Original Report 4/24: A round of layoffs is ongoing today at Audacy.
Sources indicate approximately just under 100 employees were be affected today, with the company pegging the number as less than 2% of their total workforce. While the majority of the cuts appear to be centered on a few corporate teams, we have heard of at least one programmer and on-air talent who were let go today. The hardest hit departments were the corporate Digital Editorial and Social Strategy departments along with the Traffic Weather Information Network.
We have confirmed RBR’s report that Digital Editorial Director Suzanne Rozdeba and Sr. Director of Social Content & Strategy Jessica Levy have both exited along with members of their teams. Rozdeba joined Audacy in January 2019 as Digital Managing Editor and rose to her now-former position in July 2022. She previously held digital editorial and production roles for New York Magazine, NBC News, CBS, and Bauer Media Group. Levy joined Audacy in May 2019 after prior stints as Social Media Manager at SiriusXM, Live Nation, and CMJ, Manager of Content and Strategy for The Foundry @ Meredith, and Digital Marketing Manager for Wenner Media. Also exiting are National Social Media Managers Emily Burton and Scott Krava.
In a statement regarding the cuts, a company spokesperson said, “Audacy is performing well against our 2024 business plan, and we are on track to emerge as a stronger and healthier company, well positioned for a bright future as a differentiated, scaled industry leader with the industry’s strongest balance sheet. As we continue to make large investments and drive enhancements across our business, we are simultaneously implementing some difficult but necessary decisions that will impact less than 2% of our workforce to best position our company for long-term growth.”
Among those confirming their departures:
Rick Dayton has departed afternoons at News/Talk 1020/100.1 KDKA Pittsburgh. Dayton joined KDKA in December 2020 after previously spending eleven years as morning news anchor at KDKA-TV. The station is extending the hours of its other shows as Larry Richert’s morning show will now run from 5:30 to 10:00am, Marty Griffin moves from 9am-12pm to 10am-2pm and Colin Dunlap is now listed from 2-6pm.
Mike Kadlick has announced his departure as New England Patriots reporter at Sports 93.7 WEEI Boston. Kadlick joined WEEI in May 2023 after previously hosting podcasts for CNLS Media.
Christine Richie, Evening host at Hot AC “New 102.7” WNEW New York. Richie had been with WNEW since 2011 after previously spending eight years at 95.5 WPLJ. She has also worked in Philadelphia at 104.5 WYXR turned WLCE, 101.1 WBEB, and 96.5 WPTP, and WINC-FM Winchester VA.
Chuck Taylor has exited afternoons at AC “Lite 100.5” WRCH Hartford. Taylor took afternoons at the station in 2014 after time as a fill-in host. He previously has hosted mornings in the market at 105.9 WHCN and has also worked in the Hudson Valley.
The Laurel reports that news anchors Kevin Gorden and Greg Little were among the cuts at News/Talk 1080 WTIC Hartford.
Crain’s Chicago Business reports that five of the eight digital staffers at News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS Chicago were let go.
Rich Lieberman reports that fill-in anchor Dan Mitchinson, reporter Alice Wertz, and overnight traffic reporter Frank Munich exit News 740 KCBS/106.9 KFRC San Francisco.
Update 4/25: More names associated with yesterday’s layoffs have become public.
Joan Dylan – midday host, Music and Imaging Director at AC “Lite 100.5” WRCH Hartford. Dylan joined WRCH in 1999 and also has spent time at Rock “I95” WRKI Danbury CT and The WOR Radio Network. Her shift will now be tracked by WQAL Cleveland morning co-host Jen Toohey.
Keith Johnson – afternoon co-anchor at News 780 WBBM/105.9 WCFS Chicago. Johnson had been with WBBM for just shy of 30 years after previously working at WHUR and WTOP Washington DC. Lisa Fielding will now anchor afternoons solo.
Jake Kaplan – Most recently Director of Imaging and Sound Design for the company, Kaplan had been with Audacy and CBS Radio since 2004 with time as Creative Director for WHFS, KCBS-FM, and KROQ, and Operations and Creative Director for “97.1 Amp Radio” KAMP Los Angeles and “Channel Q“.
Tony Luna – Program Director of Spanish CHR “Mega 101” KLOL Houston. Luna had programmed KLOL since 2012 after originally consulting the station. Luna previously spent a decade programming SBS’ “Mega 97.9” WSKQ and “93.1 Amor” WPAT-FM New York after launching “Caliente 105.9” WCAA for HBC.
Casey Osburn – PD/afternoon host at Hot AC “105.3 The Buzz” KFBZ Wichita since 2017. Osburn spent 15 years at “My 93.1” KHMY Hutchinson KS including eight as PD before joining KFBZ.
John Principale – Senior Director of Consumer Marketing since 2022. Principale previously held roles as Senior Director of Partner Activation and Senior Manager Account Activation for Audacy and CBS Radio after moving over from programming where he was APD/MD for Clear Channel Phoenix. He also worked on-air at CHR “92.3 Now” WNOW-FM New York.
Amber Wilkerson – midday host at Hot AC “Alice 105.9” KALC Denver. A former contestant on The Bachelor, Wilkerson joined KALC as midday co-host in 2018 before moving to afternoon co-host and then back to solo middays.
