Audacy has begun another significant round of layoffs. The company continues to restructure following the resignation of CEO David Field in January, and CFO Rich Schmaeling last month. Radio’s second-largest group with over 230 broadcasting brands and a listed 165 million monthly broadcast listeners is making cuts less than six months removed from emerging from Chatper 11 bankruptcy. Sources tell Barrett Media the number of layoffs could be as high as 300 companywide.
Multiple departments across the company are expected to be impacted. Audacy Chief Operating Officer Susan Larkin called an emergency meeting with company leaders on Tuesday to share the news.
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An Audacy spokesperson stated to Barrett Media: “Audacy has made workforce reductions to ensure a strong and resilient future for the business. We are streamlining resources to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving media landscape and to best position Audacy to continue serving listeners and advertisers with excellence.”
J.R. Cruz was the first to exit. The morning show host at Classic Hits 103.7 KEYN Wichita has been battling health issues. Cruz wrote on Facebook, “I hate to break it to you but it is with a heavy heart that Audacy (KEYN) and I have parted ways all due to the medical issues I am dealing with. I’m sorry I didn’t get to address this on the air, but thank you if you listened to The Morning Cruz. I am making plans to head back home to Houston to rehab and recover.”
A surprise in Kansas City as Johnny Dare has confirmed he’s out. In a post on Facebook, Dare said the team got smoked, and were surprised by the news. The show will get to host one final show tomorrow morning.
The ‘Ponch and Nikki Show‘ have also been affected by the Audacy layoffs. In a post on Facebook, ‘Ponch’ confirmed the pair were no longer with 99.7 The Point in Kansas City. Brian “Ponch” Hudgens and Nikki Vivas were also heard in afternoons on Y98 in St. Louis.
Another shocker in Los Angeles at KNX News 97.1. Program Director Alex Silverman is leaving. He confirmed the news this evening on LinkedIn. The station also terminated long time anchor and investigative reporter Charles Feldman. With Silverman leaving, KCBS Brand Manager Jennifer Seelig is expected to oversee both news stations in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Adam Spolane, reporter and host at Sportsradio 610 in Houston has also announced his departure.
My time at SportsRadio 610 has come to an end. Loved every minute of the 12 years I was there, grateful for the people I got to work with, and proud of the work that I did. Thank you to everyone that listened, read, and followed over the years.
Mix 104.1 in Boston midday host Erin O’Malley has exited after 24 years. O’Malley told Barrett Media by email “I have worked for and with the BEST people in the industry, Jon Zellner, Tommy Austin, Mike Stern, Gene Romano, and Chris Shebel. But my life forever changed when Greg Strassell & Mark Hannon brought me to Boston. Here, I have gotten married, had a son whose life was saved by Children’s Hospital (the place we raised millions for through our Mix 104.1 radiothon long before he was born!) and brought my listeners through my breast cancer journey.
O’Malley added, “I still get daily emails from women who thank me for sharing my story because it made them check themselves & some found cancer. I never imagined, as a 12 year old girl who just wanted to be on the radio, that I could save someone’s life one day. How blessed I was to work for Mike Thomas, Steve Salhany. People say your job isn’t your life, but if you do radio right, they’re intertwined. I won a Gracie Award & I truly believe it’s because I’ve genuinely shared my life with them. And what a joy it’s been.”
Those interested in reaching Erin to offer support or explore future opportunities can email her here.
Annie Leamy, co-host on Classic Hits 101.1 WCBS is out after two years. She previously spent three years at iHeartMedia in Poughkeepsie NY, six years at Cumulus New York and was part of morning shows at WSPK and WPKF Poughkeepsie.
Layoffs have hit the big apple as well. WINS Sports Director and Morning Anchor Marc Ernay is among the affected. Ernay was with CBS Radio and Audacy for nearly 25 years. To reach out and extend well wishes or discuss future opportunities, email Marc here.
Also impacted in New York was WCBS-FM Imaging director Dermot O’Neil. Those looking to connect with Dermont regarding new opportunities can reach him here.
Hot 104.1 in St. Louis saw its entire station staff exit according to sources. DJs Shae Bae (middays), Princess Stormm (afternoons), and DJ Raymond (nights) have all departed the Hip Hop station.
Also in St. Louis, Wilson Truong, a digital content producer for KMOX has exited. You can connect with Wilson here.
It was a pleasure to work at KMOX in #Stl these last 20 months. Sucks to be part of the company wide layoffs at Audacy, but in the end I cherished the time I had there🫡 pic.twitter.com/YKyJmVxPeA
Nick Ashooh, co-host of BetMGM Tonight on Audacy’s BetQL Network, as well as CBS Sports Radio has been let go.
I too am a part of what’s happened at Audacy today. My time is up…
I came over looking to build something new, and I loved starting a network with BetQL/BetMGM and I’m so grateful for the time I spent there. I worked with some really smart people and I’m damn grateful for that
Henry Lake and Chris Tubbs, co-hosts of The Lake Show on 830 WCCO in Minneapolis, MN have also been released. The program aired weekday evenings from 6pm-9pm. To reach Chris to discuss future opportunities, email him here. Henry can be reached here.
Craig Elsten, co-host of Annie & Elsten on 97.3 The Fan in San Diego announced his exit. The midday show has now been eliminated from the lineup. Co-host Annie Heilbrunn has also been let go by the company.
Staying in San Diego, KSON APD and Midday host Greg Raneiri was also let go. Ranieri also served as APD and midday host for Portland’s 99.5 The Wolf. He can be reached for future opportunities here.
Audacy Regional Vice President of Programming and B97 New Orleans PD Tom “Jammer” Naylor has exited. To discuss future opportunities with him, email him here.
Jamie Tanchyk, Brand Manager of Bella 105 and Afternoons on 99.5 The Wolf in Portland has exited. He can be reached by email here to discuss future opportunities.
Additionally in Portland, Tim Taylor is out at 92.3 KGON. Taylor can be reached here for future discussions.
In Philadelphia, BIG 98.1 afternoon host Trey Morgan has exited. Morgan’s career includes stops at Z100 and New 102.7 in New York, Kiss 108 in Boston, DC 101 in Washington D.C., 99.5 The Wolf in Dallas, and ALT 98.7 in Los Angeles among others. Interested parties can reach him by email here.
Spencer Ray, a producer at the company who has worked on the BetMGM Network and 2400Sports, announced his departure from the company on Thursday morning. Ray revealed that he had never been laid off from a job before and added that he is now a free agent who has significant experience in digital audio. To chat with Spencer about future opportunities, email him here.
First time being laid off from a job today, definitely sucks. Appreciated working for @audacy but I am now a free agent with a lot of experience in digital audio.
Anna McMichael-Kane, the company’s first-ever Executive Creative Director has departed after eight years with the company. Michael-Kane was responsible for building and leading centralized brand development and brand marketing practices.
In Baltimore, Priestly has departed Mix 106.5 after 18 years with the outlet. He shared in a Facebook post, “It’s with a heavy heart and enormous gratitude, I regret to say, as of today the Priestly on Mix 106.5 radio show, program, experience? Whatever it was…is no more. Thank you soo much and please know I love you and appreciate your company and permission to be apart of your lives. Till we meet again.”
Joe Cingrana, a 20-year veteran of the company working as the national senior content producer and assistant managing editor for music and entertainment, has also been affected by the layoffs. Before taking on an expanded role with the company, he was responsible for leading and coordinating local content, on-air reports and social media production for various stations in the New York cluster. Cingrana is open for work and expressed that he is “ready to hit the ground running. He can be contacted by email here.
Dan Karpuc, the director of digital content and retention for Audacy, announced that he has been part of layoffs at the company. In a message posted to X on Thursday morning, he acknowledged that while he is not sure what is coming next professionally, he is grateful for time with his colleagues and added that the best is yet to come. Karpuc previously worked as the managing editor of BetQL and co-hosted the BetQL Daily Boost podcast. To reach Dan regarding future opportunities, email him here.
PERSONAL NEWS: After 6 years at BetQL & then Audacy after our acquisition, I was part of today's layoffs. I'm not sure what's next professionally, but I'm so grateful for my time w/ @LucilleBurdge, @Sharp_Side_ & @KateConstable & other great colleagues! The best is yet to come.
Matthew Horner, a content producer on the BetMGM Network, has been affected by the layoffs as well. Horner worked alongside Karpuc on the editorial team at the company as a content creator for parts of the last three years. Revealing the news in a post on X, he thanked his team for helping him grow during his time with the company. Those interested in talking with Matt about future work can email him here.
Unfortunately, I was another add to the company wide @Audacy layoffs today.
After 20 years, David O’Leary is out as morning co-host at Magic 106.7 WMJX Boston. O’Leary teamed with Sue Tabb and Kendra The Entertainer for the “Morning Magic”
Julianne Gilmanrevealed on Facebook that her time with the company has also come to an end. Gilman enjoyed more than 10 years with Audacy, and recently worked on the National Activation team.
Dave Savage has exited as the Senior Director of Activation for Audacy’s Central Team. Savage initially joined CBS Radio Rochester in 2001. He held positions in local marketing, promotions and events before moving to the national team in 2020. If interested in speaking with Dave about future work, email him here.
Lucy Burdge, host of Bet Slips & Bat Flips on the BetMGM Network is out. Burdge spent 10 years with Audacy including a stint at WEEI in Boston prior to joining BetMGM.
After 10 years with Audacy, today was my last day.
I am deeply grateful for all of the opportunities, experiences and mostly the wonderful people I worked with in the past decade and I’m looking forward to what’s next.
Tarrah Gibbons, a Senior Content Strategist, where she covered everything from breaking news and politics to the latest entertainment news. She also worked with the Audacy app team to cover live-streaming press conferences and presidential debates. You can connect with Tarrah here.
Greensboro, North Carolina has lost two quality professionals as well. Dale O’Brian is out of morning drive at 93.1 The Wolf after almost a decade. He can be contacted by email here.
Charley McCain, a producer/co-host of the Get Up Show on 98.7 Simon is also out. McCain departs after 18 years with the Audacy cluster.
Barrett Media will continue to update this story throughout the day as more information becomes available.
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