On the latest Motor City Mad Mouth Show, Scott Morganroth and George Eichorn discussed key differences between old-school media and new-school media. Considering Scott and George both have over 40 years of experience working in sports media, they are well equipped to speak on this topic. With countless firsthand experiences over the years, they tell tales of their careers and give advice to educate aspiring students.
George and Scott started working together in 1979, working with Ron Cameron at WXYZ Radio. They had to deal with FCC (Federal Communications Commission) regulations. The FCC was enforcing a standard of broadcasting with these tight regulations.
“…our working relationship with the late Ron Cameron, this guy had a good heart, but he was just outright loud and rude. We can truly say that he gave us our first break anyway, and rest in peace Ron,” said Scott.
They spoke about how rigid the workplace was, with little room for mistakes. Scott said he liked this and the FCC because it taught him to write clean and be on air clean. Lamenting how one-of-a-kind Ron was, George says he had a little notebook and phone directory. I loved the glimpse this visual gave me of what it would have been like to work in this field with limited technology.
Several other moments throughout the show gave any young student working with today’s technology a glimpse into a whole new set of problems faced back in the day. They mentioned fax machines before email, rotary phones, and went into detail concerning firsthand technological problems. Scott was at Osceola Stadium, covering the Florida State League All-Star game. He was having trouble with the computer he was supplied, this being in days when computers were fairly new. It was a brand new stadium, so the phone lines were not functioning perfectly yet, landing him in a test of professionalism when they faltered.
“I said, Rick, I’ve done this five times and I don’t know what to do. Can I make one suggestion that we dictate this thing anyways?” said Scott.
Rick Nelson allowed this and gave Scott the extension he needed to make it happen. Scott was able to pull this off seamlessly and with professionalism. This story, and many similar others, are in Scott’s book Lessons From the Microphone: Tuning Into the Enduring Wisdom of Visionary Leaders. The text is full of vibrant stories and information valuable to anyone interested in learning more from Scott’s extensive knowledge.
Looking at George and Scott’s success throughout old school media and new school media, I am inclined to believe their emphasis on the importance of journalism. This is something that was far more coveted in old school with the required formal education. I see the decline in my generation’s value for solid writing skills firsthand. As a current student studying sports media, I see some of my peers disregarding their writing classes and writing as a skill. These students typically have one career path in mind and are close minded about where they will end up. On the other hand, my professors’ words stick with me every time they bring up the importance of journalism and upholding journalistic standards. Many of my peers, myself included, use writing as a foundation to become highly employable individuals.
A skillset is something anyone trying to break into sports media needs, but it is just what you need to back yourself up when you get in the door. Getting in the door has required the same skill throughout the years: networking. Scott’s first account of networking occurred through his father’s employee at All Pro Sporting Goods. I got in contact with Scott, who has been directing me in the early stages of my career, through networking and making an impression. Meeting the right people, and then impressing them with your skillset has always been the name of the game. It will continue to be the best way to build a career in this business.
Though the concept stays the same, social media and technological advances have changed the way networking happens. With opportunities to meet people through LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and email, there are endless ways to reach people. LinkedIn is by far the platform most curated for professionals.
“You have to know what tools are in your box and use them. For example, one of the things I lean toward is online networking. I use LinkedIn to get guests, and there is nothing better than LinkedIn to get guests because they are all professionals,” said Scott.
It is specifically for making contacts, so it attracts real professionals. It is the new version of writing a resume. It allows people to see others’ full professional histories and connect. LinkedIn profiles are made to be consistently updated, providing a platform to promote your experience.
“You get to see so many different people and so many different backgrounds. It’s been important for me too because I can reconnect with a lot of people from my past associations,” said George. “It tells you the story of their history which I like, if they use it and keep it up properly.”
Bringing platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and Facebook back into the conversation pinpoints the cause of the outrageous increase in fake news issues. Before these mediums existed, it was easier to manage the spread of fake news. Journalists and broadcasters were held to a standard of truth, which was upheld at every station or paper. Fact-checking was essential and misinformation was not tolerated. Social media allows anyone to use their voice and gain a following. While this has a positive side, it allows anyone to say anything online, with possible social repercussions being the only consequence.
The way of pursuing a career in sports media has changed drastically over the years, but the lessons from those with years of experience in the industry hold value. I have found all of Scott’s podcasts and his book to be a great place to start learning from people who came before me. This particular show of the Motor City Mad Mouth is a great resource for my needs.
