Seacrest…out?

So Ryan Seacrest has reportedly been coached to talk less between the songs on KIIS FM.

In a competitive market, the PPM ratings decline when the mic opens, or so the general consensus (with plenty of exceptions) says.

Ryan is supposedly miffed, and who can blame him? There are, after all, lots of companies that pay him lots of bucks to say stuff in front of an open mic. Putting a lid on it is the last thing they want.

More here. Be sure to read the comments.

• Forgets that the most important part of the job is to protect the station’s license.
• Still thinks that it’s a sales versus programming world and as long as (s)he gets ratings (s)he has done the job.
• Doesn’t worry about heavy radio-users or passionate fans of the kind of music the station plays.  Targeting takes care of itself.
• Does whatever it takes to win.  Ethics and fair treatment of his/her employer and coworkers do not matter as long as the station is winning and profitable.
• Has a ‘not invented here’ attitude about new ideas and approaches.  Doesn’t bother to network or seek objective opinions of knowledgeable counsel.
• Under-estimates the competition.
• Sees radio as a craft, not an art.  You can get everything you need to know by copying winning radio stations in the same format in other markets.
• Feels that people are replaceable.  As long as everyone is working as hard as possible, everything is fine.
• Thinks that business management is the GM’s job and time management is a sales thing.
• Doesn’t need research.  (S)he knows what listeners want.

Reach Jaye at:  jaye@albrightandomalley.com
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 Michael O’Malley

• Doesn’t make time to listen critically to his/her own station and the competition.
• Doesn’t competitively evaluate jocks, music, content, freshness, benefits, etc.
• Fails to make people a priority.
• Doesn’t spend time in talent development.
• Doesn’t communicate effectively with the staff.
• Doesn’t have an intimate understanding of Arbitron.
• Doesn’t maintain a product focus/vision. Too frequently can’t see the forest for the trees. Gets too caught up in tasks to see the big picture.
• Elements of the station are out of synch with the target. Too many programming decisions are made without regard to the target and mission or because of succumbing to internal and external pressures.

Email O’Malley at:  mike@albrightandomalley.com