Tag Archives: Conan O’Brien

Current TV’S Olbermann Hire is a Game-Changer

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Current TV hits a home run with Olbermann.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Current TV will become more successful with the hire of left-wing political journalist Keith Olbermann. This type of business move, bringing a large brand or entity to a smaller one, is a tried and true formula that has worked for a number of similar situations and companies.

BIG FISH IN SMALL POND WORKS

Television and cable networks have employed this philosophy numerous times to raise ratings and profiles and to gain subscribers. That’s why NBC invests in the Olympics. CBS, FOX and ESPN the NFL.  ABC and the Academy Awards.  NBC with the Golden Globes.  Exclusive events such as these always draw massive crowds (i.e., Super Bowl 45 broke ratings records as the most-watched television program of all time, averaging 111 million viewers on the Fox network..)

The above are franchises, but this also applies to people with big profiles and followings.  CBS News lured Katie Couric to its network.  TBS nabbed Conan O’Brien.  And now Keith Olbermann switches to Current TV.  These transaction occurred for the same reason – to increase subscribers and ratings. This exchange also is reminiscent of when Howard Stern jumped from traditional radio to satellite.  Sometimes this big-to-small ploy does not work.  But, in this case, it makes total sense.  It’s like putting a lemon in water. One enhances the taste of the other.  Whereas, while Olbermann was at MSNBC, his views and MSNBC’s views became more like oil and water.  The two just separate.

PREDICTIONS

Will Olbermann bring more viewers to Current TV? Yes.

Will the audience stay with him? Yes and No. It all depends on the quality of the content.

Will Olbermann have more freedom to express his views? Definitely yes.

Will Current TV provide Olbermann with a platform to express his big ideas without corporate pressure? Yes.

Olbermann will make Current TV exciting and as such, this move is a real game changer that the network desperately needed.

This was a great strategic business move by both parties.

I can hardly wait until the Spring.

Conan O’Brien’s Unemployment Exit Statement

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Entering is so much nicer than exiting.

One of of your first days in out placement services, you attend workshops to finesse things like your resume, career objectives and more importantly, your exit statement if your position was redundant.  They teach you Never to say the words “laid off”- the term “Laid Off” is apparently dirty words in the career placement world.  To get around using this derogatory term  they have you write up an exit statement and I was just thinking about what in the world Conan or his staff say about their job transitions.

Some sample Conan exit statements could be:

The recent reorganization of NBC’s late-night schedule has afforded me the opportunity to explore new options.  With my record of entertaining mass amounts of viewers, connecting with the younger demographic and being funnier than my predecessor, my objective now is to locate a position as a host of my own show within a “sane thinking, business savvy” entertainment company.

Or

As a result of the recent merger of  “The Jay Leno Show” and ”Tonight Show Starring Conan O’Brien,” 200 positions were eliminated, including mine.  I am now exploring opportunities that will take further advantage of my extensive late-night comedy experience, as well as my hosting and writing background, in the entertainment industry.

These work for me – feel free to use them  any time Conan and good luck.  Remember never to say “laid off” or terminated! Nor say that you are unemployed.  You’re in transition.

Off to recite my exit statement,

Cindy

If I Were Conan…

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Conan and Jay need to forget about their pride and do the make the best decision for their audiences.

For those of you following the soap opera that NBC has become…Jay Leno and Conan O’Brien are caught in situations that neither of them would have never thought possible.  From the outside, it does appear that they are part of a dysfunctional network system caused by miss-management, bad deals and promises.

By no means do I think that Conan nor Jay are victims nor should be pitied in their situations. The two of them are set for life financially no matter the outcome.  But, this situation that has arisen involves PRIDE and that sometimes is hard to swallow.

If I was either of their publicists the advice I would give them would be the same. Forget about your ego and the best decision to be made is what is best for their audience. Yes, in this day and age, you are only as good as to the size of your following.  Any missteps causing a reduction of fans are costly.

So if Conan and Jay can put aside their differences and their egos for a moment, the best decision for both of them is to stay on NBC.  They need to keep serving their audience base and not disappoint them by jumping ship.  Their audiences know them as NBC personalities and know where and when to find them.  Any changes in that area will only signal trouble for them regarding their broadcast futures.

Yes, it’s pretty crummy how NBC is treating them – flip flopping their schedule and lives like they have…but Jay and Conan must remember why they are successful – it’s because of their loyal fans which keep tuning in.   If they do anything to disrupt that, then I foresee their careers to be short-lived for  no one can not survive in today’s economy with low numbers.

Like social media, the community finds you – you don’t find it.  They join you as a follower or friend because they want to and they have the power to ignore or decline your invitations for friendship.  Once you have a “community” then you are responsible to deliver on the goods you promised them.  You don’t want to upset them for there is power in numbers.  That’s why the first calls that Jay and Conan receive everyday are from the NBC research department on how they’re performing. The number of followers is VERY IMPORTANT.

For forget about what promises were made or feeling like this isn’t fair.  Jay and Conan be thrilled that you both still have jobs and that people still tune in to see you weeknights. Do what’s best for your fans and if you, what comes around goes around – you’ll be rewarded beyond measure.

So swallow that pride.  Admit defeat. And expect opportunities as a result.