DEPENDING UPON WHO YOU TALK TO, Tracey Watkowski is or is not KGO-TV's new GM, replacing Bill Burton.I reported, via a Circle7 source, that Watkowski got the gig. Some people at 900 Front were astonished, as was I.
But the source insisted.
Thing is, KGO (ABC7) still hasn't made any official announcement, leading some to believe that Watkowski was indeed given the job, but ABC is pulling back (or has pulled back) because they're wary of Watkowski's many issues.
QUESTIONS: And my analysis.
Why would a multi-billion dollar company like Disney NOT decide at a cash cow property?
Because someone at the top is nervous and reconsidered.
Lawsuits? This one was settled but Disney/ABC had to cut a fat check. On Watkowski's watch.
Staff hates her guts:
She is detested by many at KGO for her managing style --or lack thereof --not to mention she has no people skills. I don't say that but the rank and file there send me messages. Lots. Almost every day.
So, again, what's the deal?
The deal is that there hasn't been an official announcement for quite some time now and my best guess is that something's brewing. It has many parts and tentacles and has lots of variables in the mix. Complexities galore.
Hey, Circle7 tribe: I smell a whole bunch of meetings in NY and a major reconsideration under consideration.
Disney doesn't hold off on stuff like this unless there's a BIG problem.
It’s sad a shrew like that got as far as she did (pushing out many good people along the way), whether she ultimately gets the big title or not. She is deeply mentally ill. If Disney wants a nutcase like that in command at one of their prime properties they’re sick, too.
ReplyDeleteYou literally just described affirmative action to a T.
Delete@4:34 I could have sworn he was talking about white male entitlement.
DeleteDisney looked the other way now it looks like Burbank reads Uncle Richie's blog. Either way its a total embarrassment. If I were Ashley, Finney, Noyce I'd be a bit nervous with a new Sheriff and less cash.
ReplyDeleteSo, she is a "shrew" whose newscasts are market-leaders? Are you sure that absolutely no one likes her? really? Did they all talk to you?
ReplyDeleteYour newscasts aren't market-leaders, Trixie. The success that *is* there was already built in before you came. And post under your own name.
DeleteTrixie is a nut job. See any staff postings to defend Ms. Shrew? Nope.
DeleteExcept, your powers of assuming are fatally flawed. Here's how it works. The person in charge when the ratings are good gets the credit.This is also true in politics. Seems to me she's been there for quite a while,right? It strikes me as the peak of hypocrisy for you to assert that I, choosing anonymity, and never having met this woman, should not post anonymously...while you do.
Delete> Here's how it works. The person in charge when the
Delete> ratings are good gets the credit.
Let's hear it for Kevin Keeshan then...
I’ve been in the business for 40 years at stations and as a consultant and have crossed paths with Tracey in the past, and in my opinion she’s as solid of a newsperson as they come. I don’t care what station you’re at (ABC, NBC, Fox, etc.), when you’re managing a couple hundred people in a rapidly changing industry with a wide-range of egos and personalities, there will always be some people that aren’t going to like you. So, I give credit to those news leaders that strive to deliver objective factually correct information in a fair and impartial manner.
ReplyDeleteYou really have to stop posting anonymously, Tracey. I'm someone who has *really* worked with her and she's a c*nt. Everyone in the current newsroom despises her. Everyone. She yells at everyone even when things are fine, just for the joy of yelling, I guess. Everyone from Goldberger to Adrouny got the hell out of there as soon as she came back. And her handling of the revamped morning show has been an utter fiasco. Oh, and three million to redo the news set? Where did it all go? Looks like the same damn set to me.
DeleteShe's responsible for the end of at least one staffer's career and health. And she bragged about it. She's sadistic and sick.
As solid "*of* a newsperson" as they come? Are you sure you're in the industry, or are you just a guy sitting home drinking a beer?
DeleteTracey is a fucking coward.
DeleteI would promote her, say $ 250K a year for 4 years. Not announce the promotion and then buy-out her contract for $ 1 million and let her simply chill and enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteEven if she survives this dust-up and gets the gig its a giant F-you to Trixie from the Mouse. And everyone reads this blog.
DeleteThere are a few lines of thought with this. The first being that she never actually got the job. Usually when corporate companies move people around and up the ladder they have folks in mind to slide into roles. They don't waste time with picking the next leader if they already know who it is going to be. Her not getting the position with the first few weeks would be a flag that she won't get.
ReplyDeleteBut there is also this line of thinking. She did get it but they need to figure out what pieces to move in the news department. Is the #2 person someone they (Disney) want as the new head of the department? Are there mid-level managers they would like to keep in place or want to move up? Again this is something that likely would have been thought out. So perhaps someone farther down the chain could be holding up a promotion.
The third and more radical idea is Disney is bringing in someone from outside the building and that person is being charged with making over the place. In which case you could see a more significant shakeup at 7. And generally speaking anytime there is a new leader in town they likely have their own folks in mind as department heads. Unless there is a previous work history or the company tells them "we like the job X is doing, so you two will make it work."
Who cares people love her or hate her? The morning crew already back her up in support, the ones who got rid of Eric and Kristen.
ReplyDeleteABC O&O group. In NYC, WABC general manager Dave Davis announced his retirement from the TV news business last month. This week came news regarding their MIA news director Camille Edwards tendering her resignation. WABC being subject to discrimination suits, where Davis and Edwards are among those named. High profile departures of investigative reporter Sarah Wallace in early 2015, morning anchor Lori Stokes leaving last year, and weekend sports anchor Laura Behnke leaving about the same time Stokes departed. Not sure if other ABC O&O stations have seen similar situations like KGO and WABC have.
ReplyDelete