While sipping some wine at Duffy’s in South Florida with Tom Skinner (pictured above with me) who was visiting, we traded a few Gordon Zlot stories. At some point, he mentioned that he was only 27 when he joined KZST as the station’s new sales manager. However, having no previous management experience and knowing that he would soon need to conduct some job interviews, he bought a book called, “The Ten Best Questions To Ask Prospective Employees At A Job Interview.” Tom claimed that the book was a great help until he discovered that there was another book out ther called, “The Perfect Answers To The Ten Most Asked Questions At A Job Interview.”
Unfortunately, Tom said, when he first arrived at KZST, he discovered that the former Sales Manager who had not only left Gordon high and dry, he also hadn’t left Tom any sales tools. No sales brochures, no rate cards, no leave behinds of any kind, no nothing.
The owner, Gordon Zlot, who was an engineer by trade had put KZSY on the air with his bare hands, so Tom wasn’t quite sure how to approach him about any of this. Finally, because he desperately needed something to work with, he just blurted it out and Gordon who is now a member of the Bay Area Hall Of Fame, not only said yes; he asked if he could help?
The first thing they did was get one of the more creative agencies in town to help them but unfortunately for Tom, who desperately needed the stuff yesterday, the project then went into slow motion. Unbeknownst to Tom, Gordon was and is a very detail-oriented kind of guy. He needed to see the various shades of the colors that they wanted to use and all fonts that were available.
As Tom looks back at it now from semi-retirement, even though the process was very frustrating, he’s so glad Gordon did it that way because it set the standard of what KZST was soon going to become.
When the project was finally finished, the local advertising community raved about how San Francisco it all looked. In fact, even though the programming wasn’t quite in place yet, KZST instantly became the “Big One” in town because they already looked like they were.
Shortly thereafter I’m proud to say, that it didn’t take long for KZST to become #1, and just like WRMF in Palm Beach, and K-103 in Portland, they have remained there for over thirty years. Unfortunately, though, the station that they were all designed after which was the biggest of them all, KVIL in Dallas, is now just an embarrassment.
Why do we care about the rights of people who don’t think we should have any?
It’s never too late to be what you should be.
Seeing as drummer Don Henley is the only original member of the Eagles left, I guess that makes them the best tribute band of all time?
Speaking of drummers, can you imagine Ringo calling his All Starr Band the Beatles?
Buying smart water is a dumb thing to do.
Is it true that some cities in California are beginning to look like they are in third world countries?
I wonder how many so-called poor people are scammers?
The reason more women aren’t running more things right now might be because they don’t want too?
The problem with music research is lots of women love the Stones, but none of them want to hear them on their favorite AC station.
My FAVORITE Georgeism: “OK…let’s stop discussing this great idea before we talk ourselves out of it.” (Write The Wrongs)
Joan Vidler: Got a candlelit here Georgie for you and your neighbors’ safety. (Hurricane Mathew)
Geo: Miss you and Gar so much, “Young Joan.”
Mister Below: Speaking at a broadcasting class at Butler University recently, I told them that when they get to do the radio station tour in a few days, the BMW’s Cadillac’s, Audi’s, Lexus’ and so on… in the parking lot, belonged to the sales folks. (faster Cars)
John Walton: Some undeniable truths posted here. Some bromides that don’t pass the litmus test of the “real world.” Here’s my reality, I’ve had a fairly successful radio career for 45 years and a very successful morning program for 35 straight years now if we had blindly accepted and implemented even half of what was “strongly” recommended by a dozen big-name consultants, we would have most assuredly joined the post Telecom 96 off the air club. But, I have always read it all there is because there is so much left to learn. (Nuthin’ on but the radio)
Geo: You’re right John, sometimes the key to success is just being curious.
We are lucky radio dudes. (Hey There Nathaniel)
Geo: The Frog was good to both of us Tom, and not only did we win big in the Inland Empire, we had a lot of fun plus also a few memorable adventures. Things started to spiral down when CBS bought it, but now that Entercom owns it, they have sunk to new lows. Not only have they taken the Frog names off, but I hear they program it out of San Diego. Hey, and happy 80th.
Dee McGinn: George, I knew you via Don Garrard (dandy) back in the late 70s/early 80s. I was married to him while he was in Indy at the buzzard through his stint with you in San Diego. I still have a note you sent him asking, “Don, you haven’t caused any trouble for a while…are you ill?”I only met you a handful of times, but you were just delightful to talk to, and Don thought very highly of you. I spotted your blog while trying to see what Tom Cochran and Buster are up to now, and thought I’d say hello and wish you well. Take care! Dee (Garrard) McGinn (Comments)