Author: Brian

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IdahoRadioNews: Eagle looks to soar by taking the low road

kkgl-logoKKGL/96.9 The Eagle used to be one of the Boise market’s top-rated radio stations. Its mix of syndicated show Bob & Tom and classic rock from the 70s and 80s scored top marks with adult men – and even many women.

But along the way, the station faltered. It cut back, retrenched and saw its ratings fade like a pair of stone-washed jeans. Wave upon wave of corporate consolidation seemed to diminish the station even further as it passed from Citadel to Cumulus.

Ratings were so bad that during the 2012 fall ratings period, the station got beat in the morning drive by Mix 106 — among adult men. Mike & Kate are a popular show to be sure, but drop-kicking the Eagle among men with a very female-driven show was nearly unthinkable just a few years ago. (Back in 2008 I noted how the station was the dominant number one).

These days, the station still clings to Bob & Tom. It also features longtime Boise radio vet Scott Cruise. But oddly, Cruise appears on the Eagle and sister station Nash FM at the same time. Not much of a trick in the day of pre-recorded radio, but perhaps a sad sign of corporate consolidation.

In recent months, changes have come to the airwaves of The Eagle. New afternoon host “Forrest” arrived, followed shortly thereafter by a new after-7 talent.

Perhaps those seem like mundane changes. But station management appears to be adding “sex and drugs” to the rock & roll.

In May, the station posted this teaser:

KKGL new jock teaser

The image linked to a larger, um… fuller image.

When the new jock “Lindsey Marie” debuted, she got the requisite bio on the station’s website, written in first-person voice. The first line, stretched across the top in large font uses a word many find increasingly repugnant:

Hi. I’m Lyndsey. I have a mild case of social retardation, but luckily, I also have a microphone so it all gets captured for you 7p-Midnight

Everyone from the Special Olympics to Michelle Malkin to the state of Michigan have spoken out against the word. Maybe it isn’t a hot button for you personally – but it is for many.

Beyond objectification of women and disregard for those with mental disabilities, the station is in full-on “drugs are cool, man” mode in advance of a Cheech & Chong concert this summer.

The aforementioned afternoon jock Forrest posted this photo to Twitter this week:

With a sign touting the station’s relationship with Boise State in the background and an extra “tobacco pipe” in the foreground, the announcer makes it appear he’s taking a bong hit while in the middle of his shift. One local rival snarked “my guy would be fired for posting a public photo like this.” When I ruminated on Twitter that maybe a blog post was due, Forrest seemed to think that was a great idea, giving his stamp of approval with a retweet:

These are just a few disparate items but they seem to add up to a strategy shift: let’s appeal to men’s more primal instincts. Sex. Drugs. Careless language.

It’s a tactic that works in many markets across the country. But is Boise one of them? The area is stocked with conservatives, and I find even the self-identified liberals are generally pretty moderate in many ways. Maybe the audience will grow, but will blue chip advertisers want spots next to the drugs and the sex?

Time, and the constant pressure of the Nielsen ratings book, will tell.

UPDATE: Forrest pulled the tweet and corresponding image from Twitter. But he left a similar shot in Instagram:

bong2

Forrest also un-re-tweeted the tweets and basically seemed to retrench.

Also, the out-of-market night talent, Lyndsey from Atlanta, dialed me up on Twitter with a response:

Don Day is the Digital Sales & Product Manager for KTVB, and wrote & edited the now-defunct IdahoRadioNews.com for five years.

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New hire at Publicis Boise

Bobby KasperWhile we don’t hear much out of the Publicis Boise office, we did get word recently that they’ve added Bobby Kasper as Art Director.

From their release about the new hire:

At Publicis Boise, Bobby provides graphic design, concept development and file preparation/production for assigned accounts while supporting new business activities. His responsibilities also include assisting the Production Director in fulfillment of sales and marketing kits and materials.

Prior to joining Publicis Boise, he worked at local design agencies and Boise State University Campus Services providing graphic design and production support of marketing materials.

Congratulations Bobby.

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Client-side job opening: Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications

The College of Idaho in Caldwell has an opening for an Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications. From the job description:

The College of Idaho invites applications for a full-time Associate Vice President (AVP) for Marketing and Communications. The AVP is a member of the senior management team and is responsible for the strategic planning and direction of all marketing functions for The College of Idaho (C of I).

The AVP is institutionally focused, providing support for academic departments, the offices of Admission, College Relations, and Events. The AVP serves as the primary media contact and spokesperson for the College. The AVP provides public relations advice and furthers the College’s mission through publication and media relations work and content development in new media and online. The AVP manages the direction of work of outside vendors and consultants when necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Five years of experience with a proven track record in strategic and complex multi-channel communications, highly developed management skills, exceptional written and verbal communications skills and a clear appreciation for technology-based outreach strategies.
  • Demonstrated success in a similar position working with top organizational leadership with a proven track record of contributing to high-level marketing and communications strategy and executing that strategy once developed.
  • Bachelor’s degree in related field.
  • Proficient in MS Office suite.
  • Ability to:
    • multi-task and meet deadlines.
    • work within the constraints of a limited budget.
    • work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
    • work evenings and weekends.
    • drive a personal or College vehicle for the purposes of College business.

To apply please submit a cover letter addressing qualifications for the position, a resume, and the names and contact information of three references, two management and one professional to hr@collegeofidaho.edu. Application review will begin immediately, and will be accepted until suitable candidates are selected. To learn more about The College of Idaho please visit www.collegeofidaho.edu

On a personal note: This is my alma mater, so should one of you long-suffering visitors to this site get the job, know that I will be watching you. Always watching…

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Job Opening: Accounting/Media Administrative Assistant

DaviesMoore in Boise has an opening for an Accounting/Media Administrative Assistant. From the job description:

The primary area of responsibility for this position is to provide support and coordination in the accounting department, servicing all of DaviesMoore’s clients. This includes maintaining a high level of awareness and organization with client activities, detail-oriented management, and professional communication with key client and billing contacts as needed.

The individual who fills this position must be driven and exemplify strong leadership qualities, as well as fit into the agency’s established culture that promotes autonomy with results.

Position responsibilities will include:

  • Accounts receivable/billing and accounts payable
  • Media reporting and reconciliations
  • STRATA media software radio and TV media billing
  • Coordinating link between media and accounting departments
  • Client budget/billing reports
  • Supporting the CFO, controller and media department whenever necessary

Education and Training:

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in accounting and/or relevant experience, with previous experience in radio & TV accounting. This is a long-term position with room for advancement as knowledge increases and proof of performance is achieved. The successful candidate will need to be able to manage a wide variety of tasks at one time with a strong emphasis on detail.

Responsibilities/Qualifications include:

  • Experience in broadcasting industry
  • Experience and familiarity with Microsoft Office
    • STRATA and Advantage software experience would be helpful
  • Accounts Payable, Intermediate Data Entry Numeric, Intermediate Data Entry Alphanumeric, Accounts Receivable, Intermediate Microsoft Excel, Intermediate Microsoft Word
  • Have strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Have knowledge of billing and accounting processes & principles and the necessary operational environment including management and reporting
  • Be well organized, self directed, detail oriented and thorough
  • Perform while working necessary hours according to reporting/billing timelines
  • Be able to handle pressure and meet deadlines
  • Have excellent people skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of personalities
  • Maintain a professional appearance and persona
  • Be a responsible team player

Those interested in applying for this position should submit a cover letter and resume to careers@daviesmoore.com with the job title in the subject line by June 2nd.

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A long time ago. In a galaxy far, far before Pantone

In 1692, Dutch artist A. Boogert created a 700-page tome titled Traité des couleurs servant à la peinture à l’eau. The manuscript was uncovered by Erik Kwakkel, a Medieval historian.

Read the full story and see more from the manuscript on Fast Company.