Here’s something that a lot of radio stations do that always has struck me as…well, dumb:
You don’t want to allow employees, advertisers, etc., to win your contests because doing so would threaten the integrity (perceived or actual) of the contest.
But why would you prohibit someone who works for a competing station from winning?
If a competitor’s employee were to win one of my station’s contests, I’d immediately start running promos highlighting the fact that “While Bob Smith is paid to WORK at Radio X, when he wants to hear the best of today’s hit music he LISTENS to (Our Station).”
And banning family members of anyone who works for a competing station?
So….48-year old Mary Smythe works as a bookkeeper for a local News/Talk station, and her 19-year old son, Matthew, is a loyal listener to my modern rock station. But Loyal Listener Matthew isn’t allowed to win any of our contests??
Sometimes radio people do the dumbest things.
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Is this a common rule in American radio competitions?
I’m asking because I’m wondering about the sound effect of the cow mooing as they mention that bit and wondered if this was one station have a particular dig at a competing station?
@Dave: Yes, it’s a very common rule.
The “cow” SFX is there because years ago the cluster’s production guys (as I recall, Rob Frazier, Rich Boernier and Ronn Lipkin) created a very funny audio framework from which to deliver a very long “Rules” promo, and this excerpt is from a promo that continues the tradition (albeit not with the same high level of entertainment value).
Stupid is right. How cool would it be to publicize that even Jock X from WXYZ wants to win from your station.
tru dat
Never heard the “employees of competing stations” one before…
Thanx for the clarification Dan.
Sounds like “The Wilhelm Cow” then.
It happened in Canada. The wife of an on-air personality won $100K from a competing radio station. The local media took off with the story and made the station that awarded the $$$ the butt of the joke. Your advice on how to spin the story is a decade too late for them. That’s the thing about today’s radio… nobody really thinks things through and prepares for every eventuality. BTW, you’re right it is a stupid rule… give the money to spouse of the competition’s morning host, and then spin the story. As for loyal Mathew the bookkeeper’s kid… give him the money and go easy on his mom.
That rule (which is down right stupid) hasn’t obviously hit Australia yet.. thankfully.
Yes, we have the rule were immediate family members can’t enter (to the discuss of my partner!) but opposing stations and -opposing- stations family members.. thats just stupid!
If it wasn’t for entering other stations competitions I would have won nothing… but further more, like Dan said, if someone from a competition station won one of my competitions.. that’ll make some -great- radio!
I note also the use of a cow sound effect near/over the phrase “other radio stations”. Classy.