Entercom Restructuring Continues
• No one is talking on the record, but RAMP has learned that Entercom has continued to quietly restructure and downsize in several markets, the result of budget cuts. In San Diego, we have confirmed that Mark Blackwell has exited as PD of AC KYXY after 37 years in the building, starting out as a news writer and working his way up to the corner office. Blackwell can be reached at markblackwell@cox.net.
We have also confirmed that Brooks O’Brian, PD of Classic Hits KXSN (Sunny 98.1) will now absorb KYXY PD duties.
Blackwell’s exit comes on the heels of Tuesday’s departure of Sunny 98.1 midday personality Dave Mason and last week’s exit of Scott Ward, longtime PD of KFRG/KXFG (K-Frog 95.1 & 92.9)/Riverside.
• And those corporate cuts extend to Chicago, in what Windy City media maven Robert Feder so eloquently describes as a ” slow-motion massacre,” as his column cites the departure of eight employees on Tuesday — five in traffic and continuity and three in sales. Feder shared a note to employees from SVP/Market Manager Jimmy de Castrothat read, in part, “These are longtime co-workers and friends — we want to thank them for their years of hard work and wish nothing but the best for their collective futures.” Citing “insiders,” Feder reports another four positions in finance will be cut in August with numerous additional staff reductions on the way. Watch this space.
Entercom Chicago includes Top 40 WBBM-FM (B96), Triple A WXRT, Country WUSN (US99), and Rhythmic AC WBMX (104.3 JAMS), all-News simulcast WBBM-AM/WCFS-FM and Sports-Talk WSCR-AM (670 The Score).
