A nationally syndicated show took advantage of the old saying, “there is no such thing as bad publicity.”
Dominic Zaccagnini and Jack Trudeau, co-hosts of the ‘Zakk and Jack Show’ weekdays on Fox Sports Radio used IU football coach Kevin Wilson first as a time-filler, then turned it into an attention grab.
The two had Coach Wilson on their program Thursday morning and quickly got into a spat with the first-year head coach. Wilson didn’t like how the two treated the interview and dogged the program throughout the interview. Dominic and Jack were surprised that their comments ticked of a coach who they said needs attention for his IU program.
But maybe it’s the other way around?
Reading comments on this site, other news outlets and on twitter have been fascinating. Fans are irate with the handling of their guest, in Coach Wilson.
I put up a poll on this website and early on, only two people believe Coach Wilson was most at fault. Listening to the Dan Dakich show Friday, callers continuously called in asking for the name of the show, when it is on…etc. All they knew of was former Illini and Colts quarterback Jack Trudeau who lives in Indianapolis (and kids go to Indiana University and Park Tudor schools). And not one positive comment was made about Trudeau.
So an unknown show, sees a mediocre interview and turns it into gold. Gold has the most value now days anyway right?
Take a look at this screen grab to the right from WNDE’s homepage. The Fox Sports Radio affiliate in Indianapolis that produces the ‘Zakk and Jack Show’ took full advantage of the publicity and is not highlighting the interview, saying they are “proud to be a Hoosier” while the IU fight song plays in the background.
Makes no sense, especially coming from the station that broadcasts Purdue football and basketball games. Their rival at 1070 The Fan has IU games, not WNDE.
After their show concluded, they recorded a video response, sharing their feelings for the interview. The video was up less than 24 hours, viewed over 2,000 times on YouTube and had 2 ‘likes’ to over 200 ‘dislikes’.
Apparently WNDE didn’t like the comments or how their co-hosts acted in the video so they deleted it.
Zakk came out looking awful, saying essentially that he will be at Lucas Oil Stadium September 3rd with his Ball State foam finger cheering on the Cardinals as they meet the Hoosiers in the first game of the season.
Then Friday, they posted a new video entitled, “Zakk & Jack Day After The Interview with Coach!”
Zakk and Jack are pushing the publicity team to the maximum. And they need it. Heck they have a dedicated page to the original interview, analysis and even an interview with Jack’s wife Lisa.
Like I said, nobody I know had heard of the show, and that’s the consensus in Indianapolis. Zakk has just 687 followers, Jack has just 486 as of Friday afternoon. This from a nationally syndicated show–I humbly have more than each. And this feud no doubt helped their total by a couple hundred.
The whole thing should have never taken place. It’s the job of hosts to get the most out of the interview and to inform the listeners. Not just to fill time. A guest is a guest–and should be treated accordingly.
There’s no question Coach Wilson can use this mostly to his advantage. This absolutely sold some season tickets because fans liked his no-nonsense attitude and willingness to stand up for the cream and crimson.
Coach Wilson is a different kind of coach than IU has had in the past. He hasn’t been here more than eight months and he is defending the school like a lifetime fan. Wilson not only has the back of his players and coaches, but he isn’t messing around. The past is the past and he wants to move forward–that’s why he says he’s yet to watch a play from previous years.
An unknown show, Zakk and Jack on Fox Sports Radio are taking full advantage of the exposure thanks to a four minute ‘interview’. Statistics will never be released, but I’d love to see the record page views, clicks and listeners all because of this incident.
You will have a Nationally Syndicated radio show this fall.
If they’re show was “nationally syndicated,” there’s no reason mine can’t be either. It will be a lot better and more enjoyable radio. We’ll bring guests on for insight not to bash them.
I still can’t believe this went down.
great insight Scott. This whole ordeal is baffling because I just don’t understand how the co-hosts don’t see their wrong. They were completely out of line.
I can’t believe the station has stooped to such a level. If anything, I’d be embarrassed. The guys are getting attention but maybe the guys status with the station should be assessed. Jack has never been a winner and coach buried Jack after he tried to get smart.
Does anyone have a copy of the original vid that I saw and commented on before they took it down?
But the thing is from listening to their show I would NEVER listen again. I am an IU alum so am biased but besides that, the hosts talked over each other and were just unprofessional. It was a train wreck of a show before they bashed Wilson (so a minute in). The audio levels were horrible and the hosts were annoying. This clip while gets their name out there will not get them more listeners.