Radio industry layoffs, or RIFs, if you prefer, have become a sad reality of today’s radio business.
It always starts with a rumor or someone talking that gets out. This was followed by the rumor mill kicking in high. “I’m hearing that (fill in the company) is going to have a bloodletting on Thursday.”
In 2009, I worked for one of the major companies, and rumors started about the upcoming RIFs. The morning they were rumored to be happening, I called a good friend in another market on the way to work. We agreed to keep in touch throughout the day.
I worked in a building with six stations, five Program Directors, and six Promotion Directors. We knew everyone had a target on their back. Add to that a not-so-great relationship with my Regional PD, and I had not had a good night’s sleep in a week.
It was all the usual worries: I bought a house two years earlier, and I don’t want to relocate. How am I going to pay the bills?
When I walked in the door that morning, I saw my GM, with whom I had a great relationship, in the hall, and instead of saying good morning, I just said, “Let’s get this over with, shall we?” Twenty minutes later, I was headed back out the door with instructions to come back after hours to clean out my office. Oddly, I had a sense of relief that the process was over. For the record, the friend I talked to that morning was also let go.
Very hard on talent, right?
We tend to overlook that there are GOOD managers tasked with delivering the news from the C-Suite, which is also hard on them. I’ve been on that side of it as well. Some GOOD managers are invested in people. They may have helped build a morning show or helped them advance their careers.
We overlook them. As a young PD, I remember being told I had to let go of someone considered a market legend. One of the nicest human beings I ever met who just happened to look like Santa Claus.
I had to tell him he was no longer needed on the team. It was a horrible moment, but he handled it with much more grace and dignity than the company deserved.
When I got home that night, I walked in the door with what must have been a look on my face that told the day’s story. My wife said, “You fired Santa, didn’t you?” I burst into uncontrolled sobbing for a good ten minutes.
Radio needs to do a better job of caring for people’s mental health. It’s not something to be ashamed of. I’ve been on antidepressants for 20 years.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. That feeling is heavy. Don’t fall into a drug or alcohol coping mechanism. Don’t let people tell you to pull yourself up by the bootstraps. That’s unacceptable.
If you feel that way now, invest 55 minutes in this video. “Your Brain Is a Liar” was a presentation at the 2024 Country Radio Seminar. It’s raw and honest, presented by mental health advocate Jason Prinzo.
It may just be the best hour you spend this week.
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I’ve created a 10-question survey to gauge how music radio professionals feel about a number of key issues. Your help is appreciated. Take the survey by clicking here.
Community Connections:
100.3 KRRV Alexandria, Louisiana, raised a record-setting $111,036 during its 29th annual Country Cares for St. Jude Kids Radiothon.
New Country 96.3 and 99.5 The Wolf Dallas/Ft. Worth raised $300,000 for Cook Children’s Medical Center with their annual Texas Independence Jam at Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth.
Detroit Praise Group Network WDMK raised $102,524 with its PRAISE radiothon for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Alpha Media’s Louisville stations raised $87,483 for the Norton Children’s Hospital supporting pediatric care.
Industry Happenings:
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association Foundation will induct Paul Braun, Denise Callaway, Bill Hubbard, and Mark Zoromski into its 2025 Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame cohort.
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has announced its 2025 board of directors. See the list here. 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Gracie Awards.
Add Ons:
Z93 La Crosse, WI adds Premiere’s “The Bootleg Kev Show” for weeknights.
The Museum of Broadcast Communications has officially announced that the Radio Hall of Fame Nominating Committee is now accepting suggestions for potential 2025 nominees. The deadline for submissions is Monday, March 31. You can nominate someone here.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
Jeff Lynn serves as Editor of Barrett Media’s Music Radio coverage. Prior to joining Barrett Media, Jeff spent time programming in Milwaukee, Omaha, Cleveland, Des Moines, and Madison for multiple radio groups, including iHeartMedia, Townsquare Media, NRG Media, and Entercom (now Audacy). He also worked as a Country Format Editor for All Access until the outlet shut down in August 2023.
To get in touch with Jeff by email, reach him at Jeff@BarrettMedia.com.
