A round of staff reductions is ongoing at Audacy today.
We’re told that the layoffs follow moves to a more regionalized market oversight after yesterday’s promotion of Debbie Kenyon to Regional President overseeing multiple midwestern markets. Kenyon joins Jeff Federman, Mark Hannon, Claudia Menegus and Chief Business Officer Chris Oliviero in Regional President roles for Audacy.
In particular we’ve been told that the company’s Digital Sales departments have received significant cuts.
Among the names being let go:
Cleveland
Joe Czekaj shared on LinkedIn that he has exited as cluster afternoon traffic reporter and night/weekend host on Classic Rock 98.5 WNCX. He wrote, “I very much loved working for Audacy (WNCX, 92.3, Star 102, and Q 104) and after 7 years with them, I was informed today that my position has been eliminated. Thank you to all who tuned in and for the immense support over the years. I’m not sure where I’ll go from here.”
Hartford
Longtime “Lite 100.5” WRCH Hartford afternoon host David Simpson has exited after three decades with the cluster. During his tenure, Simpson was APD/MD at Hot AC 96.5 WTIC-FM and Hip Hop “Hot 93.7” WZMX and hosted weekends at WBMX Boston and WCBS-FM New York. Simpson has also programmed CHR WPRO-FM Providence, served as a music researcher for Zapoleon Media Strategies, and has held on-air positions at WKSS Hartford and WPLJ New York. Simpson can be reached at dgsimpson56@gmail.com.
Houston
Morning hosts Tucker ‘Frito’ Young and Katy Dempsey exit mornings at Country “100.3 The Bull” KILT-FM after just fifteen months. The duo joined KILT-FM in January 2025 after three years in mornings at Cox Country “Y100” KCYY San Antonio preceded by a long run at Bryan Broadcasting College Station TX. Frito originally joined Bryan Broadcasting as a news reporter in 2003 before rising to Promotions Director in 2005 and OM/PD in 2008. After leaving in 2017 for a position outside radio, he returned five months later as Director of Operations and returning to mornings. Dempsey joined KNDE as a weekend host in 2011 before quickly moving up to middays. She moved to mornings alongside Young and added Promotions Director duties in 2013 and rose to Program Director following his first departure in 2017.
Philadelphia
Devan Kaney exits as a contributor and Philadelphia Eagles sideline reporter at Sports 94.1 WIP. Kaney told the Philadelphia Inquirer, ““I had a blast working at WIP and sincerely enjoyed my time there. But as the old saying goes, when one door closes, another opens.”
Seattle
Doug Duin has exited as APD of Hot AC “Emma 94.1” KSWD and Rhythmic Throwbacks “Hot 103.7” KHTP. Duin was also Music Director of KSWD and previously hosted afternoons when it was Soft AC “94.1 The Breeze“. Prior to joining Audacy in 2022, Duin spent nine years at iHeartMedia Seattle from 2010-19 with roles including APD/morning host at Classic Rock “104.9 The Brew” KKBW and Creative Director.
Audacy may not be the only large operator making cuts this week as the first quarter comes to an end. Multiple sources indicate that a similar restructuring focused mainly on sales departments will take place later this week at iHeartMedia.
If you have been affected by these layoffs and wish to share your contact information please reach out to news@radioinsight.com.
This story will be updated as more information becomes public.
