Following is a letter I sent to Sykes using, of course, my real name and address:) <P>
John Sykes CEO Infinity Broadcasting 1515 Broadway 51st floor New York NY 10036 <P>
January 30, 2003 <P>
Dear Mr. Sykes: As a listener of the Ron and Fez Show, it was with dismay that I learned of their sudden cancellation this week and the corrospondent cancellation of my entertainment - both, apparently, without the courtesy of fair and reasonable notice to the performers or their listeners and it's to this topic that I write. It always astonishes me when, in busines, a company exhibits the essence of it's philosophy by it's actions when that essence is diametrically opposite it's stated philosophy. Infinity Broadcasting, in this instance, solicits listeners with programming meant to build a customer base which fits certain demographics which you then peddle to advertisers to present products to that audience, charging higher and higher fees as your audience grows in size and loyalty. The more loyal to your programming, the more you charge your advertisers. As the broadcaster, you promise your listeners quality programming and in return for their loyalty, give them that programming which has captured their imaginations and hope, in return, that this translates into them buying the products which you advertise to them. Where the true nature of your philosophy comes into play is when you suddenly, without notice, strip away the dignity of the audience by cancelling a show without a whit of notice either to the people putting on the show, or the audience. YOUR audience, which advertisers have paid a premium to you to be able to reach. It's a sad commentary when the peole working the show in question, in this instance the Ron and Fez Show, are ignonimously put out of work. On a human level, this is a despicable thing to do to people. However, you didn't do this to just them, you did this to their many listeners. Your audience. Your LOYAL audience, who were buying the products that you advertised and collected money to advertise. So, to bring this to a close, I wanted to say that with your company not having any apparent interest in serving or maintaining your audience, nor will this member of that audience exhibit any loyalty to you or your advertisers. In fact, I'll do the opposite. What I'll do is to write them each a letter - first to tell them why I'll no longer use their product (because they advertise with you), then secondly tell them that as long as they advertise with Infinity broadcasting I'll continue not to spend my money on their products, and lastly let them know each time I make a purchase from their competitors until such time as they no longer advertise with Infinity Broadcasting or any subsidiaries of yours that I can identify. I only wish I could be as cold and immediatly effective to your bottom line (money) as you have been to mine (entertainment) Thanking you for your time and attention to this matter, I remain <P>
Sincerely yours, <P>
(Chuckster) <P>