In addition to the departures of morning hosts Pat & AJ Clark from AC “Cars 108” WCRZ Flint MI on Monday, additional cuts have recently been made at additional Townsquare Media markets.
At least four staffers have exited the company’s Monmouth/Ocean NJ cluster.
- Liz Jeressi departs mornings at Hot AC “94.3 The Point” WJLK Asbury Park after over two decades with the station and 18 years in mornings with Lou Russo, who will remain in the daypart solo for now at least.
- Justin Louis is out as APD/MD/afternoon host at AC 92.7 WOBM-FM Toms River. Louis has been with WOBM-FM since 2007 after stints at WHYN Springfield MA and WMHX Harrisburg PA. Townsquare Media Monmouth/Ocean Director of Content JB Wilde will succeed Louis in afternoons.
- Andy Chase departs as APD/afternoon host at Classic Rock “105.7 The Hawk” WCHR-FM Manahawkin just shy of a dozen years at the station.
- Chris Varacchi departs as midday host at WCHR-FM. The cuts of Chase and Varacchi leave no local talent on the station.
We noticed that additional weekend and part-time hosts have been removed from the schedules in that cluster but cannot verify their departures yet.
Townsquare COO Erik Hellum told the Star-Ledger, “We made a decision that we need to make a few changes to make 94.3 The Point, 105.7 The Hawk and WOBM the best stations they could be, providing the best possible local entertainment and information to our New Jersey audience, on air and online. That said, we appreciate the work they have done and wish them nothing but the best. But despite the fact that the pandemic has presented significant economic challenges, we are not eliminating positions, as we plan to hire, as I note below.” He stated that the cluster will seek a new morning co-host for WJLK, a cluster Promotions Director who will also host afternoons on WCHR-FM, and an Assistant Director of Content for the cluster.
In Portland ME, we’ve confirmed two departures:
Kwame Dankwa departs as Brand Manager and afternoon host at CHR “Q97.9” WJBQ after just over a year in the position. Dankwa joined WJBQ inc October 2019 after stints programming WRTS Erie and WZRT Rutland and APD of “Power 93.3” KPWK Seattle.
Tommy Carbone exits as Production Director and midday host at Classic Rock 102.9 WBLM after over three decades at the station.