You must be in radio management! The problem is, people like you AREN'T doing the best you can. I know the economy is a convenient excuse, but the reality is that management always tries to do what they can to keep money in their pockets. Unfortunately, this is at the expense of the listener, who is subject to a terribly inferior product. Clear Channel is quite often the biggest example of this, but even smaller groups like Journal are guilty as well. Cox can be lumped in with this motley crew, but I actually think they tend to put a decent product out there, with some notable exceptions (KRMG!). I try not to blame corporate bosses for the dismal failures of local management, which I think is the problem with Tulsa's Cox cluster (Joe Kelley!).
As for me, I've been out of radio for nearly 5 years now. I wasn't fired, nor was I forced out. I left voluntarily because radio stopped being fun. It became a massive hassle dealing with people who decided that saving a few bucks was more important than doing their real jobs...entertaining listeners! I've been offered the chance to return to the industry, as recently as last winter. I can't bring myself to do it, because radio has become so corporate driven.
I've never volunteered at a hospital, but I occasionally volunteer at a local nursing home. I don't walk dogs at the shelter, but I do take in shelter dogs when I decide my family needs another furry member. Am I a good person now?
Yes, You are a good person..
I'm not even close to being in management. I have been in radio 20-plus yrs. I too, agree with what most of you are saying about corporate radio. It's sad that money has become more important than product. No one is being forced to work for corporate radio.
Corporate radio just figured out how to do it faster with less...just like the rest of the world in everything else in America.
Does it suck? Yes, it does. We can sit around and gripe about it, or we can use what we have, that they can't find cheap...LIVE personality, LIVE reports when it storms, Bonding with listeners in person/facebook/twitter.
When we connect with listeners, we bring ratings. Listeners aren't stupid, they can smell fake a mile away. Either you are genuine or you are not.
I just can't stand reading about jocks cutting down other jocks on here. We all know each other, yes, we all wan't to win in ratings...but can't we show a little class and not rip each other apart so much? I have been to too many DJ funerals lately and reading of friends from other stations with heart problems and cancer. A little support for each other once in while or helpful advice would sure be a nice change...I'm just sayin....
