August 2003 RAP
August 2003 Highlights
Feature: Making Your Way Through the Corporate Maze
By Tom Richards
The mood was grim as the programming brain trust gathered in the
Philadelphia production studio, lamenting their stations acquisition by a
company known more for appliances than for broadcasting. They shook their
heads and stared at the floor, each one wondering, "even if I get to keep my
job, where does it leave me?" Finally one spoke. "They just don't get it
they're not even radio people." "Yeah," agreed another, "they're nothing
but" he paused before he spat out the word, "salespeople."
Thanks to deregulation, today's radio ownership consists of huge groups
Clear Channel and Infinity have become the Coke and Pepsi of radio. Never
have so few owned so much. So where do you fit in? How can you break through
the clutter among dozens of colleagues scattered across the country, all
doing the same thing that you do?
Interview: Brian Kelsey - JBK Productions, New York
By Jerry Vigil
Almost six years ago we interviewed Brian Kelsey when he had quickly, and
at a young age, found himself as the Creative Director at the #1 station in
the #1 market. Brian's pace hasn't let up since then. After three short
years at K-Rock, Brian was able to start his own production company, JBK
Productions, which from the start has been met with nothing but success.
This months RAP Interview gets a look at how Brian made the transition from
radio, and how he has managed to establish himself as an in-demand producer
and voice-over talent for radio, television and more.
Technology: You Do Have a Backup, Don't You?
By Steve Cunningham
What do you have stored on the hard disks of your editing workstation? If
you're like me, you have the last several projects you worked on, and
perhaps a few more that are still in progress. But is that really all that
on those drives?
What about your computers operating system? What about the audio editing
programs themselves they're on those hard disks too. So are all those free
plug-ins you found on the Web, not to mention the ones you bought and paid
for. And if those commercial plugs are copy protected, there are some little
invisible files that tell your computer that its okay to fire up those
plug-ins. You might even have a couple of months worth of email in there
someplace. Now, how much of the above can you afford to lose?
Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Where Do You Go for
Ideas When Looking to Explore New Sonic Territory?
Q It Up: This months question comes from a RAP Network
member who asks: "My Station Manager encourages me to look for different
sounds/themes/textures for our stations imaging, to look to outside
influences and media and incorporate them into our sound. Where do you go
for ideas when looking to explore new sonic territory?"
Production 212: Balancing Karma
By Dave Foxx
I'm a very lucky man for a lot of reasons. First, my wife actually agreed
to marry me, in spite of everything she knew. Second, I've been gainfully
employed, doing something I really love at the worlds best, and arguably
biggest radio station, for over 16 years. Lastly, according to my doctor, I
just hit on 10-thousand-to-one odds with surgery for cancer. (It was totally
benign.) I figure my chances of ever winning the lottery just dropped to
zero. Having said all that, I feel an absolute need to pass along at least a
small piece of my good fortune. Since this is a forum for radio production,
Ill confine my advice to that area. (Besides, I still haven't figured out
why my wife said yes.)
Feature: Change the Way You Work... One Client at a Time
By Albert Berkshire
My producer loves to say, "A lack of planning on your part does not
constitute an emergency on mine." I couldn't agree more. Last minute
creative requests are the scourge of every creative department in the radio
world. In most cases, unless your Sales Manager is willing to turn away
revenue, they'll never stop landing on your desk. But you can cut them down,
and it really isn't that hard.
Radio Hed: Your Radio Screenplay
By Jeffrey Hedquist
Many effective radio commercials are stories, or more specifically
screenplays. To tell a compelling story that pulls the listener along, try
following a proven structure to give shape to the story. Have a central
character with a clear and specific goal, where there is strong opposition
to that goal leading to a crisis and an emotionally satisfying ending.
...And Make It Real Creative:
By Trent Rentsch
Dear Powers That Be,
Recently there has been some question about my time management skills. You
may recall that the issue came up during an impromptu one-on-one Production
meeting with a certain sales rep. There are three misconceptions that came
from this meeting that I would like to clear up. One, the meeting was not
broadcast over the air; our own voices supplied the volume. Two, I do know
that the sales reps parents were married when he was born. And finally, I
not only know that I have time management issues, but I've also been
devising a plan to improve them. If you would allow me a few more
paragraphs, I would like to present two elements of this plan to you now.
The Monday Morning Memo: Timing Isn't Everything (but it
helps).
By Roy W. Williams
Are weekday mornings the best time to talk to your customer about buying
your product or service? If you sell copy machines or telephone systems or
other busy-ness products, the answer may be a resounding yes. But what about
engagement rings and oriental rugs? When would be the best time to talk to
the customer about these items?
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