Geo’s Media Blog (The Secret) New for 7/22/19

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I first met radio hall of famer, Gordon Zlot (pictured above) at a NAB in Las Vegas around the time my new format, Class FM, was starting to get some nice traction accross America. After he introduced himself as being the owner of KZST in Santa Rosa, he asked if I had time to answer some questions about my new format? 
It turned out that Gordon, who recently has been inducted into San Francisco’s Radio Hall Of Fame, saying that he had some questions, was the understatement of the year. I had no idea where Santa Rosa was, but when he told me that it was in the middle of the wine country, I told him to question on! (I’d just recently switched from Canadian Whiskey to Red Wine) 
What a mistake! After about an hour of intense questioning, he finally said, “I love what you’re saying but so far everything is very philosophical, do you have any specifics?” I sure do, I answered, in fact, if you can get me a rating book for your market, I tell you the exact four times when 85% of your cume is listening to your station. There are the four times each day that if you can be great for 10 minutes, you’ll own the market.
Gordon claimed that he had an Arbitron one in his room and when he was back with it, we made an appointment to have breakfast together. Bright and early the next morning I showed him the time in each day part that he had to be great in order to win it. However I went on to say, “the times are just science, what to do in each of those ten minute periods is where the art comes in.” After looking at all 4 times for awhile, he said, “How could you possibly know this?” I responded with, “It’s a secret Gordon.”
I bumped into him again the next day, and with a big grin on his face, he said, “I took your times to the Arbitron suite and they did a special run for me. It turns out that you were wrong, 87% of our cume listen at those times, not 85 like you said, however when they asked me how I came up with those times, I told them it’s a secret. 
 
GEO’S LIFE-LINES
Isn’t it strange how the recently publicized indiscretions of MLK faded away so rapidly but slick Willy’s live on? 
 
Don’t you hate it when the politicians go out of the way to find out what we are for or against and then claim that’s where they’re at too?

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers remain undefeated and still have the best record in football.

Do we have the name of the fool who wrote, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me?”

Every successful entity has a secret
 

COMMENTS


Bill Johnson: George, I just stumbled across your web site and I really enjoy it. Brings back fond memories in Indy at Fairbanks – we really had a one / two punch with WIBC / WNAP. What a group of talented people! Probably the happiest time in my professional career. . . thanks to you and Jim Hilliard.
Geo: Bill, Thank you for your nice comments. I still remember the day when I told you that shouldn’t take the SM’s job in Memphis because the station’s Super Star morning man, Rick Dees, was headed to LA. But as usual, you, sales types never listen. 🙂

Reg Johns: I see my brother has stepped up his game. We’re taking the show out of the basement and onto the stage with lights. (I don’t know, seems to be a lot of glitter for a Transcona boy). So I’m assuming, now that it looks nice, we will find the content to be ever inspiring – yes?
Welcome to the Internet. You go, Bro!

Geo: Well little Bro, It’s like when John said Paul, “So it’s silly love songs is it Paul?” Paul responded, “Well at least I’m still writing, John.” (Who decides how much the CEO should make?)

Cathy Conley: LOVE your blog, George!  BTW, time for a reunion with your Austin radio family. I think Reid Reker should organize, don’t you think?!

Geo: I agree, Cathy, but what Reid does best is delegate, so look for it to come back on you. (Sex Sales & Lies)

Lorraine Marshall: So my Dear Canadian friend,
I think your daughter might be in store for some of the best lessons of her life.
Be a lady!  Be beautiful, be real, be alive in all ways.  Embracing the beauty within is such a lovely lesson for all young ladies (even us older ones need to keep learning!).  That does not mean ‘trying’ to be more or less than all that one is. Beauty comes from ‘being comfortable with who you are’. She will not fully know that until much, much later. I am in France right now. A place where beauty and sensuality are as easy as water and wine!   All of us women need to be more at ease with our beauty!  You Geo– are right-talk to her, let her know!
BTW- Linda needs to be spoiled… do it!  🙂
Oh, and by the way – NON, I do not pick up Cheques…  So Canadian of me!
Bisous from France, Lorraine.
Geo: Je T’aime, Mon Cheri. (Sex Sales & Lies)

Dick Taylor: Randy Michaels once said, “Give me great programming and an average sales team & I will make you money.  Give me a great sales team and average programming and I won’t. (One moment can change your life)
Geo: Dick, The best thing Randy ever said was, “I never made any money in radio until I met Sam Zell. He told me to stop chasing ratings and start chasing the money.”

Kelley Mitchell: Just finished a workshop with a former CBC guy. You, Canadian radio people, are funny and pretty good at what you do. Happy Canada Day.
Geo: The thing of it Kelley, Canadian guys had to be funny in order to get the “Chicks,” we never had any money. (No, no, no)

Keith James: VERY NICE GEORGE… I THINK WE ALL GOT STARTED THROUGH SOME VARIATION ON THAT STORY… FOR ME IT WAS 1949, OVER 60 FUCKING YEARS AGO AT A SMALL STATION IN LEXINGTON VIRGINIA. IN 1964 I WAS THINKING OF COMING TO MOFFAT WHEN I HEARD JIM HILLIARD WAS THERE AND SAM HOLMAN WAS AT CKLG, PRETTY GOOD COMPANY…SO I ACCEPTED THEIR OFFER TO GO TO CHED IN EDMONTON.
IT HAS BEEN MORE FUN AND A BETTER LIFE THAN I HAD EVER DREAMED IT COULD BE, THANKS TO A LOT OF WONDERFUL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE AT MOFFAT AS WELL AS YOU AND BROTHER REG…
KEITH.

Geo: Those days at Moffat were very special for me too Keith. My head was empty when I first met and worked with Jim Hilliard, Mark Parr, Chuck Riley, and Gary Todd at CKY, but they soon filled it with some pretty neat stuff. (On Your Mark)

Nancy Grace: TELL YOUR GUYS TO STOP SLAMMING ME!

Geo: Ok, please don’t hurt me, Nancy! (The prosecution blew it)

Charlie Columbo: I know who Jimmy is. I can tell by his dimples.

Geo: Hey Charlie, Jimmy, (Hilliard) just checked in and says it’s tragic that I think he had any involvement in that horrendous language getting on the air at CKY, it was my careless operating. He did note however that the Rev and I had the #1 rated time period on the station. (O’ Jimmy where art thou!)

Nancy Grace: FUNNY I DO THE SAME THING!

Geo: You go, girl! (O’ Jimmy where art thou!)

Chet Tart: Recently John Parikhal reminisced to Lee Abrams that nobody stays up all night anymore creating radio to be executed the next day. But he bet they sure do at Google. Truly miss that time and the people involved!

Geo: The listeners miss those times too Chet. (Are you f#*king kidding me!)

Mary Franko: In an industry that glamorizes frailty and gives awards to songs with self-destructive lyrics like “Rehab,” isn’t it great to hear George recognize his powerful daughters?

Geo: That they are Mary. (Publish or Perish)

Geo’s Media Blog is an inside look at Radio, Music, Movies, and Life. For a sneak peek at some upcoming Blogs or to see some that you may have missed, go to GeorgeJohns.com. On Twitter @GeoOfTheRadio. Sharing and commenting is appreciated.

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