RAB Cuts Staff Again - Relevant?

[MissyRadio]

So the Radio Advertising Bureau has cut their small staff again. 10 people were laid off today, most based in the Dallas office of the Radio Advertising Bureau. The best-known are Executive VP of Training George Hyde and Executive VP of Services Mike Mahone – both longtime staffers at the association.
Just a bit ironic since the hoax email that came out during the last cut mentioned the idea of dropping two of these EVPs (combined salary estimated over $500k!) and the with the additional cuts all coming out of their Dallas office, one has to believe that Haley is looking to bring the entire operation to NY.
My question is... does anybody even use their service?  I mean you pay to be a member but then they try to so hard to upsell other products, I'm just wondering, is the company even relevant anymore?  By the way,  kudos on finally realizing that it's a good idea to combine the RAB sales training conference with the NAB’s Fall Radio Show.

[tazmedia]

Relevant? Don't know the answer to that, but I think they're useful - we need them. Couple thoughts . . .

What happens if RAB goes away? NAB isn't carrying our flag to the ad world. The "C" companies are to pre-occupied to be doing it for the industry.

George Hyde has been a one-man band teaching the concepts of Radio Sales to companies that wouldn't pop for training. Really believed in what he was doing and worked hard.

They do lots of stuff, but to me, the most useful asset is their library of over a thousand radio spots online, all there for the taking and using. Problem is that so few people know they're there at a time when we so badly need good spots. Clear Channel's Creative Services Group understands the value of tie-breaker creative.

I'd sure hate to see RAB go away.

[NamJock]

I've known George Hyde for years. He proctored my CRMC exam - both times (#2 was for the "Diamond Level," don't even know if it's still offered). He is a devoted radio-phile and has helped many a youngster wind their way through after being handed a phone book and being told to "Hit it!"

On the other hand, a half mil sounds like a lot for two people, I'd like to see a couple of other confirming sources on that. I know George was in NY for many years and that's a very expensive town, so perhaps, if the salary reports are true, his was based on his time there and it's hard to go backwards. I don't know Mahone well enough to comment.

The RAB isn't what it was under Gary Fries. That being said: Relevant? Wow, tough. Just about all industries have representative "boards" or "bureaus" that represent the industry to various buying entities. If we start to see the demise of the TVB and Newspaper's NAA we'll have a better idea. Until then, RAB is still viable, but on notice as is everyone in an economy like this.

[DavidEduardo]

The RAB isn't what it was under Gary Fries. That being said: Relevant? Wow, tough. Just about all industries have representative "boards" or "bureaus" that represent the industry to various buying entities. If we start to see the demise of the TVB and Newspaper's NAA we'll have a better idea. Until then, RAB is still viable, but on notice as is everyone in an economy like this.

The focus of  the RAB... and radio sales... may have stayed too long on the sale of spots. Relevance today may mean being part of new delivery systems, and I am not sure that the RAB, or even most of the radio industry, is ready.

Taz mentions the spot bank, which is a wonderful resource. With cutbacks, in many cases we have sellers writing spots on the back of envelopes and the client message is diminished. Looking for good spots in the RAB collection can at least focus station staff on ways to create a campaign for each client, not just a laundry list of things the client sells or does.

I also like the idea that has been mentioned in several of the newsletters and websites of the RAB offering individual memberships. Just as the CRMC gave radio sellers something to be proud of, this idea also says that an individual member is committed to their clients' success.

So, yeah, the RAB is needed. And like everything, it needs to evolve to stay relevent in these times.

[radioray]

I really doubt George and Mike were making 500k a year between the two of them.

[DavidEduardo]

I really doubt George and Mike were making 500k a year between the two of them.

Correct. They were likely making a bit more.

[radioray]

I doubt it. I have been to George's house in Florida and let's just say it didn't appear to be a place someone making 250k lives. More like someone making 125 or so. And I got the impression he made most of his coin when he was GMing the Spanish language station. Again, that is all just a guess of course. Man to have his (and Mahones for that matter) pipes, though! Nice guy, hope he finds something soon or is content in retirement.

[DavidEduardo]

I doubt it. I have been to George's house in Florida and let's just say it didn't appear to be a place someone making 250k lives. More like someone making 125 or so. And I got the impression he made most of his coin when he was GMing the Spanish language station. Again, that is all just a guess of course. Man to have his (and Mahones for that matter) pipes, though! Nice guy, hope he finds something soon or is content in retirement.

A lot of people, particularly the bright ones like George, don't spend a the level that they earn. They save, invest, and live below their means so that they can keep their lifestyle as long as they live and leave something to the kids.

For a position at the level that these folks had acheived, two-fifty is not a huge salary.

[TodaysTomSawyer]

I really doubt George and Mike were making 500k a year between the two of them.

You'd be wrong! They were making 280K each in 2007 alone!   

Having known something of that place in more detail, I'm also inclined to disagree with some of the posts regarding those folks on here.

[radioray]

Thanks for the info!