Making the change???

[NickGerard]

argy - You're a superb copy and production guy and I love ya.  I understand your frustration.  I understood it when you were saying the same thing 24 years ago;) But maybe it's time to shake up your perspective a little, amigo!

I enjoy hearing good copy and production just as you do, but,the nature of radio is that often we just have to barrel through and get the job done!  Individual stations, in general, do not reward the production "artiste."  Radio prefers the production guy who can do lots of good, serviceable spots and do them quickly.

I've now been at 23 stations, way more than I would have liked.  The 4:45PM Friday  production order for the 6:01AM Monday start is a constant at both crummy stations and great stations.  I accepted and embraced this years ago.

I have yet to see the station with unfailingly polite salespeople who have always-flexible deadlines.  I have not been at a station where the production guys have unlimited rescources and all the time they need to craft the perfect pristine commercial.  If you find it, let me know, and I'll send a resume, too!

Nick Seneca

[NickGerard]

>
> as smoothly writ were it spoken on the air, sir nicholas!  
>
> and what you brings round "these parts?"  ;-)  how be life
> in sunny CA?
>


Heh heh - thanks Erie (whomever you may be).  Things in Calif are fine - VO's a struggle, but I'm married now (finally) and life is great!

Nick S

[argytunes]

> argy - You're a superb copy and production guy and I love
> ya.  I understand your frustration.  I understood it when
> you were saying the same thing 24 years ago;) But maybe it's
> time to shake up your perspective a little, amigo!
>
> I enjoy hearing good copy and production just as you do,
> but,the nature of radio is that often we just have to barrel
> through and get the job done!  Individual stations, in
> general, do not reward the production "artiste."  Radio
> prefers the production guy who can do lots of good,
> serviceable spots and do them quickly.

BUT....DOES THE CLIENT GET THE RESULTS HE (OR SHE) IS LOOKING FOR?  OR DOES THE "DEADLINE" TO GET THE SPOT ON THE AIR OVERRIDE EVERYTHING?  ANYBODY CAN PRODUCE A "SERVICEABLE SPOT"----BUT HOW MANY LISTENERS TAKE THE TIME TO HEAR IT?
>
> I've now been at 23 stations, way more than I would have
> liked.  The 4:45PM Friday  production order for the 6:01AM
> Monday start is a constant at both crummy stations and great
> stations.  I accepted and embraced this years ago.

MIGHT BE "A CONSTANT"---BUT DOES THIS MAKE A SPOT GOOD?  AND MOREOVER, DOES IT WORK FOR THE CLIENT?  LIKE YOURSELF...I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED FOR CRUMMY AND GREAT RADIO STATIONS. AND HAVE FACED THAT 4:45 FRIDAY DEADLINE!  IRONICALLY, THE STATIONS THAT HAD THEIR S**T TOGETHER MADE IT CLEAR THAT ALL ORDERS AND COPY WERE TO BE IN BY 12NOON ON FRIDAY.  AE'S CRIED TO GSM'S AND GSM'S WINED TO THE BIG KAHUNA'S----BUT SOMEHOW, THE CONCEPT CAUGHT ON!  AND SURPRISINGLY---THE ADVERTISING DOLLARS STILL CAME IN.  ONLY DIFFERENCE WAS....THE "FRIDAY NIGHT GUY" DIDN'T HAVE TO HANDLE EVERY LAST MINUTE PIECE OF CRAP.  

SO AS MUCH AS I RESPECT YOU AS AN AIR TALENT, WRITER AND PRODUCER....I HAVE TO DISAGREE WITH YOU. THE 4:45PM ON FRIDAY DEADLINE IS GARBAGE!  BASICALLY...IT'S JUST AN AE'S "LAST DITCH" EFFORT TO GRAB A LITTLE MORE COMMISH FOR THE WEEK.

>
> I have yet to see the station with unfailingly polite
> salespeople who have always-flexible deadlines.  I have not
> been at a station where the production guys have unlimited
> rescources and all the time they need to craft the perfect
> pristine commercial.  If you find it, let me know, and I'll
> send a resume, too!

NOBODY IS LOOKING FOR "UNFAILINGLY POLITE SALESPEOPLE"---BUT IF THEIR CLIENTS MEAN DIDDLY-SQUAT (AND IT'S NOT JUST THE COMMISSION)....DOESN'T THE ATTITUDE REFLECT THE STATION AS A WHOLE?  SURE....A SPOT WITH A SCREAMING ANNOUNCER OVER A LOUD MUSIC BED CAN BE PRODUCED IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES...AND I GUESS SOME ADVERTISERS DON'T CARE IF IT'S "SANDWICHED" BETWEEN 2 PROMOS IN FRONT AND 3 MORE SPOTS IN THE BACK?  BUT UNLESS THIS "SCREAM YOUR LUNGS OUT" APPROACH IS WHAT THE CLIENT REALLY WANTS (AND ACTUALLY WORKS), DO YOU THINK HE (OR SHE) IS GONNA SIGN UP WITH THAT SAME RADIO STATION FOR A 2ND OR 3RD TIME?

MAYBE THIS "LACK OF COMMUNICATION" BETWEEN THE PLAYERS (WHO ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PLAYING ON THE SAME TEAM....AKA "WORKING TOGETHER") IS THE REASON THE PROFESSION THAT THE 2 OF US LOVE....SOUNDS SO FRIGGIN' TIRED?
>
> Nick Seneca/ARGYTUNES
>