radio has some work to do.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Up for it?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5Osy3vANI/AAAAAAAADm4/tQtdyD40XCI/s1600-h/Gary-Unmarried-2-1024x682.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/St5Osy3vANI/AAAAAAAADm4/tQtdyD40XCI/s200/Gary-Unmarried-2-1024x682.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5394835935113183442" border="0" /></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Finally, Peter, are you aware of the TV sitcom </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Unmarried"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Gary Unmarried</span></span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">In a recent episode the lead character, played by </span></span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Mohr"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Jay Mohr</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">, is trying to land a gig as a L.A. radio sports talk show host.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">He sends the station a demo and….well, </span></span><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/1ltztuymj1j/GaryUnmarried_radio"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">click here and hear it yourself.</span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.mediafire.com/file/1ltztuymj1j/GaryUnmarried_radio"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Ouch!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">----</span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">The song remains the same</span></a><br /></span></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p> <!--EndFragment-->John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-40291120932305631982009-10-15T14:20:00.015-04:002009-10-15T18:34:33.675-04:00Radio: How Rush Beck-oned the media<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdrwRgy1fI/AAAAAAAADk4/RWuDBNRmcZw/s1600-h/babyhuey.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 184px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdrwRgy1fI/AAAAAAAADk4/RWuDBNRmcZw/s200/babyhuey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392897555878303218" border="0" /></a><br />What must it be like to be <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rush_Limbaugh">Rush Limbaugh’s</a> babysitter?<br /><br />When that Baby Huey kicks his high chair in <a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/limbaugh/021504_limbaugh2.html">Palm Beach</a>, the aftershocks rock <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel’s</a> death star headquarters in San Antonio and their puppeteers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital">Bain Capital</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_H._Lee_Partners">Thomas H. Lee</a> in Boston.<br /><br />The last few months have found Rush in the awkward position of playing second fiddle to rival conservative hatemonger <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck">Glenn Beck</a>, who happens to be another high priced piece of Clear Channel property.<br /><br />While Rush was basking his ego as being more popular than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Steele">Michael Steele</a> in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republican_National_Committee">Republican party</a>, Beck was perfecting the old crying evangelist trick - dabbing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vicks_VapoRub">Vicks VapoRub</a> just below his eyes, and bawling for America.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdsL9LdEmI/AAAAAAAADlA/Z4huhIN8LqI/s1600-h/GlennBeck_1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 151px; height: 151px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdsL9LdEmI/AAAAAAAADlA/Z4huhIN8LqI/s200/GlennBeck_1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392898031456424546" border="0" /></a>Beck, who also hosts a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Beck_%28TV_program%29">show</a> on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News_Channel">Fox News</a> one-upped Rush on July 28 when he called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama">President Barack Obama</a> “racist” on the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_and_friends">Fox and Friends</a> show and accused him of having a "deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture."<br /><br />That led to a number of advertisers, including Proctor & Gamble, Progressive Insurance, and Lawyers.com, pulling their spots from Beck’s 5 PM show.<br /><br /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f8/1155201977" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashvars="videoId=30949315001&playerId=1155201977&viewerSecureGatewayURL=https://console.brightcove.com/services/amfgateway&servicesURL=http://services.brightcove.com/services&cdnURL=http://admin.brightcove.com&domain=embed&autoStart=false&" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" swliveconnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash" height="412" width="486"></embed><br /><br />Some radio advertisers also pulled off Beck’s Clear Channel’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premiere_Radio_Networks">Premiere Network</a> syndicated show.<br /><br />So what if some sponsors temporarily exited Beck’s Fox and Clear Channel shows?<br /><br />They’ll be back. Liberals will tire from the torture of monitoring his show.<br /><br />But the real crisis for Rush was Beck’s newfound publicity. Every media outlet was hammering Beck while Rush was just being Rush.<br /><br />See, Rush always viewed himself as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles">the Beatles</a> and Glenn Beck as <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dave_Clark_Five">the Dave Clark Five</a>. Now he feared that Beck could pull off the staying power of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolling_Stones">Rolling Stones</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdtG5CosSI/AAAAAAAADlI/hqZ42kPBsmk/s1600-h/ap_Rush_Limbaugh_090129_mn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 164px; height: 169px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdtG5CosSI/AAAAAAAADlI/hqZ42kPBsmk/s200/ap_Rush_Limbaugh_090129_mn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392899043957977378" border="0" /></a>And have you seen what all the Beck publicity has done to the poor portly Rush?<br /><br />He got his oink back.<br /><br />Some news just sucks all the air out of everything else in the media. This was one of those cases. It was all Beck all of the time. It was if the king of all mean-spirited, racist, nativist, xenophobic radio hosts had been robbed from Rush and fenced to Beck.<br /><br />The stress of being yesterday’s news had that porker packing on the poundage.<br /><br />Rush has his addictions. Among them is to always be lead dog. He didn’t take well to Beck’s hindquarters blocking his view.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdupzYipuI/AAAAAAAADlQ/2er_ahgHJgI/s1600-h/oxycontin.JPG.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdupzYipuI/AAAAAAAADlQ/2er_ahgHJgI/s200/oxycontin.JPG.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392900743246292706" border="0" /></a>It’s not just about the money. Clear Channel pays him enough to buy controlling interest in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purdue_Pharma">Purdue Pharma</a>.<br /><br />It’s Rush’s insatiable ego that joneses him to get more media mentions than any other conservative shock talker.<br /><br />So, he “leaked” news that he had joined a group of investors who were already negotiating to buy the 0-5 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Rams">St. Louis Rams.</a><br /><br />The group is headed by <a href="http://www.scpworldwide.net/">SCP Worldwide</a> Chairman <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Checketts">Dave Checketts</a>, who owns the 2-2<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis_Blues_%28ice_hockey%29"> St. Louis Blues</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nhl">NHL</a> team.<br /><br />The deal came with a somewhat convincing hook. Rush was spawned and raised in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Girardeau,_Missouri">Cape Girardeau, Missouri</a>, which is roughly 100 miles and change from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis,_Missouri">St. Louis</a>.<br /><br />Rush played Checketts, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL">NFL</a>, and African-American NFL players and spokespeople like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stradavarius">Stradivarius</a>.<br /><br />Knowing he’d be a lightning rod for objections, owing to his past negative and racial comments on the NFL, he went for it.<br /><br />Remember this charmer from a January 2007 broadcast?<br /><br />"The NFL all too often looks like a game between the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloods">Bloods</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crips">Crips</a> without any weapons.”<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/iueJLjF-WtM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/iueJLjF-WtM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />In 2003<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Stdv-bmr5dI/AAAAAAAADlY/z7tc2r4JoQg/s1600-h/0008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 74px; height: 146px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Stdv-bmr5dI/AAAAAAAADlY/z7tc2r4JoQg/s200/0008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392902197152048594" border="0" /></a>, Limbaugh talked himself out of a Sunday commentator role on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ESPN">ESPN</a> when he called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia_Eagles">Philadelphia Eagles</a> quarterback <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donovan_McNabb">Donovan McNabb</a> "overrated,” adding “What we have here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback can do well—black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well."<br /><br />The Rams revelation permitted Rush to position his adversaries right where he wanted them.<br /><br />NFL Commish <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Goodell">Roger Goodell</a> said, "I think divisive comments are not what the NFL is all about. I would not want to see those kind of comments from people who are in a responsible position within the NFL."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdwuYYyWMI/AAAAAAAADlg/h0pO4wQnXBQ/s1600-h/IRSAY-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdwuYYyWMI/AAAAAAAADlg/h0pO4wQnXBQ/s200/IRSAY-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392903020922165442" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_Colts">Indianapolis Colts</a> owner <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Irsay">Jim Irsay</a> claimed he’d vote against Limbaugh as an owner because of comments that were "inappropriate, incendiary and insensitive."<br /><br />Professional race card players Revs. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Sharpton">Al Sharpton</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson">Jesse Jackson</a> fed the media their predictable, recycled, blah, blah woof, woof, over-the-top protests.<br /><br />Several African-American NFL players insisted they would not play for or against a team owned by Limbaugh.<br /><br />Not wanting to be in the middle of a racial war of the words while trying to close the Rams deal, Checketts dumped Rush and e-mailed a statement that read, “It has become clear that his (Limbaugh’s) involvement in our group has become a complication and distraction to our intentions. We have decided to move forward without him and hope it will eventually lead us to a successful conclusion."<br /><br />And now Rush is playing his own card - the conservative card.<br /><br />Here’s his pontification from Wednesday: "This is not about the NFL, it's not about the St. Louis Rams, it's not about me. This is about the ongoing effort by the left in this country, wherever you find them, in the media, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_%28United_States%29">Democrat Party</a>, or wherever, to destroy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservatism">conservatism</a>, to prevent the mainstreaming of anyone who is prominent as a conservative.<br /><br />"Therefore, this is about the future of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America">United States of America</a> and what kind of country we're going to have."<br /><br />If you’ve f<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdxmcbLsiI/AAAAAAAADlo/KK_Ijyb8qZs/s1600-h/824T6225.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StdxmcbLsiI/AAAAAAAADlo/KK_Ijyb8qZs/s200/824T6225.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392903984078631458" border="0" /></a>orgotten why Rush kicked off this grandstand play in the first place - here’s two words: Glenn - who?<br /><br />Had Rush not made that McNabb comment he still wouldn’t have had a chance to own a piece of an NFL team. There’s that little problem he had a few years ago when he got caught buying <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OxyContin#OxyContin">OxyContin</a> on the black market. The league has a no tolerance policy with <a href="http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/news/limbaugh/">ex-druggies</a>.<br /><br />And even though the golden age of radio is long gone, the golden age for rampant buffoonery on the radio shows no sign of decline.<br />----<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"> <a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/">The Sensational Alex Harvey Band</a></span><br /></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-65878693361436262722009-10-12T18:45:00.016-04:002009-10-13T04:27:25.309-04:00Radio (No) One<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >
<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StOzOBlZxJI/AAAAAAAADkE/-ttmjJz2MxY/s1600-h/radio_one_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 72px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StOzOBlZxJI/AAAAAAAADkE/-ttmjJz2MxY/s200/radio_one_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391850232417469586" border="0" /></a>
<br /></span><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You’re <a href="http://www.radio-one.com/">Radio One</a>.<span style=""> </span>You’re trying to make ends meet with 53 radio stations in 16 markets - and it’s not going so well.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Ever since those no good, rotten bastards at </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitron">Arbitron </a>rolled out the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitron#Portable_People_Meter">Portable People Meter (PPM)</a>, your urban formatted stations have gone into a ratings free fall.<span style=""> </span>Since your ad rates are based on Arbitron data, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">the lower your ratings are, the lower your ad rates will be.<span style=""> </span>The lower your rate, the more challenging it is to service your massive debt.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StOzwQ0lOKI/AAAAAAAADkM/vfR5UYjd8hE/s1600-h/PH2009063004098.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 91px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StOzwQ0lOKI/AAAAAAAADkM/vfR5UYjd8hE/s200/PH2009063004098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391850820623218850" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">You’re Radio One and you’ve called for </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edolphus_Towns">Rep. Edolphus “Eddie” Towns (D-N.Y.)</a> to take care of your busin</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ess on the Hill.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>See, Rep. Towns as head of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_House_Committee_on_Oversight_and_Government_Reform">House Committee for Oversight and Government Reform</a> subpoenaed the <a href="http://www.mediaratingcouncil.org/About%20Us.htm">Media Ratings Council (MRC)</a>, an independent industry org that certifies media rating</o:p></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>s, to turn over audits of Arbitron’s PPM system to his committee.</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p>
<br /></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">After reviewing their findings, he accused Arbitron of “persistent problems” with their minority sample.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Let’s take a peak at their study.<span style=""> </span>Towns’ committee issued a statement saying the subpoenaed documents proved that Arbitron recruited a sample audience of 5,400 people in New York - but only 2,700 — <span style="font-style: italic;">half of the sample</span> — provided actual data.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">His report stated that “the radio listening habits of over four million ethnic minorities are represented by only 500 Arbitron recruits” - and that similar sample problems are occurring in Arbitron PPM rated markets nationwide.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO0oWpLoAI/AAAAAAAADkU/RNNwhkFaVQM/s1600-h/ARBITRON+PEOPLE+METER+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 145px; height: 192px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO0oWpLoAI/AAAAAAAADkU/RNNwhkFaVQM/s200/ARBITRON+PEOPLE+METER+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391851784258691074" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">No one will argue that Arbitron's PPM isn't flawed. It's a slight improvement over the diary, which has been in operation fo</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">r how many decades? Still, it's a 20th century flop. Had it been introduced in the late eighties or early nineties, it would've had its decade of fame. But what might've worked a twenty years ago isn't going to measure up in 2010. Not when you're selling against on-line, which can provide up-to-the-minute detailed data.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">In research and information, methodology is vital. The manner in which data is mined </span><span style="font-size:85%;">circumscribes the results. The PPM is already old and in the way.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Some media experts believe that urban radio listening is down for the same reason that rock, alternative, and Triple A formats are taking it on the chin. Who's going to carry around an object that makes them look like they're being monitored by their probie?
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" face="arial" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Then you could also argue that urban format listeners - like those rock, alternative, and Triple A formats suffered audience erosion because most aren’t programming what their potential audience want to hear - and they can get what they <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span> want on-line, on satellite radio, or listen to their own music on an MP3 player.<span style=""> </span>.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; font-family: arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO3YoMhxEI/AAAAAAAADkc/Gb3CvhSHwxk/s1600-h/Arbitron_292085491.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO3YoMhxEI/AAAAAAAADkc/Gb3CvhSHwxk/s200/Arbitron_292085491.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391854812627321922" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span>The way radio is formatted today, an active and seasoned listener is least likely to listen to terrestrial radio. There are better options than formats as dated as the PPM's technology.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">The contemporary hit format is racking up numbers because its tween and very young teen audience, still in their musically instant gratification current music phase, which terrestrial radio satisfies with tight high-rotation playlists. There are exceptions, of course, though very few, and they tend to be the few stations independently programmed for the market they're in.
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Classic Hits does well because it's the new old fashioned adult contemporary - music for passive people who don't care about music that much but want to hear something in the background at work - in settin</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">gs where terrestrial radio is still present.
<br /></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">You’re Radio One and faced with declining numbers you must be certain that <span style="font-style: italic;">every penny </span>of potential revenue gets on the books.
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Or do yo</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO46fVLiGI/AAAAAAAADkk/BX4pcII-8ak/s1600-h/6a00d8341c39e853ef01156f825042970c-320wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 154px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO46fVLiGI/AAAAAAAADkk/BX4pcII-8ak/s200/6a00d8341c39e853ef01156f825042970c-320wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391856493874874466" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">u?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">The comp</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">etition is always intense, but today, we have a new Dumbest Radio Rule to add to the never-increasing list of terrestrial follies.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Let’s visit this Radio One market’s policy. <span style=""> </span>I don’t want to give away the market since I don’t know if the decision originated there or from the corporate office.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Here’s par</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">t one. <span style=""> </span>If you don’t get your weekend and first-of-the-week spots in by Wednesday, they won’t run.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">No</span> exceptions.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /><span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">When spots don’t run, Radio One<span style="font-style: italic;"> loses</span> money.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">Part two, should your Radio One account exec be on a forced, unpaid “furlough day,” on a day you want to buy time - forget it.<span style=""> </span>You can’t.<span style=""> </span>Add this.<span style=""> </span>Just like those restaurants you never go back to - there aren’t any substitutions allowed.<span style=""> </span>You <span style="font-style: italic;">can’t</span> ask for another AE to write up the order.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">I’ll say it again.<span style=""> </span>When spots don’t run, Radio One <span style="font-style: italic;">loses</span> money.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">It’s another dollar chasing a dime.<span style=""> </span>Maybe you’re saving some production o.t. and a few bucks with your unpaid furloughs. - but it’s not worth the business you’re not writing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">But wait.<span style=""> </span>Let’s go back to Rep. Eddie Towns.<span style=""> </span>Was he not part of a group that also included </span><span style="font-size:85%;">House <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Majority+Jim+Clyburn">Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.)</a> and <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Charles+Rangel">Charles Rangel (D-Manhattan)</a> and that met with senio</span><span style="font-size:85%;">r <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Barack+Obama">Obama administration</a> officials this past August, demanding that minority broadcasters - including Radio One - be on the receiving end of a government bail out?<span style=""> </span>Did Towns claim the station owners had a right to tap into the <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/topics/Troubled+Assets+Relief+Program">Troubled Asset Relief Program</a>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">(There was a mayoral candidate in Cleveland named <a href="http://billpatmon.com/">Bill Patmon</a> who said on a Sunday morning TV political show that the government should bail out Clear Channel. Maybe he was gunning for an endorsement.)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO5oAxTnbI/AAAAAAAADkw/OtuELDPuLu4/s1600-h/money_flying_away.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/StO5oAxTnbI/AAAAAAAADkw/OtuELDPuLu4/s200/money_flying_away.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391857275945328050" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Do you think Radio One should start saving their properties by having systems in place that insure that clients who want to advertise on their stations <span style="font-style: italic;">can</span> advertise on their stations?
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-size:85%;">Just asking.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Last time I checked, that's the way commercial radio still made its money. <span style="font-style: italic;">Selling time.</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" face="arial">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-56329933630127486302009-10-08T11:19:00.021-04:002009-10-09T11:04:29.534-04:00Radio & TV: WTF?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4eM8n_X9I/AAAAAAAADi8/RSrq9REhVW0/s1600-h/jackson1710_468x692.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4eM8n_X9I/AAAAAAAADi8/RSrq9REhVW0/s200/jackson1710_468x692.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390279011790184402" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/f-bomb">F-bombs</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wardrobe_malfunction">wardrobe malfunctions</a>, nipple slips. BFD.<br /><br />Communications lawyers have made millions from it.<br /><br />It’s allowed a whole lot of bureaucrats at the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FCC">FCC </a>with too much time on their hands and who knows what on their minds to pretend to look busy.<br /><br />But can anyone answer the question – What is the FCC supposed to be protecting us from? Words? Nipples?<br /><br />On February 1, 2010 we will be celebrating the sixth anniversary – <span style="font-style: italic;">yes, you read that right</span> – of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nipple_Slip">the Super Bowl XXXVIII Janet Jackson nipple-slip</a> wardrobe malfunction.<br /><br /><object name="kp" id="kp" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allownetworking="all" allowfullscreen="true" data="http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/_35168/uiconf_id/1002330" height="300" width="400"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><param name="allowNetworking" value="all"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"><param name="movie" value="http://www.kaltura.com/index.php/kwidget/wid/_35168/uiconf_id/1002330"><param name="flashVars" value="entryId=http://s3.amazonaws.com/lazyjock/97166.flv&autoplay=false"></object><div><a href="http://www.fandome.com/" title="Sports Videos, News, Blogs"><img src="http://www.fandome.com/img/poweredBy.png" style="border: medium none ;" alt="Sports Videos, News, Blogs" /></a></div><br /><br />I’ll bet the broadcast barristers will still be racking up billable hours from it on that date and beyond.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4feddk4mI/AAAAAAAADjE/FSH21bpN-cs/s1600-h/bengals+fan+edit.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 128px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4feddk4mI/AAAAAAAADjE/FSH21bpN-cs/s200/bengals+fan+edit.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390280412174279266" border="0" /></a>On any given Sunday you’ll see more breasts flashed at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Football_League">NFL</a> game than all 44 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Bowl">Super Bowl</a> broadcasts combined. And that’s still only half as many as you’ll see at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiss_%28band%29">KISS</a> concert or a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foam_party">foam party</a>.<br /><br />You’ll hear at least a dozen f-bombs drop at any NFL, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLB">MLB</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBA">NBA</a>, or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NHL">NHL</a> game. If you’d prefer to limit your load to, let’s say, a half-dozen, try sitting in the bleachers at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_League_Baseball">Little League</a> or <a href="http://www.bettersoccermorefun.com/dwtext/whtisocr.htm">kid’s soccer</a> game.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4gPmifNfI/AAAAAAAADjU/A9kJANqgugQ/s1600-h/bittenandbound_Saturday_Night_Live_15272_jenny_slate_megan_fox_and_kristen_wiig_in_snl_biker_chick_chat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 76px; height: 138px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4gPmifNfI/AAAAAAAADjU/A9kJANqgugQ/s200/bittenandbound_Saturday_Night_Live_15272_jenny_slate_megan_fox_and_kristen_wiig_in_snl_biker_chick_chat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390281256424388082" border="0" /></a>That’s life. That’s how all the people swear.<br /><br />The latest media-generated F-bomb of note occurred a couple of weeks back on a <i><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturday_Night_Live">Saturday Night Live</a> </i>skit, “Biker Chit Chat.” The script had SNL newcomer <a href="http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/bios/jenny-slate.shtml">Jenny Slate</a> using the word “frickin,” – a good dozen times before her brain short-circuited causing her to accidentally blurt out the f-bomb instead.<br /><br />“You frickin; just threw an ashtray of butts at my head. You know what, you stood up for yourself and I fuckin’ love you for that,” she said.<br /><br /><br /><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qF2eWMP36Es&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qF2eWMP36Es&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="340" width="560"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Just a few days before the <i>SNL</i> gaffe, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WNYW">WNYW-FOX 5/New York</a> news anchor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Anastos">Ernie Anastos</a>, did his own pardon-my-Greek gaffe.<br /><br />It started with some innocent, playful banter with meteorologist <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Gregory">Nick Gregory</a>.<br /><br /><i>Anastos</i>: “It takes a tough man to make a tender forecast, Nick."<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4gyNpq54I/AAAAAAAADjc/DS07bEk8r6g/s1600-h/keep_fucking_that_chicken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 102px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4gyNpq54I/AAAAAAAADjc/DS07bEk8r6g/s200/keep_fucking_that_chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390281851039049602" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><i>Gregory, looking confused, replies</i>: “I guess that's me."<br /><br /><i>Anastos</i>: “Keep fucking that chicken.”<br /><br />It’s the second most overused current catch phrase (the first being “inside baseball”). Loosely translated it means, “keep up the good work.”<br /><br />The video is here. The best part isn’t Anastos’ use of the word. It’s the facial expression on co-anchor <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari_Alexander">Dari Alexander</a>.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PdnXYWSa56w&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PdnXYWSa56w&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br />Pardon my s-bomb but shit happens.<br /><br />We’re nearly a decade into the 21st century. Don’t you think it’s time to legalize nipples and decriminalize f-bombs? WTF!<br /><br />In 1950’s TV sitcoms married couples slept in separate beds.<br /><br />In early 1962, after taking a continual beating from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC">NBC</a> ratings leader <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonanza"><i>Bonanza</i></a>, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ABC_%28TV%29">ABC-TV</a> series, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_Stop_%28TV_series%29"><i>Bus Stop</i></a>, toughened up its dialog, taking liberal libertirs with the words “hell” and “damn.” It marked the first time on TV that someone other than a priest or evangelist used those words. An intolerant FCC ordered ABC to cut the cursing and the show was cancelled.<br /><br />In April 1963, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingsmen">the Ki</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingsmen"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4hi9paWaI/AAAAAAAADjk/g4O_NQfGLok/s200/kingsm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390282688556587426" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kingsmen">ngsmen</a>, released <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WcgqXMncf4">“Louie Louie,”</a> a poorly recorded cover of a Jamaican folk song. Within weeks, rumors that the unintelligible lyrics were sexually explicit – including liberal use of the f-word - spread across the U.S. and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FBI">FBI</a> also embarked on a futile 31-month investigation into the alleged lascivious lyrics.<br /><br />In September, 1964 when ABC-TV premiered the then-controversial <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Place_%28TV_series%29"><i>Peyton Place</i></a> series, based on Grace Metalious’ scandalous 1956 novel. Though the TV show could’ve been subtitled <i>Who’s Pregnant and Who’s to Blame</i>, the network censored the word “pregnant” for the first few episodes.<br /><br />By the late sixties, previously profane on-the-radio words like “bitch” and “ass” were desensitized and worked into the mainstream lexis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4iH5cYa1I/AAAAAAAADjs/qrBBqNrxQOE/s1600-h/album-for-unlawful-carnal-knowledge.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 122px; height: 122px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4iH5cYa1I/AAAAAAAADjs/qrBBqNrxQOE/s200/album-for-unlawful-carnal-knowledge.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390283323083352914" border="0" /></a>Even the f-bomb managed to escape non-trained ears on album rock radio in 1978 with the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgWQ1erBnMo">Who’s “Who Are You.”</a> In 1991, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Van_Halen">Van Halen</a> released their <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_Unlawful_Carnal_Knowledge"><i>For Unlawful Carnal Kno</i><i>wl</i><i>ed</i><i>ge</i></a> titled album. Some historians claim the f-word is actually an acronym for those words.<br /><br />Last year, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tori_Amos">Tori Amos </a>had a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adult_album_alternative">Triple A radio format</a> hit with “Big Wheel,” where two minutes and twenty seconds into the song she described herself as a MILF – <i>repeatedly. </i><div><i><br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fKq6IVL64qc&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fKq6IVL64qc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object></i></div><div><i><br /></i><br />The first time I recall hearing the f-bomb in a song was in 1965 on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fugs">the Fugs’</a> <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/The+Fugs/_/Supergirl">“Supergirl”</a> from their first album, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fugs_First_Album"><i>The Village Fugs.</i></a><br /><br />My parents rarely cursed. I never heard my mother swear and my father’s were limited to the garden variety of “Lord’s name in vain” words. Knowing the neighborhood and the words I was bound to hear, I was taught at a young age that swearing exposed a limited vocabulary.<br /><br />The first time I heard the f- word was in the first grade from Frannie Hart. His father was a hard-drinking <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stevedore">longshoreman</a>, who could easily drop three f-bombs per sentence.<br /><br />Fast forward to today. It’s a profane insane world. Tweens and teens regularly text the f-word through Internet-driven acronyms.<br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CW_Television_Network">The CW netwo</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://thewowjonesreport.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/gossip-girl-omfg-ad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 228px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4isRZ-oTI/AAAAAAAADj0/byhp8wfMlOk/s200/omfg2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390283947991015730" border="0" /></a><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_CW_Television_Network">rk</a>, an equal partnership between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS">CBS</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Bros.">Warner Bros.</a>, marketed last season’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gossip_girl"><i>Gossi</i><i>p Girl</i></a> with the acronym OMFG, which is OMG with the f-bomb included. <a href="http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1161951,00.html">Rick Haskin</a>, the chief marketing officer at the CW, told <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advertising_Age"><span style="font-style: italic;">Advertising Age</span></a> that he used the F-word reference because its tween-to early 20’s viewers used the same phrase in their own personal conversations.<br /><br />Former Vice President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Cheney">Dick Cheney</a> dropped an f-bomb on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leahy">Sen. Patrick Leahy </a>(D-VT) on the Senate floor when he asked him to perform <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/11/leahy-knocks-cheney-i-don_n_165997.html">an anatomical sexual impossibility</a>.<br /><br />Not long after that confrontation, Cheney, while being interviewed live on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNN">CNN</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Msnbc">MSNBC</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3SemYQH-8o">was asked to do the same from an off-camera protester</a>. The reporter, realizing the request was audible, asked Cheney, “Are you getting a lot of that, Mr. Cheney?”<br /><br />Most linguists believe its origin is from the Middle English word <i>fucken</i>, which means to strike, move quickly or penetrate. The origin of that word comes from the German word, <i>ficken,</i> which has the same definition.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4i_C7y6MI/AAAAAAAADj8/QSpNlilrKVk/s1600-h/Fuck_film_poster.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Ss4i_C7y6MI/AAAAAAAADj8/QSpNlilrKVk/s200/Fuck_film_poster.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390284270523836610" border="0" /></a>In 2005, director <a href="http://efilmcritic.com/takeoverAd-efc.html?http://efilmcritic.com/feature.php?feature=1733">Steve Anderson</a> released his documentary, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuck_%28film%29"><i>Fuck</i></a><i>,</i> which examined <a href="http://www.fourletterfilm.com/Trailer-Hi.htm"> the history and impact of the word</a>.<br /><br />Fuck, as a word, is infused in every aspect of our culture. It’s a noun, verb, adverb, adjective, pronoun, and interjection. IMFAO, it’s time we desensitize, decriminalize, and once and for all disarm the f-bomb. If radio and TV can get away with freakin’ and frickin’, what’s fuckin’ going to do? Communize us? Enslave us?<br /><br />Like I said. BFD.<br /></div><div>----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com">More blasts from the past</a></span></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-86896356734512304372009-10-05T15:58:00.016-04:002009-10-06T07:29:27.740-04:00Radio: The NAB Radio No Shows<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspS0E79pdI/AAAAAAAADiM/zpWiul6lCVk/s1600-h/Cancel.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 159px; height: 159px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspS0E79pdI/AAAAAAAADiM/zpWiul6lCVk/s200/Cancel.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389210958734140882" border="0" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Do I have to come right out and say it?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When something doesn’t sell, you stop manufacturing it.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">When something doesn’t draw, you cancel it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By now you’ve heard the attendance figures for the <a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia</a> a couple of weeks </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">back.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">2,507 showed.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Give or take, plus or minus 700 paid the full registration fee. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">That means an estimated 1,807 attendees were provided either a discounted rate or were comp’d.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The final tally was written in red ink.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The slogan for the convention should’ve been: “We feel your pain.”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Question 1 - If the NAB is imprudent enough to risk another NAB Radio Show next year?</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No answer.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspUp-ZN0CI/AAAAAAAADiU/PgU9I7OXrmc/s1600-h/nab-radio-show-4276-1.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 96px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspUp-ZN0CI/AAAAAAAADiU/PgU9I7OXrmc/s200/nab-radio-show-4276-1.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389212984202350626" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Question 2 - Has anyone bothered to speculate on how many radio chains will be in r</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">eceivership by this time a year from now?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No answer.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Question 3 – O</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">kay, let’s ask an easy one.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">So what was learned at this year’s NAB Radio Show?</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Answer - Denial remains the single most common cause of the radio industry’s demise.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Hey, that answers the first two questions, too!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The NAB Radio Show 2009 was a top tier affair.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">By day one, everyone knew that if you weren’t a <span style="font-style: italic;">designer brand </span>radio CEO, you were a <span style="font-style: italic;">caste</span> away.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You rarely sp</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspU8IlM_iI/AAAAAAAADic/9_952WBFFUM/s1600-h/MARK+MAYS+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 79px; height: 109px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspU8IlM_iI/AAAAAAAADic/9_952WBFFUM/s200/MARK+MAYS+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389213296174628386" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">otted <a href="http://people.forbes.com/profile/mark-p-mays/20217http://">Mark Mays</a> or <a href="http://people.forbes.com/profile/lewis-w-dickey/24608">Lew Dickey</a> walking amongst the common folk.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No, they</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> were perfectly content to remain isolated in the safe harbor of their luxury mink prison suites.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Most attendi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ng the NAB R</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">adio Show never even saw them.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Except for a rare appearance at the </span></span><a href="http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dickstein Shap</span></span></a><a href="http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">iro</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> wingding, they were invisible.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspVt5Xe5bI/AAAAAAAADik/5B-JX3VO51Y/s1600-h/3619027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 113px; height: 118px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspVt5Xe5bI/AAAAAAAADik/5B-JX3VO51Y/s200/3619027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389214151084008882" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">What they don’t realize is that being invisible is not the same as being invincible, which </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">t</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">h</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ey are not.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Did anyone not notice that the only time the Radio Show felt claustrophobic was when their egos inflated that room well beyond capacity?</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">And how about their communal deafness affliction?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They could only hear themselves speak.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Their blinding inte</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">llect lit up the room like a ten-watt bulb.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Most attending the </span></span><a href="http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Dickstein Shapiro</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> raced to the showers afterward to wash off the conceit, contemptuousness, and hubris they were sprayed with from this group.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">My favorite story was about a certain radio CEO who pulled a “Do you know who I am?” routine to a trade paper editor who’d asked him a point-blank question in <a href="http://www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia/">Four Seasons</a> lobby.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The editor’s replied, “Yes, but what’s your problem? Alzheimer’s?”</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">How a</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspWfp7GSMI/AAAAAAAADis/_SSqltCONLg/s1600-h/Just_For_Men_Touch_of_Gray.gif.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 93px; height: 185px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspWfp7GSMI/AAAAAAAADis/_SSqltCONLg/s200/Just_For_Men_Touch_of_Gray.gif.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389215005931882690" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">bout the radio industry realizing that the majority of those in it are th</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">e prime demo for <a href="http://www.touchofgray.com/index.asp">A Touc</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><a href="http://www.touchofgray.com/index.asp">h of Gray</a>?</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Just think it only took the industry thirteen short years to figure out that it’s alienated generations from the medium.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thirteen years of no mentoring.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Thirteen years of not giving young people the opportunity to be creative and innovative.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">You don’t buy a dog and bark for it.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Friends, like new media, became enemies and enemies, like the old guard that dragged you into this mess – namely those who have dominated the trades for the past decade, became your closest friends and advisors.</span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Smug is not a workable business plan.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Neither is buy ‘em now and figure out what to do with them later.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Here’s an industry that, for the most part, employed a top-down management where </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">national programmers delivered hard drives to market managers saying, “This is your format, these are your call letters, and cut budgets by 50 percent."</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now they’re doing a 180. </span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They funneled profits from the communities they were supposed to serve and used the locals only as slave wage board ops.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Now, they’ve lost time spent listening, younger demos, and have been forced to lower revenue, lower payroll, have fewer do more for less, and are now stuck in a downward spiral they can’t get out of.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They got what they preyed for.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspYCrpyEwI/AAAAAAAADi0/mMEYcyGIdds/s1600-h/ig14_earthquake_08_02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SspYCrpyEwI/AAAAAAAADi0/mMEYcyGIdds/s200/ig14_earthquake_08_02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389216707203175170" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">No, they’re not admitting to their reckless and ruinous mistakes.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">They’re doing a 180 only because nothing else has worked.</span></span><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Believe me, they don’t know where the</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">y’ve been or where they’re going.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It can be turned around – but don’t expect to see those hogging the spotlight this year to be among them.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">The only successful people in the radio business are those that know that the definitive competitive advantage is passion.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><!--EndFragment--></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">----</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-family:'trebuchet ms',serif;font-size:78%;" ><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span">The Agora, April 1980</span></a></span></p>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com29tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-87599547627037694072009-10-01T10:13:00.010-04:002009-10-01T17:43:29.353-04:00Radio: The flap on apps and Spotify spice<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS7V_vuHNI/AAAAAAAADhE/WJwnxPy1AUA/s1600-h/iphone-apps-galore.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 74px; height: 115px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS7V_vuHNI/AAAAAAAADhE/WJwnxPy1AUA/s200/iphone-apps-galore.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387637040805190866" border="0" /></a><br />The buzz at both the <a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">NAB Radio Show</a> and <a href="http://www.prpd.org/topmenu/home.aspx">Public Radio programmers convention</a> was the need for stations to have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone">smartphone</a> <a href="http://google.about.com/od/a/g/apps_def.htm">apps</a>.<br /><br />Creationists and evolutionists can debate the chicken or the egg but you can’t argue app before content.<br /><br />So what, besides <a href="http://jacobsmedia.typepad.com/">Fred Jacobs</a> and other brilliant salespeople whispering in your ear to buy, does an app do for a radio station’s listenership if its programming content just plain sucks out loud?<br /><br />Too many stations are rushing their apps without having the content to back it.<br /><br />There’s a huge difference between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_broadcasting">public</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_broadcasting">commercial</a> radio. Public radio has content people want and can’t get anywhere else.<br /><br />Let’s do the math. At this moment we have 85,000 apps in 20 different categories. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone">iPhone’s</a> limit for apps is 148 – spread over 9 pages. What page do you think your radio station will be on?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS8yi2S_nI/AAAAAAAADhU/C8N3-kobSo0/s1600-h/one-billion-apps.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 97px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS8yi2S_nI/AAAAAAAADhU/C8N3-kobSo0/s200/one-billion-apps.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387638630775979634" border="0" /></a>There’s more. This week iPhone app downloads hit 2 billion. Do competing new app storefronts even have a chance? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_phone">Android</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BlackBerry">BlackBerry’s</a> apps aren’t even close to Apple’s tonnage.<br /><br />Now, ponder this. The money this industry tossed on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio</a> could’ve gone to fighting the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA">RIAA</a> to be on line and able to play music on main and multiple support channels on the Internet and mobile – where <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span> lives.<br /><br />Instead, that money was thrown away on expensive licensing fees, transmitters that overheat and cost a ransom to run, and other miscellaneous costs that will never be recovered.<br /><br />HD Radio isn’t showing growth. It’s a tumor eating away your revenue.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS9XpGHXuI/AAAAAAAADhc/7jK4OBMPa9A/s1600-h/99166-0-0-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 98px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS9XpGHXuI/AAAAAAAADhc/7jK4OBMPa9A/s200/99166-0-0-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387639268108099298" border="0" /></a>Here’s <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBiquity">iBiquity’s </a><a href="http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/management_profiles#robert_struble">Bob “Booble” Struble</a> trying to snake-oil sell digital delivery by claiming your AM will sound like FM. You can accomplish the same – and reach a real mass audience – with your stream.<br /><br />You want to get real creative? Put <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surround_sound">surround-sound</a> on your stream. HD’s never going do that.<br /><br />The smartest stations are those that didn’t fall for the hype. If you’re counting on that iBiquity IPO, keep counting and counting and counting….<br /><br />HD Radio, otherwise known as the political machine grafted onto to the radio industry, is AM stereo in drag.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS-wTsGyNI/AAAAAAAADhk/yojNfq0k-V8/s1600-h/spotify-logo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS-wTsGyNI/AAAAAAAADhk/yojNfq0k-V8/s200/spotify-logo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387640791370221778" border="0" /></a>While those in radio best defined as clueless cheered for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.">Apple’s</a> new fifth gen <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPod_Nano">iPod nano</a> – <span style="font-style: italic;">F</span><span style="font-style: italic;">M radio included</span> – none were aware that Apple also approved apps for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhapsody_%28online_music_service%29">RealNetwork’s Rhapsody</a> and the Swedish-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotify">Spotify</a>.<br /><br />Both operate free, on-demand music-streaming services. Those I polled in radio know of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_%28music_service%29">Pandora</a>. Those I talked to who work for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_Radio">CBS Radio</a> have working knowledge of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last.fm">Last.fm</a>. A few knew Rhapsody – but fewer knew what it was – and absolutely no one had a clue about Spotify.<br /><br />To the radio-<span style="font-style: italic;">radio</span> people; those drinking the Kool Aid and believing everything they read from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Broadcasters">NAB</a> and <a href="http://www.rab.com/">RAB</a> on the "success' of the <a href="http://www.radioheardhere.com/">“Radio Heard Here”</a> campaign, let me explain.<br /><br />Both Rhapsody and Spotify are fee on-demand music streaming sites. You can hear almost any song you request any time you want to.<br /><br />Those I know who are not in radio – but know the net were surprised – no, <span style="font-style: italic;">shocked</span> - that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Jobs">Steve Jobs</a> and Apple would allow apps for both services – especially Spotify – even though it hasn’t launched in America yet.<br /><br />See, 70 percent of all digital music sales come from iTunes. That adds up to around $958 million and change in Q3 alone. 74 percent of all digital music players are manufactured by Apple. And that’s not counting the iPhone. You want figures? The iPhone accounts half as many sales as all iPods combined – but its sales are growing in triple-digit percentages.<br /><br />So ask y<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS_wpq2h1I/AAAAAAAADh8/ZF_PGF4wlWM/s1600-h/11908_Steve_Jobs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 105px; height: 123px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsS_wpq2h1I/AAAAAAAADh8/ZF_PGF4wlWM/s200/11908_Steve_Jobs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387641896782169938" border="0" /></a>ourself the question. Why would Steve Jobs cannibalize his own <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes_Store">iTunes store?</a> For the same reason a dog…never mind. Because he can. And because it makes sense.<br /><br />Yes, initially it may cut into iTunes’ sales – but not really. Users of these on-demand services, which also include <a href="http://www.imeem.com/">Ineem</a> and CBS’s own $280 million acquisition Last.fm, also buy more paid digital downloads than non-users. Some of those instant requests translate to songs consumers buy from iTunes.<br /><br />Remember, back in the old media days when terrestrial radio could break and sell music? Same thing. Well, <span style="font-style: italic;">not exactly</span>. The one difference is that requests are usually songs you already know and want to hear.<br /><br />Radio’s added value now and in the future will be to – paraphrase <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Waits">Tom Waits</a> – <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6Q-gR8bW40">give ‘em a little somethin’ they can’t get at home</a>. If I have to explain it, you don’t belong in the radio business – or the entertainment business.<br /><br />Back to Spotify. This is the one to watch for. It’s a next generation music streaming site. It’s more reliable (it’s less likely to deliver a re-record or different version of an original hit) and can deliver music as fast as most digital music players. It’s already the rage in Europe with 5 million users and scheduled to hit our shores by year’s end. Spotify already collected over 100,000 e-mail requests from potential U.S. users. It’ll come in two versions – free, with advertising and a commercial-free $16/month <span style="font-style: italic;">Premium</span>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsTAp5BmZ5I/AAAAAAAADiE/-d2jtoizBUA/s1600-h/mechag.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 141px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsTAp5BmZ5I/AAAAAAAADiE/-d2jtoizBUA/s200/mechag.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387642880156657554" border="0" /></a>Yes, media are changing rapidly. There is more to learn than any one person can assimilate. Attempts to control this new leviathan are beyond any one person’s capability.<br /><br />Earlier generations had to master the evolution of old media. Today’s generation will master new media. They’ll need mentoring and guidance.<br /><br />Therein lies a dilemma in attracting young people to the radio industry. Can we trust the mentoring of the next generation by those running radio today?<br /><br />If you have to ask….<div>----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com">The Buzzard Movin' on up</a></span></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-21904132616567977572009-09-28T18:48:00.032-04:002009-09-29T08:36:03.795-04:00Radio: Triton the titan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFD6r-9g0I/AAAAAAAADf0/px1dgVnHEW4/s1600-h/triton_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 96px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFD6r-9g0I/AAAAAAAADf0/px1dgVnHEW4/s200/triton_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386661304830100290" border="0" /></a> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} h1 {mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-hansi-font-family:Times;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.Heading1Char {mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char"; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:"Heading 1"; mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-hansi-font-family:Times; mso-font-kerning:18.0pt; font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I’m a firm believer that </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >radio’s future lies with streaming and mobile – not <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio. </a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br />But I must</span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" > preface that by voicing concern with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triton_Media_Group">Triton Media Group’s</a> recent acquisition of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ando_Media">Ando</a> and <a href="http://www.spacialaudio.com/index.php">Spacial</a>, which were announced in a one-two punch just prior to the <a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">NAB Radio show convo</a> and the <a href="http://kurthanson.com/rainsummiteast/">RAIN Summit</a> in Philadelphia last week.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >These mergers provide Triton a vested interest in companies that control all aspects of producing revenue to on-line radio.<span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style="">
<br /></span></span></p><h1 style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFE4h4ClgI/AAAAAAAADf8/jZY_bNrvWfE/s1600-h/B0000690P9.01._SS400_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 155px; height: 155px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFE4h4ClgI/AAAAAAAADf8/jZY_bNrvWfE/s200/B0000690P9.01._SS400_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386662367268607490" border="0" /></a></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Triton’s backed by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaktree_Capital_Management">Oaktree Capital Management.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I’m curious how one company can legitimately provide streaming radio (either through hosting or software), sell advertising and also be an on-line ratings service.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >The way I read it, these mergers provide Triton a vested interest in companies that control all factors of producing revenue to on-line radio.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >That’s a lot of power and control for <a href="http://www.tritonmedia.com/pages.php?pid=team_mike_agovino&sec=team&navi=2&navcat=0">Mike Agovino</a>, the CEO of Triton and following these mergers, the </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Capo di tutti capi of on-line radio.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Agovino’s been in the radio biz for 25 years and is a former resident of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel</a>-owned <a href="http://www.katz-media.com/OurCompaniesKRG.aspx?id=563">Katz Radio and Katz Interactive</a>, COO of </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.glassdoor.com/Reviews/Employee-Review-Clear-Channel-RVW284168.htm?t.s=df&t.a=c&t.p=4">Clear Channel Radio Sales</a>, and co-COO of <a href="http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Interep-National-Radio-Sales-Inc-Company-History.html">Interep National Radio</a>. Small world.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Keep in mind that those under the Triton umbrella worked out a collective deal with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America">Record Industry </a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recording_Industry_Association_of_America">Association of America’s</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundExchange">SoundExchange</a> with rates they can afford.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >And this is strictly the Triton cartel we’re dealing with here.<span style=""> </span>I said it in July and I’ll say it again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Only the largest independent webcasters will survive: <a href="http://www.accuradio.com/">Accu-Radio</a>, <a href="http://www.radioio.com/">Radioio</a>, <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora,</a> and <a href="http://www.di.fm/">Digital Imported</a>/<a href="http://www.sky.fm/">Sky FM.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SoundExchange">SoundExchange</a>, which is the collection arm of the RIAA takes 25 percent of webcasters’ gross revenues <i>– not net - </i><span style="">and their take is not limited to just what is earned on-air.</span> If a webcaster sells merchandise, whether it’s T-shirts, coffee
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >cups, or hats –25 percent <i>gross </i>– right off the top – will go to SoundExchange/RIAA.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /><!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record_label">The big four label groups</a> – <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sony_BMG">Sony/BMG</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warner_Music_Group">Warner Music Group</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMI">EMI</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_Music_Group">Universal Music Group</a>, through the RIAA <span style="font-style: italic;">will own a 25 percent equity</span> with independent Internet radio stations that play music controlled by the RIAA.
<br /></span></p><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Pay-for-play, payola and other shady deals to manipulate airplay are not illegal for Internet radio. The Big Four will be free to cut side deals – like buying blocks of time for airplay.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFSZDaXAOI/AAAAAAAADg8/poYXKPXeN0I/s1600-h/money-bags.jpg-764466-709625.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFSZDaXAOI/AAAAAAAADg8/poYXKPXeN0I/s200/money-bags.jpg-764466-709625.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386677219677896930" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >It’ll be the RIAA’s version of green - recycling dead presidents.
<br /></span></p>
<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Follow the money.<span style=""> </span>It </span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >always leads to more money.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <h1 style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></h1> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Now, I’m not saying that Triton would put the lean on the right people to insure that its competitors stay – or become – obscure, so as not to be a hindrance.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >But it could easily do so if it wanted to.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >If that’s the ticket, the future of Internet radio in the U.S. – particularly independent stations – and start-ups yet to come could be slim to none.</span></p> <p style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFHpe_aSkI/AAAAAAAADgc/ggwS-QR23Lw/s1600-h/3326960080_1709b0b87d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 136px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFHpe_aSkI/AAAAAAAADgc/ggwS-QR23Lw/s200/3326960080_1709b0b87d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386665407331060290" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Corleone">Michael Corleone</a> said to his brother <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonny_Corleone">Sonny</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_godfather"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Godfather</span>,</a> <i style="">“</i><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia;" >It's not personal</span></em><i style="">, </i>Sonny<i style="">. </i><em><span style="font-style: normal;font-family:Georgia;" >It's</span></em><i style=""> </i>strictly business."
<br /></span></p><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >If you have an edge in business, you take it.<span style=""> </span>I would. You would.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I’m not sure if this falls in the category of smooth operator or shrewd operator or both. Agovino saw the opening and went for it.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >I know, I know.<span style=""> </span>You could say Triton’s not a monopoly.<span style=""> </span>There’s <a href="http://www.targetspot.com/home/">TargetSpot</a>.<span style=""> </span>Okay, I said it.<span style=""> </span>Let’s </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >move on.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-family:courier new;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFITHkzhmI/AAAAAAAADgk/vnATOvt8-gI/s1600-h/KubrickRing.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SsFITHkzhmI/AAAAAAAADgk/vnATOvt8-gI/s200/KubrickRing.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5386666122599958114" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >While terrestrial radio wallowed in its self-inflicted misery at the NAB Radio Show in Philadelphia last week, Agovino’s Triton and the new Internet radio cartel were plotting the future.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="">
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Terrestrial radio’s streaming audio has already been screwed, blewed, and tattooed beyond recognition by the damaging deal done by David
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >“Fumbles” Rehr on behalf of the NAB with the RIAA.<b style=""> </b>They ate Fumbles for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And they handed terrestrial radio the tab.
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >But let's not worry.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Now we have <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Smith">Gordon Smith</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} h1 {mso-style-link:"Heading 1 Char"; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; mso-outline-level:1; font-size:24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-hansi-font-family:Times;} span.Heading1Char {mso-style-name:"Heading 1 Char"; mso-style-locked:yes; mso-style-link:"Heading 1"; mso-ansi-font-size:24.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Times; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-hansi-font-family:Times; mso-font-kerning:18.0pt; font-weight:bold; mso-bidi-font-weight:normal;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> </p><h1 style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" >If the taxaholics at the RIAA get their way, they’ll tack on a performance fee for music broadcast on traditional AM and FM, too, which will lead to a whole lot of new news and talk formats.<o:p></o:p></span></h1> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <!--EndFragment--> <p></p><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <!--EndFragment--> <span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <!--EndFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >Back to Triton.<span style=""> </span>If I’m reading this deal the wrong way, I’d like to know – but I don’t think I am.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" >----</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">More 1979 interviews from Radio Music Report</span></a>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com72tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-51569814872060036832009-09-24T19:33:00.011-04:002009-09-25T17:05:34.727-04:00Radio: What was the NAB's Gordon Smith thinking?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrwFWXu73oI/AAAAAAAADe0/OPq3MZs8T2s/s1600-h/6a00d8341c2c3f53ef00e54f35ab748833-640wi.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrwFWXu73oI/AAAAAAAADe0/OPq3MZs8T2s/s200/6a00d8341c2c3f53ef00e54f35ab748833-640wi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385185136314408578" border="0" /></a>
<br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Were you wondering what the new National Association of Broadcasters President and CEO was thinking while delivering his speech at the NAB Radio Show this past week?
<br /></span>
<br /><meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} p {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Gordon Smith:</span> It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you as the incoming president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(<span style="font-style: italic;">Thinking:</span> Hmmm…maybe I shouldn’t have jumped at </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">the first </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">offer.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">I’ve been fortunate to meet with many of you and learn more about the challenges you face, and the opportunities that lie before you in this digital age.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(What did I get myself into? ‘Challenges? “Opportunities?’ Who wrote this piece of high school crap?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">It’s both an exciting and a challenging time for the broadcasting business, and I plan on hitting the ground running
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">as your president and CEO to ensure your voices continue to be heard back in Washington, D.C.
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Did I really just say “hit the ground running?” That’s rule number one in </span><i style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Speechwriting for Dummies. </i><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Don't use old </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">clichés </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">from <span style="font-style: italic;">Mad Men</span> scripts.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrwEoxMQvDI/AAAAAAAADek/4FUds9i0_mQ/s1600-h/smith-gordon-on-left.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 170px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrwEoxMQvDI/AAAAAAAADek/4FUds9i0_mQ/s200/smith-gordon-on-left.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385184352874314802" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">As a member of the Senate, I worked across party lines to get legislation passed.</span>
<br /></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(I just wanted to be on the </span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">side that’s winning. What's wrong with that?)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Now, my politics are the interests of the National Association of </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Broadcasters, which </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">translates into serving radio and television broadcasters and the American people.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(What do I do now?<span style=""> </span>I'm get paid by the people who are on the side that’s losing.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Having served on the Senate Commerce Committee, I’m familiar with the issues that </span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">impact America's local broadcasters.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(Whew! Glad I caught myself.<span style=""> </span>I almost said 'America’s local bankers.<span style="">' </span>They don’t own the groups yet.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">I am also keenly aware of, and amazed by, the public service that you provide to your communities each and every day. In towns bi</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">g and</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> small, broadcasters provide their communities with national and local news, deliver information</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">al p</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">rogramm</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">ing, report vital emergency information and offer unparalleled entertainment choices.</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(Yep. No doubt about it.<span style=""> </span>I’m back in Washington all right.<span style=""> </span>I'm back to lying through my teet</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">h again.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style=""> </span>You are the glu</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">e t</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzAC0dx2MI/AAAAAAAADe8/ryvibxYMkbw/s1600-h/400px-GordonSmith.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzAC0dx2MI/AAAAAAAADe8/ryvibxYMkbw/s200/400px-GordonSmith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385390409104087234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;">hat connects your friends, family and neighbors to each other.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Glue? Ewwww…another <span style="font-style: italic;">Mad Men</span> cliché?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">As broadcasters, you take seriously your responsibility</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> to be a fundamental resource for your local communities and your commitment to providing public service. That is an awesome responsibility.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(I guess this job c</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">alls for a lot of lying….er...exaggeration.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">To call oneself a broadcaster, is truly answering to a higher calling.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Who writes this stuff? Religious zealots?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzAaNoMwII/AAAAAAAADfE/2uMJfy0pVBo/s1600-h/SenGordonSmithRORatpodiu.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzAaNoMwII/AAAAAAAADfE/2uMJfy0pVBo/s200/SenGordonSmithRORatpodiu.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385390810995671170" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">It’s knowing you’ve been entrusted with the public’s airwaves, and recognizing that what you report and</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> air impacts the lives of your viewers. You serve your communities in remarkable ways, improving the quality of life and fostering the
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">principles of localism.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(Localism?<span style=""> </span>The traffic reports I hear on radio report on accidents oc</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">curing at intersections that don’t exist!)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">And it’s going to be my job to make sure policymaker</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">s and the rest of America understand the many ways broadcasters give back to their communities.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Now, I get the joke about ‘What’s the difference between the NAB and the Liar’s Club?’ ‘Absolutely nothing.’)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">America’s loc</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">al radio and television stations are integral parts of the towns and cities they serve.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(I have to make a note and ask why they never pronounce the names of the suburbs correctly. Is this that newfangled voice-tracking thing I hear those radio guys whispering about?)</span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">
<br />Broadcasters’ contributions to their local communities are diverse, en</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">ormously valuable and make a major impact on towns and cities all across the country-in large part because each individual station has the latitude to serve their audience’s unique and specific needs.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Yeah, ask five Cumulus m</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzCuJWFFNI/AAAAAAAADfM/QZc-J5GQLW4/s1600-h/gordon.smith.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzCuJWFFNI/AAAAAAAADfM/QZc-J5GQLW4/s200/gordon.smith.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385393352466568402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">anagers if they even know the name of the mayor in their city of license. Cumulus? Or was it Citadel</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">? Or Clear Channel? CBS? It was one of those C companies. Maybe more than one? Maybe all of them?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">But many of the legal and regula</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">tory challenges broadcasters face in Washington, D.C., such as the performance tax and the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act – or SHVERA – can affect your ability to support your communities and innovate to meet the demands of today’s rapidly changing media landscape.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Make note to speechwriter. This is a radio convention, not a TV convention. These guys never even heard of SHVERA. Is that how you pronounce it?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">As Charles mentioned earlier, you have a dedicated team of professionals working to ensure you are represented in Washington, D.C.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(I feel like Pinocchio. I want to touch my nose.)</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzEw0Tg4wI/AAAAAAAADfU/OrL3q0jFMwU/s1600-h/small_GordonSmith.JPG.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzEw0Tg4wI/AAAAAAAADfU/OrL3q0jFMwU/s200/small_GordonSmith.JPG.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385395597381526274" border="0" /></a></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">And I can not wait to join them. But as a former senator I know, that it is the commitment from assoc</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">iatio</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">n </span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">members – the grassr</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">oots strength of NAB – that makes an incredible difference. You must continue to come together to fight for the future of broadcasting.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(If you have to remind some</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">one they have a future do they really have one?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">I want to commit to you, that you also have a new president and CEO who is dedicated to advocating on behalf of all broadcasters and focused on providing the best service
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">possible to our members.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(From what they told me about this Fumbles guy – I know not to write ten ten-page letters a day and carry around a can of Tab.<span style=""> </span>Beyond that….what am I doing here?<span style=""> </span>Maybe the frozen food business wasn't all that bad after all?)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style=""> </span>Too often in Washington, D.C., we’re defined by labels.<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>The label I want to be defined by now is chief advocate for America’s broadcasters.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(That’s what I get for not pre-reading this speech – even though the tw</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">enty-four people that prepared it assured me it was okay. Did I just say we shouldn’t be defined by labels followed by me asking to be defined by one? Make note….got to hire some new speechwriters.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">The issues that we face are many, and I know that there are challenges ahead.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(This is déjà vu. </span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzFPDpL5YI/AAAAAAAADfc/QnQtf-BV04w/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 147px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzFPDpL5YI/AAAAAAAADfc/QnQtf-BV04w/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385396116895032706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I used that same line when I took over the family frozen food business. People, please, I need some new clichés.)</span></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">But with input from our leadership and our members, we will focus on growing our strengths, improving our weaknesses and always serving as the premier advocate for America’s radio and television stations.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Make note to destroy all copies of <span style="font-style: italic;">Speechwriting for Dummies</span>.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">One of our great strengths is the value that we provide as free, over-the-air broadcasting. And we must continue to drive the rollout of innovative platforms to de</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">liver your content and demonstrate the great possibilities of radio and television.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">(I guess that means I have to cancel my Sirius subscription.<span style=""> </span>I hate doing that. It’ll take forever. They just don't take 'no' for an answer.)</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Charles spoke about the Radio Heard Here campaign and building a strong future for radio by embracing new
<br /></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">technologies. A</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;">nd we’re moving forward with these many initiatives like FM capable cell phones, HD Radio and Internet streaming.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzG3qovpAI/AAAAAAAADfs/atCab7zPNYc/s1600-h/2441649096_41fdc27a3d.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzG3qovpAI/AAAAAAAADfs/atCab7zPNYc/s200/2441649096_41fdc27a3d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385397914068558850" border="0" /></a></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Did I really just say that? I’ve seen some bad campaigns in my life. Like my last Senatorial one. But this?)
<br /></span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">These are all very exciting opportunities and it’s really encouraging to see radio come together and innovate in this digital age. And while I know this is a radio crowd, there is also much to look forward to with the advent of digital television. There are many doors opening for television broadcasters with the acceleration and development of mobile digital products and services. It's
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">amazing to think we will be able to watch live TV anywhere we are. Mobile digital television will transform the way we watch television.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Advances in technology are giving broadcasters opportunities to find better, more innovative ways to deliver the high-quality content and services that local communities expect and deserve. The ability of broadcasters to operate in a marketplace free of unnecessary regulation will only help to accelerate the development of new broadcast technologies.
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">You will be hearing more from me about these issues in the months ahead, so stay tuned.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Okay, someone’s not paying attention. I specifically told these NAB idiots to cut the TV lines. These radio people don’t get it. I’m talking rubes…not tubes.)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">It is exciting to see that broadcasters have their eyes on the future, and there are strong plans today to build a stronger tomorrow. I know that many of you are trying hard to survive in this challenging economy. I know it hasn’t been easy. But even in these difficult times, you are still there for your communities – always there to assist and provide a lifeline during times of crisis.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">That is something you should all be proud of. And that’s one of the many reasons I’m proud to be here standing among you today.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Damn. This is another line I used when I took over the family frozen food business. At least there I could hire immigrants and keep t</span></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">hem part-time. Well, maybe radio could do the same thing? Make note - are there any laws against U.S. stations getting voice trackers from Bangalore?)</span></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">This is a strong industry</span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> with a bright future. And I am very excited to be a part of it. It is not only an honor to stand here among you – it is also an inspiration. Thank you for having me here today. I look forward to serving as your president and CEO and can’t wait to get started.</span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">
<br /><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzGL8zTZYI/AAAAAAAADfk/K06z8i8ILxI/s1600-h/PACconf08_217.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 88px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrzGL8zTZYI/AAAAAAAADfk/K06z8i8ILxI/s200/PACconf08_217.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385397163030439298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">(Make another note….please call 'headhunter' back. I made a terrible, terrible mistake.)</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <!--EndFragment-->
<br />John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-32093218707683321472009-09-23T17:11:00.025-04:002009-09-24T15:10:20.965-04:00Radio: The NAB Radio Show - Philadelphia Fiefdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqUSx5xi9I/AAAAAAAADc0/3UKn47XqOxI/s1600-h/1_PhiladelphiaSkylin-B_KriG.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 68px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqUSx5xi9I/AAAAAAAADc0/3UKn47XqOxI/s200/1_PhiladelphiaSkylin-B_KriG.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384779354829065170" border="0" /></a><br />Radio gets no respect.<br /><br />Even in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia">City of Brotherly Love</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqUqjjpIeI/AAAAAAAADc8/2TlyB6M7MOo/s1600-h/inquirer_logo_big.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 94px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqUqjjpIeI/AAAAAAAADc8/2TlyB6M7MOo/s200/inquirer_logo_big.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384779763295003106" border="0" /></a>NAB Radio Show conventioneers woke up this morning to an article in the <a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090923_Radio_should_pay_those_who_make_it_rich.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Philadelphia Inquirer </span>that reads <span style="font-weight: bold;">Radio should pay those who m</span></a><a href="http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090923_Radio_should_pay_those_who_make_it_rich.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">ake it rich.</span></a><br /><br />The answer to the question is “yes.”<br /><br />The question – Di<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqVbkxI85I/AAAAAAAADdM/8BDaqIfWp6g/s1600-h/Radio09_hdr_logo.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 77px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqVbkxI85I/AAAAAAAADdM/8BDaqIfWp6g/s200/Radio09_hdr_logo.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384780605433639826" border="0" /></a>d the <a href="http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home">National Association of Broadcasters</a> fail to do advance p.r. with the local media for the <a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">NAB Radio Show</a>?<br /><br />The answer to the question is “yes.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqVqsY5nyI/AAAAAAAADdU/SLKBfclKXjs/s1600-h/RIAA.bmp"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 106px; height: 109px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqVqsY5nyI/AAAAAAAADdU/SLKBfclKXjs/s200/RIAA.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384780865177493282" border="0" /></a>The question - Did the <a href="http://www.riaa.com/">Record Industry Association of America</a> not forget?<br /><br />The RIAA kept it live and local by merely inciting a small local indie music production company, <a href="http://www.philerzy.com/">Philerzy</a>, to compose a prudently timed and positioned op/ed piece on the evils of the radio industry.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqY1bcMVJI/AAAAAAAADdc/_9URZDqSWOo/s1600-h/radioconn_phil_2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 143px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqY1bcMVJI/AAAAAAAADdc/_9URZDqSWOo/s200/radioconn_phil_2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384784348141343890" border="0" /></a>How many <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_radio_stations_in_Pennsylvania">radio groups own stations in the Philadelphia market?</a> Not a single one thought of commissioning their promotion and marketing department to work the local media and promote the NAB Radio Show as a constructive event?<br /><br />The NAB has been planning its Radio Show convention in Philadelphia for – <span style="font-style: italic;">what? </span>- over a year now? You’d expect the NAB would've spent a few bucks for some upbeat advance p.r. on their event.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqeFDrBmGI/AAAAAAAADdk/L7-cxh7srzs/s1600-h/RADIO+HEARD+HERE+FORMATS.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrqeFDrBmGI/AAAAAAAADdk/L7-cxh7srzs/s200/RADIO+HEARD+HERE+FORMATS.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384790114197149794" border="0" /></a>After all, it squanders millions with the <a href="http://www.rab.com/">Radio Advertising Bureau</a> on its worthless, pointless, no results <a href="http://www.radioheardhere.com/">"Radio Heard Here"</a> promotion while continuing to hype the dead-on-arrival <a href="http://www.hdradioalliance.com/">HD Radio swindle</a>.<br /><br />That’s okay. The NAB Gang of Four will blame the p.r. bumble on <a href="http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=5136">Fumbles</a>. Chalk it off as just another one that David Rehr let fall through the cracks during his brief reign as NAB <span style="font-style: italic;">C</span><span style="font-style: italic;">apo di tutti capi</span>.<br /><br />Amazing. Yes, it’s going to be that kind of week.<br /><br />The NAB should've hired <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judy_Collins">Judy Collins</a> to sing <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5yG1Dy5b4A">"Send in the Clowns."</a><br /><br />So the official meeting mode is one of guarded optimism. We keep hearing the economy’s already hit bottom and now we’re slowly and cautiously rebounding. Radio stocks are slowly uptrending. Billing should be back to normal any day now,<span style="font-style: italic;"> right? R-r-r-r-r-r-right.</span><br /><br />Now, rep<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Srqewdfp78I/AAAAAAAADds/WcTQTLPAf48/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 103px; height: 128px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Srqewdfp78I/AAAAAAAADds/WcTQTLPAf48/s200/3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384790859863158722" border="0" /></a>eat after me. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman"> Farid</a> and <a href="http://www.citadelbroadcasting.com/">Citadel</a> are an exception, not a rule; Farid and Citadel are an exception, not a rule. Got it? Good. Keep saying it until you believe it.<br /><br />Another one. If you’re reminded that radio listening, sales, and stock prices went to hell long before the economy tanked, just keep repeating the word bellwether – as in that’s what the radio industry is to the economy.<br /><br />Yes, I hate to say it. Radio continues to mire in denial.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Srqe-le9seI/AAAAAAAADd0/akD2f-BW3hc/s1600-h/DS_Logo_Tag_RGB_300_Layers.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 33px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Srqe-le9seI/AAAAAAAADd0/akD2f-BW3hc/s200/DS_Logo_Tag_RGB_300_Layers.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384791102525911522" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.dicksteinshapiro.com/">Dickstein Shapiro</a> proclaims that radio is still profitable <span style="font-size:78%;">(But, </span><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">shhhhhhhhh! </span>Only if its many debt issues can be resolved)</span> so we’re as good as being <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXaZmY52gHM">back in black</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.entercom.com/">Entercom</a> CEO <a href="http://www.entercom.com/newsPage.php?id=78">David Field</a> even mentioned a potential for radio revenues to hit double digits next year. With ham like that you’d expect a side of eggs.<br /><br />I’m not exactly sure wh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrNoyEakcI/AAAAAAAADd8/7108KgaPx1Q/s1600-h/unemployment+line.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 115px; height: 76px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrNoyEakcI/AAAAAAAADd8/7108KgaPx1Q/s200/unemployment+line.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384842404993601986" border="0" /></a>at radio plans to sell or to whom. The last time I checked one <a href="http://www.mybudget360.com/24700000-unemployed-or-underemployed-americans-job-losses-accelerate-with-6-million-unemployed-over-last-year-real-unemployment-rate-now-at-158-percent/">out of six U.S. consumers, who make up 70 percent of our economy, are either unemployed or underemployed</a> or have taken have taken pay cuts.<br /><br />The free spending days are over. Consumers are trying to save whatever they can. The average home is now worth a third less than two years ago.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrO3XWVsaI/AAAAAAAADeE/J7HvQIUdIEg/s1600-h/cash_for_clunkers_ap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrO3XWVsaI/AAAAAAAADeE/J7HvQIUdIEg/s200/cash_for_clunkers_ap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384843755030688162" border="0" /></a>The only consumer upticks we’ve seen came from government induced <a href="http://www.cashforclunkersfacts.com/">“cash for clunkers”</a> and tax credits for environmental home improvements. Put another way – the only money that circulating in our economy right now is government money. You say housing is up slightly? It better be considering we’ve propped up <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fannie_Mae">Fannie</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mac">Freddie</a>. You say the financial sector is showing growth? It better be. We’ve propped up the banks, too.<br /><br />You're kidding yourself if you don't believe the banking system is still fragile. We still haven't seen bottom with commercial real estate yet. Those deals were bundled and packaged together like the subprimes and sold off to investors a few years back, too.<br /><br />There are some realities radio just fails to recognize. What if we go through another double-dip recession, for example? Just asking. Have an answer?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrQWwsUYkI/AAAAAAAADeM/eLebP2NVrZw/s1600-h/51vG7IcN5gL._SL500_AA240_.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 137px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrQWwsUYkI/AAAAAAAADeM/eLebP2NVrZw/s200/51vG7IcN5gL._SL500_AA240_.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384845393921335874" border="0" /></a>Here's the facts, kids. Some radio groups will be history. Consider this NAB Radio Show their last hurrah. <span style=";font-family:Times;font-size:10pt;color:blue;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <!--EndFragment--><br /><br />Look at Farid. He’s about to have his suit cleaned with him in it.<br /><br />How many other stations will get dumped by owners due to heavy debt, tight credit, and falling values?<br /><br />Some radio CEOs are so long in the face that they look like hound dogs. When the valuations really hit the skids they’ll be the hounds of silence.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrRDueQssI/AAAAAAAADeU/PJUTPj4zTcw/s1600-h/art.morgue.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 166px; height: 125px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrrRDueQssI/AAAAAAAADeU/PJUTPj4zTcw/s200/art.morgue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384846166419616450" border="0" /></a>I think we'd be better off if the NAB set up a makeshift morgue in one of the ballrooms. It’s better to get the body count done before credit begins to flow. It’ll provide opportunity for new groups and those former broadcasters who’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the moment when the adults will take away stations from the children who’ve broken them.<br />----<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com"><span style="font-size:78%;">Brian Chalmers tribute announced</span></a><br /></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-73081553596757426312009-09-19T15:27:00.029-04:002009-09-20T19:15:05.347-04:00Radio: Mr. Smith goes back to Washington<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU7dYhL6cI/AAAAAAAADbc/CGkOpnPTbPs/s1600-h/68e4b386-ca74-4658-b6c5-0fac3ab33027.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 90px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU7dYhL6cI/AAAAAAAADbc/CGkOpnPTbPs/s200/68e4b386-ca74-4658-b6c5-0fac3ab33027.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383274305575184834" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link style="font-family: lucida grande;" rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Times; panose-1:2 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} p {margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Times; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Times; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Damn it.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.prpd.org/topmenu/home.aspx">The 22<sup>nd</sup> annual Public Radio Programmers Convention</a> had just wrapped up.<span style=""> </span>It was an encouraging, energetic convention full with creative people and innovative ideas and concepts.<span style=""> </span>The one distinct difference between <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_broadcasting">commercial radio</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_radio">public radio</a> is that the </span><span style="font-size:85%;">latter doesn’t play the victim.<span style=""> </span>Nor do they have to be convinced that the future of radio is localism coupled with rights to every viable broadcasting platform. They fully recogniz</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e that their ne</span><span style="font-size:85%;">w market is on line.<span style=""> </span>I was about t</span><span style="font-size:85%;">o write something about the convention and its many creative partici</span><span style="font-size:85%;">pa</span><span style="font-size:85%;">nts when I got the news.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU8P_Qv6TI/AAAAAAAADbk/sXre83jreKk/s1600-h/Official+NAB+Radio+Show+2009+logo+268x118.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 101px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU8P_Qv6TI/AAAAAAAADbk/sXre83jreKk/s200/Official+NAB+Radio+Show+2009+logo+268x118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383275174968682802" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I’d also written up another piece congratulating the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Association_of_Broadcasters">National Association of Broadcasters</a> for not trying to jump the gun and sign, seal and deliver a new President and CEO in time for the <a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">NAB Radio Sho</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.nabradioshow.com/">w in Philadelphia</a> this week.<span style=""> </span>That move, I </span><span style="font-size:85%;">wrote, would’ve harkened back to the years when do-or-di</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e mergers would be hastily wrapped up to meet the</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> NA</span><span style="font-size:85%;">B convention deadline.<span style=""> </span>Remember the years when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Karmazin">Karmazin</a>, <a href="http://www.scottkginsburg.com/">Ginsburg</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Randy_Michaels">Michaels</a>, and others who are no longer part of the terrestrial radio cartel would strut through the halls of the NAB basking in the glory of their latest radio mega-merger?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The NAB has been without an official leader since <a href="http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/231590-David_Rehr_Resigns_As_NAB_President.php">David “Fumbles” Rehr</a> was fired last June. That was the bes</span><span style="font-size:85%;">t news from that o</span><span style="font-size:85%;">rg is years.<span style=""> </span>We got through the summer comparatively unscathed.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU808E6_nI/AAAAAAAADbs/L9ywlj5aIeg/s1600-h/jm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 144px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU808E6_nI/AAAAAAAADbs/L9ywlj5aIeg/s200/jm.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383275809768930930" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">My take was to let the NAB Gang of Four mind the store, with COO <a href="http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Releases1&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=13189">Janet McGregor</a> as acting President, while leaving it up to both the radio and television industry to decide whether</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> or </span><span style="font-size:85%;">not one organization should handle both radio and television </span><span style="font-size:85%;">– or would it be best for each to</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> have its own association.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">But, no.<span style=""> </span>When will I learn? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_Starcher">Buddy Starcher</a> was right.<span style=""> </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIXtdpQkIYY">History repeats itself.</a><span style=""> </span>First, as tragedy, second, as farce.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So who’s Fumbles’ follow-up?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU9X3aVIXI/AAAAAAAADb0/f-eoi5UlnFM/s1600-h/277563211_cdbd437d29.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 117px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU9X3aVIXI/AAAAAAAADb0/f-eoi5UlnFM/s200/277563211_cdbd437d29.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383276409811968370" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Former <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Smith">Senator Gordon H. Smith</a>, come on down.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Barring contingencies, the 57-year old former two-term Republican Senator from Oregon will officially take over Fumb</span><span style="font-size:85%;">les’ former functions on November 1<sup>st</sup>.<span style=""> </span>He’ll make a brief appearance at the NAB Radio Show this week.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">He was born in Eastern Oregon and raised in Maryland</span><span style="font-size:85%;">.<span style=""> </span>He attended <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young_University">Brigham Young University</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwestern_Law_School">Southwest University of Law</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Before he was a U.S. Senator, he served in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oregon_State_Senate">Oregon State Senate</a>, including one session, in 1995, as S</span><span style="font-size:85%;">enate President.<span style=""> </span>He was defeated for reelection last year by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Merkley">Jeff Merkley</a>, a Democrat.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Prior to entering </span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU_bMLHvII/AAAAAAAADb8/0u37wWaRJqs/s1600-h/coverstory12.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 120px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU_bMLHvII/AAAAAAAADb8/0u37wWaRJqs/s200/coverstory12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383278665948183682" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;">politics, Smith took over his family's troubled business, <a href="http://wweek.com/editorial/3444/11499/">Smith Frozen Food</a>, one of the largest distributors of its kind in the U.S. Though he turned the business around, he was hit with charges of poor working conidtions, waste water violations, employing illegal immigrants, and low pay. Only a third of his work force was full-time and receiving health insurance. When Smith entered politics, his wife Sharon took over as its President, CEO, and board chairwoman.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>
<br /></span></p><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;" >
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:85%;" ><o:p></o:p></span> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Smith served in the </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate">U.S. Senate</a> from 1996 to 2008, where his committee assignments included the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senate_Commerce_Committee">Senate Commerce Committee</a>, the panel that oversees all broadcast-related legislation.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU_8h7lVTI/AAAAAAAADcE/OuckajI8I7A/s1600-h/RIAA+logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 109px; height: 108px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrU_8h7lVTI/AAAAAAAADcE/OuckajI8I7A/s200/RIAA+logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383279238724277554" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">He’s one of the guys that the NAB used to lobby.<span style=""> </span>Now he goes from getting his butt kissed to butt k</span><span style="font-size:85%;">isser – a feat the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RIAA">Record Industry Association of America (RIAA)</a> has down to a French kiss science.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">He took the nets side o</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ver his constituents and consumers when he voted against the sale and use of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_video_recorder">DVRs</a>, like </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TiVo">TiVo</a>.<span style=""> </span>Now, he’ll have to apply reverse logic to do battle against the RIAA on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capitol_Hill,_Washington,_D.C.">Capitol Hill</a>.<span style=""> </span>The good news is that he’ll also be on the side of consumers by beating bac</span><span style="font-size:85%;">k those thieves.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Smith was considered a moderate Republican.<span style=""> </span>He supported gay rights, including the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Campaign">Human Rights Campaign</a> but flip-flopped with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Marriage_Amendment">Federal Marriage Amendment</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">One of his most radical move was as chief co-sponsor of the late <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senator_Ted_Kennedy">Senator Ted Kennedy’s</a> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_crime_laws_in_the_United_States">hate crimes bill.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Smith’s inde</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVAsiCwgHI/AAAAAAAADcU/Yq7s9G2w5M8/s1600-h/pythag1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 59px; height: 53px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVAsiCwgHI/AAAAAAAADcU/Yq7s9G2w5M8/s200/pythag1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280063388090482" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">pendent streak most likely stems from being red in a blue state. How much of his purple is politically
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">motivated versus acting on logic and opinion remains to be seen.<span style=""> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">As a member of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_Jesus_Christ_of_Latter-day_Saints">Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints</a>, this joke’s already making the rounds:<span style=""> </span>The other unemployed <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mormon">Mormon</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitt_Romney">Mitt Romney</a> must’ve turned it down.<span style=""> </span>But don’t laugh.<span style=""> </span>There’s a six degrees of Romney and radio as a founder of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_equity_firm">private equity firm</a> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bain_Capital">Bain Capital</a>, which now shares ownership of the cracked and cratered <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel</a> with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_H._Lee_Partners">Thomas H. Lee</a>, another Boston-based <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_equity_firm">p.e.f.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_equity_firm">
<br /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVBSzLlzNI/AAAAAAAADcc/kKWPbmcpRH8/s1600-h/blue-get-cape.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 102px; height: 139px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVBSzLlzNI/AAAAAAAADcc/kKWPbmcpRH8/s200/blue-get-cape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383280720823569618" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I don’t care if Smith’s religion calls for him to paint his face blue and howl at the moon to chase the devil away. My concern is that,</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> unlike his fumbling, bumbling, letter-writing
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">predecessor, he will stand up to the radio industry's Satan - The Record Industry
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Association of America (RIAA) and have enough juice on Capitol Hill to beat back those bastards and show that organization’s true colors and intentions.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">So far, the NAB has given away the store these thieves time and time again.<span style=""> </span>The best Fumbles could do was lob verbal dud grenades at the RIAA and others challenging the radio industry.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"I am honored to have been selected as NAB's new president and consider this an opportunity of a lifetime," sayeth Mr. Smith. "As radio and television stations embrace new technologies and new business opportunities, I look forward to articulating to publ</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ic policymakers the unique and positive role played by local and network broadcasters in the fabric of American society."
<br />
<br />"We conducted an exhaustive search to identify the very best individual to lead a great trade association," said NAB Gang of Four member and Joint Board Chairman <a href="http://www.coolfer.com/blog/archives/2009/03/notes_on_the_ho.php">Steve Newberry</a>. "We're convinced we have found that person in Gordon Smith. His background as a lawyer, a statesman, and as an entrepreneur — coupled with his extensive knowledge of broadcast issues from having served many years on th</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e Commerce Committee — make Gordon eminently qualified to represent the interests of free and local broadcasters in Washington."</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:100%;">We know he's a television guy. Whether he has the stuff to be radio's savior remains to be seen.</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span>
<br /></span></p><p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">True, we have</span><span style="font-size:85%;">n’t buried <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVHeuEXzzI/AAAAAAAADcs/uHfVQ8elHCA/s1600-h/010109_Nuclear_Fig1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SrVHeuEXzzI/AAAAAAAADcs/uHfVQ8elHCA/s200/010109_Nuclear_Fig1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383287522679312178" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:85%;">the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citadel</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus_Media">Cumulus</a> way of doing business deep in a cement-filled plutonium tomb yet – but we’re getting closer.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">And, no, Smith has not been briefed on Clear Channel CEO <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hogan_%28executive%29">John Hogan’s</a> been </span><span style="font-size:85%;">there, done that, and what did it really amount to in the end style of management either.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Please, whatever you do, don’t show him the RAB’s <a href="http://thebestofradio.com/">Best of Radio website</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><span style=";font-family:lucida grande;font-size:100%;" >We don’t want to discourage him before he starts his new job.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in;">----</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0.1pt 0in; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbooks.wordpress.com"><span style="font-size:78%;">The Cleveland Press covers the Buzzard in 1977</span></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-88676445579259714982009-09-14T16:36:00.016-04:002009-09-15T18:35:15.117-04:00Radio: Everything you know is still wrong!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6rv5SvmOI/AAAAAAAADak/86W-tJ4dRb0/s1600-h/200px-Absinthe-glass.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 186px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6rv5SvmOI/AAAAAAAADak/86W-tJ4dRb0/s200/200px-Absinthe-glass.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381427444075960546" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Are most of the present decision makers in the radio industry downing shots of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absinthe">Absinthe</a>?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I’m talking about the real stuff that’s laced with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thujone">thujone</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">There is no other probable explanation for their </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">recent hallucinations and psychoactive statements.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Take the announcement <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.">Apple </a>made regarding the </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">inclusion of </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">a</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">n <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_radio">FM radio</a> on their new <a href="http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_ipod/family/ipod_nano?Email_OID=642274&Email_PageName=P0008474-151854-c1&cid=CDM-US-DM-iPod-P0008474-151854&cp=151854&sr=em">iPod nano</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />While the rest of the world was fixated on seeing <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_jobs">Steve Jobs</a> live in the flesh following predictions of his imminent death, many in the radio industry could only hear him utter two letters - F <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> M.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Will this new 5th generation iPod nano erase all memory of the new <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/13/zune-hd-lands-september-15th-up-for-pre-order-today/">Microsoft Zune MP3/HD Radio player</a>?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">It already has.</span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6sqip5WQI/AAAAAAAADas/8WsBuZY-w-c/s1600-h/1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6sqip5WQI/AAAAAAAADas/8WsBuZY-w-c/s200/1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381428451611334914" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">While the new Zune HD attempted to challenge the iPod 4th generation touch, Apple’s changed the rules of war and moved on to capturing the market for those who wanted the iPod experience but</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">were unable to afford to. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">This is the new <span style="font-style: italic;">entry-level </span>iPod. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;">That FM radio isn’t there as added value. That’s reserved for the rest of the nano’s functions. The 8 GB mode</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">l retains for $149; 16 GB is $179. The new nano has a wider screen, video camera, microphone, pedometer – and yes – an FM radio. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />They really don't get it. Apple is set on capturing what’s left of the radio listening audience to sell</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> product to from its own <a href="http://www.apple.com/itunes/whats-on/">iTunes Store</a>. The nano’s FM features a “live pause” to tag music to reference and buy later. Consequently, you know it will convert users to listening to their own music instead of the radio.<br /><br />They read what's left of the radio trades at Apple. They probably know more about the <a href="http://www.arbitron.com/portable_people_meters/home.htm">Arbitron's PPM</a> than you or I do and identified a revenue stream from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contemporary_hit_radio">hit radio</a> listening tweens and teens.<br /></span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />Come on, get real. When is the last time you heard someone say, “Hey, could you turn off your iPo</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">d so we can listen to the radio?”</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />When was the last time you heard someone say, “I’d rather have a Zune?”</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6tC3SB0nI/AAAAAAAADa0/v_yv0hW6hKQ/s1600-h/6-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 118px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6tC3SB0nI/AAAAAAAADa0/v_yv0hW6hKQ/s200/6-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381428869465231986" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">I'll don my Swami hat and predict that this 5th generation iPod nano will be the most popular consumer electronics gift this Christmas shopping season – and it will bring a large number of first-time iPod users on board – including scores from lowe</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">r income families and minorities.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />For some radio execs the FM frequency on an iPod nano is worthy of a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sally_Field">Sally Field</a> moment.</span> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynQCmqvXZs"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">“You like me, right now. You like me.”</span></a> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IynQCmqvXZs"><br /></a><br />If you were under the impression that the practice of embarrassing letter-writing was tossed out with the firing of <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/05/radio-fumbles-yourrrrrr-out.html">David “Fum</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2009/05/radio-fumbles-yourrrrrr-out.html">bles” Rehr</a> as CEO of the <a href="http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home">National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)</a>, I have some bad news.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Fumbles may be long gone but <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2007/10/nabs-fumbles-stop-clock-i-want-to-get.html">his letter-writing legacy</a> lingers on. It’s now been taken over by the Fumbles stand-in, best known as the NAB <span style="font-style: italic;">Gang of Four. </span><span>They </span><a href="http://www.nab.org/xert/corpcomm/pressrel/releases/091009_NAB_Apple.pdf">wrote this embarrassing love letter to Steve Jobs</a>.<br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> </span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6ufQY8yFI/AAAAAAAADa8/nLZQIYEs054/s1600-h/158007367-S.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 143px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6ufQY8yFI/AAAAAAAADa8/nLZQIYEs054/s200/158007367-S.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381430456753113170" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">If you don’t want</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> to r</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">ead it, I'll give you the abridged version: “We like you, we really, really like you, Steve.”</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">For the record, the NAB <span style="font-style: italic;">Gang of Four</span> are <a href="http://www.nab.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Filings2&CONTENTID=11002&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm">Steve Newbury</a>, President and CEO of <a href="http://www.manta.com/company/mm3rhx6">Commonwealth Broadcasting</a> – and Chairman of the Joint Board of Directors of the NAB; <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/charles-m-warfield-jr/6/87/819">Charles Warfield</a>, President and CEO of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inner_City_Broadcasting_Corporation">ICBC Broadcast Holdings</a> and Chairman of the NAB Radio Board; <a href="http://www.oabok.org/Awards/HOF-David.htm">John David</a>, Executive VP of NAB Radio, and <a href="http://www.nab.org/Content/NavigationMenu/AboutNAB/Message_From_Preside.htm">Janet McGregor</a>, acting President and CEO of the NAB.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Did they ever hear of leaving well enough alone?<br /><br />Did they ever hear of e-mail? Come on. Steve Jobs hasn't read a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail_mail">snail-mail</a> letter in decades.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />Moving right</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6w3jV_wZI/AAAAAAAADbE/rrGCZ-BAIbg/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 154px; height: 102px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6w3jV_wZI/AAAAAAAADbE/rrGCZ-BAIbg/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381433073181114770" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> along, you’ve heard that <a href="http://www.cbsradio.com/index.html">CBS </a>plans to increase radio's promotional and marketing of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio">HD Radio</a>. In the CBS markets I’ve been in over the last few months - at least </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">one promo an hour for</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"> HD Radio has been logged on every one of their stations. If no one’s buying into HD Radio after <span style="font-style: italic;">ten</span> years and dozens of "new" campaigns – do you think that maybe – <span style="font-style: italic;">just maybe</span> - it’s <span style="font-style: italic;">never</span> going to catch on and consumers are ignoring you for good reason? To every season – churn, churn, churn.<br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6xRy3COCI/AAAAAAAADbM/IjKPt0jMNyU/s1600-h/lastfmcharts.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 163px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6xRy3COCI/AAAAAAAADbM/IjKPt0jMNyU/s200/lastfmcharts.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381433524022818850" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Now, let’s take CBS Radio’s plot to carry their acquired <a href="http://www.last.fm/">Last.Fm</a> Internet property on four of t</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">heir HD Radio channels (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WWFS">WWFS, New York</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KCBS-FM">KCBS, Los Angeles</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WXRT">WXRT, Chicago</a>; <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KITS-FM">KITS, San Francisco</a>). That’s analogous to converting a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CD">CD</a> library to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_tape">eigh</a></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8-track_tape">t-track</a>. Nor is it an exclusive feature. You can already get Last.Fm on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone">smart phones</a>. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">When will they learn? There’s <span style="font-style: italic;">planned</span> obsolescence and then there’s <span style="font-style: italic;">just plain out-of-the-box </span>obsolescence. HD radio has been the latter since its roll-out. Show me the growth? <span style="font-style: italic;">You can’t.</span></span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />Prove to me in a real – <span style="font-style: italic;">not imagined</span> - survey, that actual sales and use of HD Radio has shown growth supporting the need for the radio industry to continue supporting it. <span style="font-style: italic;"> You can’t.</span></span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />How about those HD stations that are forced to shut down because of overheating – or because a chain’s regional chief engineer is handling 35 stations in the region can’t get back into the problematical market until tomorrow, or the day after? Well, maybe that’s an exaggeration - unless you’re <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus_Media">Cumulus</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />While you’re at it, show me your electric bill since you’ve installed your HD Radio transmitter.</span> <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >You can't and you know wh</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:lucida grande;" >y. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />Groups that invested in HD Radio? Hey, we’ve all made mistakes. Granted, that was a major one. Like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curse_of_the_Bambino">the Red Sox selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Coke">New Coke</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fen-phen">Fen-phen</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisure_suit">the leisure suit</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XFL">the XFL</a>, and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic">the Titanic</a>.</span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br />But I reserve my favorite Absinthe comment for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel</a>. Lately, <a href="http://www.radioink.com/listingsEntry.asp?ID=147200&PT=industryqa">Hogan’s</a> zeros have been laying low – until last Friday when they made the stunning announcement that they would award a total of million dollars in free advertising across radio, digital, and outdoor to the top three agency winners of the annual <a href="http://www2.aaaa.org/agency/awards/Pages/default.aspx">4A’s O’ Toole Awards for creative excellence</a>. The first prize winner would get a half-mil in free advertising. Second and third place will land $300,000 and $200,000 respectively.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">Clear Channel must have a profusion of unsold inventory. </span> <span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><br /><br />I’d love to see the spe</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6yQnrHOZI/AAAAAAAADbU/uYFX0mGdW9M/s1600-h/billboard_15.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 130px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sq6yQnrHOZI/AAAAAAAADbU/uYFX0mGdW9M/s200/billboard_15.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381434603351783826" border="0" /></a></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;">cific breakdown. Are we going top of card for rate? Is this really going to be a test to determine exactly what Clear Channel does with a $500,000, a $300,000, and a $200,000 campaign? This ought to be good. Then again, maybe not.<br />----<br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Kid Leo & Jeff Kinzbach interviews from 1979</span></span></span></a><br /></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-35484386797118721012009-09-08T20:21:00.017-04:002009-09-09T07:37:02.842-04:00Radio: Stay of execution?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb4G9IZyCI/AAAAAAAADZk/pzfe2sQP20U/s1600-h/electric-chair1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb4G9IZyCI/AAAAAAAADZk/pzfe2sQP20U/s200/electric-chair1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379259603313346594" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><meta name="Title" content=""> <meta name="Keywords" content=""> <meta equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"> <meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Document"> <meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 2008"> <link style="font-family: arial;" rel="File-List" href="file://localhost/Users/gmanusa/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_filelist.xml"> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:allowpng/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:trackmoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:trackformatting/> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:drawinggridhorizontalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:drawinggridverticalspacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:displayhorizontaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:displayverticaldrawinggridevery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> <w:dontautofitconstrainedtables/> <w:dontvertalignintxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Geneva; panose-1:2 11 5 3 3 4 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Verdana; panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Cambria; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} @font-face {font-family:Georgia; panose-1:2 4 5 2 5 4 5 2 3 3; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:auto; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:3 0 0 0 1 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:Cambria; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {mso-style-noshow:yes; color:purple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Pick your own analogy.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stay_of_execution">Stay of execution</a>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persistent_vegetative_state">Persistent vegetative state</a>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Does it really make a difference?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Some of the best-known radio chains in the U.S. are the equivalent of the <a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964245,00.html">1987 Mobro inciden</a><a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,964245,00.html">t.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb5meVAQCI/AAAAAAAADZs/G84rQzoPTlo/s1600-h/Mobro.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb5meVAQCI/AAAAAAAADZs/G84rQzoPTlo/s200/Mobro.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379261244312141858" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Remember the Mobro?<span style=""> </span>It was the name of that renowned New York garbage s</span><span style="font-size:85%;">cow that was turned away by every state along the eastern seaboard and three other countries.<span style=""> </span>No one wanted their </span><span style="font-size:85%;">trash.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">We have radio chains defaulting – or close to it –but the banks don’t want to take possession.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since there’s no credit to b</span><span style="font-size:85%;">e found there are no buyers to be had – even at fire s</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ale prices – both sides are still stuck in</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> deals they can’t get out of.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb5zi_8B4I/AAAAAAAADZ0/_3yRIgNs4bA/s1600-h/abc_radio_division_logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 100px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb5zi_8B4I/AAAAAAAADZ0/_3yRIgNs4bA/s200/abc_radio_division_logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379261468904261506" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Take <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citad</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">el</a>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://www.allbusiness.com/services/motion-pictures/4476509-1.html">Disney sold their ABC Radio group</a> to them the same week </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/disney_pixar_deal/">they bought Pixar from Steve Jobs</a> in an unrelated pair of </span><span style="font-size:85%;">deals, which could be best described as out with the old and in with the new.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">ABC Radio was the country club of radio chains.<span style=""> </span>At ABC, you didn’t have to work hard.<span style=""> </span>You hardly worked.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">History will record it as <a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_June_12/ai_n27271799/">one of the worst radio deals ever concocted.</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_June_12/ai_n27271799/">
<br /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb6jjbcZyI/AAAAAAAADZ8/A7ocpVv8kHo/s1600-h/Pic_047G.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 168px; height: 163px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb6jjbcZyI/AAAAAAAADZ8/A7ocpVv8kHo/s200/Pic_047G.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379262293653350178" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You can find <a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2008/08/radio-citadel-crumbles.html">the g</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://gormanmediablog.blogspot.com/2008/08/radio-citadel-crumbles.html">ory details here.</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><span style="font-size:85%;"> Put another way – </span><span style="font-size:85%;">this one was about Disney se</span><span style="font-size:85%;">lling their real <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Mickey+Mouse">“Mickey Mouse operation.”</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Citadel renegotia</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ted its deal with creditors twice this past year and landed a waiver for its leverage requirements through the end of this year.<span style=""> </span>On August 15<sup>th</sup>, Citadel missed a $</span><span style="font-size:85%;">2 million interest </span><span style="font-size:85%;">payment on its subordinated debt.<span style=""> </span>It had previously renegotiated its deal with creditors twice over the past year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Its next payment is due next Tuesday, September 15.<span style=""> </span>The company has $27.8 million in cash and south of </span><span style="font-size:85%;">$2 billion in debt. Can you spell default?<span style=""> </span>Remember this date: January 10, 2010.<span style=""> </span>You know how time flies when you’re on the run.<span style=""> </span>Tick, tick, tick.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">The economy only adds to radio’s problems, which stem from overpaying for properties back in the immediate post-radio deregulation days when the battle cry was “buy ‘em no</span><span style="font-size:85%;">w and figure out what to do with ‘em later.”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb7aJek0_I/AAAAAAAADaE/y3WOU5RFtNU/s1600-h/radiobank2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 114px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb7aJek0_I/AAAAAAAADaE/y3WOU5RFtNU/s200/radiobank2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379263231579968498" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That U.S. media ad budgets fell by $10 billion-plus in the first six months of 2009 just added to radio’s miser</span><span style="font-size:85%;">y.<span style=""> </span><span style="font-style: italic;">The Financial Times </span><a href="http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/59069098-9732-11de-83c5-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=1">breaks it out here</a> and they didn’t even bother to mention radio. </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I spend a fair amount of time with ad people.<span style=""> </span>Radio clients – <span style="font-style: italic;">past and present</span> – noted a decrease in effectiveness over the past decade – some of it attributed to too many spots in a cluster while others feel radio listening is in a steady decline; therefore, less effective.<span style=""> </span>Eventually, the ad market will bounce bank.<span style=""> </span>When it does will radio be part of their plan?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I carry the curse of being a magnet for opinions and discussion about radio.<span style=""> </span>It’s nearly a given that when I’m introduced to others in a social setting, the conversation will tilt toward radio as in “what ever happened to…”</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">That leaves me to explain why something that’s free and so readily accessible is used by so few.
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb92BY_yNI/AAAAAAAADaM/kuwt56lACY4/s1600-h/29753_scr.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb92BY_yNI/AAAAAAAADaM/kuwt56lACY4/s200/29753_scr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379265909468678354" border="0" /></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Then there are always a couple of people in the crowd that are proud to say that their subscriptions to satellite radio are worth it.<span style=""> </span>And, these days, at least one or two people will whip out their smart phones to turn me on to their</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> favorite on-line Internet radio stations (which I thoroughly enjoy). It's the new "what's on your iPod?"
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clear_Channel_Communications">Clear Channel </a>corporate complain that they’re the lightning rod for everything that went wrong with radio, post-deregulations.<span style=""> </span>But they deserve every bolt thrown their way.<span style=""> </span>What <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowry_Mays">Lowry a</a></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowry_Mays">nd his silver spooned children</a> didn’t realize was that deregulation would lead them into a death march, forcing everyone to lower rates, lower revenue, lower payroll, have fewer employees do more and find themselves in a downward spiral where the </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">only solution to de</span><span style="font-size:85%;">ath is to keep downsizing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Last week the <span style="font-style: italic;">Wall Street Journal</span> did another throwaway piece on the state of the radio industry. Did you see the headline?<span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Radio Firms Beg Lenders for Mercy.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
<br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb-fnSw0aI/AAAAAAAADaU/gUM1vYd_y6E/s1600-h/LewThumb1.JPG.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/Sqb-fnSw0aI/AAAAAAAADaU/gUM1vYd_y6E/s200/LewThumb1.JPG.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379266624017715618" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Is that the same kind of mercy <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumulus_Media">Cumulus</a> shows its staff?<span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>Earlier this year, in the court of the Crimson King, CEO <a href="http://people.forbes.com/profile/lewis-w-dickey/24608">Lew Dickey</a> informed his managers that they’d be penalized with a 5 percent salary cut if they failed to reach their goal.<span style=""> </span>One manager in a particularly difficult market hit 99.59 percent of his second quarter</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> revenue goal – but because he fell short </span><span style="font-size:85%;">by 0.41 percent, </span><span style="font-size:85%;">he got the</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"> 5 percent slash.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Since Lew (how many times did he tell you he went to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_University">Harvard</a>?) claimed on more than one
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">occasion that he subscribes to the </span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ethic of reciprocity </span>(that’s the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule">Golden Rule</a> for those of you not worthy of his “smartest man in the room” title), don't you feel that Cumulus should be treated with the same respect the next time their troubled finances come up for review with their lenders? Do unto others, as you wold have them do unto you. <span style="font-style: italic;">Right?</span>
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=""> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-size:85%;">America’s stuck in neutral and will continue to be until credit begins flowing again – albeit cautiously. <span style=""> </span>Whatever the case, radio chains are ready to unload properties at fire sale prices but no one<span style=""> </span>- including those who have the wherewithal to reinvent the medium, are liquid enough to go on a buying spree.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Until then, we’ll have to put up with borrowers and lenders acting like a last-place baseball team with the pitchers blaming the hitters and the hitters blaming the pitchers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">You know that game some morning drive shows play – Dead or Alive?<span style=""> </span>Contestants are told the name of a celebrity and they have to guess whether they’re living or dead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SqcA_e1j_dI/AAAAAAAADac/oow6QircniY/s1600-h/tombstone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 120px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SqcA_e1j_dI/AAAAAAAADac/oow6QircniY/s200/tombstone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379269370526825938" border="0" /></a></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">I think they’ll be a new version of that game dealing with radio groups.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">
<br /></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Citadel…<span style="font-style: italic;">dead or alive?</span> What about Cumulus? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emmis_Communications">Emmis</a>? <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBS_Radio">CBS</a>?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">----</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.buzzardbook.wordpress.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;">How the Rock Hall was won</span></a>
<br /><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:10pt;" ><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-4033903152631669482009-08-31T19:23:00.007-04:002009-08-31T19:46:28.444-04:00TV's N F Hell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxduKN7C6I/AAAAAAAADZE/OWFouqKGcoQ/s1600-h/nfl-logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 181px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxduKN7C6I/AAAAAAAADZE/OWFouqKGcoQ/s200/nfl-logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376275102771645346" border="0" /></a><br />Finally. Some good news for radio.<br /><br />And it’s at the expense of local and network TV and the National Football League.<br /><br />A much larger-than-expected number of markets - San Francisco, Oakland, Detroit, San Diego, Minneapolis-St. Paul, St. Louis, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and Cincinnati most likely will not sell out all of their home stadium tickets this season.<br /><br />The Jacksonville Jaguars are likely to have their entire home season blacked out.<br /><br />The San Diego Chargers haven’t sold out any home games – and could also have most - if not all of its season off local TV.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxeJsk0xEI/AAAAAAAADZM/VaxeHJ5UuHM/s1600-h/Quarterback%2BBrett%2BFarve%2BDiscuss%2BDecision%2BRetire%2B2uuI6LTGfwql.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 99px; height: 163px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxeJsk0xEI/AAAAAAAADZM/VaxeHJ5UuHM/s200/Quarterback%2BBrett%2BFarve%2BDiscuss%2BDecision%2BRetire%2B2uuI6LTGfwql.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376275575850976322" border="0" /></a><br />You ask for the definition of desperation and I’ll give you the only reason the Vikes signed Brett Favre. They’re frantically taking a shot to goose up their anemic ticket sales.<br /><br />It worked, almost. The Vikings moved 3,000 season tickets and 10,000 single-game tickets within 24 hours of the Favre signing announcement. They still have 7,000 unsold season tickets that’ll take some creative marketing to move.<br /><br />Did anyone ever thinking of asking the Vikes why they had so many unsold tickets to begin with?<br />NFL rules call for a local market blackout of games that fail to sell out 72 hours before kickoff. No sell out, no TV, no exceptions.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxfTcbt0AI/AAAAAAAADZU/CMOQGcIO7kE/s1600-h/blackout-tv.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 135px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxfTcbt0AI/AAAAAAAADZU/CMOQGcIO7kE/s200/blackout-tv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376276842828124162" border="0" /></a>Last season, 96 percent of home games were carried locally. The previous four seasons were at 95 percent. The all-time high was 97 percent in 2006, when everyone was still partyin’ like it was 1999.<br /><br />It wasn’t always like this. Over 20 percent of home games were blacked out locally prior to that charmed decade when most were spending more money than they really had. You know, way back in 1999.<br /><br />Now, the NFL’s getting a taste of the downward spiral.<br /><br />Local CBS and FOX affiliate TV stations get an average 20+ rtg on a home team broadcast. Local spots go anywhere from $500 to $1000 per rating point. These stations stand to lose $10,000 to $20,000 per 30 second spot-depending on the market.<br /><br />But don’t shed a tear for the NFL. They pulled off a deal with the nets that guarantee each team around $125 million a year. Heads they win, tails, you lose.<br /><br />Unless you know someone who can pirate the games from a Slingbox or jerryrig the NFL on-line video feed or Direct Ticket, local radio will be the <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> place to get the play-by-play in real time in those problematic NFL markets.<br /><br />There’s another problem. How many radio stations in to-be-blacked-out markets already filled most or all of their game inventory for the season making it too late to jack-up rates?<br /><br />But at least it’s not TV.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxgbF3lS3I/AAAAAAAADZc/UjL65zfzIg8/s1600-h/SuperStock_1598R-74164.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpxgbF3lS3I/AAAAAAAADZc/UjL65zfzIg8/s200/SuperStock_1598R-74164.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376278073721572210" border="0" /></a>Face it. TV is screwed, blewed, and tattooed on this one. Even if the local games are carried, TV’s been hit with a steep decline in auto and financial spot buys. Coincidentally, those two categories are among the NFL’s largest advertisers.<br /><br />Yes, even the good days are bad.John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-61048794800601298862009-08-26T15:32:00.028-04:002009-08-27T21:11:11.262-04:00Radio: CBS Radio's thirty percent solution<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWOh4CNMPI/AAAAAAAADXs/0-AZUnT920c/s1600-h/3478704843_d9d8fb8755.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 156px; height: 156px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWOh4CNMPI/AAAAAAAADXs/0-AZUnT920c/s200/3478704843_d9d8fb8755.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374358442965020914" border="0" /></a><br />Aw, come on. Stop your whining!<br /><br />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.<br /><br />It could be worse. You could be working for <a href="http://www.cbsradio.com/stations/index.html">CBS Radio in Cleveland</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWPX30LPkI/AAAAAAAADX0/GoeH-HanKRE/s1600-h/855788703_4306b3ff3c.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 77px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWPX30LPkI/AAAAAAAADX0/GoeH-HanKRE/s200/855788703_4306b3ff3c.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374359370619108930" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />It could be worse. You could be working for CBS Radio in Cleveland.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWQqNjAJQI/AAAAAAAADX8/oskKH5xMWK4/s1600-h/53443575_131038fa40.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 94px; height: 94px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWQqNjAJQI/AAAAAAAADX8/oskKH5xMWK4/s200/53443575_131038fa40.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374360785201931522" border="0" /></a>And radio? The marrow’s already been sucked out of the bone in that industry. The pilots are automatic and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice-tracking">voice-tracking’s</a> the norm. There’s no need to endure the foul breath of those plebeians.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWRfg2ONuI/AAAAAAAADYE/H_oR5iL99sQ/s1600-h/cbs-radio.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 86px; height: 75px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWRfg2ONuI/AAAAAAAADYE/H_oR5iL99sQ/s200/cbs-radio.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374361700915885794" border="0" /></a>It could be worse. You could be working for CBS Radio in Cleveland.<br /><br />Here's the CBS Radio backstory.<br /><br />Akin to most publicly traded radio chains; it's had downsizing disasters, demotions in motion, and survivors doubling to quadrupling up on duties.<br /><br />I’m not sure if this goes for other markets but in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Cleveland">Cleveland</a> CBS Radio recently imposed a 30 percent pay cut for selected employees in a take it or leave deal.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWSiuYTfCI/AAAAAAAADYM/HClB0Aqe0oM/s1600-h/30percent_off_big.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 222px; height: 44px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWSiuYTfCI/AAAAAAAADYM/HClB0Aqe0oM/s200/30percent_off_big.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374362855599733794" border="0" /></a>You read that right. Thirty percent. That’s almost a third of one’s salary.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />I wonder how many CBS Radio employees were able to convince their bank to discount their mortgage by 30 percent?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWWhjUZT2I/AAAAAAAADYc/-Rbby57aZYM/s1600-h/deflation_cycle.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 205px; height: 225px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWWhjUZT2I/AAAAAAAADYc/-Rbby57aZYM/s200/deflation_cycle.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374367233497190242" border="0" /></a>This is what we call <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflation">deflation</a>. And in its truest form it’s deadly.<br /><br />This marks the first time since the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States">Great Depression</a> that companies are cutting jobs and existing wages simultaneously.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWXuJJoACI/AAAAAAAADYk/BDCDFYvgIcc/s1600-h/3203483798_965ce51f20.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 119px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWXuJJoACI/AAAAAAAADYk/BDCDFYvgIcc/s200/3203483798_965ce51f20.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374368549322620962" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br />And the only certainty at CBS Radio is that it’s <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> going to change.<br /><br />Though <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20090812-715556.html">CBS Radio told the <span style="font-style: italic;">Wall Street Journal</span></a> 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 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_Allowance_Rebate_System">“Cash for Clunkers”</a> 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?<br /><br />And consistency is not one of CBS Radio’s stronger points. 20 percent of its stations have changed format over the last two years.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWZ_2A_O5I/AAAAAAAADYs/-mxqfJ1rDXg/s1600-h/justin_300_250.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 159px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWZ_2A_O5I/AAAAAAAADYs/-mxqfJ1rDXg/s200/justin_300_250.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374371052447021970" border="0" /></a>Let’s read between the lines of their claim that their format flips in <a href="http://www.cbsradio.com/stations/index.html">New York, L.A., and Chicago</a> boosted revenue. The stations replaced their higher-priced full-time talent.<br /><br />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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWcPl3fl8I/AAAAAAAADY0/rf9ikJwjP94/s1600-h/3752619996_38c6b3d30e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 75px; height: 110px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWcPl3fl8I/AAAAAAAADY0/rf9ikJwjP94/s200/3752619996_38c6b3d30e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374373522013394882" border="0" /></a>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?<br /><br />Lenders aren’t lending. The only radio station buyers are those like <a href="http://oregonmediacentral.com/2009/08/first-on-omc-cbs-radio-sells-portland-station-group-to-alpha-broadcasting">Larry Wilson</a> who have the liquidity to do so with their own dough.<br /><br />Even a massive <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_sale">fire sale</a> doesn’t do much good if no one has money to buy radio in these deflationary times.<br /><br />The radio industry could learn something from <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Veeck">Bill Veeck</a>, the last owner to bring a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Cleveland_Indians_season">World Series championship</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948">1948</a> to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleveland_Indians">Cleveland Indians</a>. He said, <a href="http://onenewengland.com/content/high-cost-mediocrity">it wasn’t the high cost of talent killing the game; it was the high cost of mediocrity.</a><br /><br />The same could be said about the radio industry, post-1996.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWcxDEXuhI/AAAAAAAADY8/vYysD9Cqxes/s1600-h/cbs_radio_logo.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 63px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpWcxDEXuhI/AAAAAAAADY8/vYysD9Cqxes/s200/cbs_radio_logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374374096787716626" border="0" /></a>CBS Radio, where one manager insisted that company policy was "Don't be creative!"<br /><br />CBS. The acronym for <span style="font-weight: bold;">C</span>ut <span style="font-weight: bold;">B</span>udgets <span style="font-weight: bold;">S</span>everely.<div>-----</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://buzzardbook.wordpress.com/">Buzzard Vehicles</a></span></div>John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com160tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2639893053950014759.post-85251983518568462442009-08-24T10:13:00.011-04:002009-08-24T15:00:04.278-04:00Media: Imus - Fox Business blues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKigqOrvgI/AAAAAAAADWU/YtBoLhv3ra0/s1600-h/don_imus_freshintel-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 140px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKigqOrvgI/AAAAAAAADWU/YtBoLhv3ra0/s200/don_imus_freshintel-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373535987381812738" border="0" /></a><br />In media, like politics, the jokes write themselves.<br /><br />Did you hear the latest about <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Imus">Don Imus</a>?<br /><br />Well, first things first.<br /><br />Let me preface this with a fact.<br /><br />Yes, <a href="http://www.deadoraliveinfo.com/dead.nsf/inames-nf/Imus+Don">Don Imus is still alive</a>. No, those shows aren’t posthumous reruns that are on the few, mostly <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citadel_Broadcasting">Citadel</a> o & o's, <a href="http://www.imonthe.net/imus/nstations.htm">radio stations that carry him</a>.<br /><br />Imus just does the same old show every day. He’s talk radio’s version of blah, blah, woof, woof.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKh0qxFDrI/AAAAAAAADWM/w6iRk37oKJU/s1600-h/444991.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 157px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKh0qxFDrI/AAAAAAAADWM/w6iRk37oKJU/s200/444991.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373535231611834034" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKhnZrnX3I/AAAAAAAADWE/pZ1c3SMzLQA/s1600-h/Farid_Suleman1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 157px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKhnZrnX3I/AAAAAAAADWE/pZ1c3SMzLQA/s200/Farid_Suleman1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373535003687214962" border="0" /></a>Now no one’s saying they don’t know cheap – but if Citadel CEO <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Suleman">Farid Suleman</a> and his sidekick <a href="http://people.forbes.com/profile/judith-a-ellis/19696">Judy Ellis</a> could really <a href="http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071005231132AAxhQrP">squeeze a nickel until the buffalo choked</a>, they’d have Imus voice-track one morning show and run it for an entire week. Scratch that. You could go for a whole month.<br /><br />Believe me. His audience? No one will notice. No one will care. Is there one market where he’s even in the top ten? Who or what is his audience anyway? Does anyone know of someone who actually listens to Imus?<br /><br />Imus’ radio show is also simulcast for television – and this is the news at hand.<br /><br />The way-past-his-prime Don Imus is swapping one low-rated cable TV channel simulcast for another.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKlgnr65vI/AAAAAAAADWs/OkGPL9yMqfU/s1600-h/images.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 153px; height: 51px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKlgnr65vI/AAAAAAAADWs/OkGPL9yMqfU/s200/images.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373539285234018034" border="0" /></a>He’s leaving <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RFD-TV">Rural Free Delivery TV (RFD-TV)</a>, which bills itself as “Rural America’s most important network” for the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_Business_Network">Fox Business Network (FBN)</a>, which will now video simulcast his radio show.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKlDgKdYuI/AAAAAAAADWk/YYzPaMxrgtU/s1600-h/nan_rides_cibolo-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 87px; height: 68px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKlDgKdYuI/AAAAAAAADWk/YYzPaMxrgtU/s200/nan_rides_cibolo-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373538784998417122" border="0" /></a>RFD-TV’s programming is targeted to the U.S. farmer and cattle raiser. It carries a mix of farm news and reports and classic country music programming, comparable to the old <a href="http://tviv.org/The_Nashville_Network">Nashville Network</a> cable channel. <a href="http://www.rfdtv.com/shows/superior.asp"> They even carry a show that auctions cattle that look like Don Imus</a>.<br /><br />Its distribution is limited to the upper tier channel placement at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dish_Network">Dish Network</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirecTV">DirecTV</a> satellite systems, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mediacom">Mediacom</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_Communications">Charter Communications</a>, <a href="http://www.cabletvcoop.org/">NCTC cable cooperative</a>, and a few independent rural cable companies.<br /><br />According to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nielsen_Ratings">Nielsen</a>, RFD-TV averaged 49,000 viewers year-to-date. RFD is available to 40 million households.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKnApfl5oI/AAAAAAAADW0/e26zhmjdcGc/s1600-h/images-1.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 130px; height: 66px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKnApfl5oI/AAAAAAAADW0/e26zhmjdcGc/s200/images-1.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373540934986622594" border="0" /></a>Chances are you’ve heard of but never watched FBN. It’s is the “other business cable/satellite network,” launched by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rupert_Murdoch">Rupert Murdoch</a> in October 2007.<br /><br />The ratings-challenged channel is available to almost 50 million homes nationwide, compared to over 90 million for rival <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNBC">CNBC</a>.<br /><br />With exception to Manhattan, FBN is in the optional <a href="http://www.current.org/dtv/dtv0909cable.shtml">upper digital tier</a> of cable and satellite systems.<br /><br />Upper tier channels cost subscribers of cable and satellite TV additional fees to receive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKobeJ6x6I/AAAAAAAADW8/CLSpkDg0GE8/s1600-h/images-2.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 93px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKobeJ6x6I/AAAAAAAADW8/CLSpkDg0GE8/s200/images-2.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373542495311021986" border="0" /></a>According to June 2009 figures from Nielsen Media Research show that FBN was watched by an average of 21,000 people nationally from 5 AM to 9 PM. That’s 11 times smaller than that of CNBC’s audience in the same daypart.<br /><br />Imus is not trading the farmhouse for the penthouse. Try under the bridge.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/avp/avp.htm?clipSRC=LiveBTV">Bloomberg News</a>, the original business channel, which is also available in <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/avp/avp.htm?clipSRC=LiveBTV">real-time on line</a>, is unrated by Nielsen.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKo03hd8JI/AAAAAAAADXE/miPNFccDXBw/s1600-h/shadowcap-811211.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKo03hd8JI/AAAAAAAADXE/miPNFccDXBw/s200/shadowcap-811211.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373542931617411218" border="0" /></a>At the time of its launch, in October 2007, Fox hyped FBN as a younger, sexier, edgier business channel – or CNBC with raging hormones – designed to capture the latter’s younger, more active end of the business channel viewing demo.<br /><br />To give FBN some Wall Street cred – and at least one person that looked over 25 - Murdoch lured long-time CNBC <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Claman">"Red Fox" Liz Clayman</a> to his den.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKqzk55dgI/AAAAAAAADXU/CsRNzgy_oGA/s1600-h/burnett2-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 121px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKqzk55dgI/AAAAAAAADXU/CsRNzgy_oGA/s200/burnett2-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373545108462990850" border="0" /></a>The only stipulation was that her skirts had to be even shorter than <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fox_News_Channel">Fox News Channel's</a> <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/foxfriends/">Fox & Friends’</a> <a href="http://tvhotwomen.blogspot.com/2009/05/gretchen-carlsons-cleavage-and-leggage.html">Gretchen “the Flasher” Carlson’s</a>.<br /><br />Hoping for a cable channel cat fight, FBN pitted Liz opposite <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Bartiromo">Money Honey Maria Bartiromo</a> in the 2-5 PM afternoon drive slot. But CNBC viewers were more engrossed in their own in-house <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_and_Veronica">Betty/Veronica</a>, <a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS102769+06-Jul-2009+PRN20090706">Mary Ann/Ginger</a> assessment of Maria and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erin_Burnett">Erin Burnett</a>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKrTbaB7dI/AAAAAAAADXc/nMYbeTpt_qA/s1600-h/lcav2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKrTbaB7dI/AAAAAAAADXc/nMYbeTpt_qA/s200/lcav2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373545655669222866" border="0" /></a>Liz Claman – even calling in favors from blue-chip guests like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Buffett">Warren Buffet</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates">Bill Gates</a> – quickly became forgotten but not gone.<br /><br />Now, it appears FBN has given up on being the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV">MTV</a> or <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G4_%28TV_channel%29">G4</a> of business channels. It’s now going in the exact opposite direction by handing over morning drive to an ancient artifact whose appeal is strictly octogenarian-plus.<br /><br />What <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonehenge">Stonehenge</a> is to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Druids">Druids</a>, FBN is to <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2009/08/radio-host-don-imus-in-talks-with-fox-business-network.html">has-beens</a>.<br /><br />“We have to teach people we exist, and then convince them to find us,” sayeth <a href="http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/111057-Fox_Business_Network_s_Kevin_Magee_Hits_Back.php">Kevin Magee</a>, the executive vice president for FBN. “And then once they do those two things, they have to watch us.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKszD4U4pI/AAAAAAAADXk/rS8w0iduw1E/s1600-h/don-imus-picture_397x257.0.0.0x0.397x257.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QIV8F83YP8I/SpKszD4U4pI/AAAAAAAADXk/rS8w0iduw1E/s200/don-imus-picture_397x257.0.0.0x0.397x257.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373547298621285010" border="0" /></a>Whatever you say, Kevin. Unless you’re strictly looking for a blip in assisted living and nursing homes, your chance of Imus increasing FBN numbers is slim to none.<br /><br />There must be an addendum on all Fox News and Business contracts that reads, “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”John Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15246404080972884401noreply@blogger.com69