Steve Sklenar.
I don't know the guy. Don't really have to. He's from San Diego and is the new "Cumulus Market MGR" for SF. Whoop De doo.
Sklenar will sit in an office and talk tough. He'll "rally the troops." That's what market managers do, rally the troops. I'm sure there will be meetings. Lots of meetings. Managers love meetings; it's a way to feel important.
Meanwhile, the classy latest MGR was so classy he brought his GSM with him to SF. I'm sure the sales staff, all 6 of 'em, (give or take a few), just can't wait to meet the dynamic duo.
As usual, there's a lot of talk and bravado from the new guy. He has a lot on his plate. Like the others, recently, who proceeded him, he'll talk a lot. Talk is cheap. So is "all-news" too.
I can hardly stand the excitement.
I am Sure he will make the on air rounds at KGO. Bet he does a mattress Ad On been there Done that's show within 2 Weeks.
ReplyDeleteI, too, heard his "San Fran" interview and his musing about his golf game. He has experience over 17 years, but the Bay Area isn't a 3-station group in San Diego or Charlotte, NC.
DeleteThe national sales mgr, Kevin Crespo, has sales management experience in the Bay Area. He'll need it. L
Lots.
Market managers tend not to be much involved in programming unless changes are made and he/she becomes the "spokesperson for change." These two have one priority -- make KGO make more money. Don't touch KNBR - no need. Consider KFOG going country with Cumulus new "NASH" brand or, better, simulcast KGO (with changes) with a return to KGO-FM.
I would bet the latter before the former ... at least to try it out. Bring back the "All Stars"? Never happen. Too old for FM. No relateability to the demos KGO so desperately needs (25-49 or 25-54.)
Go talk? I think it's a possibility and a good one, but manybe more expensive to wager than Cumulus might want to do against KCBS and KQED.
The country "network" took off with a half dozen affiliates in the last week, none in San Francisco, where country has been blown up before.
Would moving KSFO to FM be of help? It's only a share under KGO now and at 5,000 watts could use the upgrade. Then sell KSFO-AM. The needle won't move, however, with that change to FM alone.
KGO ... in it's present form ... not a mover on FM either at this point. Montemayor on FM? Nah. Karel? Nah (he failed here already on FM), Thurston? Yes, she'd do well. Chef Scott? Nah. Cristine Craft? Sure -- a gritty, hard-nosed Craft would play well. Finney? Sure -- an icon. Copey? Sure.
At the same time, look for the angle of priority to be "sales and revenue" more than anything in programming to begin. I wouldn't look for a blowup of KGO immediately, nor just on the 50kw blowtorch. I think the transformation of change would be to put a newer, hipper KGO on 810 in conjunction with a move to FM with talk against KCBS and its simulcast on 106.9 and 740. A talk simulcast for KGO would be a thought.
Or, Cumulus can try country on KFOG. The key ... the money to support talk and "young" talk on an FM. "Nash" isn't setting the world on fire, yet, in NY with a 2 share and a million cume in 3 months) but would it do the same here just to add another major market to the list? Cheaper to do, yes. Cumulus, however, has been beat up of the blowup of Dec. 2011. If the upgrade to talk and sports on FM in a simulcast with the 810 blowtorch doesn't work, they've lost nothing.
Then, they could go country on the FM.
Going rightwing whack on FM would not help at all on FM, but it would make KSFO be safe for being up for sale at a plus to well-heeled buyer.
Zwerling? Probably not, but possible. It is, after all, AM. 610 would need total retooling -- an expensive proposition. 560 would be expensive, but a better sale for success.
Just my thoughts. Thanks.
Doubtful. Market Managers don't talk on air. They are bottom-line focussed. They will, however, meet with the new PD / Operations director and look for "synergy" in developing product, while the sales types find a match to make KGO much more profitable.
DeleteThe guy has never been a Market Manager before. The rumor is that he hasn't even been a General Manager. He was a "DOS" in San Diego for 3 stations (and none of them TALK or SPORTS). WTF???????????!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis market is all about relationships with advertising agencies. Those relationships take YEARS to build. If you look at all the top managers of the radio groups in this town, they all have extensive knowledge of the market with years of Bay Area radio experience to back it up. You also need the respect of the Bay Area radio community. That respect takes years to earn. It was leaders like Tony Salvadore and Mickey Luckoff who made KNBR, KFOG, KGO and KSFO successful, legendary brands. This guy isn't even close to their league. Who is this guy? This is going to be fun to watch.
Relationships with advertising agencies Are a thing of the past Remember Sweet Jack is 80% of KGO and Sleep Train Is 10% the Tax Guy is the other 10% Remember Sweet jack is a Cumulus company is to hell with the advertising agencies.
DeleteMarket managers are not programmers. They arre sales weasles. It's about making $$$. If baboon farts were popular, and it brings in barrels of money, Cumulus doesn't care a lick.
DeleteBaboon farts. I'll have to shop that around for KGO. It can't be much worse than what's there now.
You bet it's about $$$'s. Without sales "weasles" none of you would be getting a paycheck. Where do you think the money comes from to pay your $10 an hour as a board operator? BTW, an average radio account executive in this market makes $175,000 a year. That's average...top sellers at KNBR are making over $250,000 per year. How's that degree from the Academy of Art working out?
DeleteWhat's up with this guy "Frosty" on 910?
ReplyDeleteFrosty is Forrest Stillwell, a middling humorous personality who has been around a while, probably best known in Los Angeles on the now-defunct KLSX (97.1) and KABC 790 (before Cumulus took it over) as part of the Frosty, Heidi and Frank program. The latter gig didn't last long, and after a weekend spot on KFI 640, came up north. To be honest, he has never done much for me...
ReplyDeleteFrosty has been the morning guy at KIOI for the past year. Just moving across the hall for this new gig.
DeleteOh, that guy. He's on now. I heard him last week and honestly couldn't stand him.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy, but I don't he'll last long.
Listened a little to Frosty, not impressed. He is pretty non-descript I think, doesn't rock the boat of either the left or right, or the middle for that matter as far as I can tell. Not an intellectual heavy weight either. Hard to take and understand just weeks after we remembered Gene Burns. Frosty might be a cut above Montemayor, but not much. Seems most radio station is determined to give the public mediocre hosts.
DeleteGene was an intellectual powerhouse, Gil is smart enough, but his show is mediocre, for whatever reason, not sure. As I have mentioned before there are smart AND entertaining hosts available I will mention 3 who I would much rather hear than Frosty and Gil. There are in the following order: John Rothman, Stacy Taylor and Peter B Collins.
"John Rothman, Stacy Taylor and Peter B Collins." I will second that. In fact, I will second everything you said.
DeleteHow about a revived "All Star" debate and have the people be the following:
ReplyDeleteRay T.
Mattress Man
Ralph Barbeiri
Lew Dickey
Michael Zwerling
Karel
Dear god, Rajk. I want some of what you're smoking. Karel? Are you kidding? MZ?
DeleteFor the Cumulus/KGO All-Star debate let's throw in some Bernie Ward.
DeleteIt makes it fun to have a bit of the crazy every once in a while. It balances the much-needed intellectual discussion with a little bit of levity.
DeleteKevin Crespo is a class act. with a strong local SF radio ackground. Can't fault a guy for bringing in one of the good ones.
ReplyDelete