You don't have to be a PR professional to see how station management has turned what they would call "a strategic business decision" into a total debacle:

Mistake #1. Unceremoniously fire your best-known on-air personality who has been coming into people's homes in the Twin Cities for decades.

Mistake #2. Make it absolutely heartless by firing her, a breast cancer survivor, during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Mistake #3. Reveal your true intentions. Instead of limiting your explanation to a straightforward discussion of ratings and advertising, "overshare" by explaining how internal and external research are guiding the station toward more "pop culture, celebrity news and gossip." Congratulations. You've just insulted the sensibilities of your listeners by implying that they are shallow and callow rumormongers. Look at the comments. THAT'S what has got people upset as much as Kevyn's dismissal.

Although you may have correctly characterized a segment of your current or desired audience, you may have made the leap to an erroneous generalization. Just because I glance at the National Enquirer in line at the grocery store or buy the occasional issue of "People," it doesn't mean I don't care about the day's news or want to avoid serious discussions.

I'm sure NBC had all kinds of internal and external research that showed people would LOVE five nights a week of Leno. As Ian goes out of his way to point out, it's not that funny and it's just not that interesting. It's not Must See TV. Unfortunately, as the hundreds of comments on Gabster and Facebook indicate, FM 107.1 is headed in the same direction. It's no longer Must Listen Radio.

You make excellent points.

I just hope FM107 hasn't burned the bridge with Kevyn.

When was the listener polling? No one asked my opinion about what shows I listen to. Is that because I don't generally have time to do all this computer stuff? In the past there was a mass e-mail to those who signed up for listener connections. I've seen nothing.

Is it because I'm in my 40's...hmm

I wonder if the station management will ever comment directly to any of the 100's and 1000's of comments...

I challange them!  

Well said!!  My sentiments exactly. 

Oct 14, 2009 -- 3:37PM, Bob wrote:

You don't have to be a PR professional to see how station management has turned what they would call "a strategic business decision" into a total debacle:

Mistake #1. Unceremoniously fire your best-known on-air personality who has been coming into people's homes in the Twin Cities for decades.

Mistake #2. Make it absolutely heartless by firing her, a breast cancer survivor, during Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Mistake #3. Reveal your true intentions. Instead of limiting your explanation to a straightforward discussion of ratings and advertising, "overshare" by explaining how internal and external research are guiding the station toward more "pop culture, celebrity news and gossip." Congratulations. You've just insulted the sensibilities of your listeners by implying that they are shallow and callow rumormongers. Look at the comments. THAT'S what has got people upset as much as Kevyn's dismissal.

Although you may have correctly characterized a segment of your current or desired audience, you may have made the leap to an erroneous generalization. Just because I glance at the National Enquirer in line at the grocery store or buy the occasional issue of "People," it doesn't mean I don't care about the day's news or want to avoid serious discussions.

I'm sure NBC had all kinds of internal and external research that showed people would LOVE five nights a week of Leno. As Ian goes out of his way to point out, it's not that funny and it's just not that interesting. It's not Must See TV. Unfortunately, as the hundreds of comments on Gabster and Facebook indicate, FM 107.1 is headed in the same direction. It's no longer Must Listen Radio.

Oct 14, 2009 -- 4:53PM, evelyn wrote:

She not only brought gracies to the station but grace it self.

the connection between her and shelletta didn't work but she did.

I wont be listening in as long as dan seeman is in charge.  You can personally email him and I suggest everyone to do so at dseeman@fm107.com

Kevyn didn't bring the Gracies to fm107 it was coincidental that while she was doing the monthly self exams, one of the listeners discovered a lump and was diagnosed with breast cancer. Of course Kevyn interviewed her on the phone once. If it wasn't for that listener, they wouldn't have got the Gracie award. Of course everyone forgets about that poor listener and Kevyn blew her own trumpet constantly about how she earned the award for the station without a word of thanks or acknowledgement to how it was actually earned. I doubt that she even thanked that listener when she went to collect the award earlier this year.