Albuquerque Journal from Albuquerque, New Mexico • Page 51

1 Former KOB weatherman George Fischbeck KOATs popular Neil Murray was lured was one removed from New Mexico television to job in Minneapolis by manipulation by influence of consulting firm. of consultants for KOB after his drawing power as KOB's weather announcer was called to its attention by Mitchell. Max Sklower, general manager of KOAT, confirmed that Mitchell once worked for ABC and had a hand in getting Fischbeck out on the West Coast where he is a sensation. KOAT is also affiliated with ABC. Jerry Danziger, general manager of KOB, said his consultant, Magid, was instrumental in Murray of KOAT getting better job offers from outside the state.

Murray, who quit when he couldn't get the raise he wanted, moved to Minneapolis-St. Paul, where he is working for KSTP-TV, the flagship station of Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc. Hubbard, weakened competition in Albuquerque but added to its KSTP staff to help hold onto its number one rating in Minneapolis-St. Paul. KSTP is being closely pressed by WCCO-TV, which held number one ratings up through 1975.

Murray became a particular target of the Hubbard group when consultant surveys indicated he was the most popular news personality in Albuquerque at the time. Danziger said: "I think the Magid people told Mr. (Stanley) Hubbard about Neil. They were looking for someone to do that kind of show 'On Your Behalf." The result: KOB lost a fun-loving weatherman who is now a top draw on the Coast and KOAT lost a man who was pulling mail as well as listeners. Who gained in the long run? Probably not New Mexicans or either station.

Dick Knipfing, KOAT's dean of TV anchor persons, is still on board at Channel 7, but he, too, has received offers he believes were instigated by the Magid firm. He said he rejected them because he likes Albuquerque and his job. Since r'ischbeck left, the fight involving the weather segment of the news shows has intensified. KOAT brought Howard Morgan back from the cold of Utah and then added Accu Weather. KOB opted for professionally trained meteorologists and radar.

KGGM has not been involved in the head-to-head news coverage confrontation but is gearing for a possible future push. Last spring the CBS affiliate hired the Virgil Mitchell firm, the same one used earlier by KOAT. Sklower said he did not sign again with Mitchell because he felt the firm's efforts were no longer worth the cost. Meanwhile, Knipfing, who has withstood on-the-air challenges from four different KOB anchor men, is now facing a fifth Rod Green. Knipfing's strength is such that last February he was approached and may have been his tip that he should start looking for a new post.

He left in October taking a job in Atlanta for which he was recommended by an ex-employe of Magid and was replaced by Green. The approach to Knipfing apparently was also the first move in what turned into a KOB raid of KOAT KOB's biggest catch was Rodger Beimer, hired first as executive producer for KOB and then unexpectedly promoted to acting news director in November when controversial Gordon Sanders quit. Beimer had been political editor for KOAT. Danziger said Beimer approached them for a job. Sanders said it was "my idea to hire Rodger." Beimer said he made the by Danziger and News Director Gordon Sanders both of KOB about moving across town.

Knipfing said: "They made an offer and then backed out, probably because of the exclusionary clause in my contract." The clause stipulates that Knipfing cannot appear on camera in the Albuquerque area for a year after he leaves KOAT. The effort to get Knipfing was apparently only one step in KOB's general effort to strengthen its staff at the expense of its competition. Such action is another means suggested by consultants to boost ratings. Some new staffers are brought in from out of town, while others are lured from the competitor. The effort to get Knipfing came while Jim Wilkerson was handling the key announcing job for KOB, switch because he did not have enough input into editorial decisions and saw no room for promotion at KOAT.

KOAT sued to try to hold him to a contract under which he was forbidden to appear on the air for any Albuquerque station other than KOAT for a year after he left. But the court case was dropped when Beimer agreed he would not appear on the tube. He started work Aug. 1 as executive producer, then took on the news director's responsibilities when Sanders quit in a dispute unrelated to the ratings war. Back stage individuals, such as photographers, reporters and writers, are not on contract.

This has allowed Bjeimer to bring Mark Slimp across town as assignments editor and Mary Lynn Roper as a reporter. KOB tried to hire KOAT's sports man, Jim Boggio, and Bog-gio signed a contract. However, he backed down when KOAT made him a counter offer. KOB did hire Henry Tafoya, another KOAT sports staff member. Oddly enough, Beimer wound up in his KOB post despite the fact that the Magid people's research in 1972-73 indicated he should not be tampered with as he was not "a serious factor" in the market.

The research apparently indicated that Beimer, who has since taken off many pounds and KOB lost a fun-loving weatherman and KOAT lost a man who was drawing mail as well as listeners. Dec 6, 197 IMPACT Albuquerque Journal Magazine 7.