Sacked Nashville Anchor Pleads Case on HuffPo
Former WSMV Nashville anchor Bob Sellers vents about his layoff on Huffington Post today. Sellers, who fronted the 6 p and 10 p news at the Meredith station, says he was thrown under the bus by management focused on saving its own skin.
He writes:
I sat across the desk from a boss who told me that management had decided to go another direction. This was the same boss that a few months before had given me a glowing personnel review for the work I had done as the 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. anchor at the NBC affiliate in Nashville. The same boss who told me a piece I wrote for the Huffington Post on local flood coverage was “extraordinarily well-written” and reflected well on the station. The one who told me three months ago not to leave to take a job in Washington, D.C. because they were very happy with my work and wanted me here. (That job has since been filled.) The same boss that submitted video that resulted in my being nominated for two Emmy’s for coverage of breaking news. (The awards haven’t been handed out yet.)
This is the American workplace, 2010. No loyalty, and a cavalier consideration for the life changing consequences of treating people and their livelihoods as mere pieces on a chess board.
Sellers says the calls of concern and offers to help flood in, but subside over time–leaving him with bleak prospects for the future.
He concludes:
I just hope not to become part of the growing number of woeful stories that constitute the new American Nightmare.
Sellers has done a lot of time on cable news in his career, including CNBC and Fox News, and can write a bit–in addition to his HuffPo stuff, his book Forbes Best Business Mistakes: How Today’s Top Business Leaders Turned Missteps into Success comes out this summer.
I think Bob will land on his feet.
Dextersmommy commented:
This is exactly the way that I have been treated in "corporate" America! Businesses suck these days when they tend to tell you "we're taking the company in a different direction". B***s***!!! If they simply don't like the way you look, that's all it takes for a power-hungry a-hole to let you go, even after getting a GLOWING REVIEW just a few weeks prior! I hate the way America does business. It's even worse these days with the bad economy.
Doug Terry commented:
Every time I read a story like this, I am reminded why I "dropped out" of anchoring at a very young age. All that has to happen for one to be "gone" is an upper level manager to walk in and say, "I don't like the way that guy combs his hair", and you're out of there. You are relying on your appearance, your voice and your nimble mind in breaking news situations, but most management believes, since there is an over supply of those who want in, that almost anyone can do it. I have realized over the years that this is false, that the ability to hold a program together and cover over the rough spots takes a well defined set of talents. To put those talents together with the ability to cover news, write, supervise editing, edit mistakes out of stories and get the show off on time and in good shape mean that not one in a thousand people can do it really well. The right combination skills, talent and experience, along with a "click" with a given audience is even more rare.
If I were in this guy's shoes, I would have challenged the news director to be more specific about what was wrong in relation to his prior praise for performance. In the end, however, you have to realize that, as an anchor, you live by the sword and die that way, too. Unless you are very deeply established in a given city/market, any mild breeze can blow you away. As for that job in DC, don't give up. There could be more openings soon.
Ken commented:
It has to do with the ratings, it happens at all television stations who don't finish in 1st place after being the leader for years. Nashville is not the only market this year.
Tough Spot commented:
Bob Sellers was put in a tough situation. He replaced long time and very well liked WSMV anchor Dan Miller, who had died suddenly from a heart attack. Dan and his co-anchor Demetria Kalodimos had worked together for many years and had great chemistry. I always felt like things were awkward with Bob and Demetria. I'm sure that Mr. Sellers is a fine anchor, his resume speaks for itself, but he walked into a bad situation at channel 4. Best of luck to you Bob, I'm sure you will land on your feet.
Not happy commented:
It sounds like this is just the way Meredith does business and quite frankly they suck as a company. I feel for Bob I was treated the exact same way with Meredith.
Cory commented:
That's why anchors are paid a premium. It's a subjective job that turns with the winds of research and ratings. Not to say that's right or wrong, but it's the industry.