Being out of work is a disorienting experience, especially if if was not your choice. Most people find it disorienting, disquieting, and disturbing (note all three of those words begin with “dis”).
Many say that during periods of unemployment, they’ve lost their routine. But worse, for many their sense of purpose and even their identify is rocked by the idleness wrought be being out of work.
In fact, there’s a lot of “cognitive dissonance” associated with no longer having that employee ID, that key card, or that paycheck. What is “cognitive dissonance?” It is defined as the following:
“The mental discomfort or stress that arises from holding contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes”
It’s a clash of facts and beliefs – like when Kellyanne Conway referred to “alternative facts” early in Trump’s first administration. Seven years later and we’re still grappling with competing “truths.”
Closer to home, there’s a lot of countervailing forces permeating the broadcast radio industry right now, as well as the greater media ecosystem. On the one hand, in many industries, employees are generally in the power seat. Unemployment is now approaching an all-time low since the 70’s as most employers cannot find enough people to round out their staffs. That is likely obvious to you when you go out to eat or visit most retail establishments.
And that’s when “the law of supply and demand” kicks in. That is, if the demand for workers exceeds the number of people willing to work at any given the moment in time (i.e. the supply), something’s got to give. In the last couple of years, it’s been wages. For many business sectors, pay scales have risen in order for companies to remain competitive.
Enter radio, a “cognitive dissonance” industry. For most broadcasters, there are two shortages occurring at the same time. There aren’t enough young people willing to pursue a career in radio. That theme was explored in yesterday’s blog post, “How Radio And TV Can ‘Be There’ For Young People.” In order to entice the generation known as “Z’s,” the Michigan Association of Broadcasters has crafted a multimedia campaign designed to shape young perceptions about radio and TV.
A look through the many comments that rolled in yesterday revealed a sad but perhaps true theme: Most broadcasters simply aren’t paying enough in salary and benefits to attract young high school and college up-and-comers.
And on the other hand, layoffs in the radio industry continue. While difficult to track because most companies don’t divulge this information, it’s no revelation that in traditional radio job categories (programming, on-air, sales), there has been a vast reduction in jobs.
We see this palpably in our sample numbers for our AQ studies of radio personalities, conducted each year since 2018 (except during the wrath of COVID in 2020). Last week I presented AQ5 to a robust crowd of air personalities in Dallas for Morning Show Boot Camp.
There is no census in radio. Thus, we don’t exactly know how the ranks have thinned in recent years. But I can tell you that pre-pandemic, our AQ studies were comprised of more than 1,000 respondents in each year. In our new study, we struggled to reach half of that. Is it indifference, boredom, or a sense of futility? Or is it also a reality the population of air personalities has greatly shrunk since we launched this research initiative?
The results I shared a Boot Camp were among all employed on-air talent working on commercial radio stations in the U.S (along with a handful of producers). But we also created a sub-sample I didn’t have time to show:
Those on the radio beach.
All told, we collected 60 completed interviews among these former personalities displaced by layoffs, pink slips, and RIFs. Our data reveals they skew older, a bit more male, and more likely to work in major markets for the biggest companies in radio. You can connect the dots.
As you might expect, there is a higher degree of dissatisfaction from this group of former on-air radio people. Overall, they are considerably less likely to retain a passion for the radio business. While a majority of those currently employed on the air express high or the highest passion for radio, only three in ten of those out of work are in agreement – a major attitudinal difference.
And so we shouldn’t be surprised to learn that many of those out of work in radio are disillusioned to the point of considering a different line of work or hanging up their headphones and calling it a career. When we asked those currently unemployed about their future plans, we got this:
As the data tell us, about a third have moved on to a new career, while about one in ten have called it quits and retired. Others are unsure of what’s next.
But then there’s the three in ten trying to get back into the game, waiting for the moment they can walk into another air studio to entertain or inform.
Hopefully, that’s the attitude of those ex-All Access pros who got the news just a few short weeks ago the popular industry trade was going out of business.
Yesterday was their last day. And while All Access will still publish in a truncated form, the Net News and format column features are no more. And so are the jobs these great professionals held, often for decades.
That’s why Jacobs Media wants to help these ex-All Accessors get back in the game. Several submitted their information (below), and if others wish to join our listings over the next few days, we’ll add them. Yes, I know there are hundreds of out of work air talent in radio, and this group of former All Access pros are just a smattering of the bigger sample looking for their next opportunity.
Our two companies have celebrated a special relationship over the years, as well as our collaboration with founder and publisher, Joel Denver, who recently received Morning Show Boot Camp’s “Radio
Lifetime Achievement Award” last week in Dallas. I had the honor of introducing him.
So, look over these profiles, and if you’re got an opening or know of one that looks like it would suit this smart and savvy group, by all means, get in touch with them. They are great writers and communicators, and they have a unique perspective on the business.
And even if you don’t have an empty office (or studio), shoot them a note of encouragement anyway. They’d love to hear from you.
We’re all feeling a bit of “cognitive dissonance” these days as we watch the broadcast radio business get roiled by economic pressures, the forces of disruption, and of course, the inevitable change that impacts every industry, sooner or later.
Ken Anthony
My next job?
I’ve been the Rock Editor at All Access the last 11 years and also worked as Rock Editor at R&R in 2004-2005, so writing about Rock …both Radio/Label news and Music is in my blood…plus I used to Program and consult radio stations…
So either of these paths interest me going forward!
My elevator pitch?
Ken Anthony has been on the radio, programmed Rock radio stations like KLOS/Los Angeles and consulted Rock & Alt stations around the country under his Radio Think Tank handle for years, and as a journalism major, he was the Rock Editor at R&R in 2004/2005
and has been the Rock Editor for All Access since 2012. With solid relationships with Rock radio and music labels, he’s available for any Rock related entity as a Rock writer or Rock programmer, and he’s been doing weekends and fill-in for
Cumulus Classic Rock KSAN (107.7 The Bone)/San Francisco since September 2016, so he’s also a great on-air Rock radio personality as well. Ken is ready to Rock whatever the next challenge is!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-anthony-moniz-1954349/
Email address: [email protected]
Jarrett Cotton
My next job?
In my next job — accepting there is always a technical side of things — I would really love to have opportunities to push the boundaries of what I can do creatively as well as explore new, innovative ways of approaching design, including what’s on the near horizon with AI tools!
My elevator pitch?
I am a creative powerhouse. I don’t say that lightly. Need an idea? I’ve got a light bulb. Have a difficult problem? I’ve got a handful of solutions. Need a creative direction? My right-brain is highly tuned and set to go! I’m a fast learner, fast-pace worker with a solid work ethic and no-nonsense approach to work and life.
I am more than capable with a skill set that ranges from written content to custom illustration and beyond into the digital world of pixels, vectors, email campaigns and front-end coding. I am proficient in most of the Adobe Suite of products, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro, Dreamweaver and InDesign. I can build a custom website from scratch but I also know my way around WordPress and several back-end UI’s including Wix and others. I have an eye for photography, photo editing and typography that has only been sharpened by my time at All Access.
I have the tools to get nearly any job done. I am proficient on both PC and Mac. I also own powerful laptops in each variety including my new Airbook with an M2 chip that is up to literally any task I can throw at it. Beyond that I have a wide variety of creative periphery tools (or toys depending on how you look at it) including microphones, DSLR Camera, music editing/performance hardware, audio interfaces, instruments galore, digital drawing tablets and more. Like I said, creative powerhouse. Let’s Talk…
Email Address: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarrett-cotton/
Charese Fruge
My next job?
I am looking for an opportunity where I can apply my 20 plus years of experience to making a new team and organization great in the music, content and/or business. I am willing to move for the right opportunity, but would like to stay in Nashville if possible.
In the meantime, I am taking on a role at Dead Horse Branding here in Nashville where I will work three days a week on brand development, marketing and publicity, brand strategy, social media strategy and more. They are an exciting and innovative PR firm where I know I will learn a lot, and judging from the team, I know I will be inspired every day to bring my creative juices to the table. I can’t wait to dive in.
My elevator pitch?
I am a driven and resourceful Vice President of Content and Music Strategy in the Audio, Digital and Label industries, with a proven track record of devising and applying new ideas and innovation to propel music brands to build customer acquisition and loyalty. I am reputable in operational and communication management skills driving high response rates as well as consumer engagement and record-breaking ratings, digital and revenue growth. I am experienced in all mainstream formats including Pop, Adult Top 40, Rhythm, Hip Hop, Adult Contemporary, Country, Classic Hits, Alternative, Rock, News-Talk, Sports and Spanish. I am an influential leader for building and directing high performance ratings, while empowering staff to achieve competitive organizational goals. I am hands-on in administering large budgets, managing operations, and initiating successful branding projects, high profile marketing programs, talent acquisition and coaching, and events from concept to launch.
Email Address: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charese-fruge-46379412/
Lynn McDonnell
My next job?
The next job I desire is in alignment with what I value most…community, connection and being of service while working in an environment where I have 100% freedom to be authentically me. While this might sound vague to some, I will know it when the opportunity presented feels good in my body, not logically in my head.
My elevator pitch?
Now that you know what I desire, here’s what’s extraordinary about me. I am a 30-year music industry executive. I began my career at Radio & Records magazine fresh out of college from The University of Buffalo. I was blessed to be part of the OG team at the inception of Interscope Records in 1990 where I rose to VP of Alternative Radio Promotion. My other career stints included Time Bomb Recordings, The Firm, Reprise Records, Live Nation, Epic Records and MARS Music before joining All Access as Triple A Editor in 2021. I am a consummate professional, with experience in sales, marketing, and promotion. My co-workers often referred to me at ‘Zen Lynn’ because I have the gift of making people feel heard and at ease. In contrast, I am also gifted with intestinal fortitude. When tasked with a job rest assured it will be executed with excellence. I am open-minded and hearted, an avid learner and seeker of balance, harmony, and personal expansion. I am a certified Mastery Method Life Coach and ICBCH certified hypnotist. I am a unique human who would be an asset to any team.
Email address: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnmcdonnell/
Jeff McKay
My next job?
Luckily, my current jobs are much like All Access & Joel Denver – great employers working with fantastic people. I spend my days as the Executive Producer of Westwood One’s nationally syndicated “America In the Morning” in Washington, and I’m also a freelance traffic reporter for all-news 1010 WINS/New York, but always looking for a great writing or voice work side hustle!
My elevator pitch?
In this crazy business you have to be ready for anything and capable of doing everything needed to get the job done. That’s why I’m complete with 30+ years of #1 market broadcast experience (1010 WINS & WABC), and eight years in Washington, DC. Spent three years in “JetCopter 1010” reporting over NYC, four decades of traffic in New York as one of the best known traffic reporters in the business, and the creator of “The McKay Way” traffic alternate routes. I’ve written for for the NY Post, Talkers, and All Access. My background includes Capitol Hill reporting, press release writing, news writing, business reporting, multi-track production, news editing, publishing, and political news writing. I’ve managed a news desk in drive time during a pandemic, managed an office with a staff of 90, been a former and now current SAG-AFTRA Shop Steward, overseen budgets, have a broadcast quality home studio, and up for any challenge. One thing current and past employers have said – I can be plugged into any situation and exceed expectations.
Email address: [email protected] or [email protected]
Mike Paulsen
My next job?
Seeking a position in the music/arts/entertainment industry where I can put my extensive web, engineering and database development to use, leveraging the latest technologies like cloud/serverless computing and front-end UI frameworks. I’m also a solutions finder, when it comes to technological hurdles.
My elevator pitch?
I’m highly balanced in terms of left and right-brained activities, able to move effortlessly between technical tasks (i.e., back and front-end coding and database design) as creative roles (UI design and layout using the latest CSS styling methodologies and JavaScript frameworks/libraries). I’m an avid problem solver with elegant and creative solutions to the thorniest of issues.
I’m also an excellent writer, able to break down complicated topics in ways that can be easily explained without having to resort to jargon. In other words, I’m able to take off my engineering cap when the need arises.
I’m also a rabid music lover, who keeps up with the latest music. Every year, I produce a massive, meticulously-sequenced playlist, showcasing the amazing , mostly-indie talent of the past year, covering indie rock, pop, post-punk revival, Americana, folk, soul, R&B, dance and electro. It’s more than enough to make any curmudgeonly, middle-ager back down on their claim that there’s “no good music being made anymore.” If you do nothing else, please check out my Fresh Sounds 2022 and at least be entertained.
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepaulsenoc/
Perry Simon
My next job?
I’m open to anything that allows me to be creative and independent. After several decades of writing about radio and podcasting, I’d like to spread out and create more content — writing, on-air, podcasting, producing, whatever — about more topics, media-related or otherwise.
My elevator pitch?
I’ve served as Editor-in-Chief of two large websites (AllAccess.com and Nerdist.com), written daily and weekly columns and news items for decades, created and produced successful radio shows and podcasts, programmed major market radio stations, and established a strong personal brand within the industry and on social media, followed by some of the businesses’ most prominent individuals. That’s pretty good, right?
Email address: [email protected] or [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmsimon/
Todd Stach
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stach-33b1869b/
My next job?
After 30+ years of working at some really great radio stations, Todd launched a coaching and consulting business, Beyond615.com. He strives to help 20 shows at 11 radio stations build confidence so that they can connect on a deeper level. Todd lives in the (615) area code, aka the heart of the Contemporary Christian music industry.
My elevator pitch?
The problem is that not everyone has someone who’s willing to have honest conversations from an outside perspective. Todd Stach brings 30+ years of radio experience to help people and brands build confidence, discover their full potential, and find their competitive difference.
Imagine more confidence being built into yourself and your team so that you can make a greater impact in the community you serve. He can help guide you and build your confidence so that you can deepen relationships, create fans, and earn trust for support. For two and a half years Todd wrote 117 articles full of free insights to help on-air personalities and PDs find their very best work. ‘Beyond The 615’ was published here at allaccess.com and will continue here at his LinkedIn page. Todd is always looking to connect to see see if he would be a good person to hire for you or your radio station. Check out what others have said about him here. Todd Stach can be reached at [email protected].
Email address: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-stach-33b1869b/
Sam Weaver
My next job?
I am continuing with my radio talent coaching business as well as my strategic advisor position with several music industry decision makers.
“SAM WEAVER MEDIA is where I will continue with my column, COACHES CORNER, and 10 QUESTIONS feature. I’ve also been asked if there will be a news component attached to SAM WEAVER MEDIA. And the answer is, stay tuned. The mission with my coaching, music industry ties, and lecturing opportunities is to “Clarity, Connect, Influence, Teach.”
Multi-format career as an On Air Personality & Program Director: Top 40, Mainstream Urban, Urban AC, R&B Radio, Gospel, and Country (Music Director for 2 years at WUSN, Today’s Country Chicago)
20 years of programming experience: KRNB/Dallas (5 years); Programmed KPRS/Kansas City (10 years); WAMO/ Pittsburgh; WDIA/Memphis; WQMG/Greensboro, NC, and WYLD/New Orleans. I have the distinction of being the only programmer to have programmed the oldest Black Operated station WDIA/Memphis and currently the oldest Black owned and operated station KPRS-KPRT/Kansas City.
My elevator pitch?
I work with air talent, Operation Managers, Program Directors, and Social Influencers at various career levels. From beginners to industry veterans -all Formats. I have spent my career analyzing announcing, air interview techniques, ratings strategies, programming, marketing, and communicating. Radio and all audio platforms are a continuing learning process. As your coach I’ll help you stay on top of your game or teach you the steps to get into the game. If you are willing to be patient, focused, and take direction, you’re ready to work with me.
Email address: [email protected] or [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiocoachsamweaver
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.
- Old Man, Take A Look At My Ratings - December 20, 2024
- In The World Of On-Demand Audio, How Do We Define Success? - December 19, 2024
- Scenes From The Classic Rock Highway – 2024 Edition - December 18, 2024
The continued 57 years I’ve spent in Broadcasting has been focused on developing opportunities for people who love our business. The mission continues to provide positive connections for talented individuals who enable our industry, content and service to proposer wherever possible. Thank you to all have have been part of the collective contribution. “The best is yet to come.”
We are on the same page, my friend.
Thanks for caring about people who themselves care about radio staying in the field.
If it might help one person, I’ll offer this. My non-profit wing of my work is about to post an opening for a part-time contract position (8 to 10 hours a week) to take an editorial and organizational role as an Associate Producer for our 20-years-running PEACE TALKS RADIO project. We produce 12 new hour-long episodes a year(for podcast and broadcast), we have an established network of nearly 70 community and public radio stations in 24 states, we have 5 correspondents spread out across the world who do the interviewing and editing of the content, but we need someone with news chops, writing chops, podcast/broadcast production chops, who can guide and mentor and manage the inflow and final staging of these episodes, on a sequence of one-a-month, at this point produced about 3 months in advance of release.
It’s a chance for someone to take a major role in steering this well-regarded, big-hearted project into the future. The pay is fair but our budget is tight and the successful candidate will have to bring in a passion for the mission – that is to continue to protect part of the media landscape for intelligent talk about peacemaking efforts throughout history and in action today. We present listeners with a tool kit of conflict resolutions strategies that they can apply to their daily lives. The program is non-partisan/non-political…and definitely not a hippie screed.
It should be a no-brainer sell to public radio program directors in these polarized times but as an independent production, it’s hard to break through stations’ reliance on programs branded by NPR, PRI, APM, or PRX.
The perfect candidate would also have non-profit fundraising experience in attracting grants and expanding listener giving. If that person can also devote some of these contract hours to fund-raising strategy, they’d be welcome to grow this ASSOCIATE PRODUCER part-time gig (all we can afford to offer right now) into the full-time gig it probably deserves to be.
Anyway, I’ve teased enough. This opportunity doesn’t seem to fit anyone described in your post Fred, but I know a lot of public radio types keep an eye on your blog, so maybe someone will inquire. We’ll probably post this in September formally but if anyone reading this thinks they might be the one for this, they can contact me to have the posting sent their way when it happens. [email protected]. See and hear what we’re up to at https://peacetalksradio.com.
Thanks Fred for all you do for radio.
Appreciate you tossing this out there, Paul, even if the All Access crew might not be a great fit. But you never know. And as you note, a lot of “public radio types” read this blog. Let’s see what happens.
Thank you for doing this.
Glad/sad to do it.