My Proudest Moment as a Broadcaster -- Part I

In radio, announcers -- known as "the talent" -- live in a circumscribed world of live air shifts, show prep, and studio work recording programs for future airing, plus voicing underwriting announcements or commercials, depending upon whether the station is public or commercial. Salespeople who are not distracted, who follow up, and who write copy that makes sense are exalted in my book, because that's a tall order. It's a rare salesperson who gives you copy that is grammatical, without misspellings and organized. Salespeople are infinitely flexible, except when it comes to thinking of how the spot will sound. They're usually frantic to get the copy written and produced and get it on the air to satisfy the client. The talent are the final link in the process, and the least thought of. Until I took decisive action, which I will explain in Part II. It's my proudest moment as a broadcaster, and all I did was apply a flame.