The COVID-19 related economic cuts have reached Urban1’s Radio One and Reach Media divisions.
In a memo obtained by RadioFacts, the company states that they have experienced significant advertising cancellations for second quarter and new business is coming in at a trickling rate. While commenting that they hope to bring many employees back once the crisis ends, they are unwilling to commit to that or even when due to all of the uncertanties. The cuts extended beyond Radio One to parent Urban1’s digital and television properties as well.
Among the names exiting the company are:
Jerry Smith has exited after 20 years as Program Director of Gospel “103.9 The Light” WNNL Raleigh. Since 2014, Smith has also served as Inspirational Content Director overseeing all of Radio One’s Gospel stations.
Dustin Kross departs as Top 40 Format Director overseeing CHR “Radio Now 100.9” WNOW-FM Indianapolis and “Radio Now 92.1” KROI Houston. Cross, who also hosted afternoons at WNOW-FM, joined the company last May after programming KLIF-FM Dallas and serving as APD at WQMP Orlando and WKSL Jacksonville.
Both CHR’s also lost their evening hosts as Mallory Moreno departs WNOW-FM and Amir Diamond at KROI.
‘Jarard J’ Johnson exits nights at R&B “Majic 107.5/97.5” WAMJ/WUMJ Atlanta. Johnson joined the station in November 2018 after stints at WVEE Atlanta and KKFR Phoenix.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports on four on-air cuts in that market. At Hip-Hop “Hot 104.1” WHHL, midday host ‘Meghan O’ O’Donnell and afternoon co-host Ge’Nella ‘Miss Pooh’ McCrary exit. On R&B “95.5 The Lou” WFUN-FM, the afternoon team of DJ Kut and Ms. Sinita depart.
Today is an extremely difficult day for all of us at Radio One and Reach.
As you are aware, we are faced with a time of uncertainty and it is not business as usual. Our businesses have been dramatically affected by the effect of the Coronavirus on our advertisers. We have experienced significant cancellations for second quarter and new business is coming in at a trickling rate. The decline in revenues forces us to react soundly and appropriately to ensure that we are able to operate our businesses going forward.
Unfortunately, this meant having to make very difficult decisions to furlough or layoff many employees, across all divisions of the company today. While we hope to bring many of them back, unfortunately at this time we do not know when this crisis will end.
