A Demand For Radio Leadership Now

A passionate message from Eric Rhoads, Radio Ink magazine

"Abraham Lincoln did not go to Gettysburg having commissioned a poll to find out what would sell in Gettysburg. There were no people with percentages for him, cautioning him about this group or that group or what they found in exit polls a year earlier. When will we have the courage of Lincoln?"
-- Robert Coles

Where Are Radio's Leaders?

The answer lies in this quote from my friend Roy Williams:

"Leadership and management, in my experience, are virtually opposite skill sets. Management requires wisdom, patience and strength. Basically, it's parenting, bringing forward the best of the past, enforcing the status quo. Leadership requires independence, audacity, and courage. It's inherently defiant, questioning the past, challenging the status quo. True leaders require no authority. They think their own thoughts, make their own decisions, carry out their own plans. They say, 'This is what I've decided to do.' And then they do it. Others see them doing it and decide to follow. Leaders lead from the front. Managers manage from behind."

Radio has mistaken management for leadership. We have bred an industry of great managers, but how many risk-takers, how many rebels, how many people willing to challenge the status quo?

Where are the dashing swashbucklers with swords drawn, engaged in a spirited fight to conquer new lands for radio?

Radio used to be filled with Rebels. Where are they now?

How many people feel secure even suggesting something new or different, let alone taking bold action at their radio station or company?

Every ship needs a captain. Who is determining radio's strategy? Who is leading radio into uncharted territory? Who is boldly speaking out to engage the troops? Though some individual companies have bold, risk-taking captains, there appears to be a void in radio as an industry. We are being led by a committee of managers.

I just re-read Sun Tsu's Art of War. He states that the most critical component of winning a war is having soldiers who believe so strongly in a cause they are willing to lay their lives on the line and follow their leader into battle. A defeated brigade must avoid battle at all costs until they can be rested, fed, and re-energized.

Dying for radio is probably not in the cards for any of us, but we have committed our entire careers to this medium. Many of our troops are tired, in need of nourishment and encouragement. Many have been spent, worn to the bone, abused, paperworked, systemized, and made to operate under battle conditions for months or years at a time. How can radio make strides with worn soldiers?

Sadly, words I hear all too frequently are, "When will it be fun again?" And, of course, some self-assured company leader will respond with, "We're not here to have fun, we're here to make a profit."

Indeed.

But if you believe in Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, you'll understand that radio soldiers who feel they have a bigger purpose and who feel great joy and  satisfaction in their work are more likely to make a profit.

Leaders don't make decisions by committee. Leaders don't fire people who disagree. Leaders don't threaten careers if paperwork isn't done. Leaders don't await marching orders from their boards. Leaders don't fly their jets across the country for a five-minute meeting to fire someone and then argue over severance that's a fraction of the cost of the flight. Leaders don't look to find everything that is wrong with radio.

Leaders challenge the status quo and take risks. Leaders burn the bridges behind them and make an all-out commitment to change. Leaders frequently engage their troops, present grand visions, and are willing to break every rule if it means potential success in the future.

These are challenging days for radio. The outcome of decisions we face today on Capitol Hill, in the advertising community, and on many other fronts will determine whether this industry thrives or stumbles.

Are you a leader or a manager? We need both, but we need leaders at every radio station in America willing to lead and spit in the eye of conformity. We need leaders willing to risk their jobs and  willing to stand up to those who manage them, and we don't need those who wimp out and kiss up.

We need leaders in programming willing to stop the homogenization and formulaic approach to radio. Sure, it works, but I don't see Americans having a love affair with radio. You can change that. You can make them want to tune in to hear what they've missed. You can entertain and engage them. This is the mark of good programmer, not someone who is a sheep following 30 years of tired and worn science.

We need a true leader at the NAB. We cannot get behind non-industry managers who read speeches written by some novice speechwriter who has never worked in broadcasting and invents lame slogans like "We're the greatest industry in the world" for a leader who's never set foot in a radio station before getting the job. The NAB executive board needs to exhibit leadership and have the guts to hire a true leader.

NAB needs a courageous rebel willing to challenge everything, not a good soldier implementing orders. We need a leader who has spent time behind a microphone, who has attended countless radio promotions, and who has had to make a payroll and has had to call on advertisers. We need someone willing to fight to the death for free speech. Yes we need a lobbyist, too, but we can hire a great lobbyist to follow a great leader.

Everyone, it seems, is lukewarm.

Where is the passion?

Where is the emotion?

Where is the excitement?

Where is the communication?

Where is the guiding star?

I'm tired of calling for change and seeing the status quo maintained. I'm tired of launching conferences with dozens of innovative and groundbreaking speakers and seeing only a few hundred forward-thinking people show up instead of those who need it most. I'm tired of harping about the need to return to important localism, community, and entertainment values and hearing hundreds of radio stations using the same formats, the same liners, the same voices. I'm not living in the past, but I'm tired of CEOs who say, "Eric, those days are gone. You need to face the reality that radio can no longer be about entertainment."

That's like saying the movies can no longer be about entertainment.

Yet I am invigorated when I drive into a small town and hear a young, squeaky-voiced talent learning and growing live on the air. It gives me hope, it's authentic, and in my mind it's more listenable than some slick, golden-throated pro talking about "10 in a row" or "The greatest hits." That may be pretty, but it no longer stands out.

Radio needs a leader willing to stand up against all odds and make change happen. Who is Mrs. or Mr. Radio? We need to find you. We need to hire you. Our future depends on it.

Eric Rhoads

To respond, go to COMMENTS

 

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Co-Chairs Bill Stakelin and Lee Westerfield invite you to join us for Radio Ink Forecast 2010, December 8, 2009 at the Harvard Club in New York. Keynotes include former Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and presidential candidate and host of Citadel's "Huckabee Report"; Ron Insana of Compass Media Networks and CNBC; and Dan Mason, President/CEO of CBS Radio -- plus our famous radio group heads' panel and deep industry analysis. This is the industry's leading financial event, and it's followed by our reception for the "40 Most Powerful People in Radio." Attendance is limited to 200 people. To register, go to www.radioink.com/forecastsummit or call 561-655-8778.

 

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[Finn]

Information in this article make me wonder, how can man so nicefully represent such wellknown things.

[LOLA20Neal]

I propose not to wait until you get big sum of cash to order all you need! You can take the business loans or short term loan and feel free

[Tony St. James]

Guess I'm a little late to this conversation but what you're looking for is available and alive in small markets. Playlists? A few owners? Come on, get out of town for a while and find out what we're doing.

Eric, we've found ways to get hundreds of CEO's of million dollar companies to listen to our station. Tell me that's not innovative. We also have a station that can't be heard very well in a rated market, and teenagers are calling and emailing asking for us to increase the power.

If you want revolution, you want innovation, you want to see what this industry can do, get out of the cities. If you're waiting on the next great sales idea, next great promotional idea and still selling three remote broadcasts every week then you've got bigger problems.

Sure the internet holds opportunities but it's not the answer to all of our problems. So you're a radio guy professional looking to get back in: get off your tail and go invest in a small market station. Put your money where your mouth is.

What you don't have the money? Neither did we. VISA was our biggest investor for the first year. Now we have a LOCAL bank in a LOCAL community we serve that's helping us expand.

Are you really looking for change or another band-aid? Sure we need voices at the top (thanks Eric for yours), but the change begins at the small-market level. Sorry if I stepped on some toes. Either step up and be a problem-solver of go buy some cheese to go with your whine.

[Dale O'Brian]

I'll tell you where the leaders are, they've found or created another business to work in. They had to. They were driven out. Ostracized, because they had the audacity to think for themselves. In most companies, thinking for your self is a death sentence. The prevailing attitude has become, keep you head down, your mouth shut and maybe you'll get to keep your job for another ratings period or quarter. It's sad.

There was a time when a General Manager or a Program Director actually made decisions. They were hired for their expertise. They were valued for their knowledge of the market, target audience and music product. Today, most of them are merely glorified Assistants. Most of them don't want to be, but if they want to keep a paycheck coming in, they're FORCED to be. The pervasive mediocrity on much of the radio dial today would simply not have been tolerated even 5 or 6 years ago. It would have been considered bad programming. It is bad programming. What's considered by some companies to be "top of the line" programming is no more than "That was, This is" radio. And of course a 24 hour, non stop hammering of the station's website. I was once told by an "upper mid level minion" that we should consider ourselves websites that happen to own radio stations. That's the kind of thinking that's killing radio.

A generation is coming up that has only been exposed to this kind of radio. Therein lies the opportunity. Stations will be purchased. The LEADERS that have been dismissed as "troublemakers" will be hired by broadcasters who value the sound of a great radio station. These LEADERS will create that sound and that generation will hear what they've been missing. What they have been deprived of by the "managers" you speak of who have been busy pushing down bad ideas in the name of cost cutting and self preservation. I GET the business side. But there are ways of cutting cost without cutting heart out of the radio station. And the HEART is what's missing. Being outside the "bubble" of day to day radio is a real eye AND EAR opener. Endless stopsets, endless droning about trivial website offerings and ENDLESS HEARTLESSNESS. But there's a new day coming. The day the LEADERS are allowed to return.



Dale O'Brian
NEXT LEVEL ENTERTAINMENT/RETRO COUNTRY USA
WinCard Marketing
The Grandler Building
253 South Limestone
Lexington, Kentucky 40508
[email protected]
P-859.433.4933
F-859.252.2280
www.retrocountryusa.com

[Bob Walker]

You're right in some of the best radio I have heard over the past year is in rural areas untouched by Arbitron and Bean Counters

[Brian Medcalf]

What you're saying seems to be right on the money. Unfortunately, too many out of the box thinkers have been exiled by the status quo maintainers. I'm one of them. I'm currently working in a club trying to claw my way back on the air. I'm only one man and you're only one man. However, if enough of us get together and push for change, we can make something happen. The status quo WILL KILL THIS INDUSTRY!

[Joe Benson]

I apologize for the double post. An accident.

Thank you.

Joe

[Joe Benson]

As usual in a blog setting, I see the passion and emotion, the second guessing and, sorry, the "it's the playlist, stupid, and "the rich magazine publisher" comment about leadership.

I see the frustration, the anger, the bitterness too.

The support for what Eric writes is palpable and great cheerleading.

What is missing here?

That's right. Leadership.

Rancorous "breaking the rules" is a publisher's art for thought, "in a cosmos far, far away."

As one who has been on both sides of this pasture fence, I am amazed at how no one has hit the problem at its very core, here.

Not one. Not even Eric.

No one has answered a thing.

They've emotionally opined about the "what is" about Wall Street and the investment bankers, but failed to say one positive thing about the smaller markets where "life goes on" and there are some notable exceptions "to the rule."

There are successes. There are miserable failures. But so far, there isn't a guess about how to solve these problems ... and, worse, no seeing that when the economy straightens out, how things WON'T change.

The cow is out of the barn.

This won't be about zombies walking out of the bomb shelter after a horrific nuclear battle that destroys planet Earth. And all will be green again.

No, the ownership won't be going back "to the way it was." Why would they? To see it all happen again? They saw it coming, people, and still hit the wall head on.

And it can ... and will ... happen again.

It's not about playlists, or rotations, or lousy jocks talking too much. It's not about PPM or gleeful Wall Streeters throwing bad money after bad for the heck of it.

It's not about breaking the rules to get yourself fired, let alone causing more mistrust of those whose job it is to MAKE MONEY.

It's a BUSINESS, people.

Believe me, they don't want rule breakers. They want people who can collectively do the one thing that "jocks" don't want to do .... and I'm sure Eric's friends in the business will tell you (Roy Williams, for one)that's ...

TO MAKE MONEY.

Next, the novel thing to do will be this.

Get the "talent" to sell themselves.

Let them go out and hit the streets and see what's it's like to do more than push buttons and yak because "I'm a star."

No, let the talent (and there are many that do so,) realize that YOU are a business ... as is the radio station.

Not necessarily "brokered radio" ... we know what that does. That's a sellout in too many cases.

But outside the major markets, the top, oh, 50 or so ... the jocks should go with sales people ... or, just themselves ... and learn what the radio BUSINESS is all about.

It's about putting money on your table and for the Boss Man.

Pure and simple. $ell yourself.

The day of razzle dazzle pot turners or fader pushers, button poppers and intro crackin' jocks is over. Syndication, "Prime Choice" and regional "fill in" now takes care of that.

Your value, as a leader, will be to quit complaining about how it "sucks" ... and lead by example.

The next person who walks into a GM and says, "I can sell this ... because I can sell me" wins. Make a deal on the split revenues and you'll be a rich man or woman.

"But I hate to sell s**t."

My point, exactly.

When you find out what it is that people depend on to help THEIR business and how it's done, you'll understand that it's not about (sorry) you.

It's about THEM.

I'd take a group of people who I could pay a decent salary, have them be responsible for their share of providing "part" of that salary ... not just with their dulcet tones ... and bring in some results.

Do that six times a day, including all nights, incidentally.

I remember a guy at WCCO in Minneapolis (Franklin Hobbs) who made a LIVING out of splitting revenues with the station, and made a damn good living in a time no one would normally listen.

Yeah, I know ... 50,000 watts, clear channel on 8-3-0, I know ... but there's an idea in there ... and I think it will be the idea for the future.

It's how YOU do, not just how you sound.

The leaders we look for is us. And not by breaking the rules, it's about forging new and better ones.

It's how Paul Harvey often said, "I am grateful for those who put their money where my mouth is."

Talent, you see, is not just what you say, but how you profit from it.

Radio is about making money. Entertaining and informing the unwashed masses is just a part of it. Ratings don't pay bills.

Money does.

$ell yourself ... as you do to an audience. $ell yourself to the people who really make you a success.

The people who sign your checks.

Now, that's leadership.

PS - Thanks to Randy Michaels for rattling a few cages while making great sums of money over many years of, essentially, selling himself. Good to hear from you, Randy. Thanks, too, Tony Renda and others posting here.

And despite the naysayers feelings about the result of your brilliance at the hands of others, you rattled us.

[Joe Benson]

As usual in a blog setting, I see the passion and emotion, the second guessing and, sorry, the "it's the playlist, stupid, and "the rich magazine publisher" comment about leadership.

I see the frustration, the anger, the bitterness too.

The support for what Eric writes is palpable and great cheerleading.

What is missing here?

That's right. Leadership.

Rancorous "breaking the rules" is a publisher's art for thought, "in a cosmos far, far away."

As one who has been on both sides of this pasture fence, I am amazed at how no one has hit the problem at its very core, here.

Not one. Not even Eric.

No one has answered a thing.

They've emotionally opined about the "what is" about Wall Street and the investment bankers, but failed to say one positive thing about the smaller markets where "life goes on" and there are some notable exceptions "to the rule."

There are successes. There are miserable failures. But so far, there isn't a guess about how to solve these problems ... and, worse, no seeing that when the economy straightens out, how things WON'T change.

The cow is out of the barn.

This won't be about zombies walking out of the bomb shelter after a horrific nuclear battle that destroys planet Earth. And all will be green again.

No, the ownership won't be going back "to the way it was." Why would they? To see it all happen again? They saw it coming, people, and still hit the wall head on.

And it can ... and will ... happen again.

It's not about playlists, or rotations, or lousy jocks talking too much. It's not about PPM or gleeful Wall Streeters throwing bad money after bad for the heck of it.

It's not about breaking the rules to get yourself fired, let alone causing more mistrust of those whose job it is to MAKE MONEY.

It's a BUSINESS, people.

Believe me, they don't want rule breakers. They want people who can collectively do the one thing that "jocks" don't want to do .... and I'm sure Eric's friends in the business will tell you (Roy Williams, for one)that's ...

TO MAKE MONEY.

Next, the novel thing to do will be this.

Get the "talent" to sell themselves.

Let them go out and hit the streets and see what's it's like to do more than push buttons and yak because "I'm a star."

No, let the talent (and there are many that do so,) realize that YOU are a business ... as is the radio station.

Not necessarily "brokered radio" ... we know what that does. That's a sellout in too many cases.

But outside the major markets, the top, oh, 50 or so ... the jocks should go with sales people ... or, just themselves ... and learn what the radio BUSINESS is all about.

It's about putting money on your table and for the Boss Man.

Pure and simple. $ell yourself.

The day of razzle dazzle pot turners or fader pushers, button poppers and intro crackin' jocks is over. Syndication, "Prime Choice" and regional "fill in" now takes care of that.

Your value, as a leader, will be to quit complaining about how it "sucks" ... and lead by example.

The next person who walks into a GM and says, "I can sell this ... because I can sell me" wins. Make a deal on the split revenues and you'll be a rich man or woman.

"But I hate to sell s**t."

My point, exactly.

When you find out what it is that people depend on to help THEIR business and how it's done, you'll understand that it's not about (sorry) you.

It's about THEM.

I'd take a group of people who I could pay a decent salary, have them be responsible for their share of providing "part" of that salary ... not just with their dulcet tones ... and bring in some results.

Do that six times a day, including all nights, incidentally.

I remember a guy at WCCO in Minneapolis (Franklin Hobbs) who made a LIVING out of splitting revenues with the station, and made a damn good living in a time no one would normally listen.

Yeah, I know ... 50,000 watts, clear channel on 8-3-0, I know ... but there's an idea in there ... and I think it will be the idea for the future.

It's how YOU do, not just how you sound.

The leaders we look for is us. And not by breaking the rules, it's about forging new and better ones.

It's how Paul Harvey often said, "I am grateful for those who put their money where my mouth is."

Talent, you see, is not just what you say, but how you profit from it.

Radio is about making money. Entertaining and informing the unwashed masses is just a part of it. Ratings don't pay bills.

Money does.

$ell yourself ... as you do to an audience. $ell yourself to the people who really make you a success.

The people who sign your checks.

Now, that's leadership.

PS - Thanks to Randy Michaels for rattling a few cages while making great sums of money over many years of, essentially, selling himself. Good to hear from you, Mr. Michaels.

And despite the naysayers feelings about the result of your brilliance at the hands of others, you rattled us.

[Billy Cornelius]

Well said Sir..... well said.

[Skip M]

I wonder how many people in our industry read this, completely agree with what Eric says but are too afraid of losing their jobs to voice their opinion.

I wonder, if by expressing my opinions here, am I commiting professional suicide?

On my humble level, I tried. For nearly three decades I was very successful. I questioned much, not to be difficult but to try to at least understand the mandates given me. I fought for my audience and my program every day. I truly believed in the core values of what my industry was and still is to many of us.

I was fired in April.

On the day to day level, as I go about my job search, as hard as it may seem, I am encouraged. There are great radio people still out there who care deeply and passionately about this industry and are ready to be (or gladly follow) the next leader. I just hope after it all implodes that there will be enough left for them to pick up the pieces and start over.

[Nick Danger]

How interesting and sad.

Radio has been dying a self inflicted death of a thousand cuts for a very long time and it is no surprise that the business is so good at making itself irrelevant.....

A long time ago, I was saw a sign on a media buyers wall at a large agency in NYC that said, "Radio is where "C" students can make 6 figures"...radios problems are not new by any means.....

While the rest of the world and consumers have figured out that "Content is King", radio has simply run the other way into a mindless morass of cut rate vanilla formats that sound like oatmeal cooling to the listener.....

.....lets water down our product and expect people to buy more...... Welcome to the radio board rooms.....

A former senior Cap Cities radio exec was fond of saying "the fish rots from the head"......

you want to solve the problem in radio....? Start at the top.....not at the bottom

[Gene]

OK, I read everything you and everyone else had to say about radio and its current state of affairs. You all want answers.

Guess What? You are not going to get them from the current crop of owners, managers and employees of today’s radio groups.

THEY ALL NEED TO GO!

Radio has got to go to “ground” in order to change.
And Surprise, we are not even half way there yet!

There has to be major losses and group firings before any real change can happen. Radio needs REAL People with Real AUTHORITY in order to make CHANGES that will benefit the industry. Corporate suits hoping for another pay check just do not want to take risks.

RADIO ISN’T FUN

RADIO ISN’T REWARDING

RADIO IS A DEPRESSING INDUSTRY IN A TERRIBLE DEATH SPIRAL

EVERYONE IN A MAJOR GROUP HAS GOT TO GET FIRED OR LOSE EVERYTHING IN ORDER TO SEE REAL CHANGE!

WE NEED A CLEAN SLATE!

[Jim Jacobs]

I feel your pain, but I disagree with your conclusions. Perhaps we could use more writers who address solutions. We hardly need a visionary to tell us we have some hard work to do.

I heard the same noise 40 years ago when I was the squeaky voice on the radio blowing a bad joke. Then we blamed Drake Chennault and the other strict formatters of the 70’s for killing personality radio with their liner cards. Radio is not getting worse; it is changing, trying to remain viable in a world of IPods, XM/Sirius, internet radio, HD radio, etc.

The bottom line has always been the bottom line. Radio used to be a money printing press run by radio people. Sooner our later bankers were going to see the money and nest.

I am an old grumpy radio guy; I have come up through DJ'ing, Programming, Engineering, Operations and now GM of a terrific 4 station cluster in Richmond Va., owned by a young vibrant group. The people I work with don’t always love their jobs, but they always have a passion for it and work hard everyday to help us achieve the goals we need to continue. The work is not always fun, sometime it is just work. It has always been that way

I agree we are losing our local way and those stations that engage the community only for profit and the public file will have a major battle in the future because soon the only reason to listen to local radio will be because it is local.

I see the young kids going to work at the mega station groups and they love the business like I did and still do. They are smart, creative, eager and loving it.

Like you I miss the old ways. Not like today’s yakking self involved DJ’s. liner cards, Program Dictators, the crazy GM calling in the middle of the night to chew you out, going over air checks and my favorite, consultants… wait a minute that was 40 years ago, I guess you are right something’s never change.

I still love to hear a well done contest, a great voice talking about the music he loves, a commercial that works. Not so much a squeaky voice blowing a bad joke. I hear these things today. It was never all magic but it was and is still radio, just different.

[Gordon Hastings, ghhMANAGEMENT]

Eric, we discussed the “next generation concept" last December and again at the BMI dinner. I bet a good many of the new generation of folks that radio needs in the forefront are already within the industry and it is necessary to use their best ideas and blend them with others from associated professions and technologies. Put them together, give them the challenge and I think we would all be amazed at the pool of ideas and sense of direction or directions that would be forthcoming.

The wellspring of creativity lies with those under thirty who are participating with all of the new platforms. An enlightened and organized group of these users can help the industry move on to the next renaissance of radio. Radio is certainly capable of adopting new ideas and executing a new direction. The industry has done that more times than we can count. This time however, the competitive ground is changing beneath our feet on a daily basis and it is time to run very, very fast.
Tom Friedman got it right in "The World is Flat," no one has an exclusive franchise any longer. He elaborated in " Hot, Flat and Crowded" by implying we all need to change in a hurry!

[Rod Calarco]

I believe the great radio leaders of the past have gone the way of the great DJ/s of the past.

As there are no Harry Harrison's, Ron Lundy's, Dan Ingram's, Scott Muni's, Bruce Morrows, Murray The K's....coming up today, there are no dynamic GM's or GSM's being groomed.

WHY?

The answer is simple. The consolidation act of 96". The Radio Companies are being run by Wall Streeters, not the swashbuckling pirates of the past. As smart as these young bucks are, they know nothing of the history of our business, and what it takes to make a radio station run smoothly. When you continually focus on the bottom line, you never see the upper limits of what is possible.

Pushing the envelope instead of pushing the pencil makes more sense as it did in the past.

[Randy Michaels, Tribune Company]

Yes!

Private capital brought discipline and made radio a business. When the MBA’s start leading the product charge, we are in trouble.

Great stations create emotional engagement. By definition, this moves beyond logic. A lot of the decision makers in media today could attend a sold out stadium concert, observe rabid fans screaming and cheering for hours, but would still need to see research to know if anyone enjoyed the show.

Better execution of yesterday’s ideas won’t help. Vision is sorely lacking in media, and we are all poorer for it.

[Tony Renda]

Well said, Eric! Very inspiring Call to Arms. The rules must be challenged now more than ever.

However, we see the opposite of this from radio's new (equity) partners: They're unapologetically risk averse, and we shouldn't be surprised at this.

The "Mr. Radio" that you are looking for will most likely resemble "Mr. Hughes". As in Howard Hughes...Smart, gutsy, and -above all- Independent & Flush with cash.

[Bill Hopkinson]

Very well written and right on target. Unfortunately radio "leaders" are being controlled by Wall Street. As long as that is the case we(radio) are leaderless.
Retired from radio in June "07"

[Frank Zappala]

Eric:

Way to get stirred up! I have read some of the comments, some on point, many trying to make excueses, others trying to say it is out of our hands. But the simple matter is that the industry changed and evolved, and no leaders stepped up to show the way. We have been trying for years to interest broadcasters in engagments that will reinvigorate radio by helping each station or group, develop a local persona, and business plan that will leverage the new age of media to rejuvenate radio. Yet and still we stand around lamenting the predictable and unending fluctations in the transactionsl market place, instead of developing new markets available through the evolution of technology. For almost a decade, most have been waiting for someone to drop a killer app in their lap.

Let's stop doing the same old stuff expecting a different result. If you have to travel up stream and a paddle won't do it invent a motor.

If any one reading this is interested in growing revenue even in this down economy, and wants to postion themselves to bounce back big. Give us a poke, We are on linked in. It is not free, but I and my assosiates have plans that work. We can rebuild your culture and staff to flourish in the new media world. We can work together to invent and innovate around your vision, strengths, market.

[Lauren Polanski]

Mark,

I think radio station playlists are the least of radio's problems right now. There's no real issue with programmers having a pretty good idea of what songs should and shouldn't be played, charted popularity, target demographics, local ties/significances, and (if afforded) MUSIC RESEARCH. But you can't deny that the "safe-list", as you call it, will likely always benefit.

Music constantly changes, but there will always be generations of music lovers, popularity, and demands for certain songs more than others. Methods of delivery and discovery will change, but radio still gets the upper hand (well... COULD).

Now with PPM in several markets, we are seeing some changes in programming formatics. You could justify expanding the playlist. Fine. Slightly off the "safe-list" here and there... fine.

I'm mainly interested in seeing something I love so much (radio), survive and reach it's full potential for the 21st century. I know my generation can easily enjoy radio... and I hope radio is around by the time I can someday accomplish some of my dreams.

Most of us here won't disagree that "change" is needed.

But to what degree and price is this "change" going to come about? Wild, risk-taking? Struggle between leader and management?

Just the slightest changes are needed. Together, they can be made to improve a whole lot. Program directors need to stop it with the status quo... I miss it when they would heaven forbid, along with staffers, come out with creative and successful elements to their station.

I talked to a major market PD lately. It was sad when I heard that they can no longer dedicate much time to the station's style or appearance, but mostly on the business.

That's a problem. And that's why radio isn't connecting, hooking, or exciting much anymore.

Thanks for your thoughts, Mark. I enjoy the discussion.

[Mark Steele]

It comments like those from Lauren Polanski is just another example that the radio industry lost it's way long ago. Joe Benson wants a rich Magazine publisher to lead the industry, & another rails against software nerds. It's over if we don't change, the engine room is about neck deep in water. The worse thing we can do is sit by & watch the industry self-destruct. The world has passed us by why we played the hits from the "safe-list", & outside of morning drive hired talking furniture, or more recently voice-trackers. radio is either tethered into some ultra niche "ethnic" street bag, soccer mom music formats, CHR styled Country & satellite driven talk & sports. These templates were tired 20 years ago. TV didn't do Leave It to Beaver in the 70's, but we are still wallowing in this muck of dated formatic concepts.

[David B]

Marty G please send contact information to [email protected]

[David B]

Sorry for this form of communication, but Marty Greenberg where are you??? My response is the first post and I stand by it...

[Lauren Polanski]

Leadership? Fine. But a leader at every station to spit in the eye of conformity? How is that going to work out... versus management. Who wants to put their job on the line to be a rebel? The "worn soldiers" still want their job and still love the industry for what it was and can still be. The passion is there, despite the continued firings and station changes to help keep it cheap and voicetracked.

The last thing radio needs are REBELS, and careless risk-takers, if that's what your idea of a leader is.

A real leader in the radio industry works along with management. There is very little risk-taking involved. Everything is carefully devised, and well-thought-out before implemented. There is an understanding between both the leader and management on what each others' wants and goals are. "Something different" can be done, but "drastic" shouldn't happen.

By the way, to Joe: excellent comment!

[Valerie Smaldone]

Thank you for your passionate article, Eric. This is now an industry where passion no longer exists, and the same words are being mouthed by different people. As an on air talent and content provider, the frustration level of attempting innovation within this matrix is out of control. What they don't seem to understand is that not following the pack is the only way to create new pathways to business models. By continuing the same patterns, the entire indistry will continue to falter. Unfortunately, most people are just hanging on trying to keep their jobs, and survive day to day and so for them, there is no room for the big picture. The last few years leaders in the business were so busy fighting audience and revenue erosion that they couldn't see the tremendous opportunity afforded by technology and new listening habits.

[Joe Benson]

Eric,

So many of these comments are, in "actuality" (not just "reality,") more about depression, frustration, anger, disappointment, betrayal, "too little - too late", status quo,etc. etc. and etc.

They are about not only accepting the "status quo" -- but how so many have today given in to being a part of it because -- they have to.

Some of these posters lost jobs due to bad management, mismanagement, poor economic conditions, poorer economic actualities they had control over, consolidation, over regulation and much more.

And yet, here you are, spouting about not wanting to accept the "status quo" ... as you gripe about those "hundreds" of people that just continue to live in the past, don't take risks and follow the "status quo."

Some good and helpful broadcasters here...

But let's be honest, Eric.

You own a successful publication. You have a great career as an owner, a consultant, a programmer and a talent. You have a bird's eye view of the status quo landscape.

It's time to LEAD, Eric, by "doing" - not by talking. And that means ... you.

Show the industry, from your vaunted place in thousands of radio stations how to do it. 600,000 pairs of eyes are wide open, watching, and willing to be in the charge with you. They are you're online visitors, each month, you say.

Show us.

Show them.

Show that you've "Had enough and your not going to take it anymore."

Let's see how you do it.

Show us, lead the way. How does tomorrow's market leader put a deal together from venture capitalists who don't do radio anymore? Banks who laugh when you want to buy a "radio station."

Investors who are smarting from nickel a share stock from "leaders" like Citadel or other conglomerate like Clear Channel, Cumulus and more ... who "trim the fat" of their talent pool, while they remain as the kingpins of their domain. One of these groups who says, "If you work for anybody ... you're stupid."

Show us how to hire good talent and pay them well and not turn a fulltime talent into a part time rushed voicetracking gig.

Teach us how to $ell to advertisers who are saying "there are too many radio stations, too many not relevant and too many choices."

Show us how to sell to a 23-year-old-time buyer who wouldn't know Elvis Costello from Elvis Presley (never hearing either,) and who insist that 50-year-old listeners are "irrelevant" because "they don't spend money, while 75% of any market, large or small, chases with a vengence, the "soccer mom" demo or those 25-54s who don't want "new" but demand "good" out of what radio they listen to ... and that good comes from syndication, not local...usually, as the latest research indicates, from "station liner card readers," not personalities who talk about and relate to music, their communities or lifestyles. They talk about "the station."

Eric, teach us how to not use technology like automation that has, now, cost thousands of once great jobs, when now, you don't even need a building ... you can broadcast, literally, from home. You need button pushers no more.

And show us how passion, excitement and all of that "edge of the chair s**t can pay the bills, the salaries, the staffing to put on a first rate local presentation. It doesn't pay the bills, Eric. There are those who do tirelessly try today, still.

Show us how to make AM radio more than a 20% survivor, as an equal to a generation once removed from even knowing what AM radio is ... let alone was. They've never heard about it.

Teach us about what multiples are and how they equate to what owners demand for their failing properties ... still. They just don't give these things away.

Show us, Eric, how to be a "leader" and not just talk about it. A lot of people would like to know.

Show us.

Teach us.

Lead us.

No such thing as "been there done that." It's not about experience. It's about current skill sets. Many of us have lost our way.

Teach us.

As the great Ted Turner said, "Lead, Follow ... or Get The Eff Out Of My Way."

Lead on.

[Larry Jennings]

Eric is so on target! Most of my management career, when I suggested different thinking or different ways of advancing towards our strategic goals, my ideas (many of which I now see recommended in sales blogs and articles) were met with cynicism or rented enthusiasm. I could see the future years ago and now that future sits heavily on the chests of owners who are gasping for air under the weight of a recession, permanent changes in channels of distribution for consumer entertainment and technology-driven changes in audience measurement. The fun days of radio got milked to death and are forever an old school memory. When leadership was needed the most (10 years ago), it was crushed to earth by a myopic focus on quarterly forecasts and forward pacing. At the speed that digital media is moving, I am not very optimistic that radio can gain enough momentum to be more than what it is today: a tertiary medium that never lived up to its full potential. In the words of Woodrow Wilson,"If you want to make enemies, try and change something." For the sake of radio, I hope that there are a few people left who care enough to make some enemies.

[Steve Gaines]

The most serious lack of leadership is right at the top level of radio companies. And that isn't just an indictment on the big companies. Many small, private company CEOs are just as scared to step beyond the status quo.

Instead of looking for fresh ideas and bold new approaches it's just easier to keep that which you know in tact. For example, this is a time when social media provides a unique industry like radio to be more tightly connected and better positioned to truly serve, interact and LISTEN to their communities than ever before! Instead the industry direction remains spinning in the mud of "we have a website and our morning show has a Twitter account and a Facebook Fan Page."

It takes real guts to reach out beyond the fences of "what we're doing now is the best we can do in this economy". Does anyone have that? Who has a willingness to peer outside of a comfort zone and admit that much more CAN be accomplished if we dive in with totally new approaches (which often means, replacing that very consistent, loyal, yet uninspiring "manager").

There are people on the outside ready to lead the change and the charge. I know of them. But these people aren't in the "boys club" where talk keeps everything in lock-step with tradition. And no one dares get out of line.

Come on radio! And this really means people who ARE in control and able to actually make the decisions that matter, and open the door to fresh ACTUAL ideas. It's really not too late. Yet.

[John Ford]

The vast majority of radio, and good god, we all (or should) know this.. has become a passionless void and an endless warble of a 1 k tone. I know I can speak for many who got into this business because it was vibrant, connected, exciting and communal. My god, a business where you could actually meet a rock star! Holy shinola!

So where is the vibrant, connected, exciting communal buzz these days? It's the damn internet. Which is kinda' sad. Because now our 'rock stars' are a bunch of cloistered dorks writing code or telling us what they had for lunch. I shudder when I read the adds or buzz about "hire a dupral rock star" or "you can be a twitter rock star." These people aren't "rock stars," they are dorks writing code. This is what we have for "rock stars!" How depressing. A rock star is a rock star, you are a dork and a nerd my friend.

The leaders... where are they? They left. It's hard to be passionate about an industry that has become a passionless also-ran. It's damn near impossible to have passion about an industry that appears to be in its waning days. I'm not a brilliant leader, but I had my day in the sun. Worked my way up in this biz from high school, to bigger and bigger markets. Got to work with some folks with brilliant minds. Did mornings and programmed in top 10 markets. Worked as a consultant in New York. It was one hell of a ride. But it's done, over, finished, the fat lady has sung. I'm writing code, doing voice overs, writing freelance, whatever I can do to make ends meet. I can't even get a GM or a PD to respond to my calls for a part-time board-op position. The folks with the passion have had it whipped out of them. It's time to move on.

[Michael Benner]

Broadcasting in the US is a monopoly. Your comments are 25-years too late. It was during Ronald Reagan's first term that de-regulation of the broadcast industry began the deliberate consolidation of mass media ownership. Until the radio-TV trust of six owners is busted, you won't see any leadership in broadcasting whatsoever.

Check out the US Supreme Court decision AP vs the USA and the majority opinion that democracy cannot survive without the electorate being informed by a "diverse and antagonistic media."

90% of radio jobs have been permanently eliminated, and you're worried about when broadcasting will be fun again? LOL

# # #

[Eric Rhoads]

Indeed Jeff. Most innovation comes from the outside and rarely the inside.

[Jeff Hylton Simmons]

thanks for the great words... best thing I've ever seen on this message board.

I agree with 6:37pm video is not radio.

[Jeff Hylton Simmons]

The change you need will happen outside "the industry."

You will have to invite us in.

[Jerry Clifton]

I just read your article on "radio rebels" and have a few thoughts
from one who has lived and still is living the profile you are
advocating.

The problem seems to be, once the industry decides you have a
different view on things than the norm, you become that legendary guy
who WAS great, But who no one has the balls to engage again.

Each time I have quietly lead a group of people into and through a
brand new "angle" on programming and or radio marketing and or radio
research, etc etc. ,I've had to start over from a place way behind a
no name "Newbees" starting line.

It would seem to me that guys who changed the course of radio history
would have instant credibility but that is never the case.

Chuck Blore who created most of the radio marketing "fads" of the 60's
used his massive creativity to develop tv commercials for radio after
he became well known as a guy a little off center. Buzz Bennette, the
biggest innovator of the 70's is doing who knows what, out of radio.
Bill Drake, after creating the ultimate "top-40" format and owning the
industry for over 10 years never programmed again and as far as I know
was never the featured guy at any of the big burocratic confabs.

I, as a guy who has mentored many a name in the radio business, still
fight an uphill battle whenever I set off on a new project. I couldnt
get funding for a radio station ownership project, even though I have
a longer track record in the industry than any other radio person I
know of. I am not on any of the GIANT companys lists of accepted
consultants, even though I taught many of the groups "leaders" how to
do what they do. Once you get labeled as a person who STANDS OUT
rather than FITS IN. you have to be a bull-dog to continue
contributing.

The politics of the radio business are massive and controlled in most
cases by people who were never very good at radio and don't want
anybody better than them to survive and make them look bad.

I'm waiting to join your crusade to bring back the "rebel" attitude in
radio or start my own mentoring group of people who want to live and
work in an atmosphere of satisfaction generated by making a
differance. I'm interested in hearing your thoughts.

[Eric Rhoads]

As always John....excellent thoughts.
Personally I think NAB is in conflict between Radio and TV. Serves 2 masters with different needs. ONE association for radio....RAB+NAB (RABNAB?)
No one can afford two dues anyway.
I agree its time to revisit structure.

[john parikhal]

Radio's problem is not a lack of risk takers. The problem to date has been reckless risk taking - which has finally caught up with the business.

Radio's real problem is a lack of innovation - and the infrastructure necessary to move innovation from the field through the organization.

Which brings us to the NAB.

The NAB doesn't need a leader - YET.

First, the industry has to decide if the NAB is the best structure for an organization to represent it. It may no longer be relevant.

Radio may need a different structure.

After all, fewer radio people attend the annual NAB convention every year - because their head office doesn’t think it’s worth the small investment in travel and accommodation.

Let's not call for a ‘rebel’ to ‘lead’ the NAB if the NAB is no longer the best 'structure' for the radio business.

I'm not saying the NAB isn't the right structure - I'm just suggesting we keep an open mind.

In business history, we see many examples where a structure that once worked is no longer the right one.

To sort this out, the first step should be Strategic Thinking - to determine what radio needs. Does it need an NAB? Or does it need something else?

Radio needs thinking, hard questions, tough answers, and a willingness to act as an industry to fix its problems and grow.

Only after radio decides what it wants to be should you hire the right person with the right skills to do the IDENTIFIED job of running this (new?) DEFINED organization.

Call this person a leader or a manager. It will be their task to get this new 'job' done.

[lbwalker]

Nothing can advance in radio until someone on Capitol Hill has the cojones to declare the results of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 to be in violation of Federal Anti Trust laws.

Until we can wrest the ownership of local radio stations from the wealthy few, there will be no hope for the return of localism.

Your congressional representatives are home for a month now. It's time to call for a repeal of this disastrous act. If those who care about this will work together, you may be able to make a huge difference.

[Radiogurupdx]

Leadership is not being reactive but proactive. Interestingly, while we can all look at what makes our world different as a result of the digital age, we also benefit from looking at what's the same. We need to serve uniquely. People crave connection in many forms.

Radio is the only medium positioned best to meet this gap.

Are we willing to truly entertain? Are we willing to introduce out of the box talent? Are we really willing to create news progams, talks shows and music experiences that are hugely compelling and seduce people to tune in, down load and talk and twitter about their radio experience daily?

Are we willing to let go of old edifices to really serve the public and our advertisers.

Radio has a road to fiscal wellness but you can't expect blood from a turnip nor leadership from fear of failure.

[Martin Greenberg]

Perfect message...but is there anyone left to listen? The financial underpinnings of the industry exist no longer...are there any people in radio who would even understand what you've said?

[David B]

The best of the best of Leaders and Managers have been fired so that "costs" could be reduced at the expense of talent.
Wall Street no longer needs to be "served" and now, the talent, in most cases, is GONE.