When I read this post last week, George, I found the spirit of the commentary to be right on the mark though a couple of ideas seemed a little "over the top."
For one, the idea that every single station needs its own GM doesn't make a lot of sense. This is not to defend the idiotic notion that one GM can run 14 stations spaced over 2 markets 60+ miles apart, or worse, that a Regional VP can also act as a GM for a group to cut costs. But a talented and focused manager certainly can effectively oversee a group of 3-6 stations - as long as that person also has great department managers in place and allows them to run those departments!
And I'm not sure I understand Jerry's idea that a max of 12 units per hour also equates to no spot break being more than 1 unit. This doesn't make sense to me. Did I misread that point?
But on the whole, his forceful statements about returning radio operation solely and totally to the locale in which a group operates; and about putting managers at each level fully in charge (and fully accountable); these concepts are so dead on and so sorely missing today. And today's standard of regionalized, homogenized, franchised operations are putting gaping holes in the radio ship.
George, since you linked to this post I'm definitely interested in your thoughts on what Jerry said.
I agree with your observations. Jerry can be a little "over the top" sometimes, but he always makes you think. I like the concept of limited spot load, but do not see a problem with clustering the commercials. As for the GM for each station, that appeals to me, though he/she must be a "selling" GM.
Over 39 years of experience serving the broadcasting industry.
Managing Director for Media Services Group (Radio and TV station brokerage, communications tower brokerage, station and tower valuations, workout asset management - trusts and receiverships, and expert testimony.
Station owner, Monticello Media in Charlottesville, VA, and MSG Radio (San Juan) with an emphasis on serving the local community with meaningful news, entertainment, information and public service. Monticello Media began operating WCYK-FM, WHTE-FM, WCHV-FM, WZGN-FM, WKAV-AM, WCHV-AM, and related digital assets in September of 2007.
Cell tower development and ownership in the southeast (USAntenna).
When I read this post last week, George, I found the spirit of the commentary to be right on the mark though a couple of ideas seemed a little "over the top."
ReplyDeleteFor one, the idea that every single station needs its own GM doesn't make a lot of sense. This is not to defend the idiotic notion that one GM can run 14 stations spaced over 2 markets 60+ miles apart, or worse, that a Regional VP can also act as a GM for a group to cut costs. But a talented and focused manager certainly can effectively oversee a group of 3-6 stations - as long as that person also has great department managers in place and allows them to run those departments!
And I'm not sure I understand Jerry's idea that a max of 12 units per hour also equates to no spot break being more than 1 unit. This doesn't make sense to me. Did I misread that point?
But on the whole, his forceful statements about returning radio operation solely and totally to the locale in which a group operates; and about putting managers at each level fully in charge (and fully accountable); these concepts are so dead on and so sorely missing today. And today's standard of regionalized, homogenized, franchised operations are putting gaping holes in the radio ship.
George, since you linked to this post I'm definitely interested in your thoughts on what Jerry said.
I agree with your observations. Jerry can be a little "over the top" sometimes, but he always makes you think. I like the concept of limited spot load, but do not see a problem with clustering the commercials. As for the GM for each station, that appeals to me, though he/she must be a "selling" GM.
ReplyDelete