Caralis now sacking staff before they start

18Feb09

Pretty ridiculous. It’ll save him money now, but in the longterm, as stories like this pile up, it’ll cost him much more.

odd coincidence. Last night a taxi driver told me about a guy he nearly worked for that sold used cars in Paramatta. This guy would take on “salesmen” then after two weeks say they could have a car at a cheap rate, get them to sign the car contract and then sack them.
I guess there are used car salesmen in the media business too, hmm?

Caralis seems a bit of a fool. Deliberately choose to run a company with less experienced people? That gets you a credible, quality product how, exactly? If more experienced people are willing to work for you that you were originally seeking, isn’t that a bonus?

And isn’t it illegal to discriminate in the workplace on the basis of age?

There is no doubt in my mind that the Super radio network news is one of the worst news services I have ever heard and it’s all because of Caralis penny pinching attitude that people are tuning out in their droves even the racing station got sick of their morning presenters (The Big Sports Breakfast hosts) having to correct mistakes made by the supernetwork hence having changed to Macquarie Radio News which is a hell of a lot better.

Bill Caralis and the (sic) SuperNetwork!!
is idicitive of radio in Australia…it’s crap…soon to be crap in digital…well maybe!!!

Like so many ‘modern day managers’, Bill clearly hates bills! Sadly, the industry all the poorer – just have a listen, your ears will tell you the truth!

I worked for Caralis years ago and this is so his style. The day I walked intot he place I knew I had made a huge blunder and wthen spent every waking minute chasing other gigs til I eventually got a good one 3 monnths later. I know it won’t seem llike it now, but the station manager has saved you from a lot of grief. Best of luck with your future career!

I was offered a job at Super Radio Network in response to the cadetship offer and then began straight away, but two weeks later I was told I was no longer needed as they didn’t have any money to hire more staff, again, by the extremely apologetic station manager. Why stuff people around like that? It’s confusing and embarrassing. I also notice many mistakes or badly written news in their bulletins – do they look at people’s qualifications or how little pay they are willing to accept? they also asked for applicants’ photos when applying (for radio??)

From someone who has been offered a job by Mr Bill Caralis and then had it taken away 5 min later because I asked for the ‘Award’ wage, this is common practice. This man should not be allowed to ruin the radio industry like this, look at 2SM Sydney & NEW FM Newcastle, both powerhouses in their day, now would get better ratings if they pumped out white noise.

I feel sorry for these kids who are trying to get their start in radio journalism but are being exploited to the max by this guy. He frequently advertises for ‘cadet journalists’ and is about the only employer in radio who ever does. It’s a smart strategy – get them young, keen and cheap. But this has been going on for years now, and I see no sign of the MEAA or any other professional body doing anything about it. Having been on the receiving end of many an early moring call from one of their reporters seeking grabs for stories, I can attest to their enthusiasm but they are being treated like crap.

I am going to speak from a management perspective here and the anonymous radio journalist in this article isnt going to like it. Several points regardless of any radio outlet you work for:
1. Generally, radio does not pay well. We do it for pleasure over pay.
2. A new radio journalist with (as you said yourself) virtually no experience will not be paid handsomely (regardless of age). You might have 27 year old pay expectations but in this industry with no experience you are back to square one.
3. Many would be grateful to get a first break in radio – regardless of the pay.
4. It is a teetering recession in this country, any job should be snapped up with thanks.

Good luck with your first break.

I once discussed a technican vacancy there with a staffer. The pay rates mentioned were unskilled rates(via an AWA) and I was obviously not interested. Supernetwork eventually managed to get a tech though – therein lies the problem. As long as people are naive enough to think working for peanuts will lead them somewhere nothing will change.

Here is the bottom line on 2SM and all that sail in her. There were 14 radio stations last survey that at least scored some ratings points in the Sydney survey…..2SM, not a bleep. That will tell you the decisions being made at 2SM are less than adequate to make it a competitive alternative to 14 radio stations in a real market.

dont belive all you here about this story
can anyone teel us his name?
if not why?
i think he should call in ACA (TV9)

damok

You can believe the story. I have the original email, name and address. I have spoken to the person involved and I know which station it was. Only suppressing the names to protect the person and station manager who both want to be in the industry.

You only have to read the above comments to realise that this is not an uncommon thing in the Caralis empire. In fact, I can introduce you to ex-management who were continually forced to follow such directives.

Tracy,

I have 20 years experience in both the audio industry and community radio, taken on a variety of roles including production, news, panel operating etc. Do you reckon I can get ANYONE in commercial radio to give me a go despite all the experience I have? Nope! I’m at square one WITH experience.

After working for the Super Network for half a decade, I have continually seen the penny pinching, the constant mind changing and the arrogance this man has for his staff, advertisers and the community as a whole. If he had his way, it’d be all run from Sydney and there’d be no local content, period.

The people working for him, work their guts out for little thanks and many times not the correct amount of pay, and many end up turned off for life. I almost had a nervous breakdown from being so overworked and not getting the assistance I needed, but thankfully I saw the light and managed to get out and work for a real radio network instead.

For those still stuck working for the guy, do you absolute best work and first class demo and do all you can to get the hell out as fast as possible.

The network as a whole is an embarrassment for the Australian industry, and unfortunately gives us all a bad name.

As a former employee, I too can vouch for the above account. Journalists in the 2SM newsroom are generally hired for their looks over talent or skills. And while there are some good journos there, there are also some TERRIBLE ones who have clearly developed bad habits, and without proper guidance, will continue with those bad habits for years to come. To anyone who ever goes to work for the Super Network…NEVER query your pay!!! As much as you may find it unfair, its better to be underpaid than sacked in the end. Sure it’s a crap attitude, but unfortunetly it’s the truth. And sooner or later, the Super Network will fall apart because without ratings, the money will dry up. Then hopefully someone who actually gives a crap about radio will take over the stations.

I was employed by ‘Uncle Bill’ for two years at two of his regional stations, I could tell you things you would find very hard to believe, but are true nevertheless.
What I just don’t understand is why? Why does he run his business down so much by getting rid of anyone who is in any way experienced. I worked for one GM who was appointed with a little over seven months experience in the industry!
That station was a nightmare and as far as I know still is; much overtime never paid and many hours worked by exhausted people doing three, sometimes four jobs to keep the place afloat…
I’m now a print journo and have found there are better careers than with Caralis’ empire where you constaantly ask yourself if the break into radio is really worth it.

You guys should listen to Tracey.

Radio definitely doesn’t pay well … at least not in my Supernetwork … Just ask any of my staff.

A man could go broke paying people what they’re worth !
And what’s wrong with hiring kids ? After all McDonalds do it and they churn out great food … I can attest to that … have ya seen the size of my derriere lately. Could do with some souvlaki on their menu though !

I’ve worked for Caralis and you are lucky to be paid above Grade 1. In fact, not many journalists in the Super Network get paid over that- regardless of age or experience. I questioned my pay with my manager (again, hands were tied) and with the MEAA but after hearing that Bill is likely to get rid of staff without warning for actually questioning what they should be paid, I took a pre-emptive strike and found another job that offered me quite a few grades higher.
No doubt you get some of the best experience working in a Caralis newsroom, you just can’t get a raise if you do a good job at it!

There’s a cinema in Randwick, Sydney that has the same policies as Caralis.

If they want to pay peanuts, then they get monkeys.

There ought to be a law against it

What do you mean Caralis is cheap…he can afford Grant Goldman.

No, no, no, no, no … all this talk about poor wages is way off the mark.

If you compare what I pay people to what they got paid in radio in the 70′s, well it’s a lot of money !
In the 70′s a pair of tracky dacks would cost you $5 …
If you shop around today a real good pair that you can wear with a polo and a tie might cost $7 !

Do you guys follow where I’m going here … if ya don’t you could end up dackless and out of a job !

Hang on … I’m not sure what i meant myself … let me grab a diet coke and I’ll get back to ya’s.

Well Media Hunter is once again bleating about the way Bill runs his radio network, seriously Media Hunter this is starting to get tiresome even for someone like myself who has worked at Sandgate.

So you reckon your constant criticism of 2HD and NEW is because “Newcastle is being poorly served by radio.”

Well Media Hunter if in fact Newcastle is being poorly served by radio why don’t you also launch an attack on your mates at Charlestown? Surely they too play a part in this ‘poor service by radio’ idea you
have! I’d bet tho you won’t say anything negative about NX/KO even tho they too have had thousands of sackings top to bottom across their network, I guess for you ignorance is bliss.

Media Hunter, it’s now become apparent that you’re merely a disgruntled ex-employee who has an axe to grind, due to the fact you didn’t get your own way.

Sadly now it seems you and your mates are having flashbacks from when life was good and want a bit more of the action.

Media Hunter, the sooner you and your cronies realise that no matter how hard you whinge, moan, groan and shake the cage you can’t have and never will have Bill’s radio assets, plus it won’t alter the fact that Bill will continue to run his stations in whatever way he deems appropriate, remember he’s the one who’s invested millions not you!

Seriously you’re now embarrassing yourself and your so called media business. Funny enough I can’t see it, I can’t hear it and I can’t read it, so what sort of media business is it you’re supposed to be in
charge of?

Get over it, get a life and move on to something legitimate, otherwise we’ll put a call into Jerry Springer, who’s always looking for tuggers, nutters and fakes like you.

By the way for the record I, along with many others do respect Bill and the network he has built up over the years, it’s certainly more than what you’ll ever amass you parasite!

And the award for employee of the month goes tooooooo*s*………………………….
G

NOTE: I have decided to publish the comment by “Glennie” after removing a line. I have no problems with taking the criticism, just refuse to publish slanderous non-truths.

For the record, last year I blocked a profane comment that was directed at Caralis.

Happy to have the debate, lets just keep it clean.

RESPONSE TO “GLENNIE”

Thx for your kind words. You raise a few interesting points.

Yes my ongoing complaint has been that “Newcastle is poorly served by radio”. I said it in The Herald last year and I maintain that stance. Unfortunately the two underperforming SuperNetwork stations, NEWFM & 2HD, are the main reason for this.

The Caralis management philosophy means that while he owns 50% of the commercial radio stations in the market he only reaches half the number of listeners as the other two commercial stations. He also reputedly now only receives 20% of the commercial radio spend while the other two receive 80%.

As an agency owner responsible for a substantial amount of media placement in this market, its a big issue when half of the commercial radio offerings are performing so badly. The result is inflated pricing at KO/NX and poor value for my clients.

You ask why I don’t criticise KO/NX? They are the No.1 & 2 stations in the market. NX & KO have a cumulative audience of 181000 + 148000 respectively compared to NEW & 2HD with 81,000 & 84000. They have 80% of the radio revenue in the market. Whats to criticise? The only thing I can say about KO/NX is that they are not pushed hard enough in this market by their competitors, and that may mean their product isn’t as good as it could be. Competition is healthy and sharpens everyone.

Yes I am an ex-employee. No, Bill and I don’t exchange Christmas cards. But this is not a personal vendetta.

Am I “having flashbacks to when life was good?” Hardly. Like most ex-employees of the Supernetwork, life is much better when you leave. Earning a good income elsewhere is much better than getting a few free McD vouchers occasionally and working in a building that most OH&S officers wouldn’t deem fit for occupation.

Yes Bill has built an impressive radio footprint and invested a lot in the industry. No doubt about it. Its just a shame that its run so badly because it could be so good.

This particular post came out of nowhere after I received correspondence from the person mentioned. I didn’t manufacture the story, I just posted what they wrote. Judging by the number of comments saying they have had similar experiences at Caralis-owned stations, its clearly a common theme. Having worked there myself, I know it to be true.

Exploiting young journalists and copywriters by paying below the award for the duties expected of them is not good for the industry. Sacking them when they question their incorrect remuneration is abhorrent.

If you respect Bill knowing what goes on there and how he treats staff, then good on you. But I don’t and many others seem to agree.

BTW, why do you feel compelled to hide behind a fake name and email?

Hey media hunter, why not have a go at Newcastle TV and in particular Prime and Ten, who both get eaten alive by NBN?? Its atrocious that 10 waste money on Rove or Prime on Today Tonight, two shows that rate poorly. Hello, are you able to defend your silence in the area of TV?

As an ex-employee at Sandgate your commentary, and it is commentary, sounds like sour grapes. It’s nice to have a cause, like defending the poorly serviced radio listeners of Newcastle, but why not aim your humanitarian concerns the way of bushfire appeals or breast cancer research. I think more people would care about either of them.

Sounds like everyone just decided to pick on Media Hunter.

Col – you said he should aim his humanitarian concerns via the way of bushfire appeals or breast cancer research. If everyone did that don’t you think it would get a bit clogged, and anything NOT regarding bushfires or cancer would be forgotten. Imagine how many people would get exploited then.

I think that’s the point of Media Hunter’s post – to ensure that issues where people are getting exploited are brought to the foreground so it can be dealt with. No one should be taken advantage of.

And at the end of the day if you don’t agree with what he says, don’t read the site. Simple.

I can say I had the pleasure of running the internship completed by the person in question that started all this. I would employ them in a second if I had an appropriate position available. 27 with a uni degree, great voice, heaps of potential, hard working etc etc etc. I told them they’ll be thankful in the end that they didn’t get caught up in such a situation. To the manager who says you don’t get into radio for money I agree, but you also don’t get into radio to be treated like a slave. To employ a ‘cadet’ and then have them run a newsroom on their own is borderline criminal and an absolote slap in the face to not only the journo but also the listener. Sure, they’ll get that break in radio, but where to from there? With no guidance or encouragement they’ll more than likely burn out a few years down the track. I have received demos from ‘Supernetwork’ journos that would make your ears bleed they are that bad. It’s such a shame for our industry to see these kids treated in such a way. I pray that things may change but I’m not confident at all. I hope I’m wrong.

Media Hunter in regards to your comment about the state of the Sandgate building, what happened to the multi-million dollar facility planned for the site which I believe was approved by council. The the house next to the carpack was demolished and I thought that would see the start of construction but nothing? Do you know if it’s still going ahead?

Thanks,
Chris

Chris

The new building is a story that has been thrown around for years. They were going to start on it in early 2002 then every year it gets revisited. A year ago I had a NEWFM/2HD manager address a seminar we ran who announced that work was about to commence on the new building.

I wouldn’t hold my breath.

thanks Media Hunter for exposing 2SM and Caralis for the superficial and cheap person and station he is running and all the people he is affecting.

Topcat, got a few questions for you.

1) The accepted definition of internship means an opportunity to gain unpaid experience in a chosen field, did the same apply in this case as it does with the majority of other networks who offer such internships?

2) Considering the person’s credentials, why couldn’t you offer her a position elsewhere within your network?

3) Does your network use internships regularly? If so, is this a way of avoiding paying people, even cadets?

Topcat, I’m assuming the reason why you couldn’t offer her a position within your local station or network is because the majority of your stations don’t even have a local newsroom meaning news comes from the Gold Coast, Albury or god knows where! Do you remember the story Mediwatch did about your network’s news service?

Finally the Super Network to date has never offered unpaid internships and prefers to offer on the job training as cadets with payment, is there something wrong with that?

I am amazed that a few people above have been trying to defend the indefensible. Its common knowledge in the industry that Caralis sails very close to the wind with his employment policies and pay standards. Its why he has been in court so many times, usually losing cases against former employees.

The cowards above who anonymously defend him (“Glennie”& “damok”) Caralis obviously are still working for him and and harbour some feint hope that it will one day be rewarding. Unfortunately they too will eventually end up being shown the door when he tires of them or when they finally realise they are wasting their time working for a miser who places no value in people.

Caralis is a radio slumlord and the staff who keep fronting up are his little crack addicts.

Oh and “Col Davidson” you obviously know very little about TV ratings based on those comments. NBN isn’t eating alive its competitors. Yes its currently having its usual early season run with Underbelly and cricket, but advertisers look at demographics, not total audience.

And anyway Col, SC TEN & Prime just relay TEN and Seven programs, they don’t decide whether to run Rove or Today Tonight. So Mediahunter can hardly criticise them for that, just as he cant praise NBN for running Underbelly or the cricket. TV is a lot different to radio mate.

I wonder if some these people criticising Media Hunter have LISTENED to 2HD of an afternoon back when 2HD used to be ENTERTAINING and not BORING like it is now, the fact is there is something massively wrong at 2HD and NEWFM now due to Caralis penny pinching because when NXFM and KOFM can get away with playing the same songs every couple of hours and still win the ratings, it is really bad news for the people of Newcastle

Wow Julie you like a whinge. Just switch off and take a pill. Your continuing bagging of Caralis makes you sound like someone he sacked or a KO/NX groupie out to impress your mates. Sheesh

I am good friends with an ex employee of 2HD/NewFM who has confirmed many of the comments above. Yes photos were required with resume’s and at interviews apparently Bill had no worries about asking very personal questions that would see most interviewers end up in court. Unfortunately the girls were desperate for the job and did give some sort of answer, for confirmation of this just find a few of the girls who actually suffered the emabarassment of a Caralis interview.

Where are the radio regulators. This man should not be able to hold a licence no matter how much money he has, because people and companies like him have taken professionalism, creativity and any fun there was out of radio. As an old 60′s Rock Jock I never thought I would prefer ABC News radio to the utter garbage on the air now. Have a listen to most of the announcers…all the stars are journos or comedians…most you wouldn’t even use as a spruiker and that’s because there’s no where they can learn their trade. The best thing for journos and would be announcers to do is take up something else. Watch advertising drop way down this year. That will make people like Bill think about what they’re doing.

well said art the way its going 2HD will only have a local breakfast program then the rest of the day/evening will be networked treating Newcastle like a rural station. Well done Bill.

You so called radio types wouldn’t have the foggiest !
Do you think we sit around without any thought of what programs to schedule.
We put a bucket load, and I mean bucket load, of grey matter into the what we replace tried and true programs with when we’re forced to.
For instance … with what would you replace a program with heritage and a following. Obviously a concoction of programs that don’t mean much to the market and don’t cost much. That way no one will really care about or listen to and we don’t have to put up with listener opinions.
If the new networked programs don’t out rate Underbelly then I’ll eat my crusty old tracky dacks.
Hang on … did I say that or just think it ?
I’ll have to sprinkle em with chicken salt an wash em down with a diet coke !
That’s what I’ll do ….mmmmm !

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