Grow Learfield

Being Intentional

We've just finished the budget process. Our new fiscal year begins July first, but many hours have been spent strategically planning for 07/08. This week our Sports Managers met in Orlando for training. Learfield is intentional about this stuff. Why? Because "if you fail to plan, you plan to fail". Are we intentional about our living?

I know one of us who takes his daughter to a fancy restaurant twice a year; another parent who takes one child each year on a ski trip. Forward thinking. Not so much for the fun of it, but for building relationships. It is intentional. Some of you have date nights planned with your spouse. Others spend each Saturday morning with the children instead of letting them veg in front of the TV. What do you do? I'd like for some creative ideas. Respond below. If you don't want to be published, say so. Or send me an e-mail. I'd love to share your ideas with others. Would you do that?

--clyde

Jonathan Coe Memorial

This year's Jonathan Coe Memorial Golf Tournament was held in St. Louis, instead of an east-coast location, where it's been held for 22 years. Through these 22 years I've hosted many, many Learfielders. 

Here you see a picture [larger image] of four that were my guests this year: Ted Baugh, Jeff Moore, Lance Gerlach and Chuck Schroeder.  In addition to the five of us, Stan Koenigsfeld had his own team. Three days of golf left us exhausted, but encouraged as we also heard life thoughts from friends around the world. More than 100 participated. 

--clyde

Be Bold and Courageous

Be Bold and Courageous was the theme of our Life Skills Weekend.  And, in my talk on the opening night on Friday, I set the tone by explaining the origin of this theme.

The audio clip runs about 17 minutes.

--clyde

Jim Foucault captures Life Skills Weekend

Photographer/Engineer Jim Foucault took some 500 pictures this last weekend in St. Louis at the Life Skills Weekend. He's picked some of the best and and Phil Atkinson has made them into a great slide show that you'll enjoy.

--clyde

Video highlights from Life Skills Weekend

Here's the video from the Life Skills Weekend. If you didn't make it, you'll enjoy seeing your friends. Those who did get to St. Louis saw it Sunday at noon. 

Special thanks to Steven Cranford at Pixilated Pictures for producing the video (which runs about 13 minutes). DVD's are available upon request. Enjoy.

--clyde

Life Skills Weekend

Well friends, I just returned from the conference room where --for the fourth time-- I watched the video of our Life Skills weekend just completed. About a third of us were in St. Louis; 211 including spouses and friends, I think. I'm estactic about the time. For a more accurate read, talk to one of the attendees. And, watch this space where I'll post pictures and the video in the next several weeks. 

There are so many to thank. The Planning Team did much of the heavy lifting.  hey are: Troy Arthur, Craig Branum, Mike Cady, Stan Koenigsfeld, Jason Jett, Christie Malone, Brandon Miller, Lynette Morash, Jan Prenger, Melody Voris and Lori West. They did much more than plan; they were central to the execution this weekend. I owe them a lot. We all do. Thanks, team!

--clyde   

Commit Breathtaking Leadership

Ever now and again I run across a truly exceptional piece that I want to share. Such is the case of Forbes' Publisher Rich Karlgaard's column in this week's issue. It is powerful. It's about our values. And it speaks to all of us about our commitment to everyone we serve--advertisers, our listeners, our affiliates and our university partners. Commit Breathtaking Leadership!

--clyde

Learfield NASCAR

Take a look at five Learfield Nascar drivers!  Here they are at Texas Motor Speedway challenging the best at speeds well over 150 mph!  They are Robert Gahagan, Dean Fredette, Kelly Jensen, Eric Buchanan and David Lawrence (larger image). The five spent the last weekend in Nextel Nascar Cup cars after a training session with top drivers learning how. They were winners in a contest pitting them against all other GMs of Learfield Sports.  Each month one of them won a best personal business contest. Congratulations!  Obviously they're fast in their markets as well as on the track.

--clyde

Meredith/Learfield Join Forces in Rural Lifestyles Market

Learfield News has teamed up with Meredith Corporation to reach the growing and affluent rural lifestyle market. Today we bought 49 percent ownership in Meredith's Living the Country Life brand, which will be managed jointly by the two companies in a new LLC.

Living the Country Life is currently a magazine, TV Show, database and website. We will be expanding that into a nationally-syndicated radio show plus an enhanced web presence. Here's the way Learfield News President, Stan Koenigsfeld, explains it:

"This acquisition and partnership really focuses on the customer "experience". Picture, for example, a radio program talking about a vinyl fencing option.  At the end of the program we direct the listeners to www.LivingtheCountryLife.com for a 'how to install' video. At the end of the video, the cusomer is offered a "buy it now" option for the product and tools shown in the video.  This new venture is about building a relationship with the people who are 'Living the Country Life.'"

I am excited to be teamed up with one of America's foremost media companies. Des Moines based Meredith is a public company that features 25 magazines including Better Homes and Gardens and 14 television stations. Stan and Roger worked with Tom Davis, John Zieser, Mark Ribich, Mike Lovell, Brian Wirt, and Doug Olson. We've gotten to know them--although Tom has been a friend for years--and really appreciate their wisdom and enthusiasm for this brand.  This is a big day for our company, folks. Congratulations.

--clyde

Download News Release (PDF)

On Wisconsin!

We're excited about extending our relationship with our friends at Wisconsin.  They're nice people.  Read the official release.

We have a significant presence in that fine state; there are 75 radio stations on the Wisconsin Radio Network and some 34 on Brownfield.  Thirteen Learfielders total.  Jeff Jurgella leads the Badger organization and Bob Hague is WRN News Director.   

This tremendous news has been in the media since the Regents' meeting agenda was released to the press ten days ago.  I hated to jump the gun until approval; thus the reason for keeping quiet.  Thanks should go to Barry Alvarez, Vince Sweeney and Shawn Eichorst of the University.  I am proud of Roger, Greg, Mike and Jeff for earning the University's trust through these years. 

--clyde