The key to getting the most out of an event like the Nielsen Client Conference/Jacobs Summit is to take lessons from the event and apply it to stations and brands. Based on the feedback we’ve received anecdotally and in the post survey (I snuck a look), we accomplished our goal.
In Baltimore, we were treated to some great sessions, both in our own program and during the Nielsen Audio sessions. One of my favorites was hearing again from an old friend and colleague, Tom Calderone.
Now the president of Vh1, Tom spent several years at Jacobs Media, guiding and growing our Alternative portfolio. Tom joined us during the rise of the Grunge movement, and steered and led our company and our Edge brand to great heights.
Since joining MTV Networks in the late ‘90s and being named the head of Vh1, Tom has moved on to bigger and better things.
But his formative years – and to some degree, his heart – were spent in radio. Tom worked at his college station at Buffalo State, and went on to program legendary stations like WHFS and WDRE before joining us.
So he has amazing perspective on what works in radio, and now how to navigate TV’s challenging waters. Our hope, and the goal of our interview, was to gain insight about what Tom has learned from his years in television and how that could translate to radio.
And there was a lot of learning to be had.
Tom talked about the importance of social media in judging how hot new shows are at the very beginning – and how they will perform down the road. Twitter was a big topic in measuring buzz for shows at Vh1.
But it was Tom’s clinic on team-building, hiring, and nurturing employees that caught my attention.
We all talk about hiring Millennials, but a walk through the offices of 1515 Broadway brings it all into focus. The place is teeming with twentysomethings – and that provides both opportunities and challenges.
He talked about the importance of hiring people “who will challenge me, who don’t think like me.” Every manager inherently knows the value of bringing in professionals with varied skill sets, but at Vh1, it’s the way.
He also acknowledged the importance of having a vibe in the building that oozes innovation, invention, and risk-taking. Tom talked about how his bosses have historically pushed for new, different, and innovative in the programs the channel develops. And while mistakes in that type of environment will always happen, the freedom to be able to experiment with programming – whether it’s The Osbournes or a new show being developed by Ryan Seacrest – is what leads to ultimate success. Taking chances and listening to viewers is at the heart of what Calderone’s team is going for.
But the other piece of this is employee retention. Because as Tom noted, the Millennial mindset is a shorter employment cycle, as they move from job to job, and brand to brand. He talked about how lifestyle plays into this and that by serving up “some innovative buckets, for your audience and your people,” it’s possible to keep the product fresh, interesting, and intriguing to those who watch it and those who work there.
Back at the Worldwide Radio Summit last spring, John Dickey was asked what he would tell a young person, trying to decide between broadcast radio and a digital company. And Dickey truthfully and candidly admitted there was not an easy answer to this very perplexing question.
At Vh1, Tom Calderone and his team are focused on the problem, addressing it with those “innovative buckets,” and very conscious of what moves Millennials. Radio would be smart to focus on the pipeline of young people that are available, but also looking for new challenges and a stimulating at-work environment. As Tom told us, there is no shortage of companies and brands that are looking to hire the best and the brightest. For the radio industry, they are the difference makers.
This is why we do the Summit – and hopefully, Tom’s words get you thinking about your staff today – and your staff down the road.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Hey Fred, great piece! I have always admired your work at Jacobs and I consider you a great friend. I’ve also always enjoyed Tom’s view on media and leadership. Thanks for sharing this!
Totally appreciate that, Kneale. It was a real treat to tap into Tom’s brain – he’s a real pro and a great leader. Thanks for reading the blog.
Fred –
In Silicon Valley when a company loses its edge or becomes irrelevant…people ask – “what happened to (blank) company? The answer is “no one under 30 works there anymore”.
Also I just wanted to thank you and your brothers for keeping the conversation going concerning the present and future challenges of our industry.
Your platform is always fertile ground for an exchange of ideas and opinions. You provide a voice for the many who love this industry but may not feel heard.
Thank you for all you do.
Mike Anthony
Mike, thanks for the Silicon Valley insight. I saw an article this morning about how Apple’s new headquarters (still being built) might be problematic for twentysomethings because it’s not in San Francisco where they’d rather live. So even Apple goes through this.
Also, much thanks for the acknowledgement of our work and this blog. We are living in exciting and challenging times, and it’s an honor to be involved with forums and activities that can help the industry grow and adapt. As always, we appreciate what you bring to the conversation. Please tell us that you’ll continue to contribute in 2014.
Mike and Fred – Agreed. I call it the 95-5 rule. Five percent of your offering is your products or services, the rest is your people.