Chicago Media Chat Message Forum

[ Chicago Media Chat Message Forum ]

Forum Agreement, Terms Of Service Disclaimer

A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 4, 2024, 12:44 pm

Although it hasn't happened just yet here in Chicago, employees at iHeart Media stations everywhere are bracing for the worst. For the first time since just before the 2020 pandemic, the broadcast giant is facing BIG time budget cuts as the company implements a new operation structure following recent corporate restructuring.

One name with ties to Chicago is among the early cutbacks at iHeart today. John "Rock" Mamola, who had been a producer and occasional on-air host at 670 AM The SCORE before settling in at WDAE-AM & FM and WFLA-AM in Tampa in 2011 as Program Director of those stations, is among today's cuts.

It remains to be seen if any Chicago on air talent at iHeart stations are also among the cuts. This story is still developing.

Everything you need to know about iHeart's budget cuts, as well as the list of those who got the dreaded pink slip, can be found here:

https://radioinsight.com/headlines/286108/significant-cuts-underway-at-iheartmedia/

https://barrettmedia.com/2024/11/04/rich-shertenlieb-john-mamola-amongst-iheartmedia-sports-layoffs/

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 4, 2024, 5:51 pm, in reply to "A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

Angi Taylor, morning host at ROCK 95.5 since 2020 is among today's cuts with iHeart Media. The list is growing.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 5, 2024, 1:24 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

I went to ROCK 95.5's Website late last night. Angi Taylor's name & likeness are now completely scrubbed. I get the sense the radio station is going jockless from overnights to 10A weekdays in the wake of Angi being among yesterday's cuts at iHeart Media.

Add the name Matt Scarano to this list. He was iHeart's Chicago Market President for a decade. He also had a similar position in Atlanta & was Director of Sales in Chicago as well.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by WKDI <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WKDI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 5, 2024, 2:16 pm, in reply to "A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

At least this time they didn't wait until Christmas to make the cuts.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 5, 2024, 3:54 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July...It doesn't matter when, but it's cruel & no right way to let someone know your services are no longer needed.

I don't think Angi Taylor had a chance to say goodbye to listeners to her now former ROCK 95.5 morning show when it was learned she was among yesterday's cuts. I bet she's as devastated as everyone else.

I mentioned the name John "Rock" Mamola in the original post. If you go to his Twitter/X account, Mamola released a video which I have RT'd to my account. Reading between the lines, Mamola sounded very humble in trying to explain what had happened and why he was among the first round of cutbacks at iHeart Media yesterday afternoon. Mamola doesn't know what is next for him.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 5, 2024, 5:10 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

Christmas, New Year's Day, Memorial Day, the 4th of July...It doesn't matter when, but it's cruel & no right way to let someone know your services are no longer needed.

Anyone that works in any capitalism based society, realizes this is a fact of life. I am not being mean, I am being factual. In radio, it is even more cutthroat. Radio is a business and has ZERO care for their employees and for their listeners. They are slaves to the bank shareholders. Zero craps given for everything and everyone.

Angi is talented. She will resurface. But a lot of people are "on the beach" permanently from radio as the amount of opportunities are shrinking, constantly.

Z

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 6, 2024, 11:47 am, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

Radio is a business like everything else.

While it's very likely Angi Taylor will land somewhere, it's not a sure thing it will be at another Chicago radio station. For all I know, Angi's future may be at a station outside the market. I don't know that for sure. I don't think any of us do.

Another one of the notable cuts is former 101.9 FM The Mix host Lisa Berigan, most recently midday host at BIG 100 FM, the classic rock station in Washington, DC.

It wasn't that long ago when Berigan hosted the syndicated weekend show "Live In Concert", which used to air Sunday nights on 97.1 FM The Drive locally. While the show still airs on radio stations across America, it's long gone from The Drive's weekend schedule.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by Hunter <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=Hunter' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 6, 2024, 1:45 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

I agree with both WYTZZ95FM and ABRockNJock.

Angi Taylor is talented and it's a shame she was given the ax. As for returning, I certainly hope so.

It may not be in market #3. If she were to land on one of the stations in the suburbs, it would likely be for very low pay. Nevertheless, my best wishes go out to her and others who suffered the same fate.

I hope those working in radio have deep savings accounts. Talent is hired to eventually be fired. It's a sad fact of life.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by WKDI <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WKDI' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 6, 2024, 1:51 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

I remember Angie Taylor when she cohosted mornings with Dave Ryan at KDWB in Minneapolis back in 2004. Who knew she would wind up in Chicago, first on KISS then WCHI?

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by ABRockNJock <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=ABRockNJock' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 6, 2024, 3:52 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

I don't know if Angi Taylor lands on a suburban station. In all likelihood, the next time listeners hear her voice, it might be in a smaller market outside Chicago and possibly outside Illinois for that matter. The pay might not be too much regardless of where she eventually lands.

It's not just iHeart that's cutting back. Cumulus Media did the same in Indianapolis and there's a Chicago connection as well.

Laura Steele, who was once an intern to longtime Chicago rock jock Patti Haze, is out after 8 years hosting afternoons at 104.5 WJJK-FM. That's the classic hits station in Indy where Steele signed on in 2016. WJJK is to Indianapolis what WLS-FM 94.7 is to Chicago.

Steele is still part of the broadcast crew covering the Indianapolis 500 for WTHR, the NBC affiliate there. Steele has also done P.A. voice for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Her voice can still be heard middays voice tracking at 92.5 FM The FOX in Cincinnati.

Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts

Posted by WYTZZ95FM <iframe src='https://members.boardhost.com/chicagomediachat/info/user=WYTZZ95FM' width='330' height='300' border=0 style='border:none;'> on November 6, 2024, 4:30 pm, in reply to "Re: A Fresh Round of iHeart Media Budget Cuts "

For everyone, a question:

How many DJs have gone from Chicago downtown signal, to suburban, back to downtown? Good question. Looking forward to replies.

Z

« Back to index

340

[ Chicago Media Chat Message Forum ]

Copyright © 2007 - 2024 ChicagoMediaChat.Com - All rights reserved.