AIR AMERICA BANKRUPTCY: A GOOD THING?
>
I love Air America and there is no way to overemphasize what a crucial impact it has on helping bring diverse progressive communities together, helping to pick us up off the ground and making each of us feel like we're not facing the religio-fascist onslaught alone. And none of the hosts have been better at that than Sam Seder. Today Sam wrote up his views of the Air America bankruptcy for us:
AIR AMERICA FILES FOR CHAPTER 11
-by Sam Seder
This is not AAR's official statement, just my thoughts, an official statement will be forthcoming...
Air America's parent company will enter into a Chapter 11 reorganization today. Frankly, this is good news. Because of a lack of capitalization and a clear business plan Air America has been behind the 8 ball since its launch. Despite these missteps AAR has, as a product, been wildly successful.
After only two and a half years, AAR continues to grow listenership, add affiliates and enhance our brand. With little fanfare, the Air America "Playbook", which was released Sept.18, hit number 14 on the times best seller list this past weekend. As of today, AAR currently produces 19 hours of original programming a day and is heard on 92 affiliates reaching 58 percent of the country. Air America affiliates reach 2.4 million listeners per week.
This reorganization will allow Air America to restructure itself and relationships it has had since its inception. It will also allow Air America to restructure these relationships to reflect its change in business model which took place September first of this year. At that time AAR essentially became a syndicator of progressive programming.
I have some general knowledge of Ch. 11 reorganization (my dad an attorney who specializes in this field). I know that to enter Ch.11 AAR will have to show a judge a reorganization plan and that there is operating funds to implement these plans.
I have spoken to our new CEO and am convinced there is at least a sensible and defined business plan to move forward. Sadly, it's the first time anyone here has articulated such a plan. It remains to be seen whether it will be properly executed but I am as encouraged about AAR's prospects as I have been in months.
People should keep in mind that while there is other liberal/progressive talkers distributed by other syndicators, AAR, by providing a turnkey format, has greatly contributed to their success. Ed Schultz, Stephanie Miller, Bill Press and others would never have enjoyed the success they have had over the past two and a half years were it not for AAR turning nearly 100 stations around the country into Progressive outlets.
posted by DownWithTyranny @ 8:32 AM
4 comments
|
Reddit
4 Comments:
Sam Seder is rapidly becoming a voice on the left which we can trust for information and integrity. And, he is pretty darn funny and entertaining as well.
I'll give him this: At least he admits that Air America has never had a business plan.
But he continues to do the spin on Air America's progress and accomplishments, even going so far as to claim that presence on a book best seller list is somehow a measure of its influence.
And finally, he makes the outlandish claim that Air America is responsible for the success of Ed Schultz and others.
Sam's a good guy. I understand why he wants AAR to succeed.
Here's the other side of the story, however.
Mr. Elberg, who is the former head of Sales at Air America, was appointed as CEO on Friday. Let's talk about Mr. Elberg. He comes from WLIB, the former flagship station for AAR in NY. The relationship with WLIB completely broke down, which is why AAR was forced downchannel to 1600. Mr. Elberg was entirely ineffective in helping to save that. Mr. Elberg has never had a sales target he failed to miss. His incompetence at nailing new business was legendary within AAR. One thing he was fully capable of, however, was generating excuses. This is their new CEO. And let's not talk about his salary (and extravagant bonus plan) that left him extremely well-compensated. The top three managers at AAR pull down well over a million in total a year. Not bad for an organization grossing $11 million, if you believe the bankruptcy filing at SmokingGun.com.
AAR is now run by the incompetent sales guy whose ideological commitment is far from clear. His career includes long stints with ClearChannel and Infinity and he has no history or presence in any of the causes dear to us. I would love to find out what his party registration was. He lives in New Jersey. That should be easy for someone to find out.
So that's what we have. Not so good news for AAR.
Most, but not all the blame can go to the New York headquarters.
Affiliates who agreed to run the programming are at fault for not marketing it. They can't all hide behind the faults of the New York headquarters. If anyone hears Clear Channel in Cincinnati blaming New York, I'd like to know because I was there and I know the truth and I know who failed at what.
Post a Comment
<< Home