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Richard Stroobant added a new comment in Don’t go away bitter, just go away!Thank you Don, Andy and Michael for not just reading the article, but also posting your comments. I really appreciate your take. Honestly, I wondered about even sending this "article/post/rant in to Jerry, or even having him publish it. (You can ask him). But like the first few lines said "I'm...
MoreThank you Don, Andy and Michael for not just reading the article, but also posting your comments. I really appreciate your take. Honestly, I wondered about even sending this "article/post/rant in to Jerry, or even having him publish it. (You can ask him). But like the first few lines said "I'm gonna ruffle a few feathers with this..."
Andy, yeah I do know the guy, and I sure didn't mean to come across like a bully. It was more of a "here we go again". I'm tired of hearing from people who refused to adapt to what radio/audio is now. OR did not see this end coming one day and prepare for it. You do bring up some GREAT points. Some I totally agree with, and some I don't. Yes, in Canada it might be very different, and yes, the jobs at each radio station are dwindling...but there are more radio stations than back in the "glory days". There are the same (or more) amount of jobs, but the jobs are different. You don't just do a morning show from 6-9am and go home. So, radio grads need to be able to write, produce, voice track, do voicer-overs, schedule music, etc...and this past year, do ALL OF IT from home. They are learning new skills like problem solving, technology challenges and equipment solutions, that the grad class from last year never had to learn. Plus, they have to participate in social media on top of everything else. And not just Facebook and Instagram, but Tik Tok, Snapchat, Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces, or Caffeine. And they are leaving schools with the talent to push aside the fossils who won't adapt/learn. Have a listen to some of the content I've posted from students in our program on "The Soundstage". My last two submission are from 1st year students, and they sound like medium market already. (Please go listen to them!) The "veterans" in larger markets who can't/won't learn these skills are being pushed aside by more qualified employees (who graduated 5 years ago and worked on those skills), and rightfully so. SOME of the vets can't do the job anymore, or won't for the same amount of money. My radio students are getting hired, year after year...well, at least the ones who are willing to go to Scrubwash, Saskatchewan for their first job. I apologize if any of the article made anyone feel ashamed for getting laid off. That was not the intent, at all. BUT, did they honestly not see it coming? Years ago? Did they not see people before them (older than them) get let go and think..."Maybe one day that'll be me?" This industry is not a lifelong profession for most people, even if it is a lifelong passion. Maybe it used to be where someone works until they are 65, but just cause someone has a great voice, doesn't mean they deserve a job.
Andy, you made a FANTASTIC point..."he's a teacher, should he not offer suggestions?" Yup, you're right. I should. And I will...next month. A follow up article is forthcoming, "What do we do now?"
Don, Michael...great points as well. It is an art form that we put "out there" to be consumed/enjoyed by our audience. Michael is right, it is personal, and maybe that's why it hurts so much. Our canvas, our stage has been taken away. BUT there are other avenues to display that creativity. Yup, podcasts are one avenue. But like Don says, how do you make money at it? There are billions of podcasts out there, and only a small percentage make enough to pay for the equipment they use to create that audio. Don, next month, I will offer some "suggestions" on what the next phase looks like for people who aren't in radio anymore. Stay tuned! (How's that for teasing the audience over the quater-hour for more ratings...LOL)Post is under moderationStream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream. -
Andy Warywoda added a new comment in Don’t go away bitter, just go away!Don, you can call me sensitive, that's fine.
But that doesn't discount that this 'article' was essentially a facebook post.
Where's the solutions?
Where's the suggestion of something else to parlay radio skills into?
Podcast
voiceover
There's 2 without really trying.
In this day in age of...MoreDon, you can call me sensitive, that's fine.
But that doesn't discount that this 'article' was essentially a facebook post.
Where's the solutions?
Where's the suggestion of something else to parlay radio skills into?
Podcast
voiceover
There's 2 without really trying.
In this day in age of spilling negativity I think an article like this does more harm than good. Instead of 'hey how about those guys who complain about being laid off? They need to get over it and realize how thankful they should be because they got to kiss the ring of radio!'
Why not: 'You got laid off and you're mad about it? That sucks but ranting on Facebook isn't going to fix anything. Here's some suggestions....'
I mean the author's a teacher/professor, right?
Isn't he supposed to provide knowledge?
Also, there's a broad stroke here (read: generalizing) about someone getting laid off because they couldn't adapt. We all know that no matter how many hats you wear (on-air, production, creative lead, podcast, social media guru, whatever) if the number next to your name on a spreadsheet is above a company's budget for the coming fiscal year: you're out.
Maybe it's as easy as this needs to be classified with the proper descripter, ie 'commentary', 'op-ed.'
Especially considering this is a publication that radio people turn to.
Does anyone edit these anyway? I'm asking because I'm not a regular reader so if 'Radio Sucks' is a regular 'ranting column,' apologies.
Mike, bravo on the 'it's just business' mention. I agree with you on that for sure but I'll take it a step further and add that it's personal because you're making decisions that affect people's lives. Not just their 'business' lives but their personal lives. As someone who was let go in October, I can tell you I've been more affected in my personal life than business life. They're intertwined, they always have been and they always will be. Anyone who ever says (when letting someone go) "It's not personal, it's just business," should be testing for sociopathy.
I don't want to seem like I'm trying to incite anything. I just genuinely think articles like this are a disservice to everyone.
HugsPost is under moderationStream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream. -
Andy Warywoda added a new comment in Don’t go away bitter, just go away!
So you're venting about a guy...venting?
Who cares? Let him air his grievances. I assume you know who this person is? Because if you're just generalizing you're kind of coming across as a bully.
His 'Harley,' or 'daughter's fancy clothes' are purchased through money he EARNED while pushing his...MoreSo you're venting about a guy...venting?
Who cares? Let him air his grievances. I assume you know who this person is? Because if you're just generalizing you're kind of coming across as a bully.
His 'Harley,' or 'daughter's fancy clothes' are purchased through money he EARNED while pushing his company's agenda and increasing their bottom line.
Don't make it sound like his f&*&ng company paid for that stuff. HE DID! Because he was employed by them.
The fact of the matter is, at least in the states, radio companies are shedding talent. Radio isn't dying but radio jobs ARE. There are mom and pop ownership out there, yes, but the vast majority of radio jobs are through companies like IHeartRadio, Cumulus, Entercom, etc. and these companies (especially during COVID) are finding new ways to provide content without adding jobs.
There will come a time, again in the states, when most on-air jobs will be done remotely and they'll be done by a few people.
There are those of us who DID adapt, who did change, who did do podcasts for the group, who did interview sales clients because the sales manager wanted us to and we STILL got let go. Ratings? good, cost of our show? low.
I don't think you're aware of just how bad it is out there in radio.
I'm speaking from the context of radio in the US. I'm guessing it's different in Canada as there's different federal rules as it pertains to ownership in markets, etc. but it was only October/November that THOUSANDS were laid off.
I think letting a few of these people rage about a career identity being killed (and seeing the future prospects not look so good) is okay. I don't think anyone should be meant to feel ashamed that they were fired or didn't do enough to keep their jobs.Post is under moderationStream item published successfully. Item will now be visible on your stream.
Producer's Market
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May 1, 1996
by Sterling Tarrant
Don Boggs, my professor of Broadcasting, said it best: "In radio, the pictures are ...