Maxwell Responds To Comments About Her Story

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The story we ran last week about Bobbi Maxwell, who quit her job with Cumulus after her workload became unbearable, generated days of discussion among Radio Ink readers. This weekend Maxwell responded to all of those comments. Here’s what she had to say…

“It has been interesting to read all of the comments the past few days, to say the least! I’m thankful to see some interest generated on my story. Please, let it be known, I have a great work ethic. I understand that management needs to give us additional responsibilities to meet their bottom line. I did receive some positive feedback on the job I was doing. But what I didn’t understand was how management could ask their talent to produce content on dozens of network affiliate shows, while simultaneously doing their home market (large market) show. Equaling about 25-30 breaks an hour going back and forth on different systems. Something is going to fall through the cracks, and in my case it was my station/PM drive show of 18+ years. Personality is what is still keeping radio alive, but how can you be your BEST when it is compromised this way?”

3 COMMENTS

  1. Local market creativity is what keeps stations in small markets alive and well. The race toward voice-tracking in multiple markets is fostered by the bottom line. Unfortunately, this breeds a lack of small market creativity. Radio is in effect eating itself. Not good. Bobbi has signaled a turning of the tide to what may be a rejuvenation of local talent creation….a must for small, local market stations. The pendulum is swinging back!

  2. Bobbi-

    We don’t know one another. I ran the Format business for Westwood One (Dial Global and Jones before that too). I know, having worked firsthand with the talent in Denver (as well as Dallas and LA) what it took to do those shows. I know those people who remain, as well as those who were downsized when the decision was made to farm out those shows. I learned, early in my career in 24/7 Format syndication, the hard way, that mixing the content needs for one local station with that of a network of stations is about the worst approach you can take. The tail wags the dog..and one or both products end up losing. The way we produce(d) programming on the STORQ system requires complete attention to detail and a focus on the stations carrying the programming. The only real way to accomplish what they’ve tried to do is to use the technology to make each of those CMLS local stations affiliates of the Network. The way it worked out for you, and others, was totally predictable. Good luck in your pursuit.

  3. I couldn’t agree more. It is those practices of doing more with less, that are doing the most harm to radio as a whole. You can’t cut your way to a long term success.

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