Prov.: Oldies 790; WPRO AM simulcast on 99.7

[David Tomm]

On paper, independent promotion is not payola, but that's how it was  
in practice with a LOT of companies.   Stations added records based  
on "promotional consideration" only, not on merit.  Most if not all  
spins got buried in the overnights or fringe weekend hours to up spin  
counts on stations that never played the track during the day.  This  
made a record look like it was getting significant play when it  
really wasn't.  Some songs would get  played eight or nine times  
between midnight and 5am and that's it.  It was VERY common and was  
NOT based on merit.  Citadel and Entercom even developed  
"programming" to showcase these multiple spins.  Stations would have  
never done this if they weren't getting something in return.  That  
amounts to payola, no matter how you slice it. I work in the industry  
and saw it happen firsthand, both at the local radio and network end.

Do I think there are independent promoters that are legitimately  
trying to introduce artists and songs to radio?  Sure.  However,  
that's not what Spitzer was going after.  His investigation resulted  
in the big corporate chains severing ties with most independent  
promoters
even the legit ones.  That was unfortunate, but the abuses of a few  
major promoters in allowing the labels to funnel millions of dollars  
through them to the big radio groups in exchange for airplay ruined  
the party for everyone.  That's not Spizer's fault.  He simply  
stopped the gravy train which is why radio and record people are  
basking in the glow of Spitzer's downfall.

-Dave Tomm
"Mike Thomas"

On Mar 11, 2008, at 4:56 PM, Alan Tolz wrote:

> I understand your point David, but independent promotion is not  
> payola.  As long as there is no direct correlation between a  
> promotional item, and the airing of a song specific to that  
> promotional item WITHOUT sponsor identificaiton, there is no  
> payola.  Stations that accepted fly-aways and/or concert tickets,  
> or for that matter cash from labels, either directly or through  
> independent promoters but chose all of their music based on merit  
> without regard to the label or artist were not violating any FCC  
> statutes. But corporations like Citadel and Entercom, who  
> ultimately paid millions while admitting no wrong doing was the  
> result of a witch hunt by Eliott Spitzer as a calculated move to  
> put himself in a high profile position to run for Governor.   
> Evidently, the strategy worked, but his character shone through and  
> so, goodbye to him (hopefully) and good riddance.
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Tomm"  
> <nostaticatall@charter.net>
> To: "Alan Tolz" <atolz@comcast.net>
> Cc: "Dan.Strassberg" <dan.strassberg@att.net>; "Kevin Vahey"  
> <kvahey@comcast.net>; "Bob Nelson" <raccoonradio@mail.com>;  
> "(newsgroup) Boston-Radio-Interest" <boston-radio- 
> interest@bostonradio.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2008 4:32 PM
> Subject: Re: Prov.: Oldies 790; WPRO AM simulcast on 99.7
>
>
>> I completely disagree here.  I don't condone what Spitzer did and  
>> if  it's true he needs to resign as governor, but he was  
>> absolutely  correct in going after the labels, promoters and  
>> station owners for  payola violations.  It was rampant in the  
>> industry, particularly on  current based music stations,  and  
>> their activities violated the  law.   I find it laughable that  
>> these same record labels that  funneled millions of dollars to the  
>> corporate chains through money  launderers.....um, I mean  
>> "independent promoters" to manipulate  airplay just a few years  
>> ago are now fighting for a performance  royalty from radio for  
>> playing (and thus promoting) the same  product.  Hilarious!
>>
>> -Dave Tomm
>> "Mike Thomas"
>>
>>
>> On Mar 11, 2008, at 10:33 AM, Alan Tolz wrote:
>>
>>> Elliot Spitzer's next gig hopefully will NOT be on radio.  As a  
>>> broadcast operator, I wouldn't pay one cent to a person who, as a  
>>> publicity hound AG used radio as a high profile industry and   
>>> brought down the earthshakingly important independant promotion   
>>> business with his bullying and heavyhanded tactics.  Couldn't   
>>> happen to a nicer guy...
>>>
>
>