I'm hearing rumors of cuts at Citadel Buffalo, but people I know there are being uncharacteristically tight-lipped. Anybody got the real skinny? Anybody noticed any missing voices?
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Cuts at Citadel Buffalo?
- Thread starter SirRoxalot
- Start date
1
1234-1
Guest
I heard rumblings that it was Gail Ann from Mix and Slick Tom from 97 Rock. Sad ... very sad.
Buffalo news has this already: Link included.
yes, its' Gail Ann Huber and Slick Tom
Were both what the french call "expendable"....Doubtful. The move for Slick is quite suprising, as he's quite a popular personality and presumably drew decent numbers.
Considering early moves across the hall at the Edge to get rid of O&A, move Bull to morning, put James (Evil Jim) on Mid-Days, it's no surprise "Do more with less" keeps happening....But Farids going to have a Happy Holiday season, even with his stock valued at probably like 22 cents/share
http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/485820.html
yes, its' Gail Ann Huber and Slick Tom
Were both what the french call "expendable"....Doubtful. The move for Slick is quite suprising, as he's quite a popular personality and presumably drew decent numbers.
Considering early moves across the hall at the Edge to get rid of O&A, move Bull to morning, put James (Evil Jim) on Mid-Days, it's no surprise "Do more with less" keeps happening....But Farids going to have a Happy Holiday season, even with his stock valued at probably like 22 cents/share
http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/485820.html
Doing the Math
I'm not sure how much Gail Ann will be missed, but I think that Slick Tom is a major loss.
Let's think about the numbers. Slick was likely making around $50K. That's about $75K with benefits. Break that down to $1500/week over 50 weeks. Divide that again by 5 days per week (although I think he worked 6), and you've got $300 / day. Even at a reduced rate for evenings, you're looking at 4 spots per day, or less than one spot per hour.
Do you mean to tell me that the sales people can't sell one more spot per hour - or get a significantly better rate - if they have Slick as the product instead of a voice track? Not to mention how much effect a good 7-midnight jock has on the morning show, and the rate that they get for those spots.
That's a breakdown that even a bean counter should be able to understand.
Citadel Buffalo managed to rescue Shredd and Ragan from the trash heap during the Opie & Anthony fiasco. Let's hope that they can work the same magic with Slick Tom. It will be to EVERYONE'S advantage.
I'm not sure how much Gail Ann will be missed, but I think that Slick Tom is a major loss.
Let's think about the numbers. Slick was likely making around $50K. That's about $75K with benefits. Break that down to $1500/week over 50 weeks. Divide that again by 5 days per week (although I think he worked 6), and you've got $300 / day. Even at a reduced rate for evenings, you're looking at 4 spots per day, or less than one spot per hour.
Do you mean to tell me that the sales people can't sell one more spot per hour - or get a significantly better rate - if they have Slick as the product instead of a voice track? Not to mention how much effect a good 7-midnight jock has on the morning show, and the rate that they get for those spots.
That's a breakdown that even a bean counter should be able to understand.
Citadel Buffalo managed to rescue Shredd and Ragan from the trash heap during the Opie & Anthony fiasco. Let's hope that they can work the same magic with Slick Tom. It will be to EVERYONE'S advantage.
Re: I Hope I'll be missed!!
Hello to all the radio posters. I came to this site to see who else at Citadel had been cut. Yes....I was one of them. My name is Gail Ann Huber. Thanks for assuming that I won't be missed Sirox...whatever. I was with the station for nearly six years and did an awful lot for Citadel, but mostly, I enjoyed my job.
I am a single parent of two young children and doing this job allowed me the opportunity to pay my mortgage, have a vehicle and live life in general. We are not an extravagant family by any means, but we survived on my check.
Losing a job sucks, but when you read comments about "not being missed", it sucks double. Please allow those of us who have had our lives upended a little time to lick our wounds. Have a little respect for us and the fact that we have carried the torch in a very uncertain time for radio.
Slick Tom....if you're out there....I love ya man! And to all my radio friends, God Bless and go fight the good fight for Slick and me!
Hello to all the radio posters. I came to this site to see who else at Citadel had been cut. Yes....I was one of them. My name is Gail Ann Huber. Thanks for assuming that I won't be missed Sirox...whatever. I was with the station for nearly six years and did an awful lot for Citadel, but mostly, I enjoyed my job.
I am a single parent of two young children and doing this job allowed me the opportunity to pay my mortgage, have a vehicle and live life in general. We are not an extravagant family by any means, but we survived on my check.
Losing a job sucks, but when you read comments about "not being missed", it sucks double. Please allow those of us who have had our lives upended a little time to lick our wounds. Have a little respect for us and the fact that we have carried the torch in a very uncertain time for radio.
Slick Tom....if you're out there....I love ya man! And to all my radio friends, God Bless and go fight the good fight for Slick and me!
Re: I Hope I'll be missed!!
Best of luck to you Gail in finding work. I am keeping my fingers crossed that something better will come your way.
Radio is a tough business, but a rewarding one; especially if you love broadcasting as most of us do.
Unfortunately those who can't seem to be in charge of those of us who can ( or in my case could).
If you get my drift.
overandout said:Hello to all the radio posters. I came to this site to see who else at Citadel had been cut. Yes....I was one of them. My name is Gail Ann Huber. Thanks for assuming that I won't be missed Sirox...whatever. I was with the station for nearly six years and did an awful lot for Citadel, but mostly, I enjoyed my job.
I am a single parent of two young children and doing this job allowed me the opportunity to pay my mortgage, have a vehicle and live life in general. We are not an extravagant family by any means, but we survived on my check.
Losing a job sucks, but when you read comments about "not being missed", it sucks double. Please allow those of us who have had our lives upended a little time to lick our wounds. Have a little respect for us and the fact that we have carried the torch in a very uncertain time for radio.
Slick Tom....if you're out there....I love ya man! And to all my radio friends, God Bless and go fight the good fight for Slick and me!
Best of luck to you Gail in finding work. I am keeping my fingers crossed that something better will come your way.
Radio is a tough business, but a rewarding one; especially if you love broadcasting as most of us do.
Unfortunately those who can't seem to be in charge of those of us who can ( or in my case could).
If you get my drift.
I think Gail Ann provides us with a reality check here. We often write about others, using our anonymous monikers, and don't think about the impact our posts might have on living, thinking people in our business. I will say some, whether right-wing talk show nuts or management weasels, are deserving of the criticism we level. I don't intend to speak for Sir Rox. But I'm sure he wouldn't have written his comment if he knew Gail Ann would be one of the readers. On a day like this, I don't think anyone would want to make Gail Ann feel any worse than she does right now.
Ironically, on another thread about Rochester rock radio, someone wrote about how good Buffalo has it with such a great station as 97 Rock. The writer expressed hopes that Citadel would not tinker with the product as it tries to improve its bottom line. Less than two hours after reading that post, these cuts come down. The fact is 97 Rock is now a lesser station without Tom Tiberi in the time-honored evening slot.
Ironically, on another thread about Rochester rock radio, someone wrote about how good Buffalo has it with such a great station as 97 Rock. The writer expressed hopes that Citadel would not tinker with the product as it tries to improve its bottom line. Less than two hours after reading that post, these cuts come down. The fact is 97 Rock is now a lesser station without Tom Tiberi in the time-honored evening slot.
Re: I Hope I'll be missed!!
Sorry if I sounded harsh. When I said that "I don't know how much she'll be missed", it's because I don't listen to Mix in the morning, or much morning radio for that matter. I do listen to Slick Tom at night with some frequency. I hear Mix during mid-days and afternoon drive fairly often. I also tune them in on the weekend because I like their "Flashback Weekends", although that rotation is getting stale.
Getting fired sucks. I've been there more than once. I've never gone into a radio job with the thought that I'd be retiring from that station with a golden watch and a golden parachute. I've always gone in with the idea that I'd be leaving eventually - either voluntarily or not.
I hope that you find a place to land that pays a living wage, allows you to use your talent to the benefit of your audience, allows you to find peace of mind, and lets you move on with your life. The same goes for all the other radio people who have put blood, sweat, tears, and talent into the maw of the bilge-spewing machine that much of corporate radio has become.
overandout said:Hello to all the radio posters. I came to this site to see who else at Citadel had been cut. Yes....I was one of them. My name is Gail Ann Huber. Thanks for assuming that I won't be missed Sirox...whatever. I was with the station for nearly six years and did an awful lot for Citadel, but mostly, I enjoyed my job.
Sorry if I sounded harsh. When I said that "I don't know how much she'll be missed", it's because I don't listen to Mix in the morning, or much morning radio for that matter. I do listen to Slick Tom at night with some frequency. I hear Mix during mid-days and afternoon drive fairly often. I also tune them in on the weekend because I like their "Flashback Weekends", although that rotation is getting stale.
Getting fired sucks. I've been there more than once. I've never gone into a radio job with the thought that I'd be retiring from that station with a golden watch and a golden parachute. I've always gone in with the idea that I'd be leaving eventually - either voluntarily or not.
I hope that you find a place to land that pays a living wage, allows you to use your talent to the benefit of your audience, allows you to find peace of mind, and lets you move on with your life. The same goes for all the other radio people who have put blood, sweat, tears, and talent into the maw of the bilge-spewing machine that much of corporate radio has become.
Your initial post did appear a tad brusque, Rox, so it is good to read your clarification. To Ms. Huber: My condolences on the loss of your job at Mix 104. Truth be told, there have been times when I too have been as brusque, if not moreso, as Mr. Roxalot. It helps to be reminded that we're talking about PEOPLE when we patter off our little screeds on these boards. These are people with families, homes and bills to pay. Getting fired is a blow to a person's self-esteem, whether one works in radio, TV, Chevy Tonawanda or Wegmans... although Chevy and Wegmans have better benefits than radio and TV. What we're seeing at radio stations all over the country is the Wal-Mart effect: Cut jobs, cut payrolls, cut benefits, all in the name of bottom line efficiency. It's not about entertainment or even news. Just when do the CEOs take their paycuts? From the looks of the share prices of some of these companies, Entercom, Citadel, Regent, Emmis, these guys should be cutting their own salaries and benefits.
My best goes out to everyone on the outs. And I almost thought that Buffalo was going to be immune to these type of cuts but it seems to be without exception these days.
T
talkjim
Guest
As one who spent some time in the news room at WGR-AM in the 80's when it was co-owned with 97 Rock, I remember Slick Tom's first days there. He's a personality--not a cookie cutter jock. Never really got to know him, but I do wish him the best.
Slick Move?
I can tell you one thing. If I'm sitting in one of the offices with a view at Regent, I'd be thinking that a "Slick Tom Morning Show" would fit nicely with the irreverent tone of "Jack".
Do you think that the sales people could bring in an extra spot an hour if they had a live body there in the morning? I'd bet that Slick would work for that kind of money - and earn them a hefty profit.
I can tell you one thing. If I'm sitting in one of the offices with a view at Regent, I'd be thinking that a "Slick Tom Morning Show" would fit nicely with the irreverent tone of "Jack".
Do you think that the sales people could bring in an extra spot an hour if they had a live body there in the morning? I'd bet that Slick would work for that kind of money - and earn them a hefty profit.
Re: My Sincere Thanks
I thank all of you who have either e-mailed me, posted a note, or called me in regards to my job loss at Mix. Since Wednesday, I have watched as more people in Western New York have lost their jobs at Fisher Price, at local auto makers, at production plants in the Falls and on and on and on.
I think this is a time that we should all appreciate the things that we have and reach out to those whose lives are now changed. This is a scary time for many people. Your many words of encouragement have given me much strength and I wanted to express my gratitude!
Thank you!
I thank all of you who have either e-mailed me, posted a note, or called me in regards to my job loss at Mix. Since Wednesday, I have watched as more people in Western New York have lost their jobs at Fisher Price, at local auto makers, at production plants in the Falls and on and on and on.
I think this is a time that we should all appreciate the things that we have and reach out to those whose lives are now changed. This is a scary time for many people. Your many words of encouragement have given me much strength and I wanted to express my gratitude!
Thank you!
Hard Times
Best of Luck, Gail. Indeed, there are a lot of people getting bad news at a tough time of the year.
If only you'd been in TV, wearing that TV makeup. Then you'd have experience that would have qualified you for Radknowski's spackle crew. At least he (and others here) offer proof that there is life beyond radio. The ability to communicate succinctly and clearly is not to be scoffed at in today's world.
Best of Luck, Gail. Indeed, there are a lot of people getting bad news at a tough time of the year.
If only you'd been in TV, wearing that TV makeup. Then you'd have experience that would have qualified you for Radknowski's spackle crew. At least he (and others here) offer proof that there is life beyond radio. The ability to communicate succinctly and clearly is not to be scoffed at in today's world.
The Slick tom Morning Show on Jack. That's a superb idea with great counter-programming possibilities. The only downside is, Slick Tom would have to transition from nights to mornings and he's been known to tell listeners that he's not a morning person. I heard a phone bit Slick did a few months ago where some guy was talking about something Norton did on the morning show. Slick Tom replied that he usually falls asleep around 6 a.m. and misses most of Norton's show.
the "SLICK TOM" MORNING Sic'ness:
who says, the "slick TOM" morning show, has to
start to at 6am !?
have (that gail) , as i also don't her personally, not falling
into the mix/demo - but, have heard her name, in the sweepers...
any ways,
gail 6am-10am,
slick tom's morning sickness, 10am-2,pm...
hey, its jack -fm - reeely, how serious, do u think listeners take them!?
who says, the "slick TOM" morning show, has to
start to at 6am !?
have (that gail) , as i also don't her personally, not falling
into the mix/demo - but, have heard her name, in the sweepers...
any ways,
gail 6am-10am,
slick tom's morning sickness, 10am-2,pm...
hey, its jack -fm - reeely, how serious, do u think listeners take them!?
Radknowski said:The only downside is, Slick Tom would have to transition from nights to mornings and he's been known to tell listeners that he's not a morning person. I heard a phone bit Slick did a few months ago where some guy was talking about something Norton did on the morning show. Slick Tom replied that he usually falls asleep around 6 a.m. and misses most of Norton's show.
My guess is........
Given today's economic climate and the already widespread effects of radio consolidation.....you'll get up when you NEED to.
Re: the "SLICK TOM" MORNING Sic'ness:
RBO, I sent you an email message on this board re: Willy B. Did you get it?
Radio_bored-Op said:hey, its jack -fm - reeely, how serious, do u think listeners take them!?
RBO, I sent you an email message on this board re: Willy B. Did you get it?
This is a sad state of affairs. Rox, i DO think you meant that "she won't be missed". Please be accountable for what you say. This is not to bash, but anyone who remains anonynous, like Rox, myself, or anyone else has a reason for being unknown. I challenge anyone who TRULY believes in your convictions, to say who you really are, yes, with a real name. Gail Ann did. Others do. But not Rox. I wonder why.
Super Sad?
Supe, I think that I have a pretty good record of saying what I mean in a direct manner. I've already expanded on my comment about Ms. Huber. I hope that she lands on her feet somewhere. The way things are going in "the biz", I hope that she finds a career path that's a bit more stable for the sake of her own sanity and her role as a single mom.
As I've explained before, my terms of employment prevent me from openly posting on industry forums. I either have to post anonymously, or risk violating my terms of employment. A number of other people who obviously work in the business post on this board under aliases for the same reason. In point of fact, Ms. Huber was not a poster on this board under her real name until after her employment was terminated.
So, Supe, why do YOU post under an alias? Care to clue us in on your "real name"? Would it make your observations any more (or less) valid?
superset weekend said:This is a sad state of affairs. Rox, i DO think you meant that "she won't be missed". Please be accountable for what you say. This is not to bash, but anyone who remains anonynous, like Rox, myself, or anyone else has a reason for being unknown. I challenge anyone who TRULY believes in your convictions, to say who you really are, yes, with a real name. Gail Ann did. Others do. But not Rox. I wonder why.
Supe, I think that I have a pretty good record of saying what I mean in a direct manner. I've already expanded on my comment about Ms. Huber. I hope that she lands on her feet somewhere. The way things are going in "the biz", I hope that she finds a career path that's a bit more stable for the sake of her own sanity and her role as a single mom.
As I've explained before, my terms of employment prevent me from openly posting on industry forums. I either have to post anonymously, or risk violating my terms of employment. A number of other people who obviously work in the business post on this board under aliases for the same reason. In point of fact, Ms. Huber was not a poster on this board under her real name until after her employment was terminated.
So, Supe, why do YOU post under an alias? Care to clue us in on your "real name"? Would it make your observations any more (or less) valid?
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