Clear Channel Seattle: Who's gone?

[SeattleObserver]

Today Clear Channel is laying off an additional significant portion of workforce nationwide, according to an e-bulletin I received from here at Radio-Info.

Where are the cuts coming from in Seattle?

Last time I knew of KJR-AM/FM's sales staffs being combined. This time ??? Of course, the cluster also has one more station now - KBKS.

 

[Superdeluxe]

KJR-AM is losing host/updates guy Dick Fain ( who also calls Seattle U games and Storm games).

Also cut was Executive producer Brian Lambert.

 

[Bongwater]

Chop Chop Chop......

KJR-AM is losing host/updates guy Dick Fain ( who also calls Seattle U games and Storm games).

Also cut was Executive producer Brian Lambert.

Good God Y'all.....there's more damn cuts in this conglomerate than a Benihana!

I just don't know how anybody can cope with the stress of working in a Cuisinart....

 

[Superdeluxe]

According to Bob Condotta, Andy Bunker a producer has been cut from KJR.

So KJR loses a on-air talent and 2 producers.

 

[Superdeluxe]

Also Nick Reynolds and Tom Helm. Nick Reynolds did some traffic as well.

 

[Scoobyfan1]

Re: Chop Chop Chop......

KJR-AM is losing host/updates guy Dick Fain ( who also calls Seattle U games and Storm games).

Also cut was Executive producer Brian Lambert.

Good God Y'all.....there's more damn cuts in this conglomerate than a Benihana!

I just don't know how anybody can cope with the stress of working in a Cuisinart....

Considering there's another sports station in town now I wouldn't be surprised if those two end up hanging out with Brock Huard and John Clayton pretty soon.

 

[Superdeluxe]

If Kiro really wants someone who fits the local angle, it will be Dick Fain, He is the voice of the storm and seattle u, coaches at Rainier High school basketball, and covers prep sports as well.

Brian lambert has been a producer at KJR for the last 9 years, and surely has developed lots of connections with the sports world, which would instantly help out ESPN 710. Both would be perfect there.

 

[CorporateSuit]

Dick Fain cut? Oh no! Who is Softie going to use as a crutch to do his show now???? He'll have no one to talk to!!!!

 

[Scoobyfan1]

If Kiro really wants someone who fits the local angle, it will be Dick Fain, He is the voice of the storm and seattle u, coaches at Rainier High school basketball, and covers prep sports as well.

Brian lambert has been a producer at KJR for the last 9 years, and surely has developed lots of connections with the sports world, which would instantly help out ESPN 710. Both would be perfect there.

Exactly, I definitely think that KIRO would jump at the chance to get Dick Fain; he has a lot of sports knowledge and he defintely would fit ESPN's profile as well.

 

[mightymoose]

At what point did Cathy Faulkner leave KJR-FM? I see Bronson's on 7-mid and Cathy's name is nowhere to be found. Cathy did they stand you up or did you ditch the bums at C/C and run back to Orcas.

While we're at it they've found a way to keep Randy Lundquist but have to cut KJR-AM staff. You'd think Clear Channel would be beefing up the AM since it now has competition from 710 ESPN while cutting KJR-FM staff (Randy for example) since KJR-FM is more off by itself formatically.

Oh well I am sure the genuises in San Antone have it ALL under control.

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

At what point did Cathy Faulkner leave KJR-FM? I see Bronson's on 7-mid and Cathy's name is nowhere to be found. Cathy did they stand you up or did you ditch the bums at C/C and run back to Orcas.

Actually Cathy never had to leave leave Orcas to do her show. It was voicetracked from her home studio. Guess CC didn't want to pay for that anymore.

 

[LITTLEBOYBLUE]

Actually Cathy never had to leave leave Orcas to do her show. It was voicetracked from her home studio. Guess CC didn't want to pay for that anymore.

Good point. It's only an awesome pro contributing to "the product" and as 'guru might point out ... shareholders hate that. I'm still confused why any of us would WANT to be in this business?

 

[MichaelOShea]

...Because, despite all the seismic changes, it's still a terrific and fun business. We're seeing the ugly side of consolidation with a perfect storm of economic catastrophe. Somewhere in your zip code today some dude is putting a shovel in the ground and pitching dirt over his shoulder. Then he's repeating that action ten thousand times. I miss "the good ole days" too, but this is still an intoxicating business. I mean that figuratively, making no reference to yesterday's Cinco De Mayo events <smile>.

 

[Radio-Schmoozer]

Air talent Out at CC Seattle:
Cathy Faulkner
Brian Lambert
Dick Fain
Nick Reynolds
plus a handful of office staff as well. All good people who are already missed.

KJR-FM is already down to a skeleton staff and has been for some time. There's no one left to cut unless they were to automate the whole thing which would be a mistake given the latest book.
Sports Radio is fat with staff because that's the nature of talk radio. Everyone has to give in these circumstances. Consolidation is the name of the game and if you only have one job title, watch out.

This is an awsome business. I feel badly for those cut, because no one in radio's hiring. I'm not qualified to do anything else, not even dig ditches.
Hopefully this storm isn't gonna last too much longer. They can't cut us all can they???

 

[Grindlfan]

Air talent Out at CC Seattle:
Cathy Faulkner
Brian Lambert
Dick Fain
Nick Reynolds
plus a handful of office staff as well. All good people who are already missed.

KJR-FM is already down to a skeleton staff and has been for some time. There's no one left to cut unless they were to automate the whole thing which would be a mistake given the latest book.
Sports Radio is fat with staff because that's the nature of talk radio. Everyone has to give in these circumstances. Consolidation is the name of the game and if you only have one job title, watch out.

This is an awsome business. I feel badly for those cut, because no one in radio's hiring. I'm not qualified to do anything else, not even dig ditches.
Hopefully this storm isn't gonna last too much longer. They can't cut us all can they???

So the clown programming KJR FM still has his job? How does THAT make sense?

 

[mightymoose]

Actually Cathy never had to leave leave Orcas to do her show. It was voicetracked from her home studio. Guess CC didn't want to pay for that anymore.

Oh well yes I was aware of that. I found it interesting that C/C managed to pony up the dough necessary in the first place to put together a computer system that would mirror the KJR-FM NexGen system in Seattle to allow her to voice track from Orcas. Funny how companies find money for some people and projects even when they say they are cutting back.

So if you knew Cathy was V/Ting it from Orcas Island you're closer to the inside than the rest of us might have imagined. And what do you suppose it took her, maybe 30 minutes to do a 5 hour show for a couple of grand a month? Nice gig.

 

[AQH]

So the clown programming KJR FM still has his job? How does THAT make sense?

The "clown" has increased the ratings of KJR-FM. Check Maximi$er to see the ratings.

How are the ratings at your station?

 

[SeattleRadioPro]

I found it interesting that C/C managed to pony up the dough necessary in the first place to put together a computer system that would mirror the KJR-FM NexGen system in Seattle to allow her to voice track from Orcas. Funny how companies find money for some people and projects even when they say they are cutting back.

Remote voicetracking doesn't require "ponying up dough" for a mirrored NexGen system. It can be done as simply as recording dry voicetracks in Cool Edit then e-mailing or FTPing them to the station.

Some automation systems also have Internet voicetracking capabilities so a jock can track by simply logging on to a website. [quote

So the clown programming KJR FM still has his job? How does THAT make sense?

The "clown" has increased the ratings of KJR-FM. Check Maximi$er to see the ratings.

How are the ratings at your station?

Oh don't worry about Grindl, AQH. As far as he/she's concerned all radio managers these days are "clowns".

What's pleasantly surprising to me is that CC hasn't moved out Heidi or Randy and either made Jay VT a weekday shift or use some of the "Premium Choice" talent. If you look at other stations in the company they've been chopping live midday and afternoon positions left and right.

Clearly the local talent must be making the "statistical numbers" - that's now the way the new investor group determines who stays and who goes.

 

[checkingout]

Soon it will easier to ask who is left. I, too have heard Randy will be doing so VTing.

 

[Grindlfan]

So the clown programming KJR FM still has his job? How does THAT make sense?

The "clown" has increased the ratings of KJR-FM. Check Maximi$er to see the ratings.

How are the ratings at your station?

Hmmmm. Well, if the numbers have improved I would bet they are only slightly better and that is most likely by default since KBSG is no longer an option for oldies / classic hits listeners in Seattle. Those willing to suffer KJR FM's crappy playlist to hear the one or two songs a day that aren't tired or from 1987 are probably giving them the tiny ratings boost. Give Seattle a good dedicated 60s and 70s station and the ratings will plummet again.

And I don't think all radio programmers are clowns, only those who refuse to listen to their listeners. I do however think that all consultants are clowns, not to mention frauds. IMHO.