Saga Communications Reviews

Pros

one of the best radio companies around- not run by investment bankers

Cons

lack of sharing of best practices

Advice to Senior Management

Share more within markets

Pros

Best Company for transparency, competitive pay & great Health plan. Company tries hard to keep me informed of their goals and mission.

Cons

Corporate is good but there is a disconnect between headquarters and our stations. I fear if corporate new how badly we were run as a unit & how much revenue potential is squandered because we do the absolute minimum to make our workplace enjoyable. I feel there is a huge disconnect from management & the morale of the employees.

Advice to Senior Management

I would like a regional manager that we could report to and someone that could hold our management accountable.

Pros

As radio employers go, they're pretty good. Generally treat employees respectfully, which can't be said of many radio employers anymore. This was truly one of the great companies to work for back in the day when the radio business was doing well.

Cons

Industry wide problems plague this company, too - job cuts due to budgetary reasons, salary cuts for those still employed. Too much work being divided among too few people creating a lot of stress, killing creativity and sucking all the fun out of what used to be a business based on fun.

Advice to Senior Management

Too bad the business is dying.

Pros

Good people to work with. You get decent benefits and, if you're good enough at selling yourself, can make your way up the ladder in the company.

Cons

Needlessly stressful environment. Most locations are in a reactionary mode, only changing when things break instead of being proactive in fixing problems. Even when something is shown to be broken, it takes too much effort to get enough people behind a change to implement it.

Still stuck in old business models for the communication industry, not willing to take the necessary risks to survive the changes in radio and television. Is cutting staff but not work to survive these changes. Staff was already overworked before cuts happened. Few new business models are being attempted in the company. Those that are being attempted aren't being giving the support necessary to have a chance to succeed.

Advice to Senior Management

Start looking at many more new business models, and don't be afraid to fail in one or two locations in making those attempts. It's better to lose one or two locations rather than the whole company.

Pros

The local companies have a very comfortable vibe. Turnover within my local stations in Virginia was low, due to staff morale and management skill on the local level. Some of the managers were phenomenal in encouraging and leading younger staff members on to bigger and better things.

Cons

Overall corporate management is very absent, except with GM's. GM's are then forbidden to pass down vital information to staff until word is given. Broken communication on a high level. Though my local GM, was an excellent leader. Layoffs in late '07 and Summer of '08 took many jobs belonging to loyal staff members. Sinking ratings, lack of technological progress and overall changes in radio caused this within many branches.

Advice to Senior Management

Senior Management should realize that they have a lot of young, smart people on their payroll. Listen in to the Marketing & Promotions conference call sometime. Ask the new kid in Minneapolis or the Intern in Charlottesville what THEY think could solve something. And listen, if only for a second. You might learn something about what your demographic is looking for.

Pros

If you're going to work in broadcasting, Saga is one of the last decent companies in the industry. True professionals. Top-rated stations. Wonderful markets. Experienced and conscientious leaders. In an industry experiencing major changes, this is a solid company and place to be. Saga did NOT over-extend itself in the era of consolidation; the benefits of that restraint are now clear.

Cons

Not in "major markets" - if that rat race is your thing, this isn't the place to be.

Advice to Senior Management

Keep it up!

Pros

Excitement of working in radio broadcast business. There are many formats including news, talk, sports, and many music formats. Lots of good energy among the young staffers who work here.

Cons

The men who work in radio are not very good managers and they have a difficult time giving useful feedback and letting you know where you stand. Some are just too young to be able to communicate.

Advice to Senior Management

Train your managers in coaching and feedback skills.