Cumulus radio lays off nine Toledo employees
Written by Scott McKimmy | | news@toledofreepress.comCumulus Media Inc. laid off or reduced from full time to part time nine employees among its seven local radio stations, according to information posted at the Web site www.mibuzzboard.com, a blog devoted to Michigan-area radio and TV news and discussion.
An Cumulus source confirmed the layoffs under a condition of anonymity but could not verify which personnel have been retained on a part-time basis.
Nick Gnau, Cumulus market manager, did not return phone calls requesting comment.
Two stations, Star 105.5 WWWM-FM and 93.5 WRQN-FM, will realign programming, moving Program Director Ron Finn from the midday shift to team with Lyn Casye for the Star 105 morning drive show, according to the source. Shifts with no live disc jockey scheduled will air syndicated programming or voicetracking – pre-recorded programming – including nighttime spots featuring Casye on 94.5 WXKR-FM.
Released from K-100 WKKO-FM are midday host Bill Manders, who reportedly has worked in Toledo for nearly four decades; nighttime disc jockey and 20-year station veteran Craig Snyder; and Buddy Carr, who also worked at Super Talk 1560 WTOD-AM and 93.5 WRQN-FM. Carr had returned to full-time status in May.
Star 105 cut morning producer and promotions assistant Ryan Young, who was a co-host under the name, Jimmy Vegas, as well as evening drive host Dave Fuller.
Part-time traffic reporter Tim McMahon, Tom Staudt, promotions director at four Cumulus stations; Matt Melzak, evening drive host for The Ticket WLQR-AM; and 106.5 The Zone WRWK-FM morning host Kevin Murphy also lost their positions to the cuts.
The moves reflect staff reductions at Cumulus and other broadcast media throughout the nation under unfavorable economic conditions. The Web site www.ohiomedia.blogspot reported similar cuts at Youngstown stations, while other Internet sources reported layoffs in Kansas, Mo., Fayetteville, N.C. and Topeka, Ka.
The second-largest radio company in the United States based on station count, according to a company release, the Atlanta-based firm trades on the NASDAQ, releasing its third-quarter financial results Nov. 6.
