| Topic Name: |
KOIN - Salamone is gone! |
| Message Name: |
The Salamone Saga |
| Date Posted: |
05/25/2005 |
| In Reply To: |
Since when are news stories determined by the "wad of cash" you or the station is going lose? Sounds like Dan showed backbone to me. That's the problem with news today, it's all driven by the bottom line. Whether it's in the first or third segment, if it's news, its news. What was the story, who was the advertiser and who was the reporter? A Dan hire?
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| Message: |
I'm not familiar with the situation that ziamia describes, but lack of backbone was not Dan's issue at KOIN. I think Dan is a pretty smart guy in many areas. But, in others, he was less than savvy. Dan needed more insight into how to motivate people, with methods other than bullying, intimidation, and focusing on the negative. That's why two union votes are coming up. People felt helpless to battle the condescension, the ridiculous amount of unnecessary overtime (including unpaid), scheduling and anchor upheavals, firings, etc. It was not an environment for success.
I understand that he was impatient, regarding accomplishing the goal of being #1, and was likely frustrated when all his efforts sent KOIN the other way. But,that impatience led to constant, rapid change that not only disrupted the operation from the inside, but was not received well by viewers. What's happening at KOIN, with an impending sale on the horizon, will take a long time to recover from.
In my opinion, Salamone just didn't know enough about Portland's people, the market's viewers, and the talent he already had at KOIN. (Note that when he arrived, KOIN was a solid #2. Now, they're #3 and falling). He had so much success in Albuquerque, that he made a mistake in thinking that he could just transfer that success (and in many cases, the same people), from New Mexico to Oregon. KOIN became something none of its long-time viewers recognized, and something new viewers didn't take to.
Things are different here.
I do hope Dan lands on his feet. I wish the same for all the KOINers who got pushed off the boat when Captain Dan sailed into town.
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