I've spent my entire professional life as a television network publicity and corporate communications executive at such places as Fox, GSN and Lifetime TV. I get a rush dealing with live broadcasts, tight deadlines and press conferences. I think I enjoy my job so much because I love working with the press. In addition to all that, I enjoy being an industry blogger and a social media expert and leading my own consulting firm in Los Angeles. 
Did you see the size of Conan’s O’Brien’s package? He’s bringing home a cool $30 mill* in his severance from NBC, while his brood gets to split approximately $11 million*. Not bad for a guy who tells funny jokes before our bedtimes.
Is Fox in His Future?
As one who is familiar with severances of late, I did a little math for I wanted to see how his staff made out for seven months work in Los Angeles. Basically, his 190 person staff would each receive $41,000 (after taxes) if the $11 million was split evenly among them, which I’ m sure it will not be. $40k is wonderful and much better than nothing – I mean it was very honorable that Conan fought for them – but their future lies with their former boss and whether or not he takes another job immediately.
Conan will be fine financially, however, I am sure that his staff is secretly hoping that he lands a new gig soon and create another show where he needs to hire approximately 190 people. If Conan decides to take a few months off and enjoy Los Angeles in the spring time, then their only hope is to attempt to work on one of the shows NBC is producing to fill its 10p.m. weeknight slots. But, that’s a long shot.
Also, California certainly doesn’t need another 200 people out of work-so Conan from one person in transition to another – heed this advice: Get to work as soon as possible, not just for your fans, but more importantly, for your co-workers. Forty thousand dollars doesn’t go far when you have to pay for your own benefits, rent, insurance, utilities, cable, college loans and cell phone, etc.
(*-I deducted $3 million from Conan’s $33 million severance and $1 million from the staff’s package to account for lawyers fees. Not being anywhere near this settlement, I am giving a low-ball estimate. It could very well much more that the lawyers get to pocket out of the deal.)
And You Said…