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Stan Piatt hanging up the headphones

D

DLMD

Stan Piatt announced his retirement on WNIR this morning. Grab a cooler, a lawn chair, and let's see what The House of Klaus does with this.
 
At least Stan has the good fortune of retiring on his own terms and in his own time...unlike Howie Chizek, Joe Finan and Tom Erickson. Don't see the Klaus selling...despite the loss of some key name personalities...it's a low overhead (they don't invest any money in the physical plant), high profit business with a known name brand in the Akron market. Expect another contest to be the next Stan Piatt, and for them to hire one of the many traveling comedians who appear on Stan's show...even after a year, the Couch Burner is still getting better ratings than any other show on that station. You either get WNIR, or you don't...and those that do, will continue to follow the station for years to come.
 
I heard about this a few days ago, and was suprised...but, not stunned. Apparently Stan is leaving the area too.

It's been a crazy, hectic few years at WNIR, for sure.
 
The Kaiser could move Couch to mornings as he could pull it off. Move the other hosts up one shift and either get Bill Hall on evenings or hire someone new. That could be a fairly smooth transition. There is no way that Steve and Maggie can host the morning show on their own as the show is really painful to listen to when Stan is out.

It's sad to see Stan leave, but after Howie and Tom's passing last year, it's understandable he's leaving soon.

When is Stan leaving?
 
My understanding is he has given the "official two week notice". Someone mentioned he was leaving the area - yes - he's relocating to the Pittsburgh area. Incredible sweeping changes across that station within the last two years.

Stan's a good guy... I wish him the best.
 
From what I understand, he's not leaving for another radio job. It's a lifestyle choice. Oh, the things we baby boomers do....LOL.

Many, many changes at WNIR in the past few years. Really, they've had a great run with very few major staff changes until a year or so ago when Howie passed away, then Tom Erickson. Plus a few on the rest of the staff experienced relatives passing.

The station will be fine. Like somebody said, they have a loyal audience and a strong "brand" in the Akron area. Most music radio stations are overly-predictable and kinda boring....so, by comparison, WNIR stands out and screams "local".
 
Who retires to Pittsburgh? ??? She must be a very special person for Stan to walk away from WNIR. I suppose he does not want to do the show via ISDN? Supposedly WNIR purchased the equipment when they used to broadcast Kent State sports but never used it.
 
Stan has been talking retirement for the last few years... but he shelved his personal plans after the sudden death of Howie, then Tom's illness and passing until the station regained some stability. His plans are strictly personal; no radio plans in the works.

I'm the last person to speculate, but based on recent decisions ... it would be hard to imagine any major changes at WNIR - more of a reshuffling I would think.
 
Sadly, because there is no drama. He has chosen to go out on his own terms and today that does not make a great story to todays editors.
Then again, if the local media you speak of is the Beacon Journal, they'd be the last to know.
 
John's right. From people I know there...Stan is serious...not a salary ploy.

Also, ABJ's Sheldon Ocker announced tonight he will retire after the current Indians season formally ends.

Along with the 4 firings at WKNR today...it's been a busy week already in NE Ohio media.

Even more signs of a rapidly-changing advertising and media environment...driven by huge changes in consumer media usage habits to digital and more and more ad dollars heading to on-line platforms. Pweh!

I heard rumors of this happening to traditional media about 5 or 6 years ago. At that time many people laughed and said it'd "never happen" or that if it did it'd be in "10 to 20 years". Amazingly fast, significant changes.
 
What do you want to bet the Klaus family will try to talk Stan out of retiring?
They've been through a lot in the past year or so. More major changes certainly isn't welcomed.
 
latest intel is that it will be AT LEAST mid September before any "Best Wishes" candles will be blown out. Could be the reason why there's no media coverage or even on air discussion about it.
 
Best guess is they are trying to talk him out of leaving (who can blame them?), while hedging their bets by looking for a replacement, just in case.
 
Stan gone sooner than some think

I will be shocked if Stan Piatt's retirement doesn't begin sometime this Fall. This is very unlikely to drag on very long....maybe a couple months (my guess).

Keep hearing it's nothing against WNIR or radio, he just wants to call it a career and move out of state to be with a loved one(s).
 
On Tuesday Maggie Fuller resigned from WNIR. And, Stan Piatt did the same.

Both are now gone and not listed on their website.

Wow...so many critical losses to their on-air host lineup in the past year or so have got to have the ownership reeling.

With the internet beginning to really impact traditional media's ad revenues anyway all over the country....the recent changes at WNIR can't be good, I'm sure.
 
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