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A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Hunter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Hunter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 3, 2024, 7:01 pm

I have a hypothetical question to ask this radio message board.

Radio stations have given away large sums of cash and prizes. It continues depending upon the format, however, here's my question.

Everyone is human and mistakes are made. I'm not referring to mild cheating such as WLS-FM taking the 14th caller instead of the 94th to recognize their FM dial position to win free concert tickets. Disclaimer: I'm using WLS-FM as an EXAMPLE. This could be **any** radio station.

If a contest was inadvertently ruined due to a DJ's inattention or other error, are these grounds for dismissal? Perhaps playing an unauthorized record which breaks the format without prior authorization?

I've heard stations give away everything from exotic vacations, cars, tons of cash and more.

If the prize were awarded to the wrong listener after an investigation was conducted, what is the process? The judge's decision is final. There's a lot of legal language.

I find it hard to think a station would award two luxury cars or twice the cash promised as part of the prize package.

To the readers/moderators: Are you aware of any legitimate radio contest which somehow derailed? Were there any repucussions? Does the program director/music director/marketing director take a hands-on approach to the larger contests?

I recognize the big radio corporations now run contests which involve their stations across the country by dialing a special number.

My original contribution has more to do with radio of yesterday...before one company owned five or six stations in one market.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 3, 2024, 8:05 pm, in reply to "A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Read the contest rules on the station websites. They have a ton of legal jargon basically protecting the station from any problems.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 7:24 am, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Years ago, WOKY-Milwaukee gave a winner the "Double Cash" jackpot. Well, the jock misheard the amount. They ran promos apologizing, but she kept the money, as "we awarded it."

This was 1973 or so. Too, after that, they'd ask people "could you repeat that, please?" or added pennies to the total. IE: the jackpot was $1059.56
so that might make it more difficult to mis-hear.
In the jocks excitement, and all was live then, it was an honest mistake, but then you would hear too, "we're going to dial and record a cash call" and so, I guess, steps were taken.
....

Years ago, I don't know how, but I won a contest. They played a tape of me winning. I never ever was told I'd be on the air. Never went to pick up prize. Was not sure of policies. (1980's)

''''
Too, another contest where the station asked me for my Social Security number. I gave it. Again, I didn't go to the station to pick up my prize. (1980's)

....
Won a contest on an Upper Peninsula station in the spring. Went to station to claim prize. They asked for no identification at all! I showed the receptionist my driver's license. He was the morning dj! Small town radio, at its best!

What I've always found SAD is when they ask for caller #1 or 2 and no calls! Nobody mentioned as a winner. If I was an advertiser, I'd run.

Those are my stories. Interesting.....

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 1:34 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

What I've always found SAD is when they ask for caller #1 or 2 and no calls! Nobody mentioned as a winner. If I was an advertiser, I'd run.

No one calls radio stations anymore, especially the demos under 50 years old. They would rather text, or social media. Why should they engage when the jocks are shells of what they use to be, or are canned in, VT, etc?

I agree with John. Most of the "mistakes" are mitigated by just giving the prize to the incorrect winner. Cheaper than a lawsuit and bad press.

Many of the phoners (the few remaining on air anymore) are paid actors, or in the majority is recorded, reused outside of market, years old, or done by producers, interns, friends, etc.

I was a young Teen I won an Atari 2600 from WLS-AM during their 80s "AM Stereo" days. Also won a 2nd and 3rd time.... T-shirt, some concert tickets. Had to go into the studio with a parent, sign papers and show ID.

Z

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 5, 2024, 12:15 am, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Maybe there are still some exceptions… Every morning, people call into Mike Tomano’s and Rob West’s show on 92.7 The Valley (Kankakee) to “vote” for today’s Battle Royale (favorite of 2 bands), and for contests to guess the name of a song from a tiny audio clip… Winners get a meal from a local Subway. We’re talking prizes worth ten(s) of dollars. Some of the callers are actually under 50, too!

What a crazy idea… If you give people a creative radio program they truly enjoy, they’ll listen regularly and even participate.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 5, 2024, 11:11 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Mike is truly one of the last real morning shows. Along with Eddie V. AM drive on the big sticks is either piped in, syndicated and piped out or other nonsense.

Z

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Radiodadio <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Radiodadio' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 11:56 am, in reply to "A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Radio stations often don’t take the caller they ask for , they screen for a caller that sounds good on the air. B96 was notorious for that.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

B96 was notorious for that.

Beautiful. Early consultants hard at work!

Z

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Hunter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Hunter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 1:49 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Radiodadio: I can see this happening with contests.

Why go through a huge number of callers to hit your dial position?

Let's take Z95 from the past as an example.

If the DJ taking calls during a Bon Jovi song hits upon a sexy female who happens to be caller #15, he might be inclined to stop and declare her a winner.

This leads to radio groupies but perhaps that topic could be for another discussion. Keeping in mind this is a family media board.

Does anyone remember the movie: FM? It was released in 1978 about a fictional FM rock station in Los Angeles. I am editing myself here.

A photo of either a nude or topless woman which she "personalized" was given to the Martin Mull character of "Eric Swan."

The movie bombed but the soundtrack was great!

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong x3

Posted by Mike Ruffone <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Mike+Ruffone' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 2:10 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

i am at work so i have to type fast but i recall 3 radio mistakes by djs in the 1980s
2 mistakes were at us99 - 2 djs forgot to play 10 in a row so 2 callers/listeners were each given $10,000 then us99 killed the promotion
1 mistake was at wls by dj mike macdonald who made up his own give away where he promised "the keys to a brand new porsche" and when the winner came to wls he was literally given the keys to a car but no car - and yes wls got sued and i think macdonald was fired - i will google later

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong x3 — 99 WeFM Chicago

Posted by PhilJSmith <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=PhilJSmith' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 5, 2024, 12:23 am, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong x3"

Same frequency, a few years earlier — “99 WeFM” got busted for supposedly awarding $99 contest winners to fictional contestants. There was quite a bit of bad press about it, and it may have actually led to the downfall of their Rock/Top 40 format on 99.5 WEFM. The station flipped to MOR for about a year, then flipped again to WUSN “US-99”.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

If you call one of these right caller contests and they don’t tell you what caller you are upfront right when when they answer you are most likely being screened , unfortunately nobody police this stuff so you are just screwed

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Jeremy Andrews <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Jeremy+Andrews' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 2:38 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Fun fact, the 312-591 exchange was setup in part because of radio contests. They would overload the system. Because of that system, it was easier to get through the farther you were from Chicago. I forgot the specifics.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Rockola <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Rockola' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 8:22 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

I bet that would explain why I got through numerous times calling Z95 and 105.9 WCKG. I lived in Munster, Highland, and later Schererville, and won tapes/CDs at least 3 times from each during those years ('86-'90).

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 2:39 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

What I will remember is when the person won X amount and the jock would really have to pull some hint of excitement from a "lucky caller" or "jackpot winner."

Now, it's a bit different. And too, it's not the same. All is polished, edited (as you rightfully say, Z), and there are no flaws/mistakes.

Something is missing. The "human" element? I mean these promos playing in LA ...and Iowa City?

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 5:08 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

John there is no more human element in radio anymore, every time a jock is told not to talk, or is replaced by VT, nationwide jocks, or even AI, the human element is gone. Sadly, it was removed long time ago. Listeners were conditioned to not care and leave for other mediums. Radio saved money along the way, at the expense of making themselves not relevant.

Also, to everyone. I have been in radio studios before. Not all companies adhere to picking a good sounding winner. A good jock can edit just about any call to sound good on air. If not the last standby is:

"Z from Chicago won the tickets to the Milli Vanilla concert this weekend. Listen next hour for your chance to win yours and join him there! Here is the new single by Metallica, One, on Z95!"

Z

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Hunter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Hunter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 6:39 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

To extend for a minute what WYTZZ95FM said in regard to callers sounding well on the air.

Time and again, men and women who are working enter into radio station contests. That's fine.

It's when they win, the problem arises. What the listener often hears is whispering. The DJ asks why and said winner tells the radio audience they are at work and will get in trouble with the boss if found out. It effectively destroys the excitement and kills the momentum.

To use WYTZZ95FM's example; imagine a segue from a winner who whispers to a Metallica song.

Special thanks to everyone who participated in this thread which I originated. It's appreciated.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 7:18 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

I think there's a lot of radio "folk" out there. 99% don't post, (or try to be caller #256) but there is always a good discussion here, which I myself, have enjoyed.

What is sad, to me, and I've never been in radio, is there's no life! There were jocks, news folk, etc, walking around, chatting, the vibe. That, to me, is gone. (I've been at studios in my youth and won a contest a few years ago where there was a sfeel, I guess...) AM DRIVE there is/might be life, but VT'd the rest of the day and all weekend long.

I'm so grateful for all I've learned here!

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by AirCheckDude <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AirCheckDude' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 8:25 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Z95 played One by Metallica? I never heard it on any Top 40 air checks in 1989.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by Media Reader <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Media+Reader' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 11:29 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

A Radio Contest Gone Wrong – A Cautionary Tale
by Fred Jacobs · June 2, 2020

Link: Jacobs Media 2020

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 4, 2024, 11:39 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Z95 played One by Metallica?

They sure did. It was their first Hot 100 hit and was fuled by sales, not airplay. Z95, WDFX Detroit, Pirate Radio LA were some of the stations that gave it a lot of airplay. It peaked at #35 and ironically peaked lower @ #46 on the Rock/AOR charts. I will never forget Alan Kabel hyping it up that they were going to be the first station in Chicago to play the new Metallica song during his night show.

But Z95 at the time was starting their "Rock 40" lean, while B96 was "Dance 40" and Q101 had no clue what they were doing. Actually they were as close to Mainstream Top40 with jingles. The jocks were the AC holdovers. They played a lot of AC hits, some dance, no Rap or Metal Rock.

Z

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by AM Radio Fan <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=AM+Radio+Fan' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 12:03 am, in reply to "A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

A more "recent" one is Opie and Anthony's "100 Grand." This was around 2000. The prize was indeed the candy bar. I'm sure some of listeners knew that was coming. A lawsuit followed.

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by John from Wisconsin <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=John+from+Wisconsin' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 7, 2024, 11:17 am, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

One last gasp on this one, and it's cute!

Not a contest, but a request, if I remember correctly....

What's your favorite radio station?

YOURS! (Guess, they didn't know to say calls! LOL

Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong

Posted by ChiTownGal <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ChiTownGal' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on June 11, 2024, 3:57 pm, in reply to "Re: A Radio Contest Goes Wrong"

Here's my favorite. Goes back to late 80s or early 90s. Sun-Times asked readers to vote for their favorite morning-drive radio personality. The winner would get a donation from the Times to the charity of their choice.

The Times probably figured that the winner would be one of the heavy hitters of that era, and the charity would be a high-profile non-profit.

Well, for reasons not entirely clear, after several weeks of balloting and counts/recounts, the winner was....an obscure morning man at WMBI. The Moody Bible station, and a home for needy kids operated by the church.

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