December 9th, 2008 
joel These are emotional times for the media, both here in Erie and nationally. Perhaps by year end or the early part of 2009 we will have seen over 40 folks locally in our industry not longer working in media due to layoffs or buyouts.
Our thoughts and best wishes go out to those who’ve been downsized. But we also think about those that remain, and burden they must carry. Not only are dear friends no longer a daily part of their lives, but their lives have gotten more complicated and difficult as they attempt to “pick up the slack” left by their departing coworkers. Meanwhile the external pressures generated from corporate, clients, and the overall economy are constant.
For a moment however let’s look at our future. In the long run is where do all of these cuts leave us? Last month, in the wake of the great optimism generated by the Obama victory, veteran radio broadcaster Bill Figenshu wrote an open letter to the radio industry that I think applies to all traditional media.
His point is that within this downturn is the opportunity to reinvent radio; that stations continue to operate like it is ten years ago and are not adopting diverse models nor creative approaches to business that are needed to function in the new world. It’s a long quote but a good one:
Radio will not be able to begin redesigning its future until it ends the cutting. The sooner it ends, the better off you will be. There can be no creative process in the atmosphere of fear.
Never before has there been so much opportunity for radio than there is today. We have so much going for us, but in order for radio to succeed in the next decade we are going have to change the way we approach the advertisers, consumers, and potential creative talent that might NEVER CONSIDER RADIO. Why? Because we are not telling the great story we already have!
I don’t believe radio has a perception problem … I believe radio has a reality problem in addition to the perception problem! Lest we forget, there are still a few amazing facts that would be the envy of every Internet start up or large online portal.
Can you imagine a business that is already distributed to 100% of the online computers, cars, and homes throughout America?
Can you imagine a national medium that already has a local sales organization in place in every city and town in this country?
Can you imagine a technology that 100% of the consumers already know how to use? (On, off, tune!)
This is where we have the perception/reality problem.
Even Google does not have the incredible local distribution and reach that we have. So why do we have a perception problem?
Answer – We are NOT doing the basics well.
We are defending the past rather than embracing the future.
So what are our broadcasters and newspapers going to do with their very lean staffs? Will their workplaces be one of innovation and creativity, or just trying to stay out from under the pile?
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I must tell you, I do feel bad for the 3 Classy 100 djs that are left. They are all working at least 6 days per week and doing live remotes from various businesses– which of course they need to do since that keeps them on the airways and keeps a paycheck rolling in. And if one of them is sick or out on vacation, they are going to be in world of hurt without Tony J. How long can they really survive without the 4th dj on board?
In all honesty, in protest to the destructive events of our local radio stations….I maybe listen to Classy all but a 1/2 hour per wk, if even that. I have switched to Easy 101, the Canadian Station you can get in most areas of the city. Ever since I lost our beloved Froggie 94.7 and Classy is going down the drain…it’s the only radio station that’s left for us “oldies, middle of the road” folks–that are not high tech enough for the electronic gadgetry that is out there.
Let’s face it, Erie radio is now dead. Time to play “Taps” and lay all the stations to rest—and do the “Bob” thing, with pre-recorded music. Our old time favorite, fun and friendly djs are now just a memory. They knew Erie and it’s people…..they took care of us during snowstorms by updating road conditions & school closures. They were our friends that we heard in our transiter radios. It’s a sad time in Erie.
Amen
Who Will Mourn The Local Newspapers?
A page one story in Financial Times of London. They give kudos to NYTimes online and laugh at the newspaper. They also itemize the bankruptcy and disappearance of newspapers across the land all this past month.
Story here:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f9d8af36-c6ec-11dd-97a5-000077b07658.html
It ain’t just radio biting the dust.
Play taps anew, Part II.
I thought I heard them all.
“You’re fired.”
“I got a pink slip today”.
“Been downsized again”
“Who got axed?”
In Edinboro years ago, 50 professors were let go in outdated Sociology, etc., to make way for hiring in hot areas like Business. Those professors let go told me there was a “retrenchment” and they got retrenched.
Thought I heard em all, but Newsweek managed a new euphemism for “You are out of a job, scram”.
“Clear your desk!”. Not quite.
At Newsweek, we say : staff cuts, but in a rarified manner:
“The cuts are expected to be outlined in two companywide meetings on Thursday, and will come from an extension of voluntary redundancies offered in the spring, when Newsweek shed 111 jobs”
See THAT?
We now have…. an extention of voluntary redundancies.
That begs the question. How did redundancies get hired into Newsweek to begin with?
And who voluntarily says “You know, I really hate that paycheck they foist on me every week. I am gonna voluntarily leave as I am redundant”.
Media is so clever.
I’m so sorry that the posts in this forum are so very dismal. Did you guys give up already? Shame on you! I still have visions of seeing an oldies station called JET 14 return to the Boston Store (center State Street window). I still have dreams of owning JET and staffing it with Erie people. It seems to me if the “Corporate Suits” want to SELL Erie Radio, they must first EMPLOY Erie People. Belief in Erie and its FULL POTENTIAL does not come from the next new automation technology coming from god-knows-where. It comes from US, the PEOPLE OF ERIE.
If we, as ERIE PEOPLE, want to defeat the money-mongering monster created by the Corporate Suits that has crept into our Erie-area radio stations, then we must educate ourselves. I implore anyone who has even the most remote interest in the future of Erie Radio to write a letter, or send an Email to Connoiseur Media and Citadel Broadcasting voicing your discontent.
Let’s join together instead of rolling over and dying.
Also, Keep in mind, Kaleen, that Oldies music is still with us thanks to Captain Dan and WYNE AM 1530 in North East. I also listen with extreme enthusiasm to Oldies 1150, CKOC in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada just across the lake. Oldies music is available online at northeast.mercyhurst.edu/wyne and at oldies1150.com.
Interesting fact: CKOC AM 1150 in Hamilton, Ontario is the SECOND oldest radio station in Canada and has been with the Oldie format for over 20 years.
I go down to the Boston Store as often asrr I can. I go with my “torch” the torch inside me, and I stand in front of windows. I, as an Erie Radio listener, have something to say. Do the computers behind the windows care that I walk 5 miles to see them? Do they care that I have been an Erie Radio Listener for practically my whole life? Do they care that I have an extreme interest in and fascination for the product they produce, and produce quite horribly, I might add.
THEY DON’T CARE!
And sadly, like the minds of the Corporate Suits occupying offices in other cities, they never will care! I truly hope the corporate interests will eventually leave the radio profession and give it back to the PEOPLE. The PEOPLE with the brilliant, imaginative and highly creative minds. The PEOPLE with the hearts.
The PEOPLE with the strength and desire to keep things going in tough times. The PEOPLE with the vision to see the other side of the mountain. The PEOPLE who are dedicated and loyal to their product and it’s outcome. The PEOPLE!
There has to be another John Kanzius or Don Kelly amongst us, somewhere.
This is a really tough time to be working in the media world. And, David, you are correct in hoping that there are some smart, creative people out there who will come up with a new model for radio, TV, and written journalism.
None of us have it figured out yet. But some of us are trying to come up with new ways to deliver news, commentary and community.
I’m hoping that sites like this one and my site, GlobalErie, can help hash out some of these questions. I’m also hoping that we might help provide some opportunities in the future for some of the great talent in Erie.
I’d certainly welcome anyone who wants to contribute to our site to join us as we try to figure it out.
Writers, podcasters, broadcasters. All are welcome. We have the potential to take journalism in new directions. All we need are the people who have the time and talent to make it happen.
Sign Me Up!
David,
Why don’t you call the GM down at Connie Media and ask if WJET AM is for sale? I doubt it is, but it is always a good thing to try!
Looks like the FCC really screwed the pooch when they relaxed the ownership rules many moons ago!!??
The only thing that has happen since the advent of “corporate” ownership is an unrelenting drive to slash personnel, cut costs and find a way to shred the “public trust/interest” to smithereens!!!
Someone has yet to explain to me how cutting staff and services (no afternoon/evening radio news staff) is in the public’s “best interest???”
I apologize David for the negative tone of my post. I just don’t think things are going to get better anytime soon…if at all. And if you think things are bad right now in Erie Radio just wait and see what the New Year will bring for Erie’s Television stations – it won’t be pretty!
As a former broadcaster who spent the better part of 25 years gainfully employed in the industry, I nowadays realize what milkmen must of felt like when folks stopped their home deliveries.
Soon radio announcers will become the “milkmen” of our generation. Just try explaining to a young person the whole idea behind those metal milk boxes that used to be on the front porch.
Can’t remember if it was Sealtest, Sanida, or Yaples, because we got them all at one time or another.
Glass bottles in a carry case of 4 jugs of milk delivered to your door.
This time of year, the cream would freeze and rise out of the bottle.
Cream is taken out of milk nowdays. It can’t freeze and rise. It is removed at the plant and shoved into litle half pint wax boxes. Yecchh!
An open seal would draw “Tylenol scare” news too.
But the milkman had no trouble adjusting to the new world.
The MilkMan became a Millcreek supervisor.
That’s no whitewash either.
(David) I would listen to Captain Dan, but that Mercyhurst station is extremely tricky to get when driving around. On my route to work I have never been able to get that station–so I gave up with that one.
The reason for my dismal outlook on local radio is simply based on the reality of what is happening… another job loss here, another job loss there. It’s never ending. Yes, I would embrase a non-corporate owned station, but in this economy, who has the front money to start a station up? So I don’t blame the corporate hunchos trimming costs and to find alternative ways to earn money–or to at least break even—but the price we, the listeners are paying, is losing the personas who are the voice & heart of Erie.
So we can stay hopeful for better times in our media, but I am not sure if that is going to happen. Anyway, I heard tonight on NBC news that 2 Detroit newspapers are dropping their home delivery to just Thurs, Friday and Sunday editions only…stating to it’s readers, if you want the other 4 days to buy them in a machine or read the edition online. I bet more newspapers will follow.