More Layoffs Underway At iHeartMedia
• UPDATED 6/24: RAMP has confirmed that more layoffs are underway inside iHeartMedia, as a staff memo from Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman and Ann Marie Licata, CEO of Heart’s Multiplatform Group announces more personnel cuts are in the works. Below is a copy of the staff memo, obtained by RAMP:
“Hi all,
As the number one company in audio, our business model is to build engaged relationships with listeners and then monetize those relationships. Our business success is built on putting our listeners and our communities first — and in support of that mission, we’re now taking an important step that will move us further into the future: Evolving how we program our stations to reward and develop our leading and up-and-coming talent.
What sets us apart as a company is our dedication to creating new opportunities for our top personalities, making sure ‘Guaranteed Human’ is at the core of everything we do. Real voices and real talent strengthen our real connection and commitment to our communities.
We also know that our sellers need faster and easier to use information about our programming, talent and audiences. Faster is better, and that’s the goal of our changes. With that in mind, we’ve built new tech capabilities over the last several years that have enabled us to both deepen our relationships with the listeners and communities who depend on us and improve the support we provide to our sellers. We’re now moving to scale this approach, implementing structural changes within our Programming organization and expanding responsibilities for key leaders.
These moves are designed to:
• Expand and deepen our support for our communities, markets and sales teams;
• Fully leverage our technology to deliver an even stronger product for listeners wherever they live;
• Move faster and operate with greater precision across markets; and
• Position us not just to adapt to the future, but to lead it.
While we will be creating new roles to support our future needs, we also recognize that some colleagues and existing positions will be impacted as part of these changes. We have given this a great deal of thought and do not take this step lightly; we are deeply grateful for the contributions of those affected, and we’re committed to supporting them through this transition.
At every step, our commitment remains the same: To build a stronger, more connected audio platform built on the strength of our broadcast radio assets, and combining our commitment to the communities we serve with the scale of our technology and the authenticity and creativity of our people.” — Ann Marie and Tom
• And with that… as initially reported by Country Aircheck, a bunch of iHeart Country veterans are already on the proverbial beach, including:
• Nathan Nelson, VP of Programming, Kentucky Area, a 16-year iHeart vet. Email him at Nathan.nelson89@gmail.com.
• Spencer Graves, Mornings, WDXB/Birmingham & WDRM/Huntsville, AL. “Decisions like this are difficult for everyone involved,” Graves tells RAMP. “I’d like to personally thank Tony Travatto, Dino Conard, Blake Fulton and Ronnie Bloodworth for their faith in me. Also, the incredible communities of Birmingham and Huntsville. I was honored to be a part of two legendary Country stations, WDRM and WDXB. I’ve always appreciated the saying, leave things better than when you found it and we did that. Ratings, personal revenue and record setting numbers.” Graves can be reached at SpencerGraves@yahoo.com.
• Lois “Double-L” Lewis, MD/middays, KNIX/Phoenix — Contact her at doubleLradio@gmail.com.
• Clint Gerlek, VP of Programming, Springfield, MO and middays on KSWF, and Bo Dalton, pm driver on KKIX/Fayetteville, KSSN/Little Rock & KMAG/Fort Smith, AR.
• Brian “Crash” Edwards — VP of Programming for iHeart Mobile/Pensacola, PD/afternoons on Active Rock WTKX (TK101), middays on Classic Rock WRKH (96.1 The Rocket), afternoons on KWNW (Rock 102)/Memphis, and VO talent & programmer of FloraBama Radio. “It was a great nine-year run on the Gulf Coast, & I appreciate my 25 years with the company,” Edwards tells RAMP. “I’m looking forward to my next stop of this adventure we call radio.” Reach Crash at crashedwards@gmail.com.
• Boston Radio Watch reports Chris Zito is out of mornings on AC WSRS/Worcester and Hot AC WHYN (Mix 93-1)/Springfield, MA after 14 years. Zito formerly did mornings on former Classic Hits WODS (Oldies 103)/Boston.
• Madison Reeves exits afternoons at Country WDXB (102.5 The Bull)/Birmingham, and middays at Country WSSL (Whistle 100.5)/Greenville, SC and Hot AC KTCZ (Cities 97.1)/Minneapolis.
Reeves posted: “25 years with iHeart came to an end today. I have seen so many talented co-workers go through this before and it really is so sad what has happened to radio. I will always have wonderful memories of my career and the amazing things I got to do and people I got to meet, money that was raised for amazing charities. I don’t know what comes next, but I have faith that God has great plans for me!”
• Mike Kelly, a longtime fixture in mornings — and earlier, afternoons — at Top 40 WAEB (B104)/Allentown, PA. “Well it was bound to happen. I’ve been let go,” Kelly posted to Facebook. “No long speeches. Just thanks for the ride. Also I’m available for shots. Due to recent circumstances you will have to buy the second round.”
RAMP is standing by, as always, to help anyone who has been downsized to share their info with potential future employers. Please email Kevin@RAMP247.com.
