Hubbard Radio Makes Sizeable Cuts
• UPDATING: Late last Friday came word that Hubbard Radio, one of the last major broadcast groups to hold off as long as possible on making painful COVID-19-related budget cuts, was forced to do just that, laying off dozens of employees in Chicago, Seattle, Washington, DC, St. Louis, Phoenix, Minneapolis and Cincinnati. We are collecting and confirming names as we go, but we are still seeking some contact information.
Let’s start in Chicago, where 12 employees were downsized — Hot AC WTMX (101.9 The Mix) loses associate morning show producer Cynthia DeNicolo and Social Media Director Melissa “Mel D” Dever; Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 The Drive) bids farewell to night jock Phil Manicki, overnight personality Greg Easterling and Promotion Manager Heather Torrey; AC WSHE loses Robb Rose, local producer for the syndicated Brooke & Jeffrey and evening entertainer Brian Middleton. Also out: web developer Jeff Buti, PSA Director Susan Wiencek, production pro Todd Ganz, graphics guy Teddy Harris and receptionist Dale King. Robb Rose can be reached at 331-262-0228 or radiorob98@hotmail.com.
> RAMP has confirmed that 17 people were laid off at Hubbard Radio Seattle, including these talented pros — AC KRWM (Warm 106.9) has released Brand Content Director Ron Harrell, afternoon drive personality A.J. Battalio and evening talent Heather Lee. Harrell arrived in Seattle in Jan. 2016 after serving as Director of Music Programming for CBS Radio Dallas. He was previously Station Manager of WDVD & WDRQ/Detroit and spent nearly decade programming KIMN (Mix 100)/Denver. He can be contacted at ronharrellradio@gmail.com.
> Also available: Dan Murphy, Brand Content Director of KIXI-AM, and Tori Dunn, Marketing Director of KNUC (98.9 The Bull) and Talk KKNW-AM. Contact Ms. Dunn at dunnvs@gmail.com.
> Across the hall at Top 40 KQMV (MOViN 92.5), the company has released Brand Content Director Ricky Villa, midday talent/Social Media Director Justin Barnes and Promotions & Marketing Director Cindy Gilsdorf.
Villa started at MOViN in 2007 as a weekender and street team leader. He was upped from MD to PD in November 2014. Contact him at villa.ricky@gmail.com. Barnes joined MOViN in 2010 to do nights and moved up to middays in early 2015. Reach him at onairjustin@gmail.com.
> In St. Louis, WIL-FM (New Country 92.3) has cut Brand Content Director Danny Montana, morning duo Bud & Broadway and Promotions Director Rachel Cook. Montana had been with the station for over two decades and was upped from APD/MD to Brand Content Director in Jan. 2019. He can be reached at 314-409-2313 or dmontana9900@gmail.com.
Bud Ford and Jerry Broadway landed in the Gateway City in March 2016, coming from mornings on iHeartMedia Country KTGX (Twister 106.1)/Tulsa, OK. The guys previously plugged in at WTVY/Dothan, AL, WKDF/Nashville and WTNR/Grand Rapids, MI. Contact Bud Ford at budfordllc@gmail.com and hit up Jerry Broadway at jerrybway@gmail.com. Rachel Cook is reachable now at rachel.r.cook@gmail.com.
> Minneapolis: Hot AC KSTP (KS95)/Minneapolis has downsized APD/MD Jill Roen, a 27-year station veteran, along with two members of the Staci and Hutch afternoon show — Executive Producer Tiffany “Bangs” Norton and Assistant Producer Grant Wenkstern. Down the hall, KTMY (myTalk 107.1) has reportedly parted ways with Ryan Perpich, the producer of Donna & Steve 9am-noon show and Donny Love, the producer of the Lori & Julia 3-6pm show. Also out: engineer Paul Black.
> Phoenix: Russ Egan exits nights at Classic Rock KSLX after five years. He previously worked in New York and Philadelphia and is proficient with Selector, MusicMaster, Wide Orbit, Zetta, etc. Egan is accessible at 480-207-0737 or russeganrocks@gmail.com.
We understand there are many more displaced Hubbard Radio pros whose names have not yet been made public. If you or someone you know was downsized and you want your contact info to appear in RAMP, simply email Kevin@RAMP247.com.
