No...not at all what you might be thinking.....but this is a story I've been burning to tell.....
I am an avid Talk Radio listener....it is the ONE station on my van radio and I listen every morning on the way into work and on the way home....and often when I am home on leave.
My favorite show is the "Good Day" show...hosted by syndicated radio personality Doug Stephan. Doug is a very multi-faceted man....he is a dairy farmer in Massachusetts as well as a radio personality. His "Good Day" show is broadcast world-wide and he often broadcasts from various locations in the United States and Overseas.
I think perhaps the reason I like Doug's show best is that, while he is very upfront and firm about his opinions certain issues, he is also welcome to listen to other opinions...he may not agree but , within reason, he will let anyone have their say. His professionalism and On and Off the Air courtesy would be hard to beat....
Back in March....just before the start of the regular season for Major League Baseball, the Good Day Show was sponsoring a "Fly Me Out To The Ball Game " contest. Several times during the shows broadcast hours, listeners could call in and answer a multiple choice Baseball Trivia question.....Correct entrants would win a baseball autographed by Doug Stephan....at the end of the promotion, all correct entrants names were added to a pool and one lucky listener would win tickets plus airfare to Arlington, Texas to watch the Boston Red Sox-Texas Rangers baseball game with Doug....and the next day would be treated to tickets to Six Flags theme park.
The only thing wrong was....the recorded contest promotion indicated that this particular game ( played on April 5, 2007 ) was to be the Opening Day for the Red Sox team...and that was most assuredly incorrect....as the Red Sox opening game was April 2, 2007 against the Kansas City Royals.....
Hum-m-mm....what to do ?????
I really....REALLY...wanted one of those autographed baseballs to add to my growing collection ....and having one autographed by Doug himself....well, this baseball would have a place of honor amid my other Red Sox collection......
So-o-o-o....I waited for the opportune moment...and when Doug was inviting listeners to call in with their opinion on an issue he was discussing with his co-hosts....I grabbed my cell phone and called into the station.....
After I had entered in my response to the issue....I added:
"Shame on you, Doug !! "
Well....obviously this nice man wanted to know why I said this and I explained that the contest commercial was technically incorrect and when he checked out my information....agreed that I was right.
We then spoke at length about the Red Sox and how it felt for me to be a fan when I was ( and had been for fa-a-a-ar too long ) living in the middle of St Louis Cardinals country.
Before I got off the phone, I asked for one of the autographed baseballs anyway....since I had "caught" his error and all the on-the - air co-hosts....and Doug....agreed that I had definitely earned a prize.
Doug then commented that, in business, what I had just accomplished was " asking for the sale"....and asked me what I did for a living.....
Well....funny he should ask this because I did indeed tell him that I was in sales and had my own home based business and we entered into a long discussion about M and Zee's dog treats; co-host Roberta Fascinelli then brought up my web site and we all discussed the impact that the current dog food recalls had had on my business....and I stated "None" and explained how I formulated the treats.
I then told Doug that if he would send me his address I would be happy to send him a sample box of treats for his and his wife's ( Hilary Kramer ) two Bulldogs....the gorgeous Charlotte and the handsome Frankie.
By this time , I had to report into my "day job"....and I was absolutely beside myself....I had gotten what I wanted....a Doug Stephan baseball....and strutting into the Hospital like a petite banty rooster..." Yeah....I'm Good !!! "....
....until a co-worker told me, as did several other people....that the ENTIRE conversation with Doug, Roberta , Kenny and myself...was ON THE AIR !! Now, this was something I was not aware of due to the fact that when one calls into a radio show, the radio must be turned all the way down to avoid "feedback".....
Now....although this was pretty much some free world-wide advertising....I checked my site and e-mail and found a few inquiries...but nothing overwhelming ( remember...right now M and Zee's is still a "One Woman Orchestra" )....
Three weeks later....the Doug Stephan baseball arrived in the mail....with the main California corporate address on the envelope..... along with a photo of Doug's face superimposed onto a baseball player ...and this was also autographed.
Hum-m-m-m-m-m....what to do ???? After listening to the show for a couple of mornings....I knew that Doug was back in his Massachusetts home....so I looked him up on a telephone directory web site that I use at work anyway....found a "D. Stephan" listed with an address...but still wasn't sure if this was Doug. One wouldn't really expect to discover that a celebrity would have a listed address and telephone number.
At the recommendation of yet another co-worker....I called back to the show and spoke with one of the program managers and explained my dilemna....I wanted to keep my word and send that box of cookies to Doug but because the cookies are perishable ( I explained to the manager ) did not want to send them to California...and have the box bounce all over the country and end up arriving at Doug's place in less than perfect condition.
He then confirmed that the address I had researched was the correct one and a few days later, a box stuffed with a large variety of treats was dispatched to Massachusetts....along with a long Thank You letter and some information on my business....and the Very Bad Poem just for extra giggles...and because it showed Mollie and Zander wearing their Rabid Red Sox Fan bibs that were specially made for them by our own Patrice Baker.
The package of cookies was tracked and shipped in record time so I knew Doug got it....actually what I was hoping for ( and still am )....is a return of the postage paid Comment Card that I place inside all new order boxes and in random repeat order cartons....because I really DO want his feedback.
Last week I was on leave as it was time for the annual renovation project on the house....this year was brand new windows....so while I am not much of a television person except for History Channel ...and Baseball, of course....as soon as I'd get up in the morning I would take all the dogs out to potty and then get a pot of coffee brewing....and turn on the radio for the "Good Day " show......except for Thursday...as I had a session scheduled with Ralph & Tim, my SCORE counselors.
When I got home, I found an e-mail from a co-worker who told me that one of our physicians had stopped by the office as he'd heard all about me on the radio that day....of course, the ONE day I am not listening.....however she could not tell me if this physician indicated at what time he'd heard about me....
Now, being a member of the "Doug Club" affords me many privileges....one of which is being able to download past pod casts of the "Good Day" show....so the next evening I downloaded all 5 hours and listened to them one by one....until I found what I was listening for....
Doug and his co-hosts were discussing the package of dog cookies and Doug not only mentioned me by name but also the staff Googled my site and again made some wonderfully nice comments on the site...and on Mollie and Zander....and how nice it was to get my letter thanking him for the baseball and also sending the box of cookies.
I believe Doug mentioned that Charlotte and Frankie were happily enjoying their cookie treats and that Charlotte's favorite were the Apple/Zucchini....
While my opinion of Doug Stephan and staff has always been very high because I value his conservative, unshakable New England values, this world-wide broadcast of his appreciation for the cookies goes to show what a gentleman he is. I would bet that most celebrities either have staff discard basically unsolicited gifts from fans...or just do not acknowledge them at all ...and to have this accolade broadcast during his program ...well, I just cannot find enough words to express my thanks to everyone associated with the Good Day Show.
Here is the website for the show....and if you click on the link with Charlotte's picture you, too, can join the Doug Club....Whether your opinions are conservative or somewhat liberal, I believe you will find a LOT to like about the Good Day show....and become as hooked on it as I am.
http://www.dougstephan.com/
I am an avid Talk Radio listener....it is the ONE station on my van radio and I listen every morning on the way into work and on the way home....and often when I am home on leave.
My favorite show is the "Good Day" show...hosted by syndicated radio personality Doug Stephan. Doug is a very multi-faceted man....he is a dairy farmer in Massachusetts as well as a radio personality. His "Good Day" show is broadcast world-wide and he often broadcasts from various locations in the United States and Overseas.
I think perhaps the reason I like Doug's show best is that, while he is very upfront and firm about his opinions certain issues, he is also welcome to listen to other opinions...he may not agree but , within reason, he will let anyone have their say. His professionalism and On and Off the Air courtesy would be hard to beat....
Back in March....just before the start of the regular season for Major League Baseball, the Good Day Show was sponsoring a "Fly Me Out To The Ball Game " contest. Several times during the shows broadcast hours, listeners could call in and answer a multiple choice Baseball Trivia question.....Correct entrants would win a baseball autographed by Doug Stephan....at the end of the promotion, all correct entrants names were added to a pool and one lucky listener would win tickets plus airfare to Arlington, Texas to watch the Boston Red Sox-Texas Rangers baseball game with Doug....and the next day would be treated to tickets to Six Flags theme park.
The only thing wrong was....the recorded contest promotion indicated that this particular game ( played on April 5, 2007 ) was to be the Opening Day for the Red Sox team...and that was most assuredly incorrect....as the Red Sox opening game was April 2, 2007 against the Kansas City Royals.....
Hum-m-mm....what to do ?????
I really....REALLY...wanted one of those autographed baseballs to add to my growing collection ....and having one autographed by Doug himself....well, this baseball would have a place of honor amid my other Red Sox collection......
So-o-o-o....I waited for the opportune moment...and when Doug was inviting listeners to call in with their opinion on an issue he was discussing with his co-hosts....I grabbed my cell phone and called into the station.....
After I had entered in my response to the issue....I added:
"Shame on you, Doug !! "
Well....obviously this nice man wanted to know why I said this and I explained that the contest commercial was technically incorrect and when he checked out my information....agreed that I was right.
We then spoke at length about the Red Sox and how it felt for me to be a fan when I was ( and had been for fa-a-a-ar too long ) living in the middle of St Louis Cardinals country.
Before I got off the phone, I asked for one of the autographed baseballs anyway....since I had "caught" his error and all the on-the - air co-hosts....and Doug....agreed that I had definitely earned a prize.
Doug then commented that, in business, what I had just accomplished was " asking for the sale"....and asked me what I did for a living.....
Well....funny he should ask this because I did indeed tell him that I was in sales and had my own home based business and we entered into a long discussion about M and Zee's dog treats; co-host Roberta Fascinelli then brought up my web site and we all discussed the impact that the current dog food recalls had had on my business....and I stated "None" and explained how I formulated the treats.
I then told Doug that if he would send me his address I would be happy to send him a sample box of treats for his and his wife's ( Hilary Kramer ) two Bulldogs....the gorgeous Charlotte and the handsome Frankie.
By this time , I had to report into my "day job"....and I was absolutely beside myself....I had gotten what I wanted....a Doug Stephan baseball....and strutting into the Hospital like a petite banty rooster..." Yeah....I'm Good !!! "....
....until a co-worker told me, as did several other people....that the ENTIRE conversation with Doug, Roberta , Kenny and myself...was ON THE AIR !! Now, this was something I was not aware of due to the fact that when one calls into a radio show, the radio must be turned all the way down to avoid "feedback".....
Now....although this was pretty much some free world-wide advertising....I checked my site and e-mail and found a few inquiries...but nothing overwhelming ( remember...right now M and Zee's is still a "One Woman Orchestra" )....
Three weeks later....the Doug Stephan baseball arrived in the mail....with the main California corporate address on the envelope..... along with a photo of Doug's face superimposed onto a baseball player ...and this was also autographed.
Hum-m-m-m-m-m....what to do ???? After listening to the show for a couple of mornings....I knew that Doug was back in his Massachusetts home....so I looked him up on a telephone directory web site that I use at work anyway....found a "D. Stephan" listed with an address...but still wasn't sure if this was Doug. One wouldn't really expect to discover that a celebrity would have a listed address and telephone number.
At the recommendation of yet another co-worker....I called back to the show and spoke with one of the program managers and explained my dilemna....I wanted to keep my word and send that box of cookies to Doug but because the cookies are perishable ( I explained to the manager ) did not want to send them to California...and have the box bounce all over the country and end up arriving at Doug's place in less than perfect condition.
He then confirmed that the address I had researched was the correct one and a few days later, a box stuffed with a large variety of treats was dispatched to Massachusetts....along with a long Thank You letter and some information on my business....and the Very Bad Poem just for extra giggles...and because it showed Mollie and Zander wearing their Rabid Red Sox Fan bibs that were specially made for them by our own Patrice Baker.
The package of cookies was tracked and shipped in record time so I knew Doug got it....actually what I was hoping for ( and still am )....is a return of the postage paid Comment Card that I place inside all new order boxes and in random repeat order cartons....because I really DO want his feedback.
Last week I was on leave as it was time for the annual renovation project on the house....this year was brand new windows....so while I am not much of a television person except for History Channel ...and Baseball, of course....as soon as I'd get up in the morning I would take all the dogs out to potty and then get a pot of coffee brewing....and turn on the radio for the "Good Day " show......except for Thursday...as I had a session scheduled with Ralph & Tim, my SCORE counselors.
When I got home, I found an e-mail from a co-worker who told me that one of our physicians had stopped by the office as he'd heard all about me on the radio that day....of course, the ONE day I am not listening.....however she could not tell me if this physician indicated at what time he'd heard about me....
Now, being a member of the "Doug Club" affords me many privileges....one of which is being able to download past pod casts of the "Good Day" show....so the next evening I downloaded all 5 hours and listened to them one by one....until I found what I was listening for....
Doug and his co-hosts were discussing the package of dog cookies and Doug not only mentioned me by name but also the staff Googled my site and again made some wonderfully nice comments on the site...and on Mollie and Zander....and how nice it was to get my letter thanking him for the baseball and also sending the box of cookies.
I believe Doug mentioned that Charlotte and Frankie were happily enjoying their cookie treats and that Charlotte's favorite were the Apple/Zucchini....
While my opinion of Doug Stephan and staff has always been very high because I value his conservative, unshakable New England values, this world-wide broadcast of his appreciation for the cookies goes to show what a gentleman he is. I would bet that most celebrities either have staff discard basically unsolicited gifts from fans...or just do not acknowledge them at all ...and to have this accolade broadcast during his program ...well, I just cannot find enough words to express my thanks to everyone associated with the Good Day Show.
Here is the website for the show....and if you click on the link with Charlotte's picture you, too, can join the Doug Club....Whether your opinions are conservative or somewhat liberal, I believe you will find a LOT to like about the Good Day show....and become as hooked on it as I am.
http://www.dougstephan.com/
And to think....all I really wanted was that baseball.....
THANKS, DOUG !!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment