John Milligan's email: "Radio with No Vision!"

Editor’s Note: This letter was emailed to members of the community on Feb. 26. It has been edited only to remove the writer’s email address and phone number.

From: John Milligan

Subject: Radio with No Vision!

Dear Friends

Unfortunately as things have transpired, it does not look as if neither Jan nor I will have the opportunity to meet with you all to say ‘Thanks!’

Since suffering the so-called ‘restructure’ at WHQR, our situation has changed dramatically. Everything came out of the blue - no consultation, no discussion – nothing. We returned from burying Jan's Mom in Illinois the weekend before Christmas and they hit me with the 'news' the day after - two days before Christmas. Two Mothers; two jobs; in two months is about as much as anyone can take! The top was just cut off the Station:  CEO & GM, Development Director, Programming Director (this was vacant anyway and we had frozen re-appointment) and News Director (has since I am told worked herself back in by letting others in the news team go … )! Talk about removing the soul, the vision, the know-how and the revenue  generating base from the Station!!! It was tantamount to a coup with a few Board members. Have subsequently learnt that it had happened before – with similar players. The station has been fairly strapped cash flow-wise, but had been since it started. I told the Exec Cmtee early in 2006 that it would take at least three years to right the situation - and we were on the path! The station is now in the hands of the Junta - and unfortunately already sounding like it!! I have heard from one of the survivors on the staff that it’s “mighty depressing in the office – it’s not fun anymore”.As you may well appreciate, the dynamics of Public Broadcasting as we know it are changing and changing rapidly especially in markets such as here. No longer is it sufficient to assume we command a niche position just because we are Public Radio. WHQR is merely a player in the media mix of our area. It is a competitive and complex business and not one for amateurs. Leadership at times like these can determine which direction the future holds. I believe it to be hard for any single individual to make the changes or steer the ship – but history has proven time and time again, when it comes down to the wire, too many of our good leaders are left standing alone naked in the public square just at the moment when they most need others to stand beside them and vouch for their worthiness and support their vision and direction. In WHQR’s case there was not even consultation!

The last few years under my leadership has seen WHQR grow in stature within the communities we serve  …  …

The Station is now a coveted and recognized professional broadcaster in the media mix of our communities. Underwriting has increased 115%. Listenership increased from the lower 20,000's to 43,000.

Our news awards (12 last year!) have been a great achievement; the Major Giving Initiative was established; installed a new accounting system and budgetary process; even introduced the first Hispanic Emergency reports! Through my state (I was President of the NC Public Radio Association) and national presence WHQR – and Wilmington was put on the map. Mayor Saffo recognized this when he said at a public forum, “WHQR has never sounded as good or accomplished so much in the city – we need WHQR!”  The Mayor also relayed that when he mentioned to President Obama during the campaign visit last year that they had a mutual friend in me, the President replied ‘you guys are very fortunate to have him!’

WHQR enjoyed an average quarter hour share (AQH) of 6.0 which is well above the national Public Radio mean and our Cume rating (share of the market) is 11.7%. There is no doubting these are awesome ratings as any media specialist will acknowledge. How we would ever increase or improve on these figures would have been a massive challenge. The market size is a definite limiting factor. The membership-to-listener ratio is another. Membership revenue was not increasing – in fact had remained relatively flat.

So the question has to be asked: can WHQR remain economically viable in this market? Are the communities including the business community, prepared to support it?  Does the current Board appreciate the economic challenges that the Station faces and are they prepared to throw in their support? The answers to these questions are complicated yet essential.

Anyway, it’s sad but we can’t dwell in the past  ...  ...  now Jan & I are moving forward!. So at this stage, and as far as I am concerned personally, I have to accept the fact that my contract was terminated short of its term prying me off an unfulfilled path. However it has given me the precious time of introspection, self-exploration and determining what it is I want to do. The wholistic dimension is not necessarily about the job but more about how it fits into our lives –it’s about regaining a semblance of balance. Unfortunately we cannot afford to be too altruistic, money is a factor!

I do not know which way we will be moving. I am exploring a number of directions both within and without of Public Broadcasting – all I do know that whichever way we move it will be good for both Jan and myself.

Since we now have no income it's a bit scary at this stage. Like most other people we have a mortgage, cars, insurance etc. – and a jealously guarded credit in jeopardy. Job wise there is nothing much locally so looks as if we will have to relocate and with the housing market as it is  ...  ...  ?? We would preferably move back to the Midwest or Wisconsin - we have a 2-year old Granddaughter in Madison and our son, who lives in Wausau WI, is getting married towards the end of March  …  …  but in these times, a job is a job!

I would just like to say thanks for all the great times, the support and the friendship you have given me – it has been a privilege working for and with you all. As we move forward, Janice joins me in wishing you well in whatever direction life takes you. I am saddened and sincerely sorry it had to end this way.

In closing, let me leave you with a NZ Maori saying – and one I had framed in my office:

"If you are going to bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain"

John

February 2009