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I have often thought about jobs I turned down. What would
happen if I had taken one of them? Where would I have lived
geographically? Would I have enjoyed them? For example, here
are two that were interesting, but I declined.
1. Bill Drake and Gene Chenault were visiting Atlanta. Bill
and Gene were the consultants for RKO Radio, and were the
talk of the industry. (It was the mid-60’s and the three of
us were in an association called AIMS in which leading
independent broadcasters exchanged sales, promotion,
marketing, and programming ideas.) We had arranged to have a
few drinks and dinner at the Atlanta Cabana Hotel. Bill left
the table to call someone who had access to the just
released ratings for their newly consulted San Francisco
station. That evening they had already discussed that they
were not in their customary TOP 40 format in San Francisco
yet…indeed they were playing a group of oldies, re-currents,
and a few currents. They had tossed out most of the
commercials as I recall, and had established a new music
rotation. Maybe they had added their famous jingles and some
production. But, there was still network news at the top of
the hour (as I recall the conversation). They didn’t expect
much rating improvement. Bill made the call, and came back
to the table with this big smile. Surprise!! What they were
doing was working big time!!! The rest of the evening was a
discussion of whether to convert to their usual TOP 40
format or leave it as it was. Dinner was over, and we said
goodbye. Two days later Gene called and asked if I would
interested in moving to San Francisco. Heck, I was having a
great time as GM at WQXI in Atlanta, and loved the city. I
thought about it overnight, and declined the next day. I
just wonder if I had moved to San Francisco with Drake/Chenault
what would have happened to my life and career. Maybe there
never would have been a Burkhart/Abrams!! Hmmm
2. About 1968 I visited the Davis family to do initial due
diligence regarding their radio properties in Anaheim. My
company, Pacific and Southern, wanted to buy them. Fabulous
father Davis and his two sons had just bought other radio
properties, one in Seattle, and another in the mid-west. I
spent quite a bit of time with them at the Davis law office
located on Little Santa Monica in Beverly Hills. We
eventually decided not to buy the properties. A month later
Mr. Davis called me and asked if I would be interested in
joining their firm as President of Radio (they were also in
cable ownership). Before I could respond he continued “We
would pay you 50 thousand in salary, plus we would pay you
25 thousand per station to sit on the Board of each (they
had three stations then). For each new station that we
buy…and that is your job to find and operate them….we will
give you an additional 25 thousand in salary, and 25
thousand to sit on the board of each”. In other words, if I
took the job THAT DAY I would be making 125 per year, with
more to come. I was making 65 thousand from Pacific and
Southern at the time. YEOOHHH!!! But there was one catch. He
wanted me to move to Los Angeles and work out of his Little
Santa Monica law office where all the accounting was done. I
told him I needed 30 days to think it over. I had many
sleepless nights. I really liked southern California a lot,
but I liked Atlanta as well. I met with the Chairman of
Pacific and Southern and told him about the offer. He said
“Well, they didn’t offer you any stock, and that is what you
have with us. Why leave when you will make a million or more
when you sell your stock after the six year holding period.
After a few weeks I focused on life and life style, instead
of money. My family was very happy and we had a new custom
built home in Atlanta. I declined but I wonder what would
happened had I moved to southern California??? I’ll never
know.
Two fine job opportunities that I refused…I know because I
WAS THERE and said “no”. Maybe I was a dumb one!!!! On the
other hand, everything has turned out super well.
Next week: RESEARCH.
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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