Jim trapp triumphantly returns to the scene of his utter failure

(photo: Jim Trapp strokes his chin wisely)

Veteran programmer, Jim Trapp has been named Program Director of KJAQ-FM (JACK), CBS RADIO Seattle; it was announced today by Kevin McCarthy, SR. Vice President and Market Manager of CBS RADIO Seattle . The appointment is effective Thursday, December 15.

So reads the press release. You probably forgot just who Jim Trapp is. Not us, though!

Trapp is the CBS Radio middle management hack who is probably the most responsible for the utter failure of 1090AM KPTK, the only progressive radio station in deep blue Seattle. It's ratings drag along the bottom at around .08% of market share, and never has done much better.

He was PD there, and according to some who worked for him, not only never liked progressive talk, but never really liked talk radio. Great hire for the ham-handed CBS Radio, eh? (not untypical, we might add)

By not grokking political talk, he missed the golden opportunity in the mid-2000'sies - just as the left had begun getting up on its hind legs. The station could have created a lefty radio community in Seattle ala KVI... except this is a hugely liberal town. Unlike the conservative audiences, the demographics are much younger and broader.

There was talent willing to work for next to nothing; there was a giant community in the wake of the Bush reelection craving to gather.

There was money to be made with just a little innovation.

Trapp couldn't see it. Didn't listen to those around him who knew something, never hired local hosts, nor even returned phone calls to community interests. He fired some great people, ("Tall Paul" Fredericks, who did get it, comes to mind).

It wasn't benign neglect, it was just neglect.

He's been off on the radio gypsy trail of the mediocre and comes from Las Vegas. Not surprising: His years at 1090AM aren't even mentioned in his company bio in the press release announcing his triumphant return to Seattle.

Also not surprising is that he returns as PD of a music station run by robots. Sounds like a great place to sit on your fat ass and wait until the retirement clock reaches 5 o'clock.

Welcome back to Seattle, Jim Trapp.

Comments

[Peaklimiter]

Why is this man laughing?

[LucasFoxx]

He's laughing because he makes a living on his inability to form a complete thought without the help of a consultant and gets to live in Seattle.

[Pete]

It's pretty hard to screw up being the PD of a poorly rated automated station whose entire music library and on-air presentation are determined by out-of-town consultants.

I'll bet he manages.

So many talented people have been forced out of the radio industry through downsizing, and this is all too often the sort of person who survives - a guy whose sole apparent talent is mastering corporate culture.

[Itchy]

He's laughing because he is tickling his chin.