Cutbacks at Atlanta Cox Radio

[top16]

I heard Tim Rhodes taking over the midday shift today on the River. I am wondering how these cutbacks effect the Athens stations Cox purchased recently. Anybody have an idea what format Cox will put at 103.7 (still Bulldog, but a matter of time before they are exclusively at 100.1) or will they simulcast WSB-AM on that stick???

 

[Twitch]

Cox is making cuts in all their businesses. I have friends that work at Cox Communications and Manheim and they just showed lots of folks the door.

It's true...there were cuts at Autotrader.com as well.

 

[OutOfTheBiz]

I hope all of the people who lost their jobs today will be able to look back in a few months with better jobs and think - this was the best thing that ever happened to me.

As someone who went through this in another Cox market several years back, I can say that with no second thoughts.

One door closes and another opens.

 

[Paul_Warren]

As someone who went through this in another Cox market several years back, I can say that with no second thoughts.

One door closes and another opens.

Unfortunately, you may find yourself standing outside in the cold for a while before that next door opens, especially in the current economic climate and state of the radio business.

It's a small world. I'm a WFOX alumnus; was ousted in the Cox takeover of its Orlando stations; and Chris Miller replaced me as PD of KKJZ in Portland, OR. I corresponded with him before he went to Atlanta, shared with him my brief experience with Cox both as an employer and as a competitor, and he seemed aware of and prepared for whatever was ahead. A good guy. Hope he's kept networking!

I spent almost 30 years in radio, and have now been making a living exclusively out of a home studio for almost four. I miss the day-to-day interaction with listeners, crazy, talented co-workers, and even the give-and-take of working with a GM and the sales department. I've always thought I'd watch for the right opportunity to get back in. But now, I troll the openings, and I'm hard-pressed to spot one I'd want, let alone want enough to relocate for.

I only recently realized that I've been going through a process akin to mourning. I've finally come to terms with the reality that broadcasting has largely been strip-mined by the big groups, and that if I'm to make the most of the most productive years of my life, it will be up to me.

I've replaced my income, and some of my work in the podcast realm has provided a creative outlet beyond anything I ever found in radio, but it's tough to replace the atmosphere I enjoyed in some great radio workplaces over the years.

 

[MPDinATL]

What Would James M. do???

 

[taylorengineer]

Dick Byrd(engineering) was also a casualty.
I know Cox is a public company - they have budgets and shareholders and such - but is engineering really the right place to cut the budget? Especially when you consider what a staff engineer makes?
There were 2, maybe 3 people who could get any of those multi-million dollar money makers going again and they just got rid of one of them to save a dime or two.
Good move Cox......
And we seriously wonder why radio is in the state it is!

 

[seabass]

and where's Boortz now? Whenever someone loses their job to economics or can't find work, he always rants about this person being properly trained and doing more to make one's self valuable. Well Neal, What about these folks who have worked in Radio for so many years and are quite valuable at what they do? It must be nice to sit in the catbird seat and forget all about the days when you were making squat. It would seem that the only ones surviving these days are Bean Counters and some Management (not PD's). Certainly the air talent is disposable and just a liability. Sometimes I wonder about that greeter job at Walmart.......and where we all are heading.

Did Boortz fire them? Get a grip.

 

[RhubarbFan]

Hey cox,how about getting rid of that ---- you call a edtorial chief. You're paying her a bunch of money and she can't put two coherent sentces back to back. Kerry Browning and Jeff dantre were great reporters,sorry to see them go.

 

[RAD1]

Since the cut the PD of the River loose, one has to ask what is going to happen, given the monster ratings.

Who will be the PD - will Paul Cilliano, B98.5's PD have double duty?

That station is self sufficient and all it needs is someone to do is attend meetings and schedule music, a no brainer.

 

[mshawnarnold]

Cox isn't a public company. It's a private company, albiet a very large one. So, no shareholders to please or boards to cater to... Only the Cox family....

 

[HGR1290]

Quote: "Cox isn't a public company. It's a private company...."


Slyder7... Do a Google search for the Symbol CXR. Turns out that "CXR" is Cox Radio. Traded on the NYSE. Yes, Cox Radio is a Public Company. 6.19 a share....not a good buy yet, by the way.

The Sisters may be controlling, but get a few investment banks, a few hedge funds PO'd at you due to lack of performance, and see where "controlling" or "majority" Stock holder gets you. Ask Sumner Redstone.

 

[Tibbs4]

How could this be possible? Isn't the Cox family known for being caring, liberal and open-minded? The papers sure seem to promote that.
Even the website says they are great citizens looking out for the world...

I think I can quote a publically held website on RI, since it is a part of a solicitation offer open to the public and therefore public domain,
even if I just select a few parts. It is American, right?

From the COX.COM website:

"Cox Values

"At the Cox companies, we encourage employee creativity, inclusion and calculated risk taking."

"Our employees are our most important resource. We encourage entrepreneurship and initiative. We recognize and reward achievement."

Such passion...thanks for making us a ratings success..now get out!

 

[taylorengineer]

How could this be possible? Isn't the Cox family known for being caring, liberal and open-minded? The papers sure seem to promote that.
Even the website says they are great citizens looking out for the world...

I think I can quote a publically held website on RI, since it is a part of a solicitation offer open to the public and therefore public domain,
even if I just select a few parts. It is American, right?

From the COX.COM website:

"Cox Values

"At the Cox companies, we encourage employee creativity, inclusion and calculated risk taking."

"Our employees are our most important resource. We encourage entrepreneurship and initiative. We recognize and reward achievement."

Such passion...thanks for making us a ratings success..now get out!

Because the remaining Cox sister is an elitist. She is the quintessential spoiled rotton bratt who inherited a fortune. (see: Paris Hilton.)
The elite, the "socially superior part of society," feel their only function in society is to "exercise power and influence."
The "proletariat yearnings" are none of their concern.....labor is a necesary evil and is assigned to the unwashed.
This pretty much defines the entire upper management attitude at Cox. You will notice that none of them got pink slips.
Boy genius Bob Neil should take a hefty pay cut - hundreds of thousands of dollars - and should be made to de-stuff at least ten teddies. That's where the buck stops at Cox Radio. He's the one who does not have the talent to steer the company through rough economic times. Cox sales manager? Can't put ENOUGH business on the books? Get creative......man up and think outside the box. You're being paid a fortune to be able to "think."
Why are workers being fired when it's incompetence on the part of management????
You would think, in a public company, that someone would stand up and say "the emperor wears no clothes!"
At Cox, the emperor does not wear clothes( I'll bet it's not a pretty sight!)
Start with the upper most management to cut costs - tie their compensation to performance - cut their salaries to the "painful" level - make them do or die. This is the way to "motivate" the manager/weasel(and the company)to higher performance. Stop making the worker, who is doing his/her job well, bear the brunt of management's incompetence.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Tom, that's no different than virtually any other company in corporate America. When things are bad, it's the workers who pay the price. And public companies seem to be more vigilant than private companies regarding the bottom line.

As far as sales, Atlanta radio (and probably every market) is down by millions this year. There's only so much a sales manager can do. Clients either have an ad budget or they don't.

 

[taylorengineer]

Tom, that's no different than virtually any other company in corporate America. When things are bad, it's the workers who pay the price. And public companies seem to be more vigilant than private companies regarding the bottom line.

As far as sales, Atlanta radio (and probably every market) is down by millions this year. There's only so much a sales manager can do. Clients either have an ad budget or they don't.

You are right Roddy. And I know sales is having a tough time with the economy - it is indeed difficult to squeeze blood from a turnip.
But,for example, is Cox doing all it can do to turn some non traditional revenue? Are any radio managers really thinking outside the box to help save the infrastructure of this business? Why is management getting financial "pats on the back" for destroying the very core of their business?
Bob Neil is going to get a bonus for slashing costs - BoyBob is going to get a raise and more generous stock options....and probably 5 new teddies. And at their little tea party they will sit and giggle about how smart they are.......
Yes Roddy.....so goes the world of business Americana. And I know it's not going to change.
I sure hope things get better before they get worse.........

 

[X-14]

I spent almost 30 years in radio, and have now been making a living exclusively out of a home studio for almost four. I miss the day-to-day interaction with listeners, crazy, talented co-workers, and even the give-and-take of working with a GM and the sales department. I've always thought I'd watch for the right opportunity to get back in. But now, I troll the openings, and I'm hard-pressed to spot one I'd want, let alone want enough to relocate for.

I only recently realized that I've been going through a process akin to mourning. I've finally come to terms with the reality that broadcasting has largely been strip-mined by the big groups, and that if I'm to make the most of the most productive years of my life, it will be up to me.

I've replaced my income, and some of my work in the podcast realm has provided a creative outlet beyond anything I ever found in radio, but it's tough to replace the atmosphere I enjoyed in some great radio workplaces over the years.

Amen, Paul!!! You could have written my very words. I'm in exactly the same boat as you except that I got over the mourning years ago and no longer troll the openings. On the other hand I'm lucky enough to keep my tiptoes in the water via a weekend gig (at a great station BTW), but am LOVING doing F/T v/o from my home studio. Gotta love that 20 foot commute down the hallway in your socks, shorts and t-shirt!

 

[jy]

What gets lost in the drama is the fact they 're still making money. Lots and lots of money. They just aren't making as much as they used to or as much as they want to be making, but the economy is an excuse to trim.

BTW, anybody know the headcount at the Cox stations in Atlanta. With a lot of managers around I'm wondering if station for station they still don't run a bigger crew than most stations in town. I'd love to compare the WSB numbers with other outlets.