Oregon Media Insiders

So apparently things are a mess at KEZI. It's easy to see that morale is low and the product is apparently suffering. How are things at the other Chambers stations? The people in Medford, Roseburg, and Bend (is it open yet) seem to be happy, ergo their silence. Why is Eugene a sinking ship, but the rest of the fleet is sailing along. Just playing devil's advocate, but was KEZI ripe for this blood-letting for reasons other than "alleged" poor management?

I'm guessing mama Chambers was only going to allow Scott to lose so much money with his sandbox, so when they bought the Bend station he had to get money from somewhere. That somewhere is Eugene.

I imagine the folks in Roseburg, Bend and Medford are "on their way up" and don't want to rock the boat. I've been there, done that. But I've got to believe that the turmoil in Eugene is getting around and a lot of potential employees leaving unsatisfactory work environments aren't looking to enter into another one. Life is too short.

Having been away from the market for a couple of years, could someone give me the condensed version of what is going on at KEZI? When I left, they were easily #1 in the market!

If you read the e-mail at the top of the thread and the e-mail that the photog sent and you will have a good idea.

The timing of yesterday's Q and A meeting was brilliant. We all knew it was B.S.. Now Sean is trying to play catch up. It was a big waste of time and nothing was accomplished, although it was amusing to see how management has reacted to this site.

Could an ill fated trip to Puerta Vallarta be the cause of all this turmoil ?

YOU WANT TO KNOW THE DOWNSIDE TO THE VJ CONCEPT?
CASE IN POINT (a true story from today at KEZI.)

Today a young female reporter (from KEZI) is sent into the field to one man band a story near a local bar. She's standing on the sidewalk shooting video of the bar when a drunken patron storms out of the bar with a garbage can lid. He screams at the young lady and approaches her, threatening to hit her. Terrified, the woman screams for help. Lucky for her, there was a small group of upstanding Eugene citizens that rushed to her aid. I admit, that could have easily happened to a guy who was alone, or even a two person crew. The point is, tv journalists are constantly put in a threatening position when in the field. Situations like the one from today are more often avoided or diffused when a reporter is at the scene to watch the photographers back. Or a photographer is at the scene to back up the reporter. A reporter out alone, shooting by his or herself has no one watching their back...rather they have a big target on their back.

So, KEZI, how to you plan to brush incidents like this under the rug?

I can't seem to figure it out. We have several positions that are still open and he doesn't seem to be in any hurry to fill them.

Joe G is paid from the Dept of Higher Education, just like any other university employee, so it sounds like he is sheltered from the financial axe that Scott swings. Does anybody know more about the OSN/KEZI contract? I worked at his financial institution and was blown away when I saw he was paid from the state.

seems like this blog is more popular than the drew carney post. thank god.

Seriously, the few random comments from people semi-defending the station should completeley be discredited, or they should simply be attributed to either Sean M, Chambers, or Hatfield. There have been well over 100 posts at this point, and 97% of them are negative. This is not a case where a few are getting it right, and the masses getting it wrong. It's clear most of these messages are from current employees as is always the case with sites like this. There are also many from former employees. The meeting was simply another show of management's stupidity.

Scott: "I know what we'll do. Lets hold a meeting with the staff, and tell them they can voice their frustrations to us."

Sean: "But Mr. Chambers your majesty, we know what they're upset about. They've made it clear on that damn website."

Scott: "Yes, but we weren't able to trace those messages. By the way, remind me I have to fire our tech-people later. I even wrote that wretched Fairy-blog-mother and tried to pay her to tell me who wrote them. But if we hold a meeting, they'll air out their complaints, and we'll know they were the ones, and then I can fire them! OH that thought makes me soooo happy!"

Sean: "But sire, do you think they're really that stupid?"

Scott: "What do you mean?"

Sean: "I mean, don't you think they're smart enough to know that's why we'd be doing it?"

Scott: "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

Sean: "Oh god, sorry.....I mean, Sire, don't you think they're smart enough to know why we'd be doing it?"

Scott: "That's better. And, no they're not intelligent enough to outsmart me! I am all knowing! And I know this will work. Tell Julie to send an e-mail out."

Sean: "Excuse me your holiness, Julie? Who's Julie?"

Scott: "Your EP. Julie."

Sean: "Your majesty, that's not her name."

Scott: "Well I don't have time to know all those people's names. Tell what ever her name to get an e-mail out. I will grace them with my aura in 30 minutes, and they better all be there! Anyone who's not is fired!"

Sean: "Yes you're majesty. But just so you know, one of our reporters is on vacation right now..."

Scott: "Then they're fired! God I wish I could be Donald Trump! Hey wait a minute... That's the next TV show we could produce! I could be the Oregon Donald Trump! We could call it 'The ApprenticeS'... We'll make it plural, so it's different! But instead of someone winning, I'll fire them all! It'll be great! God I'm SO SMART!"

Sean: "Yes, you are!"

Scott: "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"

Sean: "I mean yes your holiness, you are. You are the smartest!.. Please don't fire me..."

http://www.kmtr.com/content/jobs/default.aspx

http://www.fsci.com/x316.xml

How about a different spin, just a commercial break in TV. How about talking about the other station that do things well. KMTR ? KVAL ?
KLSR (fox)

Oh, KVAL's hiring an experienced production assistant...wonder if they pay more than minimum wage...

News anchors, reporters, self promotion etc.

The VJ concept in and of itself is not a bad idea.

The current model for TV news (reporter, photographer, live truck engineer) dates back to a time when you needed specialized skills to perform all those duties.

Technology has finally caught up with our industry -- anyone with a $1,200 HD camcorder can shoot video that looks better than a $15,000 Sony manufactured 10 years ago.

Given the plummeting price of equipment, why in the world would a TV station only want cameras in the hands of 1/3 of the newsroom staff?? That's crazy! Shouldn't a newsroom that's in the business of gathering pictures have cameras in the hands of as many people as possible?

Live trucks still require some degree of engineering skill, but even that's changing -- first with omnidirectional and auto-directional digital microwave equipment, and not too far around the corner, WiMax will have enough bandwidth to stream live broadcast-quality video from a laptop computer, making the truck totally irrelevant in metro areas.

If you were to truly train a newsroom as VJs, and give them the time to turn great stories, I'm convinced a newsroom could produce a better product, with more news, more cameras, and more people.

The problem is that management at KEZI (and KRON, for that matter) aren't interested in making their product better, they just want to save money. Which I'm sure they will.

I would love to see AFTRA or IATSE take the lead on VJs, rather than fighting it. The change is coming, whether they like it or not. Instead of simply insisting it's the end of the world, they ought to draft a set of guiding principles for newsrooms that switch to VJs.

Things like:
-- The VJ is not a one-size-fits-all model. Many stories will take more than one day to turn. Some stories will require 2 VJs to cover on deadline.

-- You can teach a photographer to write or a writer to shoot, but you can't do it overnight. Everyone who switches roles will require at least 1 month of training before they're allowed back on the air.

-- The overall goal of a VJ transition should be to cover more news with the same level of staffing, not covering the same amount of news with fewer people.

Sadly, I don't think that's going to happen. Much like the auto unions in the 80s and the steelworkers in the 70s, the broadcast unions will dig in their heels and watch news operations go under rather than fight to become relevant as technology changes their industry.

What's happening at KEZI now will happen eventually everywhere else, from KVAL to KGW -- the question is whether the employees will take a leadership role in the shift, or sit back, whine about it online, and quickly become obsolete.

I'm not sure who wrote "the few," But I love it! Its so comical, but so real in a sents. FYI this is only my 2nd post for those who hope to get a number on the different people posting. My 1st one was "anonymous."
I heard the news about Syd Bates. Don't know if he ever visits here, but I think he's a good guy. I wish him the best in all he does.
As for me I started at KMTR on the 2nd. And Damn its nice not to be at that offel place known as Slezzi-KEZZI anymore! KMTR seems like they have their heads on straight. Its so nice to work for management who cares, and can COMMUNICATE!!!!! I guess there's not much more to say at this point. I'm just waiting to hear the lastest....
And SCOTT CHAMBERS, if you're reading this (I really hope you are man), I wanted to come and talk you sevral times, but after getting "let go" for caring about your little toy game. I mean your Television station...I realize it wouldn't have done any good.
I really think you need to take a step back. Forget all the "negative Sh*t" from this blog and from the station. Look at your company in a differant way. Forget the F*ckin numbers, and forget about YOURSELF for a few minutes. The damage to the station has been done.
Go to a quiet place outside maybe. Away from your luxery office or home. Just go and sit by your self. Bring a scratch pad and a pen.
Your business...Your name might be listed on the paper work, and the dollars at your becken call. But its a foundation. And every foundation has a structure. And if its not strong and made with the rigth material, it WILL FAIL. These "employees" what are they to you? Worker bees? Employee have certain duties and responsablities, and so do you. Its a balancing act. And what has happen to your company is what the world calls "KARMA."
You tried your way and it has failed. You need to some how hire management who KNOWS EXATLY what they are doing. Stop with the short fixes, and make it right.
Now take your pen and paper and write down all your problems. Station problems and your own personal ones. Devide them with a line. Jot down want has or hasn't worked to fix them. If you need help (which you do) get it from someone who is qualified. Step down for a while and observe. And LEARN.
Next. You need to realize that most All of your employees have lost trust and respect for you and other management. You need to fix that. Its hard to get back though. Go work in the newsroom (leaving your IDENTIY at the door) and get you hands dirty. Work along side them. You will learn alot I promise you. And you will probably start to get some trust and respect back. Remember, things obviously have worked the way you've tried them so try something different. Realize that you don't know everything and do something about it.
I hope this wasn't too outta place for this blog...

-Jonathan Judd

I'm not sure who wrote "the few," But I love it! Its so comical, but so real in a sents. FYI this is only my 2nd post for those who hope to get a number on the different people posting. My 1st one was "anonymous."
I heard the news about Syd Bates. Don't know if he ever visits here, but I think he's a good guy. I wish him the best in all he does.
As for me I started at KMTR on the 2nd. And Damn its nice not to be at that offel place known as Slezzi-KEZZI anymore! KMTR seems like they have their heads on straight. Its so nice to work for management who cares, and can COMMUNICATE!!!!! I guess there's not much more to say at this point. I'm just waiting to hear the lastest....
And SCOTT CHAMBERS, if you're reading this (I really hope you are man), I wanted to come and talk you sevral times, but after getting "let go" for caring about your little toy game. I mean your Television station...I realize it wouldn't have done any good.
I really think you need to take a step back. Forget all the "negative Sh*t" from this blog and from the station. Look at your company in a differant way. Forget the F*ckin numbers, and forget about YOURSELF for a few minutes. The damage to the station has been done.
Go to a quiet place outside maybe. Away from your luxery office or home. Just go and sit by your self. Bring a scratch pad and a pen.
Your business...Your name might be listed on the paper work, and the dollars at your becken call. But its a foundation. And every foundation has a structure. And if its not strong and made with the rigth material, it WILL FAIL. These "employees" what are they to you? Worker bees? Employee have certain duties and responsablities, and so do you. Its a balancing act. And what has happen to your company is what the world calls "KARMA."
You tried your way and it has failed. You need to some how hire management who KNOWS EXATLY what they are doing. Stop with the short fixes, and make it right.
Now take your pen and paper and write down all your problems. Station problems and your own personal ones. Devide them with a line. Jot down want has or hasn't worked to fix them. If you need help (which you do) get it from someone who is qualified. Step down for a while and observe. And LEARN.
Next. You need to realize that most All of your employees have lost trust and respect for you and other management. You need to fix that. Its hard to get back though. Go work in the newsroom (leaving your IDENTIY at the door) and get you hands dirty. Work along side them. You will learn alot I promise you. And you will probably start to get some trust and respect back. Remember, things obviously have worked the way you've tried them so try something different. Realize that you don't know everything and do something about it.
I hope this wasn't too outta place for this blog...

EVERY photog that has left KEZI since 2005 has moved up to a much larger market (13-44) or stayed in 122 for personal reasons. THEY DID NOT QUIT!!!

No I'm not saying that KMTR's GM is out getting her hands dirty. I haven't been there long enough to know a whole lot. What I am saying is Scotty C. has lost volumes of trust and respect and getting his hands dirty and actually see and learn what it takes to run a newsroom, that would turn alot of heads. But I will say that things are ample times better at KMTR.
As for Syd. I have talked to him in atleast 3 weeks, so maybe I'll call over to kezi next week and chat with him. I'll post more facts when I have them.
-peace

For What it's Worth Dept. -

I dropped an email to the News Editor at Eugene Weekly a week or so ago, giving him a heads-up on this thread thinking it might be of interest... Guess not, they did find room for a glowing fluff job on Dennis Kucinich complete with a vintage photo of him flashing the peace sign (oddly, no patchouli scratch n' sniff)

Are the Chambers that powerful in the Emerald City or should the masthead be changed to "Eugene Weakly"?

SCJ

I have gotten a few emails from people I know and don't know about my recent posts. Let me make a couple things clear. I never said anything bad in anyway about KMTR or their GM. All the people there have been nothing but nice as hell to me. I have enjoyed my week there, and hope to be there for a long time. So if you think you've read something a little scetchy please read all of my posts and do not take them out of context. I supose I'll shut my mouth at this point because I've obviously pissing a few people off. And I only hope its not anyone over at KMTR. If so I appologize.

I used to be a producer at kobi in medford a few years back and wrote my nd a letter very similar, but actually harsher than the one the dismissed kezi photog posted here. The misery actually started my first day there... I arrived at 8:00 am and spent half the day filling out hr papers. Then the nd took me out to lunch. it was 2pm before we got back to the station and he expected me to put the 6:30 pm show on the air that night. no one had even started working on it and i had no idea how to even use their computer system.

After several weeks of dealing with live trucks that wouldn't start and equipment that wouldn't work, i wrote the nd basically saying that we had a great hard working news staff, but the equipment was crap and it made all of us look like a laughing stock.

oh, i also threw in that he should get off his ass and do something about it. it later became known as the 'jerry mcguire' letter and resulted in an after hours shouting match between me and the nd in the newsroom. but i didn't get fired. i actually got 'promoted'. i was told that instead of producing one show a night, i'd now have to do two. i immediately demanded a raise and was accommodated. my salary went from 8.50/hr to a whopping 9.50/hr.

the real problem wasn't the nd, though. it was station owner patsy smullin. her fiscal priority was making sure her private jet had enough fuel in it, not that her tv station put out a quality product or that her staff be paid a living wage.

i survived my year there by teaming up with the best reporters and production people on staff. we took it upon ourselves to improve the newscasts, whether that was planning special coverage or upgrading our on-air graphics.

sometimes you just have to do what you can and stop waiting for mgmt to act.

KOBI several years ago ?? Don't think so. This is what KOBI is like today and will be into the future unless she sells. I'm guessing from the billing aspect of things KLSR (fox) is making a ton of money for Patsy, from what I have heard it is all about the almighty dollar for Patsy and keeping gas in her private jet. Cut here and there in Eugene and keep it top heavy in Medford.

I am not suprised to read the many comments many of you have said about KEZI. I am a former employee of KEZI and many of your posts I have first hand expereince with. I worked at KEZI for over 4 years. I started in the News Deparment and then moved into the sales/Production department. In the 4 years I was there, I can confidently say that Scott Chambers did not even know my name. I left KEZI when I was offered a job with KVAL. I love it. Not only does the GM know my name, but he takes time to talk about your family and gnually cares about all the employees. Departments work together and everyone is great "on the hill."

Then only thing I miss about KEZI is the people that I worked with. Not the management, but the people that I worked side by side with. There are some amazing people working at KEZI and need to be regonized for their hard work and dedication.

Is that Scott Chambers you people are talking about? I wonder if that kid should make a clean sweep of all of you and start over; after all - could it really be completely his fault that things are so screwed up over there at the YELLOW station? (Whoever decided to brand the color yellow should be the first to go.)

I just hope you all leave the market - I'd hate to have to work with a bunch of crybabies! It's no wonder we're kicking your asses on the street. Our product is better and more important: Our people are better.

The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason.

Hunter S. Thompson

Thompson's quote is really all one needs to understand about commercial television. Once you've accepted his vision as the underlying basis for why broadcast ownership operates the way it does, you'll be able to relax, have a drink or two and move on.

KEZI is no different than any other sall market operation, in spite of the fact that they overbuilt their Chad Road Palace. The bottom line is the only one that matters, especially since Reagan, Bush I and Clinto totally cut the feet out from underneath FCC regulation.

My advice, kick back and watch the show. It is unfortunate for the people of Eugene, but you have to understand that TV News is about profit, not about keeping the community informed.