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Joe Downey was a very perceptive high
school principal. Yep, very perceptive. He noticed one of
his high school students was geared for media. So, as a
special gift to his Mamaroneck High School students he
provided the talents of a young man to broadcast a daily
morning TV newscast to every room in the school. Mr. Downey
gave this young man the funds to build the school TV
station. The young genius in question was/is Steve
Goldstein. That’s right, the same Steve Goldstein who is
Executive Vice President of Saga Communications.
Steve learned his radio craft quickly working for stations
in New Rochelle, New York City, Hartford, Detroit, and with
the NBC Network. As I recall it, Ed Christian, the top man
at Saga, inherited Steve when Josephson Communications
became Saga Communications. Ed, known for his ability to
have good people around him, gave Steve a top job in the
company and let him develop a lot of good broadcasters, most
of them are still at Saga.
I asked Steve about the funniest rookie event that occurred
at his first job In New Rochelle. He answered with a smile
“There was nothing funny about playing Al Martino records at
age 18”.
I asked him about the funniest thing that has happened to
him and Ed at the same time and he said, “Ask us about the
flight of death from Joplin to St Louis. We saw more barf
bags being used than newspapers being read. Seems funny now,
but not so much then”. Glad I wasn’t on that flight with you
guys!!!!
Who influenced Steve in his early years of broadcasting???
Mark Mason now at WINS was his first PD. Bob Mahlman
whoconsulted radio networks. Jeff Sprung who was the news
director at ABC Radio. And Jay Clark who was running WABC at
the time.
Steve went to Ithaca College. Saga recently announced they
are buying a radio group in Ithaca. Old home week!!! Steve
told me that he used to travel to Ithaca College to teach a
mini-course. And now he will be very happy to be part of the
ownership team of the station where he used to jock during
college for $2.30 per hour. He’s had quite a few raises
since then!!!
I asked Steve to look out ten years and project radio. This
is his futuristic answer: “Right now is a tough time for
radio. We have been in the Real Estate phase for a while and
disregarded programming. At this year’s NAB all anyone was
talking about was programming from Howard Stern to
commercial loads. We’re going to take it in the shorts for a
while, but what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and we
will be strong. Here’s my big prediction. Digital Video
Recorders (such as TIVO) will proliferate on the TV side and
change that business forever. 92% of the commercials are
passed over-ultimately that is going to cause many
advertisers to abandon TV and radio will be ready”. Sounds
like principal Joe Downey is not the only perceptive person
who was at Mamaroneck High School!!!!
Steve travels a lot. Saga owns 70 stations in 22 markets
with more on the way. But while he is at home in New York
State he enjoys a fun family life. Indeed his 15 year old
son may be a media chip off the old block…he writes high
school sports for the local newspaper. (And s happy Bat
Mitzvah to his 13 year old).
When our consulting company (Burkhart/Abrams) consulted for
Saga we were very aware that Steve was a top broadcaster. I
WAS THERE when my consultants told me of his excellent work.
And to top it all of he’s a heck of a good guy!!! Steve,
congratulations on doing a great job. I wish we had more
like you!!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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