State of the Dream 2011…
I originally began writing this post last night…about the state of the dream… The dream of every young broadcaster especially in radio…to know they have the ability to succeed, in their career path of choosing. The post started off really pompous and to be honest it frustrated me…I re-read and re-wrote and the phrase that always made the cut was this: The State of the dream is brittle… 2011 has been a devastating year for radio, and I am sure for TV personalities too. There have been mass layoffs, flooding the job market with experienced professionals who frankly have proved more than you have. They still have a passion to do what they do and will do just about anything to get it. Just like you..
2011 was a year that exemplified the reactionary corner that Radio has backed itself into…The industry has become so writhe with insecurity, it's had no other choice but to flee instead of fight. With a fear for not just your job but your career, the thing that puts food in your children’s mouth how can you not be insecure, and forced to become numb to your own ideas and creative thought? What knife cut that tough top layer of skin exposing that weak quivering underbelly? The answer: A large corporate apathetic culture that even some local owners have looked to as a solution. Yet none has been found.
Recently Sears announced the closing of 120 Sears and K-Mart stores...One Sears that was not in danger of closing was Sears in Saranac Lake NY…Why? Even though this store has battled poor public image, and community support for a few years, and in all honesty they should be closed but why weren't they?
They are owned locally.. They aren't part of that large corporate apathetic culture that refused to see the writing on the wall years ago and change their business model…I’m no expert on Sears but To give you an idea of what I mean.. Whirlpool stock dropped on the news of the closings because Sears stores make up 8% of their sales…That's huge! If people are buying these large ticket appliances it means people are shopping at Sears shops…So instead of seeing that and changing to encourage more of that they waited, they were bull headed, and the result? 4800 employees at least are out on the streets during the coldest time of year. I'm not being a 99%er here saying Corporations are evil…in my opinion they serve a purpose, and they serve a purpose in Radio…but the apathetic corporate culture is acting like osteoporosis causing radio…causing your dream in 2011 to become brittle So what needs to change in 2012 too strengthen Radio, to strength your dream?…Some things you can control and some things you can't.I want to believe 2012 will be different? Unfortunately without changes it will be the same as 2011.
What about bigger corporations need to get out of smaller and medium markets? They can't maintain because of their size, and corporate structure…Most other corporations have “authorized dealers” How about franchises that still give the station to web platforms and streaming utilities yet bottom lined are owned locally?
How about in 2012 we see more respect for Radio Veterans? What you must understand is that these people are your brothers and sisters, not strangers, enemies or competition. They are reaching for the same eroded footholds you are… Knowing and connecting with veterans will teach you more as your search continues.
In 2012 we need to pick a direction, and focus, already talks about High Def Radio have arose. While streaming and how to stream was never resolved…Radio has to focus!
In 2012 mother nature needs to get her act together and stop being crazy…even though in 2011 she forced Radio to shine brighter than ever before with how it responded to natural disasters around the country.
It showed that Radio was far from dead and still looked too for comfort, support and information. More stations should take pride in providing this to the communities no matter what time of year…I hope in 2012 we don’t revert back to Christmas and Easter type of industry only acknowledging the community and it’s needs 2 times a year.
Finally in 2012 one thing that will change is the dream…It’s evolved, it’s no longer good enough to have a dream, it’s not enough just to earn the dream no now you must hunt it, you must capture it and you must make it work for you. If that means working part-time right now…DO IT! If that means doing sales…DO IT! If that means you have to clean bathrooms in between breaks DO IT! Be confident, strong courageous and take that jump to own it yourself.
In closing even though the state of the dream is brittle, my fellow young broadcasters, I urge you to move forward. To still dream your dream, it’s a climb and it’s an uncertain one at that, but even just recognizing it’s still there allows you to move forward..2012 needs to be a year of progress in both industry and in self…We will have to wait and see I just hope Mayan Calendar ending didn’t also mark the end of the broadcast one.
