by Kent Sterling
This website will proudly link to whatever work Phillip B. Wilson does for scout.com
The evolution of media in Indianapolis continued this week as longtime sportswriter Phillip B. Wilson resigned from his position at the Indy Star and accepted a position to provide unique insight and information about the Indianapolis Colts and Indiana Pacers under the Scout.com umbrella.
Content is king these days and with the evolution of technology, it has become possible for a hustler like Wilson to regularly provide what his readers have long enjoyed in the Star – minus the quickly shrinking demand for it being printed on paper.
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For the last year, Wilson had been primarily relegated to providing video for the indystar.com website, and it was only a matter of time before either he or the Star decided that wasn’t enough. A guy like Wilson enjoys sharing his perspective, and with the ever shrinking resources in traditional print and corporate hurdles in place between presenters and consumers in virtually all media, it was time for Wilson to move on.
Life in the middle of the business model of traditional media has grown less and less survivable as efficiency has become a necessary evil in generating corporate profits. Revenue over humanity is one of the by products of allowing companies to own hundreds of outlets, and that is the price of doing business in today’s media.
Sleepless nights wondering whether tomorrow is the day a group of people on a conference room will decide to strategize you out of a job that allows you to put food on the table for your family is a solvent that corrodes the soul, so I’m happy for Wilson in that he will now feel empowered to do his absolute best work – as much of it as he can create – without worry.
I’m not being critical of the people in those conference rooms who make the decisions that make or break hard-working employees. I’ve been in them, and life is no easier for those people. The most that can be asked is that appropriate deliberation and empathy is exercised during that process, and every time it was done at a company where I worked, it was.
Good people fire employees, and so do jerks, but that doesn’t make it any easier for the employees to figure out whether they will be able to make their mortgage payments. By the way, there are other conference rooms where the fate of the local managers’ futures are decided, so they know that feeling too.
Media is moving quickly toward a time that Emmis CEO Jeff Smulyan predicted 20 years ago when he said that all of us will have a website that only we will look at. The only difference is that the quality of the content will drive use, rather than the portal used to distribute it.
Wilson has proven through his work at the Star than he can create unique content that people will seek out and consume. He will either succeed or fail because of his own work, and that is the best we can ask of life as adults like Wilson with talent and a dream.
Anyone who has the stones to strike out on his own and go all in on himself is worth our respect, but I’m especially pleased when a likable guy like Wilson who has done it well for a long time decides it is time to sail his own smaller ship as the captain.
Here here Kent! Phil B. has long been my absolute favorite at The Star, and having had the pleasure of talking to him in person at one of his book signings, I can say without hesitation that he’s even better in person. Not only is he an extremely talented writer and content developer, he’s truly interested in his readers as human beings, and exudes that increasingly rare trait you so aptly used in this piece. “Empathy”.
I’m really excited for Phil, and am 100% confident that he’ll enjoy great success in this and any other future ventures he may pursue. A great opportunity for an even greater guy. Congrats Phil, and thanks for sharing the story Kent!
Some very good observations, Mr. Sterling. I’ve known Phillip since he came to IRP to cover his first auto race. Been friends ever since, and have always admired his work. I wish him the very best.
I’m a former co-worker of Phil B. I’m betting he succeeds!
Phil is a fat Toad….Like most Indy sports “writers” (Krapitz, et al) – he is an idiot….No wonder the Indy Star tossed him to the curb.
Phil is a good guy who left the Star to do his own thing. He showed guts and confidence in his ability to create media.
I couldn’t agree more Kent. Along with you, Phil B is one of the most engaging members of the local sports media, and goes out of his way to interact with his readers. He also genuinely cares about his readers, and takes the time to get to know those who follow his work and engage him.
In my opinion, he was one of the most under-utilized talents at The Star, and possesses a true grasp of new media, its creation and what it takes to be successful in the age of new media.