Cumulus Cuts!

[joebob]

Cumulus in Rockford as well as across the company made cuts in full time air staff today. Rockford let go 6 full time people today. Each one of the stations were affected. Not good news for Rockford radio. These were good people who have been with the stations for quite awhile. It does not look good a Cumulus.

 

[True Grit]

Bangor ME got hit Tuesday. 4 FT spots. 2 of the 4 had well over 50 years experience combined.

 

[silentsquealer]

Well, let's add this in too. A ton of cuts in the Quad Cities market.
It's already posted on the Iowa board.

 

[bartcartridge]

CUMULUS ROCKFORD CUT THE FOLLOWING AIRSTAFF:

WXXQ-FM (Country): Midday: Lynn Lacy, Nights: Laurie Larrow
WZOK-FM (CHR): Jenna West (Acting PD/Middays)
WKGL-FM (Classic Rock): Afternoons: Kevin O'Connor, NIGHTS: Tyler Cox
WROK-AM (N/T): News Dir/ APD: Paul Hannigan

 

[dolfin2]

That was a really poor choice...they let some of their most faithful people go. A decent company recognizes those who have not only been around for a long time, but appreciates those that go above and beyond because they truly care about the station and the fans. My family and friends won't be listening to them anymore! They have no sense of loyalty, so why should their listeners?
Greed never wins. Thank God for Bob fm!

 

[JB_Love]

I will be the first to make a comment about this situation. No one at Cumulus of Rockford had control of who stayed and who was terminated. Watching some of my closest friends walk out the door was one of the hardest things I have ever had to deal with. I don't believe its fair for people to stop listening because of what has happened. I understand people are upset with the decisions that were made, but remember that the people that are still on the air are doing the best they can to maintain normality and keep the "the show must go on" frame of mind. It's hard. Today was a tough shift for me personally, being extremely close to Tyler Cox and Jenna West. I almost felt like it wasn't right for me to be on the air, but the show must go on. The people that choose not to listen are punishing the jocks that are still on the air... the jocks that are trying to keep the ball rolling, and most importantly make a living. I'm not trying to get pity, I am just saying that if you're choosing to avoid radio because your favorite jock is no longer on the air, eventually it'll effect all of us that "survived". The people that remain within walls of "Rockford's Radio Center" are quickly becoming closer and relying on each other for help in various ways. Please be patient with "Rockford radio"... we're all fighting and busting our ass, contrary to what you may believe. That is all I have for now.

 

[bartcartridge]

JB - You are right on...I witnessed the sadness in both those who were randomly dismissed and the extreme sadness of those of us that remain to press on. Our jobs are now ten times harder than they were on Thursday. Those that remain feel as if the corporate anvil could fall on us at moment's notice! This bloodbath came from the corporate level. Not one person employed by Cumulus Rockford is happy about it including the Market Manager. Everyone, including the competition feels for those who were summarily and unfairly dismissed all because of bad investment and business practices upon the part on the upper management at Cumulus in Atlanta. When Cumulus stock share price drops from $20.00 to $1.58 a share one can only deduce that someone is not minding the store.

 

[silentsquealer]

Well I wonder how much money Lew Dickey blew on self tanner and ******y suits this year...

 

[joebob]

I feel for the people who were cut and for those that remain. Knowing the people who are still there, I know that they will find away to get the job done. It is another example of the corporate failures of Wall street. Yes, the economy is bad, the Rockford advertising community is as well. But I fear that the worst is yet to come if this country keeps losing jobs. All the best to those who have lost jobs, I know what its like. And to the people left to keep the ball rolling as JB said. You can do it, keep up the great work!

 

[micmaniac]

Cumulus Battle Creek Michigan let go 3 on Friday.
Question: Does the Federal "WARN" act which requires 60 day notice prior to mass layoffs apply to Cumulus? When Archway closed in Battle Creek and Ohio with no notice a month ago, some employees of their Ohio branch filed a class action suit based on the WARN act.
RISE UP WORKERS!!!

 

[Kiki]

After geting "let go" myself, after many years of radio and service to our community, I, too, feel for those in radio left to pick up the mess that these job cuts have caused. I'm afraid this is only the beginning. My best suggestion to those who are still working is to start working NOW on what you would do without this job. Two reasons here.... one... Sure you love radio, I do too... but obviously some companies do not KNOW you and they don't CARE about you or whether you've given your best years to the business. Who do you want to remain loyal to...radio? the company? or yourself and family? Please start working on a plan "B". Reason two: these job cuts are not over. Look at the stock prices daily as they go down and will eventually sink below $1 a share. You will see many others leave your building, and no one on a white horse will come and save the day. Shame on these corporate "leaders" for leading one of the most creative industries down this negative path, while lining their pockets with our best work! And finally... if you are one of those that served your listeners and the commuity: get up each day... take a shower... get ready for work and do something POSITIVE for yourself! Don' give up and know that in this country... success with honor, dignity and honesty is the best revenge! My best to you all who are going through this emotional rollercoaster.

 

[True Grit]

After geting "let go" myself, after many years of radio and service to our community, I, too, feel for those in radio left to pick up the mess that these job cuts have caused. I'm afraid this is only the beginning. My best suggestion to those who are still working is to start working NOW on what you would do without this job. Two reasons here.... one... Sure you love radio, I do too... but obviously some companies do not KNOW you and they don't CARE about you or whether you've given your best years to the business. Who do you want to remain loyal to...radio? the company? or yourself and family? Please start working on a plan "B". Reason two: these job cuts are not over. Look at the stock prices daily as they go down and will eventually sink below $1 a share. You will see many others leave your building, and no one on a white horse will come and save the day. Shame on these corporate "leaders" for leading one of the most creative industries down this negative path, while lining their pockets with our best work! And finally... if you are one of those that served your listeners and the commuity: get up each day... take a shower... get ready for work and do something POSITIVE for yourself! Don' give up and know that in this country... success with honor, dignity and honesty is the best revenge! My best to you all who are going through this emotional rollercoaster.

Nice post Kiki. It's tough to stay 'up', so positive thoughts like yours help.

 

[jharmon]

Cumulus is not the kind of company you want to bet your career on for more than a year.
Because chances are you won't be with them more than a year.
Cumulus is not the kind of company you want to work for and buy a home.
Just leave the real estate sign in the yard. you'll be moving soon.
Cumulus is not the kind of company you want to work for and have a family.
Your kids will be moving to a different city and school. starting all over with new friends, new challenges, new problems.
Cumulus is not the kind of company you want to work for and have a stable life.
If your lucky, your wife likes to pack and move numerous times. Find a good divorce lawyer. Buy your own U-Haul truck, it's cheaper.
Cumulus is not the kind of company you want to work for period.
And you wonder why radio is getting a bad rap.
Radio is over as we use to know it.

 

[kinkaid]

Cumulus Battle Creek Michigan let go 3 on Friday.
Question: Does the Federal "WARN" act which requires 60 day notice prior to mass layoffs apply to Cumulus? When Archway closed in Battle Creek and Ohio with no notice a month ago, some employees of their Ohio branch filed a class action suit based on the WARN act.
RISE UP WORKERS!!!


What's the latest on this does anyone know? They obviously didn't lay off the 500 people at each location/cluster but overall I bet the total is getting close to there. Also was affected by the so called "Budget cuts", after bringing record numbers to WLTO in Lexington over the past year. (Just signed my new contract 2 months ago.) Stock goes from $20 to $1 and it's the employees fault?!? Just another example of what's wrong with this country.

Absolutely no loyalty either, which probably goes without saying....one of our guys that was at the cluster for 27+ years in a major position was let go. Did I mention they are trying to hold up the non compete? Anyway i'm mad as hell, and instead of bitching/moaning that it wasn't "fair" (which it wasn't) I thought i'd try and do something about it. So if anyone knows anything on this subject lemme know!

 

[stillovertheohio]

Unfortunately, the Cumulus firings will not trigger WARN. The layoffs do not total 500 people or 1/3 of the total FT Cumulus workforce.

If you want to do something hit the Dickey's where they care most - their money. Try writing board members and tell them how the properties have been gutted. That is why these stations don't make money like they used to do. BE SPECIFIC.

Or you can write a letter to the editor at the paper and talk about how station(s) like WROK/WZOK that in their day were great and now have been stripped and destroyed. WZOK has no personality and WROK is syndicated trash. Yes this is more personal but what the management of this company is doing is very personal.

Neither one of these will change things, unless several people do something...and then just maybe............


The earlier post by 'Kiki' will be prophetic - the stock price will continue to slide and the firings will continue. Does anyone remember the movie Network..."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore". Someone needs to stand up to the RVPs and the Dickeys and say enough. What is the worst that can happen - you might get fired? That's going to happen anyway.

The Dickeys created the company on greed and it wont stand over time.

 

[stillovertheohio]

Re: Cumulus Cuts!!!

Unfortunately, the Cumulus firings will not trigger WARN. The layoffs do not total 500 people or 1/3 of the total FT Cumulus workforce.

If you want to do something hit the Dickey's where they care most - their money. Try writing board members and tell them how the properties have been gutted. That is why these stations don't make money like they used to do. BE SPECIFIC.

Or you can write a letter to the editor at the paper and talk about how station(s) like WROK/WZOK that in their day were great and now have been stripped and destroyed. WZOK has no personality and WROK is syndicated trash. Yes this is more personal but what the management of this company is doing is very personal.

Neither one of these will change things, unless several people do something...and then just maybe............


The earlier post by 'Kiki' will be prophetic - the stock price will continue to slide and the firings will continue. Does anyone remember the movie Network..."I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore". Someone needs to stand up to the RVPs and the Dickeys and say enough. What is the worst that can happen - you might get fired? That's going to happen anyway.

The Dickeys created the company on greed and it wont stand over time.

 

[joebob]

I've seen that the Cumulus stock is now now .75 cents per share. I know the general markets have some to do with this. But what are they going to do? I think they should start considering selling off some of their properties. Big does not hold up anymore. Take a look at G.M.

 

[PTBoardOp94]

Is anyone really buying in this market? I haven't heard of any major transactions in the last several months.

 

[joebob]

Is anyone really buying in this market? I haven't heard of any major transactions in the last several months.

What's there to buy? Only 2 major players in Rockford Maverick and Cumulus. The only other possibilities are QFL and LUV AM.

 

[noneofyourbiz]

Speaking of cuts...... keep your eyes open for a BIG one coming to Cumulus Q.C in the next 6 weeks........ don't say I didn't warn you...... I am only being cryptic because I have to be......