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This week Don Benson was promoted to President of the Radio
Division of Jefferson Pilot. This was a smart move by those
in charge of an excellent company. I offer my
congratulations to both!!! Of course, we will miss Clarke
Brown who is retiring, and whose job Don is taking.
Don has had a very fine career. It is fortunate that he
worked at our Burkhart/Abrams consulting office in Atlanta
for a decade. He was our Executive VP, and was outstanding.
Don was liked….make that LOVED…by his consulting clients.
Don always had the right attitude, personality, and
knowledge to make a client understand that he knew his
business. And does he.
Don was on the road four days a week consulting. Our Atlanta
office only had him a day a week. But that day was always
special to the dozen of us who worked with Don. I can write
that I never had one client complaint about Don…just praise.
One day ten years ago Don walked into my office, sat on the
edge of a chair and stated, “KB, I want you to know that my
former employer Jefferson Pilot wants me back. I am
considering it”. That was a heartbreaking day for me. I
thought we could pay him more than Jefferson Pilot, but we
could not out perk/benefit them. I said, “Well, take some
time. Don’t rush into anything. What more can I do for you?”
He said, “I love my job here…I really do. I love the clients
and company, but this maybe too much to turn down”. I knew
in my heart that it was something he had to do. Clarke liked
Don a lot because of his spirit and professionalism, and I
guessed (correctly it seems) that Don would have an
opportunity to become President of Radio for JP if Clarke
left or retired.
Over the next week I gave Don my best sales pitch…but if
fell short. He finally said, “I must go”. I shook his hand,
and thanked him for all of his help and professionalism.
Properly, I knew that Don’s clients would leave one by one
over the upcoming months or at the end of the client’s
contract. And most did. I know because I WAS THERE!!
I have not admitted this before, but Don’s departure was one
of the reasons I sold Burkhart/Abrams to McVay Media in the
summer of 1995. I knew I would have to find another Don
Benson….and that would not be an easy thing to do!!!!
So to Terry Stone, the President of Jefferson Pilot
Communications, let me write something you obviously already
know…you have a wonderful professional and a great guy as
your new President of Radio.
And to Don Benson, let me write, keep up the great work, and
I’ll look forward to our next lunch!!!
e-mail Kent
kent@kentburkhart.com
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