What a day at 'KTI. Gene Mueller made his announcement this morning that he is moving to Newsradio 620 WTMJ (conveniently located just feet from Gene's current desk) as co-host of Wisconsin's Morning News. Gene starts on Monday but we had to hurry the announcement as Gene needs a few days off to take care of a personal issue.
For all of the conspiracy theorists who commented on my last post - that's it. Sorry to disappoint you. Gene Mueller is passionate about news. When the position at 'TMJ opened up, he was a natural.
As for the person who called it a demotion? It humbles me to remind you that WTMJ is the biggest radio station in the state of Wisconsin - and the only one in Milwaukee that plays on a national scale (excuse me as I eat my slice of humble pie). You can put that into your own perspective.
What's different about our station is that some people really never leave. You may not know that because you only hear who is on our airwaves. Reitman still works for us in an off-air capacity. Mueller is across the hall at WTMJ. Gino is still doing his TV work for TMJ-4 (again, right down the hall) and Amy has an open invitation to call us if she ever changes her mind about staying home with the triplets.
I was going to post about Gene Mueller today because he is one person for whom I have tremendous admiration and have learned a lot. I will do that tomorrow.
Any information you need about the morning show change, will be posted in real time on our web-site:
http://www.wkti.com/Article.asp?id=218455
And if you STILL don't want to believe anything I'm saying: here is some entertaining reading:
http://www.badastronomy.com/bad/tv/foxapollo.html
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42 comments:
A good manager can tell people to go to hell and they look forward to the trip. Your bus is packed with a lot of angry people right now. The trip has just lost it's fun. It's not so much the news you tell, it's how you deliver it. You are a part of WTMJ, it's all about trust with you people. I don't trust you to make my mornings happy for at least a long while. Please place this in your perspective folder for future reference. Perseption is everything. In restrospect, you've got to see that this was handled poorly, with disrespect to public people, especially Gino. I hope he has something really good waiting, he deserves it.
Why did you remove Mueller's Blog? Because there were too many negetive comments? Take em like a man, You blew it.
You can "spin" the departure of Gene and Gino to make us think the new morning crew is going to be great and we're going to laugh with them. Maybe that's true. They might be very funny people. Unfortunately, I will not be listening. I have been with 'KTI for 23 years and grew up with Reitman & Mueller, and Gino and then Amy.
I don't appreciate how the announcement was so incredibly sudden - and short - today!! With Bob and Amy, at least we got a chance to say goodbye because we knew it was coming. We won't have a chance to say goodbye to Gene, Gino, Brian, John, Julia, Colleen, and all the others who made the morning show what it was. That breaks my heart. The fact that Gene and Gino will be "down the hall" doesn't matter....they aren't together, in our homes every morning.
Today was a slap in the face to all of your long-time listeners but even more importantly, a HUGE slap in the face to the many, many years of laughter that Gene and Gino brought into our lives. They deserved SO MUCH more than 10 short minutes to say goodbye to us....and we deserved MUCH more than that to say goodbye to them.
This is nothing new for Journal Communications; well the only thing new is that Bob Walker is doing it this time. The timing of it amazes me, Cindy Huber is gone, Gino gets shown the door, and my guess is you didn’t have the guts to can Gene? Whoops wait there was most likely are contract with this one! But when its done he will get the AX in the unstable morning show arena on 620 AM
My Dial is off WKTI and WTMJ and I used to be a big fan of WTMJ TV news … I know that you could care less about one listener…..but you are following in the rest of what Journal Communications has done…..Pushed out great talent, Reitman, Any Taylor, Cindy Huber, Paul Joseph, Jim ott, Mike Gosuha…. Oh you didn’t push Gene Mueller out? And don't forget Rick Belcher and yes Bob I saw you at lunch with Amy Pimpim for information?
Folks look at the history of WTMJ AM morning show Remember the 90’s? Brain Manthey and Lynn Sprangers? And how many times has Robb Edwards come and gone?
Its not about what the listener wants its about the $$$$ in management at 720 East Capitol Drive!
I'm really disappointed about how things were handled. I listed to Reitman and Mueller when I was growing up. I just recently came back to WKTI because of your morning show. I especially enjoy listening to John Jurkovich on Tuesday mornings. It's a shame to think that he won't be with us on any more. We were able to say goodbye to Reitman and Amy and we were not given that opportunity with Gino and Gene. How unfortunate. You have definitely lost me as a listener.
This change will grealy affect your radio station! I for one am very upset and so are many of my friends and coworkers. We all loved Gene and Gino (and for a short time Jenna)! Amy Taylor was great too! I for one will not be listening to WKTI any longer!
I am very happy for Gene Mueller, as he loves news and sports and is a great professional! All the best to him (and as a fellow UWSP student-he holds a special place for me). Gino is a consumate porfessional and he did not deserve what happened to him! I will miss Brian, and especially John Jurkovich on Tuesday mornings. And in reference to the "bathroom humor" quote-more power to them! That is what makes us laugh and they at least are honest!
You blew it and are going to lose a lot of listeners (along with people who have stopped watching TMJ 4 news and many other of the Journal Sentinel holdings)!
It's been a sad day. Gene started to make "the announcement" just as I was pulling into the parking lot at work. I sat in my parked car for the next 10 minutes listening in disbelief! I couldn't believe Gene & Gino were gone from the airwaves before I knew it.
I was able to check KTI's website around 2 p.m. and read Gene's blog & comments, but was sad there wasn't more of a statement from Gino.
I just checked back tonight to see what new info was released, and I see the new morning team info, etc. However, there's still no more info about Gino (He sounded so upset this morning.). Also, Gene and Gino's blogs are gone-- their comments and those of their supporters' are being erased.
I agree that it's sad that KTI didn't keep Gino and Jenna and simply hire one new person to replace Gene as he "chose" to move to AM620 (he did sound excited). It certainly didn't sound like Gino was excited to be leaving the morning radio show.
I've listened to the morning team for their entire 24 year run and enjoyed all their antics and weekly guests (since I was in middle school), and now it's time to move on. . . maybe to WKLH. Hopefully, I'll be able to catch Gino somewhere else doing great things! I can't believe how abruptly he seems to have been pushed off the air.
Shame on you, Bob Walker, for causing so many people to have such a "sad" Wednesday-- this could have been handled so much better than it was.
I was so shocked and disappointed to turn on the radio this morning and hear the awful news. I can not believe how unprofessionally it was handled. What happened to WKTI? You have lost many listeners because of the way this was handled. We needed to say good-bye to Gene and Geno and they deserved a fair farewell. Good-bye to KTI!!! We'll miss you Geno!
What a shame!! The direction the station is taking has yet to play out in my eyes, but the path so far is disappointing. I have listened to the morning show since the early 80's. Although I left the area for a while for college and a job out-of-state, when I returned on vacation, and more importantly when I moved back to the area five years ago it was a comfort and joy to listen to the morning crew and all their friends again. Change is inevitable, but there are much classier ways to go about introducing that change than to blindside the faithful audience you have come to depend on. My best to Gene on his new position - he has a wealth of knowledge to share and I am happy that he has been given this new opportunity. However, let's not forget about Gino - he deserved to be treated with more respect than it appears he was given. I hope another local opportunity comes his way, so that he can continue to be an important asset to the Milwaukee listening/viewing public.
what a class act Geno was. He gave 'KTI so much better than he got in return. I have listened since the 80s (I am now 39) and am just sickened as what they have done for our Geno. I will no longer be a listener. The listeners deserved time to absorb the news not 10 minutes and then they are gone. For many, the DJ's were like family.
I am now a listener of WMYX (Jane & Kidd - many may remember Kidd from his 'KTI days)
Let's see how long Bob Walker keeps these posts up.....
First off, anyone looking for Gene Mueller's blog can find it here...
http://genemueller.blogspot.com/
After reading the posts here, talking with co-workers, and getting reactions from friends via email, I can honestly say that not one person hasn't felt hit in the gut by the way this was handled.
While we certainly do wish Gene well on his new endevour and we know that Geno will land on his feet and have much success, we,the loyald listeners, are still standing here saying "what about us?" It feels as if a door has been slammed shut in our faces with no hardly and explanation and certainly not a decent goodbye.
This could have been handled so much better. You really should have given us a chance to say goodbye to the morning crew and friends. Bob Walker, I really would like to see you address why you felt that we weren't worthy enough for that.
TERRIBLE, I can't believe WKTI just dumped Gene and Gino like that. I too have been a fan for 20 some years, and I just hope someone shows Bob Walker the kindness and respsect he showed, the listners and to Gene and Gino, oh wait, he didn't show any respect!
I just got done changing my radio station at home, and the car setting will be next.
You left a terrible taste for WKTI and have lost one of your seven listens, and from the looks of this blog, you lost all your listeners.. hopefully this gets Bob Walker canned as well!!!
Bob,
Please pass my congratulations on to Gene on becoming the new co-host of the Wisconsin Morning News on WTMJ. This has to be a dream for a life long news guy like Mueller is.
My advice for the people bashing the change in morning shows is to give Matthew Blades a chance. I listened to him at Z-104 in DC while I was working in Radio City.
Being a former transplant to Milwaukee, I never understood Reitmann's show. I respected it, but didn't get it because I wasn't from Milwaukee.
WKTI is much different than any radio station I had ever worked at. Reitmann and Mueller for over 20 years in mornings. Lips there over 20 years. Dan there for over 10 years. That doesn't happen very often. If you are somewhere 5 years, you are waiting for the other shoe to fall most of the time.
I wish my friends at Radio City the best. Pass along my hello's to Dan, Lips and Lisa Letterman.
My time at WKTI is something I will always treasure and will always consider myself a part of the Journal family.
John Harlow
The DJ formally known as Hollywood
Yorktown, Va.
Unfortunately because of the way this "change" was handled most people don't want to give the new morning show a chance - myself included. And their pathetic attempt at soothing our feelings with the Gene Mueller "good-bye" ad being played can stop any time now - it just makes me angrier every time I hear it. I too have listened for over 20 years and I am changing all the stations in my home and car. This "change" was handled very poorly and I cannot forgive 'KTI. Good bye and the only people I wish good luck to are Gene Mueller, Gino and Jenna. You guys were the best and you CAN'T be replaced!
Hey...if you were going to get rid of someone it should have been Lips LaBelle. He is soooooo moldy & stale!!! He sounds like a broadcasting machine when he talks. He has good voice inflection, but there is no personality at all to his broadcasts. He was cool back in the mid 80's - 20+ years ago!!!!
Everything I have to say has already been said. I listened for the entire time the previous morning show was on the air. I don't care how good the next team is, I'm not listening. I removed KTI from the choices in my car, and I'm checking out Dave and Carole over at KLH for my morning show. I've lost my best friends.
Mr. Walker:
I'm happy for Gene Mueller staying on and now doing an AM news talk radio format at 6.20 AM.
However, I think you are missing the entire point we former loyal listeners are trying to get you to understand and that it is the WAY this was presented. Ok, Gene's going to AM radio, but it sounded like Gino's been fired and then that's it at 7:45 a.m., basically a morning program that tons of people across Southeastern Wisconsin had listened to, some of us for over 25+ plus years, was just GONE. POOF! And we were all left wondering "what just happened?"
I think your former loyal listeners might have accepted change much better (yes, I know change happens and sometimes it is good...if handled properly), if instead we had been given time to walk down memory lane and say goodbye, just like when Bob retired. We had 2 weeks to say goodbye to Amy!
But yesterday at 7:35 am, Gene's going to AM radio, Gino will still be doing entertainment stuff for TMJ TV, and that's it!
All the public of Milwaukee wanted, was the chance to say goodbye and to quote Bob Hope (a truly class act), say "thanks for the memories".
Is that so hard to understand?
I guess it is.
Good luck with your new morning program. Frankly if I were one the new DJ's I would be having second thoughts about joining a company that just dumps beloved radio personalities and leaves the loyal listening public feeling lost, cheated and betrayed.
Oh, this former 25+ loyal listener is now listening to the Brew...your loss is another stations gain.
It would have been one thing had the announcements been made that things were moving in a new direction, and given some time to say goodbye to Gino.
To me the most insulting part was the 10-minute on-air period where Gene announced his move, and Gino said his far-too hurried goodbye. Why not let him and Jenna finish up the week. Gino has been on the show for years, as had Amy, and at least her departure was treated with respect.
I'm offended personally and for Gino and I will not be back. I've listened to KTI only for the morning show for the past five years. I listen to WUWM for all the rest of my news, entertainment, music etc, and now I will tune into them in the mornings as well.
I would have given the new team a chance had it not been done in such an insulting way. But with the way this was handled, you've lost a long-time listener in me as well.
My fellow listeners: help me out! Did I not hear Gene, Gino, and Jenna on the radio yesterday (Wednesday) morning and then later in the morning, someone else was on? And then this morning, Lips was on - when did all this happen?!?!?! Did I miss the clues in the past few weeks this was coming? I guess not based on other comments - just out of the blue. VERY unbelievable.
I honestly don't know how to respond to one particular comment. There must be a way - I just can't figure it out.
I can address the most common comments in this reply:
Gene's blog was removed because he is now a WTMJ personality. If they don't have it live - they will soon. As for negative comments - say what you want here.
We're not trying to spin the new AM show as anything. Listen. If you like it - great. If not, Gene is on 620 WTMJ with John Jagler (who still makes excuses for Geoff Jenkin's crappy year in '06)
As for Journal begin a revolving door. We have some desks that have been occupied for so long, the name plates have old logos on them - not quite I-94 FM, but some "Favorite Music Most Fun" WKTI stuff.
One of the most common questions I get is why we took apart the show. It's actully a miracle we could keep the show together for so long. I'll address that in Friday's blog.
I have been told may a time in my life to make sure the door doesn't hit me on the way out, Thanks Bob for showing me the door... But don't worry, I was moving too fast for the door to hit me this time!
Gene... Best of luck at TMJ....
Geno... Best of luck... Know you will land on your feet.
Hey Bob, you sure your not Married to the Human "Resources" manager at my place of meployment? This was handled just like they would...
Oh My God Walker, now I get it! I've read your previous blogs, and now the most recent one, and now I totally get it. Now I understand why you left us all wondering. You can't communicate well at all! Read your last blog. Incredible. And you are the boss!? Your not addressing the simple questions, you are side stepping with goofy remarks about Jenkins and stickers on desks. Fluff. Bunk. You are dense. Did I communicate that very well to you?Jeeze. Now I get it. Game over!
Oh you guys are sooooo good! I'm still reeling and steaming from yesterday! I emailed Walker with no answer to what I asked. I blogged to Gene's old blog yesterday morning. I'm tired, frustrated and still sad. You guys here put it "to the tee" here. The guy just doesn't get it. I agree, I would have given the new people a chance but the way yesterday was handled was exactly the way everyone said it here... WRONGOLA ! Yikes! I'm glad I work in a totally different environment! Makes my place of employment a dream!
I can't wait for Bob's friday bog entry. He is going to put a new spin on the issue.
Gene wanted this 25 years ago when he left QFM. It's about time.
Maybe you can justify why you decided to change the morning team, however I can not. You dealt with Geno on a level of cold professionalism that is you. You are obviously not from the midwest. Gene and Geno made up a unique team, filled with wit and humor. They have a history and have endeared themselves to what is Milwaukee, this is not so easily replaced. I know change is inevitable, and we should embrace it, but not when we are told it is for our good, that's when I become a skeptic. I feel I have now lost the voices of 3 dear friends, Gene, Geno and Bob Reitman. If political correctness means losing old friends, I would rather be politically incorrect. You have lost a KTI groupie of 23+ years. I think I will check out WMYX, and catch up with Kidd O'Shea there.
I would be happy to answer any question you have YO. Feel free to send me an e-mail to bwalker@wkti.com.
To QB, sorry I sound dense.
To anonymous, if you want to talk with Gino - GOOGLE him. Since he no longer is under my supervision, I don't have the authority to give out his personal e-mail. I just googled and found his blog. Amazing technolgy that GOOGLE.
To anonymous, no I am not married to the head of HR. Please don't start any rumors there. After all, she out-ranks me as a corporate officer.
To anonymous, you can e-mail Gene at his old address. All of our names are good at any of the JBG domains (hint hint there former anonymous).
I did choose to delete one comment. Please don't say anything slanderous about any of the parties involved. You can say all you want about me. But please leave all former show members out of your comments.
Bob,
It is called trust. Listeners trusted that each morning they would hear familiar voices. That trust is gone without notice. So are many of your listeners.
-former kti listener
Let’s face it the reason they did not keep Geno is he is too old, he would not fit in with their new morning team. It looks like KTI is looking for attract the twenty something listener.
Mr Walker,
I noticed your new morning host only has one 't' in his first name. I have never seen Matthew spelled this way - ever. What are you hiding? I know there is more to this story! TELL THE TRUTH DAMN YOU.
Dick
Do you have any idea how may listeners you've lost for good???
Too many to count. Hope you're happy!
Jobs change all the time. I can accept and understand that after such a long and successful run, all things come to an end sooner or later. What I feel so disappointed about is this... A show was created many years ago that pulled the listeners in and made it personal. We were all one of the "7 listeners". You made the choice to make these changes abruptly -- no warning, no farewell, no closure for your listeners (many of which grew up knowing these people). These were our friends, our routine, our moments to relax and feel good about the day before we even arrived at our jobs. You disregarded your listeners, not by making the change, but by doing it so callously. I was one of the 7. I deserved to have the opportunity to enjoy a dignified and respectful exit, and your former morning crew certainly earned as much at the very least.
Mr. Walker makes the reasoning behind the sudden "departures" of "if you know Gene, he is not big on farewells, etc. as Bob and Amy were". No mention of Gino whatsover. We KNOW that Gene basically wanted this new position on the other side, but I specifically asked why Gino was treated like he was. Sick to death of the comment "well that is what happens in the industry that we work in" ... poor poor excuse. No one deserves such treatment that has been a loyal employee and made so many people laugh over the years. Amy must have sniffed trouble and got out first!
I just realized through 2 1/5 days of searching other internet radio stations that the format is not what matters. It is the personalities - that give the radio station its personality. I can listen to music on my flash drive at work, and most likely what I will do from now on.
a very sad former kti listener
If the math still applies, for every customer that takes the time to complain, 10 more would have liked to. In my job, if this many people complained about their service, and my boss multiplied it by 10, I would be gone in a heartbeat. But, then I work in healthcare, not the media, and if we've learned anything here, the media business is SO different. On a positive note, your most recent blog was easier to read since all the words followed each other correctly. Great job. Lucky to have a job.
Everything has been said...so I would also like to add that I was shocked at how this was handled. You could've at least had them announce it and let us absorb it as they finished out the week! This is awful! They deserve much more respect! Why not tell us the real truth - as it's been said - there is much more to this story, please stop insulting us!
Hey Bob - why did you allow anonymous blogs? People who want to criticize anonymously are cowards.
I had sent Bob Walker an e-mail almost immediately on Wednesday as I was so upset, like apparently many others were, this was his response (I particularly like the part where he said it was their choice):
Hi Stacy,
>
> Thanks for writing. We announced this morning that Gene Muller had
> accepted a position at WTMJ beginning on Monday. He needed tomorrow
> and
> Friday off for personal reasons, so we had to move the announcement
> up
> to today.
>
> Gino will still be with us at TMJ-4 doing his TV segments. As a
> matter
> of fact, even Reitman still works with us - just in an off-air
> capacity.
>
>
> I hope this clears up any misconceptions. It was a very poignant
> moment
> and I was thrilled that Gene and Gino chose to share it with you -
> the
> listener. It was their choice.
>
> Thanks again for writing.
>
I googled Gino before (as Mr. Walker had talked about earlier) and I found his blog, but unless I'm not looking at it properly, (since I have never responded to anyones blog before until today), Gino's page doesn't seem to have an option to post a comment like I can here. Has anyone else noticed that, or am I missing something? I would love the opportunity to tell him how much he will be missed, even though he hopefully already knows.
Face it, Bob. You blew this one. We're not stupid. We realize change happens. We all handled Reitman's retirement fine. Of course, we all miss Gene and Geno. The biggest problem is the way this was handled. There was no respect given to the loyal listeners of 'KTI and your defensive comments, almost rude in some cases, just put salt in the wounds. Shame on you.
Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!
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