Tony Bruno: 'Game Changer'

TONY BRUNO


*95.7 FM 'The Game' continues to struggle ...especially in the key morning drive (5-9 AM) ; despite repeated new morning shows and experiments, Entercom's FM All-Sports outlet is lagging behind its own projections.


*Enter popular and talented Tony Bruno--I've learned through the grapevine that Bruno was contacted by a key Entercom (which owns The Game) exec out of its corporate SF office making initial contact. It's not known what was discussed but put two and two together.


*Bruno already does a weekly half-hour spot with Damon Bruce. It's funny, smart, edgy, and often controversial --in a good way. It's one of the most compelling thirty minutes of content in local radio.


*Bruno, out of Philadelphia, is a very special, ultra-talented personality but who is deemed difficult to work for. Often times, good people fit that description --Bruno is not alone. But he would need to change his professional MO otherwise he'll forever be stuck here.


*The Game has a new PD--his first project is well-known in local broadcast circles: Get rid of these guys. Because they're a disaster. Enter Bruno. Maybe.


*Game Changer: Again, Bruno comes with baggage but a "Bruno In The Morning" would rearrange the ratings deck for 95.7 FM. Bruno is expensive too (try about $300K a year and 3 years guaranteed --just for an example) but good people are expensive.


*Bruno loves the Bay Area and would probably JUMP at a chance to host his very own show but there is one significant problem (among a few others): Bruno's mother is 91 and lives in Philly. Bruno is thought to be against moving to another city while his mother lives out her sunset years.  Then again, that's why you talk and negotiate--anything is possible.


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Entercom's All-Sports 95. 7 FM 'The Game' Has A New PD That Replaces The Old Schmuck

The All-Sports (occasionally) FM station, The Game (95.7) has a new Program Director. 

Here's the Press Release before the house shills move forward (Notice the following hyperbole)

Dear Entercom Team and Valued Partners:

 

"After an exhaustive international search, we are thrilled to announce that Don Kollins will be joining Entercom / San Francisco as Program Director of 95.7 The Game, effective Friday, June 12^th. Don comes to us from Rogers Communications’ Sportsnet 590 The Fan (CJCL) in Toronto where he served as Program Director since 2008."

An "exhaustive" search? For what: to replace this schlemiel? Maybe the new guy's first missive would be to can the shitty morning show.

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'The Game' has to Get in the Game; 95.7 FM All-Sports Needs Identity More than Gimmicks

"The Game", (95.7 FM), Entercom's answer to FM sports in the Bay Area needs to redefine its theme.

It also has to quit pretending that it's going to beat KNBR. It isn't.

It also has to stop shouting at us. As an alternative to the Knibber foibles, The Game is decidedly more creative and entertaining.

But it has to stop gimmicks. One thing, for starters, is to concentrate on its core asset: flagship station for the Oakland A's. The problem with The Game is instead of going wall-to-wall with A's programming built around its talk shows, the station routinely dominates programming with Giants talk. KNBR is the Giant's flagship and most Giants fans don't listen to the Game. That sort of programming strategy probably helps KNBR more than 95.7. Sure, the A's don't have the largess nor cachet of the Giants followers, but their fan base is loyal.

And another thing: When you shout and scream, as the Game does a lot, all you're doing is essentially copying KNBR. The Game is far more edgier and more intelligent than Knibber. But they need to form their own identity and quit trying to compete with the other guys. When you consistently can't break a 1 share you have to re-think the business model. Try to be what you are as opposed to what you clearly aren't.

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