I had a little mishap while working out a couple months ago in Florida. And it required the dreaded emergency room visit. The X-rays were negative, and while I was waiting to be processed out, an administrator armed with a clipboard sat across from me to fill out the necessary insurance forms.
He asked the usual questions – address, marital status, cell phone number, and of course, date of birth. And when I gave him that last byte of information, he says these words to me:
“Oh, so you’re retired.”
Not a question, but a statement. And not what you want to hear. But before I ripped his face off, I smiled because I love what I’m doing and bounce out of bed at the pre-crack of dawn every morning.
My brother, Paul, and I are very different people, despite sharing the same parents. I’m programming, he’s sales. But as we’ve gotten older (and actually started to resemble one another), we have a lot of these conversations about careers, the industry, and why we do what we do.
In this guest post, Paul answers the question for him (and truth be told, for me, too). And it begs the question:
“Why are YOU still doing this?” – FJ
As we get ready to embark on our annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for the NAB Show, it seems like we’re being asked the same question more often these days. It’s an insightful question – one that addresses personal career goals as well as the bigger query about the state of the radio business. And it’s one that everyone in the business should ponder:
Why do you keep doing this?
At first, we thought we were being asked this because Jacobs Media’s been around so long – 36 years. And we hope it’s not a not-so-subtle suggestion we should start thinking about hanging it up. But it has caused me to stop for a moment and ask myself why we keep getting up at 5am to write this blog, trek through too many airports to mention, and continue to try to push the boundaries of our business so it can evolve, improve, adapt, and prosper.
So, as we prepare to head to Las Vegas, here are my answers to that question in 9 parts:
1.The People. In what other business can you find a collection of on-air personalities ranging from Jacky Bam-Bam to Bob Stroud, all trying to do the accomplish the same thing in delightfully different ways, while achieving success? Radio is filled with an amazing array of talent, digital leaders trying to figure out the future, and yes, corporate execs who truly are focused on building strong companies around their people who constantly challenge us about how to figure out how to do things better. You won’t find a diverse menagerie like this working for an insurance company or a dental practice.
2. Lifelong Friendships. If you’re new to the business, you might not have experienced this yet, but it is amazing to me how many people I started my career with remain my friends decades later. The gang I sold with at WRIF (Biv, Robbie, Root Boy), the KZEW crew who are so tight they recently held a reunion, and yes, even a couple of media buyers who tested me to my core along the way. And both Fred and I continue to run into people who took his Radio 201 class at Michigan State, and have gone on to great careers, or the thousands of people we’ve met in the course of traipsing through radio stations. It’s a shared experience that’s hard to describe if you haven’t participated in it.
3. The Recognition. No, I’m not talking about awards, promotions or going backstage. I’m talking about the feeling you get when you’re at a restaurant, a party, or a business function and someone asks you what you do for a living. And you answer with your call letters. In just about every case, people light up, they want to talk about the morning show, the outrageous promotion you did 20 years ago, or bitch about the music. In what other line of work (except for perhaps sports) does that happen? At one point in our careers, when we got on a plane, we had to stop telling people we worked for WRIF because they’d want to talk for the entire flight. Instead, we told them we sold insurance or used cars. That shut them up quickly.
4. The Travel. Fred’s a 3 million miler on Delta. I’m at 1.6 million and climbing. We are away from our families many weeks a year, and yes, we have missed out on a few milestones. And there’s nothing like a day trip from Detroit to New York to remind you to work out more often. But if you gave us truth serum, we’d admit to you that, in fact, traveling to visit radio stations and the companies that own them is one of the best parts of what we do. In a time where we can listen to a station online and monitor their music through Mediabase, there simply is no substitute for being inside a radio station, saying hello to the midday jock, working a sales meeting, or moderating Listener Advisory Board groups and eating pizza at night.
I like to tell people I can “smell” whether a station is a winner or not in the first 15 minutes. Winning radio stations have a vibe, a bounce, a pulse. They’re noisy – people aren’t just sitting in cubicles mindlessly going through repetitive motion. I love walking into station restrooms where the music is blaring, and you can select your favorite station in the cluster. In great radio buildings, there are new things happening constantly, and no two days are the same. You can’t get that from a monitor or a stream, sitting in your office.
5. It’s Showbiz. OK, that might be a bit of hyperbole, but in fact, how many businesses have musical artists, newsmakers, or sport celebrities dropping in for a visit? How many jobs provide the chance to go backstage at a concert, sit in a suite at the local arena, or interact with the movers and shakers in your town? Where else can you create huge promotions or concerts, or create community forums? C’mon, you might not be working in Hollywood, but this isn’t too shabby.
6. Giving Back. Working in radio affords the opportunity to make a difference in your community. Blood drives, radiothons, or even a morning show helping raise funds for a child who needs a medical procedure, great local radio stations make their communities better. And those are the big ways. When there’s a tragedy in your market, become the conduit to help people get through it emotionally and financially. And during the good times – like a sport championship – radio gives voice to the community so everyone can come together and enjoy.
7. Christian and Public Radio. We started our careers in Rock radio, and thought rarely or not at all about Public or Christian radio. It seemed like they simply occupied a place on the dial nobody else wanted to be in. But over time, we came to truly appreciate the work being done in what feels like a “parallel universe” to radio. Yes, they are in the radio business, but everything is opposite – they are not-for-profit, mission focused entities.
Their employees sometimes work for lower pay but are enriched by the work they do. And they each make a huge difference in their own way. Is anyone providing the depth of local, national, or international news like Public Radio? And as we’ve learned from our Christian radio clients, their connection with their flock, and their impact on their audience would make everyone in commercial radio jealous. And no commercial stations can match their Public or Christian radio siblings when it comes to word of mouth and loyalty. Imagine a Rock, AC, or Sports Radio station passing the hat in order to financially survive.
8. We Love the Fight. MTV, online streaming, SiriusXM, Pandora, Spotify, iPods – they were all going to kill broadcast radio. Yet through it all, no “traditional” medium has survived as well as radio. And our competitors would kill to have radio’s reach, its tradition, its simplicity, and its habit-forming qualities.
We have something they want. Sure the radio industry has its challenges, and in some cases, has moved too slowly to respond to changing times, but here we are, it’s 2019, and we’re still entertaining and informing 100+ million people every day, and it’s not going to end soon. So, we’re ready for the next concept, platform, or gadget that’s going to kill radio. Bring it on.
9. We Don’t Want To Miss The Future. Readers of this blog know this quote is from Jerry Lee, sharing why he never misses a Consumer Electronics Show. We feel the same way about radio. When I got my first job as an account exec, it was a one-dimensional business – we broadcast audio, we sold commercials. That was about it. Look at what has happened, especially in the past two decades – audio streaming, social media, the connected car, podcasts, video, Alexa, mobile apps, and more have all changed our business and created significant new connection and marketing opportunities. And there’s no signs of this rapid change slowing down. Why would we want to miss this?
Fred often accuses me of being a “glass half-full” person (hey, I’m in sales) and he’s probably right. But despite the bankruptcies, layoffs, economic downturns, and other hurdles we face every day, radio is a story of recovery and reinvention, of friendships, and talented people, coming together to have fun and to make a difference.
So, why did we choose this field, and why are we still doing this?
I can’t think of a better way to make a living, and to achieve personal and professional fulfillment.
So that’s my answer to those that wonder why I still do this.
So, what’s YOUR excuse?
P.S. A sad shout-out to our friend, Bruce Reese. He was a great broadcaster and truly a great guy. We will miss him.
After a brief stint working for the William A. Robinson marketing services agency in Chicago, where he created campaigns for Philip Morris and Seagram's, Paul struck gold when he was hired as an Account Executive at WRIF-FM in Detroit. This experience launched his sales management career, and four years later, he became the General Sales Manager for KZEW-FM in Dallas, and ultimately, the General Manager for KHYI-FM, also in Dallas. He was lured home to run WDFX-FM in Detroit, before joining Jacobs Media as its General Manager in 1991.
Along with overseeing the day-to-day operations of Jacobs Media, Paul’s main contribution has been the addition of sales consulting services. As an expert in all Rock formats, Paul has made Jacobs Media clients’ untold amounts of money by aiding them in their understanding of how to sell, market, and position their formats via sales training seminars. He has conducted hundreds of client presentations on behalf of Jacobs Media clients, and has aided the Ford Motor Company and Procter & Gamble in improving their understanding of the youth market. Paul is a true "format champion" – someone who believes in the power of branding, and developing radio’s inherent assets.
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A) Most of the above.
B) It’s all I’ve ever done (work).
C) I still have something to give.
D) I’ll know when to stop.
All good, Jay. Especially C
Jay Pearce has summed up all my reasons already.
I’ve been doing this for 33 years, and sometimes I think it might be time to do something else. That’s when someone calls, or texts, or meets me in person, and tells me about something I or the station did that made their day.
That makes up for a lot of the BS I sometimes encounter.
Those are amazing moments and make it worthwhile. Too often we look at this as a job, and forget there’s thousands of people who hear our work. And are impacted by it. Hearing you made someone’s day – even if it was 10 years ago – is powerful.
I had someone tell me this week that they love all our announcers, but that I was the “creme de la creme”! Boy, talk about making your day–or week–or year! I told her that was just because of all the announcers, I was the one filled with the “most creme”!! Great call, great laugh, great life in this crazy business!
Because I F-N love it.
Tim Slats
WNCX-Cleveland
Right F-N there with you, Slats!
I’ve remarked that I have a difficult time disengaging from the business. You’ve clarified why. Being with younger people has kept me young. I enjoy raising money for worthwhile causes. I love the people and the challenge. It allows me to keep one foot in the future. At 70, I still love what I do and love mentoring younger broadcasters. Thanks for helping me answer the question, “why are you still doing this?” All the best.
Nick
Nick, that’s nice of you to say. I don’t think my story is unusual, even though I don’t work AT a radio station. It’s just the best part of the business. For us, the “youth” infusion of our company is down the hall at jacapps. They aren’t “radio people,” but provide us with insight into the future and the energy and fun that comes with youth.
Great post!!
30-plus years in it for me so far. Enjoy every day of it (even pledge drives!) and wouldn’t want to do anything else. Paul’s right-on-the-mark list hits so many of the high notes for all of us. The opportunity to be around creative people in general and everything related to MUSIC in particular are a constant inspiration and rejuvenator.
Thanks for this, Dan. Whenever I’m with someone in the biz who’s complaining, I suggest they look outside at the landscaper or snow plow guy and compare the worst part of their job with the person’s outside. No comparison! We are so lucky to be in this biz.
Because last night we gave away a new RAV4 to an ALT AZ listener. In a few weeks on KSLX we will raise money to pay for emotional support dogs for veterans suffering from PTSD. We will most likely have some Diamondbacks tickets up for grabs for this weekend. We are surrounded by music and interesting people. I have never had a morning when I woke up and thought “Ugh, I hate my job.” And here at Hubbard Radio Phoenix we have not one, but two, AC/DC pinball machines.
Dave, you said it better than I ever could have. And that’s just this week!
Wow, I’ve heard of–and enjoyed–some great perks in this business, but AC/DC pinball machines must TOP THE LIST!! Cool!!
Can’t imagine what else I would have done these past (gulp) 47 1/2 years! We inform, we entertain, we help businesses grow, we give back to our communities….in what other business can you do this….and get paid to do it?
Well-stated, Paul (and thanks for the shout-out).
Mark “Biv” Biviano
Rubber City Radio Group
For those of you reading at home, this is the “Biv” referenced in today’s blog. He was part of the greatest sales team I’ve ever been involved in at WRIF. We didn’t just support the product – we were the product. We hit the streets hard every week and collaborated with Fred in programming (how things never changed) to create outstanding sponsored promotions while making goal (most of the time).
By the way, Biv, I heard from Root Boy on LinkedIn on the blog post today also!
We all need, not want, to be relevant. We all need to be engaged. We all need the interaction of the people we work with. And we all need to be in a business that affords a nap each afternoon…:) . Rock on Fred – may the ‘hits just keep on coming!’
Just woke up from my afternoon nap to read this comment, and you’re right!
My favorite response to this question was from my old freind Skid Roadie, one of the best in the biz. In the late 80’s he was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight who was doing a series on local market DJ’s. When the person doing the interview asked Skid this exact question, he replied with- “it beats lifting heavy objects”.
Exactly. When I hear people bitching about having to go to a station promotion, I think, “Wow, you get to go to a bar, hear great music, don’t pay a cover fee, get free drinks, the best table, meet the band, and all the people in the bar wish they were you.”
Yes, I beats lifting heavy objects.
The people:
Those of us in (or spent time in) radio are truly a breed of our own. We get one another – a bit of a mis-fit, but in the coolest way.
Being around those in publishing for the past 6 months – they don’t have our weirdness (which is a good thing) or our humor.
They are cool – but in this classy way – no ripped jeans or hangovers, haha.
I’ve also built the greatest friends I’ve ever known in radio people, and radio mentors like you, Paul, and Fred. I mean look how Lew was this out-of-the-blue “I got your back” person when I needed somewhere to go and my confidence was compromised. Radio people – we are family.
Also the moments:
When I watch audience members of radio stations get acknowledged socially – it still blows them away. There’s nothing that makes me smile more than when radio talent fully involved the audience socially – help them feel a part of something – reminding folks they are not alone.
Exactly, Lori. What you said about social acknowledgment is like what I wrote about when I told people I work at WRIF – radio occupies an important place in many people’s lives.
And it never amazes us when we do Listener Advisory Boards at a station, the first thing people want to do is see the studios. We take it for granted – to us, it’s no different than another “office.” But to them, it’s where the magic happens.
We forget that all too often.
You mean there’s something ELSE you can do for a living??? Who’d want to do THAT?!?!
Fantastic, fun read that no doubt brought back a flood of great memories to us all!
Thanks, Fred and Paul!!
Appreciate it, David. And when you think about it, are our skills transferable?
Thank you, Paul….and Fred, once again!! Radio, aka Audio Delivery is excellent service, information, music & entertainment, all around. The Show Biz part is huge. And, those of us who’ve sold spots, cued records, been on air, produced shows and put ’em back on-air know how it works and what’s needed. Please keep on keepin’ on and make Radio at 100 the great lasting communication of all time. PS If they can’t create, they’ve met their fate.
Thanks for those great words, Clark. As you’ll read in this morning’s blog, Fred provides the other perspective and encourages those in the business who are out of gas to get out of the way and allow those with energy and ideas – regardless of age – to take the mantle to move radio forward.
Forty-one years for me. Ups and downs… Loved every moment of every up and learned from every single down. I had my own research company for 15 years which was the “Pinnacle” of my career. (See what I did there?) Then four years ago yesterday, I came to Saga Communications – the new highlight of my exciting career. I’ve loved every second. I just have such a strong love and passion for this crazy business and can’t imagine actually having to work for a living.
I think radio people coined the term “pivot,” long before it became an accepetable way for tech startups to change direction. Congrats on a great run, Bob.
We all need:
1) Something to do
2) Something to love
3) Something to look forward to
Paul’s list touches on all 3 essential ingredients of happiness and fulfillment; and why stop when you want it, can do it, and they need you.
Thanks for starting my day of with this, guys.
Our pleasure, Jim. Great to hear from you. And thanks for boiling it doewn sos well.