Monday, November 19, 2012

CC RIFs Make News In Toledo

From Kris Turner, Business Writer, Toledo Blade:
Toledo Blade photo
Last week’s exit of WSPD-AM 1370 talk-radio host Brian Wilson follows a yearlong pattern of dismissals, layoffs, and corporate maneuvering by Clear Channel Communications Inc. that has sent scores of people to the unemployment line. 
Clear Channel, the largest radio station operator in the country, is partially owned by Bain Capital, which is the company founded and previously run by former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. 
On-air talent and behind-the-scenes employees have been shown the door or programming has been eliminated in markets that include Los Angeles, Boston, Tampa, San Diego, Madison, Wis., Springfield, Mo., Oklahoma City, Nashville, and, most recently, Toledo
Clear Channel has taken a different approach to letting its employees go in 2012, said Jerry Del Colliano, who closely follows Clear Channel’s movements in his blog, Inside Music Media. Mr. Del Colliano writes about radio companies and industry changes. 
“They’ve been nipping and tucking a lot since last November,” Mr. Del Colliano said. “There has been a substantial number of people [let go]. I can’t estimate it, [but] a handful of people every week for 52 weeks. 
It’s impossible to tell how many people Clear Channel has laid off or dismissed because that information is not included in its filings with the federal government. The Blade learned of many of the departures and programming cuts by reviewing news releases and media reports and conducting interviews with former employees of radio stations.
Wilson announced his departure via Facebook on Monday, posting this: “I am glad to have had the opportunity to preach the gospel of freedom and liberty to Northwest Ohio. Wish I had the chance on the air to say thank you and good-bye to my listeners. I will continue to make every effort to spread the message of free markets and liberty.” 
Wilson’s wife, Cassie Wilson, resigned from her post as Clear Channel Toledo director of news operations and news anchor at WSPD in May, 2009. Her resignation came shortly after the company announced it was replacing local midday news programming with newscasts from the firm’s Cincinnati talk-radio station, WLW-AM 700. 
Andy Stuart, WSPD’s vice president and regional market manager, did not respond to requests for comment.

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