We
will work harder and smarter and prove that we are better
than our competitors – we will be number one.
Anxiety
filled the air on the day the group of businessman Antonio
O. Cojuangco assumed ownership and management of Associated
Broadcasting Company. As Mr. Cojuangco introduced his new
management team to the incumbent officers and managers of
the network, we could feel the pervasive sense of uneasiness
from the employees. We understood their discomfort. It was
perhaps compounded by the uncertainty of their future under
the new owners and management. Likewise, the new management
was quite apprehensive and somewhat overwhelmed by the significance
of the moment. This was a chance to take over the reins of
a company that is rich in history and tradition. With this
came the daunting challenge to bring the network to new heights
and restore the glory it once had.
The first task that we chose to do was to reassure the network’s
employees that their jobs and their future were secure. We
made it clear to them that the new owners wanted these employees,
many of whom have been part of the organization from the beginning,
to be part of ABC’s rebuilding. We said that the new
owners will make investments not only in the equipment and
infrastructure, but in our people as well. We want to rekindle
our people’s passion and get their commitment to meet
the challenges facing us. We will build on their strengths
and learn from their weaknesses. And so it was under these
circumstances that the new owners were welcomed into the ABC
organization. All eyes were on us, waiting to see what ABC
and AOC (as we have since endearingly called Mr. Cojuangco)
will do.
From the start, there were certain things that would define
what we have set out to do. First, we knew that we will have
to target the broadest market segment. Second, our product
will need to be differentiated from the common fare presently
being offered by the other networks. Third, our identity will
be anchored on a strong and unbiased news and public affairs
operations. Fourth, we will manage our costs and maximize
the utilization of our resources. Finally, that we must have
fun while doing all of these things.
It was not too difficult to identify the areas needed to work
on right away – building a top-notch organization, improving
signal strength, broadening our provincial presence, upgrading
equipment and facilities, overhauling our programming content,
retraining and retooling our work force. All these would require
an initial investment of over one billion pesos.
We
set out to fill gaps in our organizational structure by hiring
the best available people. We know that we need to hire highly
qualified people. These people will complement our existing
management team and serve as our guideposts to help us map
out our overall strategic directions.
We
are told that our broadcast signal is relatively weaker compared
to the other networks. Since many viewers do not enjoy the
luxury of cable television and rely primarily on rabbit antennas
or rooftop aerials, we were quickly convinced that improving
signal strength and broadcast coverage was to be our priority.
Thus we have embarked on an ambitious program to not only
upgrade our transmission facilities in Metro Manila but to
strengthen and broaden our provincial presence as well. Once
completed, we expect to be at par or better than our competitors.
Perhaps
daunted by the big task that lies ahead, we initially positioned
ourselves as a “strong third” in the industry.
But, emboldened by the tremendous support and vision of the
new owners, we have since dared to aim higher. No longer content
with aspiring to be an also-run, we set our course to become
THE industry leader.
So
it is with this end in sight that we focus all our efforts.
We will acquire all the latest state of the art equipment,
hire all the best talents and introduce quality and innovative
programs that will challenge the “sameness” of
the other networks’ offerings. We will set our vision
beyond the horizon, keep our ears to the ground and deliver
what our viewers and advertising clients desire. We will work
harder and smarter and prove that we are better than our competitors.
– WE WILL BE NUMBER ONE.
YOU
CAN COUNT ON IT.
