Jay Dixon out at Kiss 104.1 after seven years as PD, 11 yrs with Cox Radio

[rho01]

I was sent this memo this morning:

KISS 104.1 has been looking for ways to be more efficient in this highly competitive environment. As part of that process, we have evaluated the marketplace and made some difficult choices regarding running our business operations.

Effective today, we are eliminating the role of program director at KISS 104.1. I will take over those duties in addition to my current role and responsibilities. You may contact me either by phone or email with any questions you may have regarding my new duties.

We realize that personnel changes impact everyone – personally and professionally – and we appreciate Jay Dixon’s 11 years of service to this company. As this process runs its course, I will provide updates as they are available so that you are aware of what is happening. Thank you in advance for your patience.

 

[secondchoice]

Effective today, we are eliminating the role of program director at KISS 104.1. I will take over those duties in addition to my current role and responsibilities. You may contact me either by phone or email with any questions you may have regarding my new duties.

Who is "I" ?

 

[radiomerlot]

Very sad day for Atlanta Radio. Jay was one of the good guys.

 

[radiomerlot]

"I" is probobly Tony Kidd.

 

[rho01]

Sorry. Forgot to include the "I." Yes, it's Tony Kidd.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

Jay is a true radio and music guy, and has a great reputation.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

And the next question is, who is going to do evenings (Slow Jams)? I guess I should turn on the radio and find out who's on.

 

[kilamanjero]

That's Cox Radio for ya... I remember when Jay Dixon was with Cox Radio Birmingham and then moved to Atlanta back in 2004 as the PD of Kiss 104.1 and now-defunct 97.1 Jamz.

It's ironic that Cox is beating CBS in Orlando and CBS is beating the brakes off Cox in Atlanta (their hometown). I expect more changes to occur with the musical programming of Kiss 104.1 as an UAC.

 

[ShawtyBlack_ATL]

KISS 104.1 is dead, IMO. Cox blew it's chance in Urban radio when 97.1 JAMZ and 95.5 THE BEAT died.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

The position was said to be eliminated, but I can't imagine a major Cox station having no one listed as PD. I believe a PD will be named within the coming months.

 

[jabba17]

That's Cox Radio for ya... I remember when Jay Dixon was with Cox Radio Birmingham and then moved to Atlanta back in 2004 as the PD of Kiss 104.1 and now-defunct 97.1 Jamz.

It's ironic that Cox is beating CBS in Orlando and CBS is beating the brakes off Cox in Atlanta (their hometown). I expect more changes to occur with the musical programming of Kiss 104.1 as an UAC.

Cox has had a man crush on V-103 for decades, going back at least as far as AURA (ATL Urban Radio Alliance, a JV between Cox and Midwestern/Dickey, the then-owner of 104.7) in the early 90s, if not before that.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

That's Cox Radio for ya... I remember when Jay Dixon was with Cox Radio Birmingham and then moved to Atlanta back in 2004 as the PD of Kiss 104.1 and now-defunct 97.1 Jamz.

It's ironic that Cox is beating CBS in Orlando and CBS is beating the brakes off Cox in Atlanta (their hometown). I expect more changes to occur with the musical programming of Kiss 104.1 as an UAC.

I doubt Cox really expects to ever beat V-103 for a lot of reasons, including heritage, signal, mystique, personalities, community. Kiss, however, wants to be the "adult station." And Kiss is getting a major challenge on that front from Majic. As long as it's Steve Harvey versus Tom Joyner, that challenge will continue.

 

[RoddyFreeman]

And by the way, on paper it looks like Kiss has a better signal, same 100,000 watts with more height. But V-103 transmits from right inside Atlanta, and from the best sight in town for dominating the African-American audience. Kiss transmits from Newnan.

Kiss is trying to move much closer in to the 107-9/96.7 tower in Tyrone. It would stay at 100KW at about half its current height. But mounting a new antenna atop that tower has caused county ordinance issues.

 

[kilamanjero]

KISS 104.1 is dead, IMO. Cox blew it's chance in Urban radio when 97.1 JAMZ and 95.5 THE BEAT died.

Cox can't program urban radio, period. If you listen to any of their urban stations that target 18-34 in Miami and Birmingham, then you would know why CBS is beating the brakes off them in Atlanta with V-103. That rhythmic/UAC combo in Orlando is just a lame if not lamer than the other 2 cities when it comes to musical programming, but CBS cares more about the other stations in the cluster than they do (WJHM) 102 Jamz. Although CBS-owned Hot 93.7 Hartford doesn't compete directly with Yale-owned UAC by Cox-managed WYBC-FM, but Hot still beats them in all demos across the board (especially at night from 10pm-midnight with the 25-54).

 

[RoddyFreeman]

KISS 104.1 is dead, IMO. Cox blew it's chance in Urban radio when 97.1 JAMZ and 95.5 THE BEAT died.

Cox can't program urban radio, period. If you listen to any of their urban stations that target 18-34 in Miami and Birmingham, then you would know why CBS is beating the brakes off them in Atlanta with V-103. That rhythmic/UAC combo in Orlando is just a lame if not lamer than the other 2 cities when it comes to musical programming, but CBS cares more about the other stations in the cluster than they do (WJHM) 102 Jamz. Although CBS-owned Hot 93.7 Hartford doesn't compete directly with Yale-owned UAC by Cox-managed WYBC-FM, but Hot still beats them in all demos across the board (especially at night from 10pm-midnight with the 25-54).

Well, Tony Kidd oversees the Cox Urbans. I know Tony and have to say he's a very savvy radio guy IMHO.

To me, Kiss 104.1 has sounded like a state-of-the-art Urban AC (or R&B Oldies station until recently). They don't try to do what V-103 does. And I wonder if Joyner is going to be hurting them in the morning now that they've gone in a younger direction.

By the way, years ago, Tony Kidd was a country jock, and I think the market was Birmingham.

 

[littlejohn]

Tony was the afternoon guy for WZZK in the glory days. Consummate jock, "Hell-lo dere!!"

 

[kilamanjero]

KISS 104.1 is dead, IMO. Cox blew it's chance in Urban radio when 97.1 JAMZ and 95.5 THE BEAT died.

Cox can't program urban radio, period. If you listen to any of their urban stations that target 18-34 in Miami and Birmingham, then you would know why CBS is beating the brakes off them in Atlanta with V-103. That rhythmic/UAC combo in Orlando is just a lame if not lamer than the other 2 cities when it comes to musical programming, but CBS cares more about the other stations in the cluster than they do (WJHM) 102 Jamz. Although CBS-owned Hot 93.7 Hartford doesn't compete directly with Yale-owned UAC by Cox-managed WYBC-FM, but Hot still beats them in all demos across the board (especially at night from 10pm-midnight with the 25-54).

Well, Tony Kidd oversees the Cox Urbans. I know Tony and have to say he's a very savvy radio guy IMHO.

To me, Kiss 104.1 has sounded like a state-of-the-art Urban AC (or R&B Oldies station until recently). They don't try to do what V-103 does. And I wonder if Joyner is going to be hurting them in the morning now that they've gone in a younger direction.

By the way, years ago, Tony Kidd was a country jock, and I think the market was Birmingham.

Well, you need to tell Tony to step it up in Birmingham and Miami, big time. I know numerous young professionals that have literally given up on listening to anything local in either cities because 95.7 Jamz and 99 Jams are both awful. They have complained how both stations have missed hit songs on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts over the past 15 years and never heard the songs until they either listen to stations in other markets or on the internet. Ironically, both stations are the only urbans targeting the 18-34 demographic in each market.