Wednesday, May 6, 2009

NAB President/CEO David Rehr OUT!



That is what is being reported this afternoon.

My personal experience with him is nothing more than a convention handshake and he seemed like a perfectly affable person. But, as the man responsible for leading the radio industry's most prominent trade organization he missed the mark on so many levels.

The NAB has a tough job and needs a strong leader that understands our business and what our business needs to be in the years ahead--not an easy task.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rehr probably resigned knowing that the over-the-air RIAA royalties are eminent - he never got close to blocking the RIAA. Say bye, bye to HD Radio!

Anonymous said...

"Radio Heard Here" is such an awful ad campaign, especially when it's heard... on a radio station. I know this has nothing to do with the NAB change, but it's definitely the visual link to the "meh" that is radio right now.

HARVE ALAN said...

Frankly, "Radio Heard Here" was the WORST and it has much to do with the NAB since it was them who approved its use.

Let's hope better days are ahead!

Dan Kelley said...

Rehr's batting average with both radio and television issues was certainly awful. Enthusiasm for the broadcast media in front of members only goes so far.

As bad as "Radio Heard Here" may have been, I have yet to read/see any alternate ideas. In any event, the effort appeared to be seriously underfunded as I saw nothing anywhere beyond the NAB web efforts.

What really needs to happen is for the broadcast groups is to spend more promoting their own brands instead of generic radio as a whole. Tough to do in today's environment.

Anonymous said...

I’m the first to admit Rehr didn’t meet all of my expectations but I think the Radio Heard Here campaign has been successful. Try turning on the radio for two hours and not hearing a PSA about it. Radio is an incestuous industry. New blood was needed and Rehr brought that to the table. I’m afraid now we’ll turn back to our old ways and the industry will be worse off.

HARVE ALAN said...

RHH may have worked on some level, but it was more like a coat of paint put on a house that needed its foundation reinforced. I truly hope that the next CEO of the NAB can see that the "old days and ways" are dead and we must pay more than lip service to right the ship.

Anonymous said...

"...but I think the Radio Heard Here campaign has been successful. Try turning on the radio for two hours and not hearing a PSA about it."

Don't they HAVE to play it?

EXACTLY!

Just because Clear Channel is smoking after school doesn't mean all of the kids are doing it.

"I’m afraid now we’ll turn back to our old ways and the industry will be worse off."

You mean when there was:
personality
competition
no PPMs
originality
individuality

God no. We would never want to go back to that.



What were we smoking back then?
We should probably ask Clear Channel.