How to run a radio station Super Network style

29Feb08

Media Hunter hears that there are serious rumblings of discontent at 2HD and NEWFM that have resulted in more staff heading for the door.

Station sales manager Kathy Coleman has taken stress leave indefinitely after having a series of heated run-ins with owner Bill Caralis in the last month. Apparently Caralis has changed commission structures for some sales staff, effective immediately, which has caused serious unrest amongst the troops.

Coleman, who has worked at the Sandgate-based station for over 20
years, was one of those affected adversely by the new structure and
expressed her displeasure to Caralis.

Another employee was dismissed on the spot this week after writing to
Caralis to question her pay. Apparently the 19 year old copywriter, who
had moved from Dubbo just two months ago to take the position, felt she
was being paid below the award and wanted to be able to discuss this
with her employer. She received her answer in true Super Network style
with instant dismissal.

Hopefully she will be able to retain some good legal advice and join
the queue of ex-employees currently taking action against Caralis for
unfair dismissal. This includes long time local radio legend Roger Clements who was shown the door late last year and currently has a case against the station.

To Media Hunter’s knowledge radio 2HD and NEWFM are now operating with:

• no copywriter, the sales team are now writing their own ads

• no program director for NEWFM

• no sales manager for either station

• no qualified technicians

• and no real General Manager since May 2004. The pay and accounts
  lady was later given the "title" of GM to meet licensing requirements.

Unfortunately, this would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.

Firstly, people’s livelihoods are at stake. Long term, loyal employees
have been forced out for no good reason for about 5 years now. Many of
these people have dedicated their lives to the radio industry, and in a
duopoly market such as this have little scope for further employment in
their fields of expertise.

Secondly, this is a disgrace for radio in the region and especially for
such proud heritage stations. 2HD is the 2nd oldest radio station in
Australia. NEWFM was the region’s first FM broadcaster. Now both are a
shambles. Meanwhile their opposition, NXFM and KOFM, continue to
dominate the market with no real competition. Listeners have a right to
quality broadcasting and they are not getting it from enough sources.

Thirdly, advertisers are being affected. With two commercial stations
being run into the ground, radio advertising options have shrunk by
50%. KO and NX are becoming very expensive due to the lack of
competition. Now if a business decides to advertise on NEWFM, their ad
might be written by an untrained writer. The ad will then air on a
station that has no music direction and a dwindling audience. Its just
not good enough.

Listeners, advertisers, radio industry employees…give us your thoughts on what is happening at 2HD and NEWFM.

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