Photo Credit: Glo Bartlett
After exiting bankruptcy, Audacy lays off as many as 300 employees in its first major effort to cut spending.
Now that Audacy is no longer in bankruptcy, the company is working on some serious cost-cutting. The first major move toward that end saw the company lay off as many as 300 employees last week.
The wide range of affected staff includes local and national, across all departments. On-air, this includes talent from stations like 101.1 WCBS-FM in New York City, Magic 106.7 (WMJX) in Boston, 830 WCCO in Minneapolis, Big 98.1 WOGL in Philadelphia, 98.7 Simon (WSMW) in Greensboro, and 104.3 WOMC in Detroit. Several team members at the BetMGM Network were also let go.
Radio industry professionals to have been let go include Elista Hathaway, Assistant Brand Manager, Music Director, and midday host at WBZZ in Pittsburgh; Glenn Anderson, afternoon host and public service director at Star 102.1 (WDOK) in Cleveland; Annie Leamy, morning host on 101.1 WCBS-FM in New York; David O’Leary of WMJX in Boston; WCCO evening hosts Henry Lake and Chris Tubbs in Minneapolis; Philadelphia’s WOGL afternoon host Trey Morgan; WSMW host Charley McCain in Greensboro, NC; and WOMC midday host Aricka McCauley in Detroit.
While the cuts largely affect select staff at a range of stations and departments, some staff have been let go completely. Audacy laid off the entire staff at WHHL in St. Louis, transitioning the station’s format (formerly hip-hop) to sports.
“Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business,” a spokesperson for the company told Radio Ink. “We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence.”
These layoffs come after significant changes at the executive level earlier this year. President and CEO David Field stepped down in January after 27 years with the company. Kelli Turner, who joined the board in September, is serving as interim president and CEO. In February, Chief Financial Officer Rich Schmaeling resigned; there are no immediate plans to replace him.
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.