Michael Ferro Jr.

At least 11 full-time positions were eliminated last week in the year’s first round of layoffs at Sun-Times Media, sources said. More layoffs are expected soon.

The latest job cuts hit Sun-Times Media advertising operations and Custom Media Solutions, the unit responsible for publishing niche content for specialty online and print products. Some of the layoffs were related to outsourcing and to changes in the economics of custom publishing, according to insiders. Continue reading →

Patrick Elwood

Patrick Elwood, the former reporter and noon news anchor who was forced out after 15 years at WFLD-Channel 32, has landed part-time work at WGN-Channel 9.

Elwood debuted Friday on the Tribune Broadcasting station as a freelance reporter. “As a native Chicagoan who’s worked here for several years, he clearly knows the city,” said WGN news director Greg Caputo. “And I’m glad he’ll be able to do some reporting for us.”

Elwood was among numerous Chicago news veterans who were purged from Fox 32 last year as management remade the station. He was succeeded in his last role as feature reporter on “Good Day Chicago” by Jake Hamilton, former movie reviewer for KRIV-TV, the Fox station in Houston. Continue reading →

Back on the beat after a short break and catching up on high levels of radio activity:

• For the first time since July 15, 2011, alternative rock was heard Friday on WIQI FM 101.1 as Cumulus Media began simulcasting Merlin Media’s modern rock Q87.7 Underground Alternative. The move followed the announcement that Cumulus would acquire WIQI and classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 after operating the stations under a local marketing agreement. Insiders described the transition from Merlin to Cumulus so far as “smooth, cordial and collaborative.” The simulcast is expected to continue for 30 to 45 days, after which WLFM LP 87.7 will drop the format. Continue reading →

Linda Yu

Veteran Chicago news anchor Linda Yu is off the air indefinitely while recovering from injuries suffered in a motor vehicle accident earlier in the week.

Yu, 67, was out of town when the accident happened, according to colleagues at WLS-Channel 7, who said they believed she was riding on the back of a motorcycle. Continue reading →

Rick O'Dell

Chicago’s premier smooth jazz programmer is teaming up with Chicago’s premier radio station group to bring the mellow music format to HD Radio.

Rick O’Dell’s SmoothJazzChicago.net will be simulcast on Hubbard Radio’s WTMX 101.9 HD2, the secondary digital audio channel linked with the modern adult contemporary station, starting at noon Tuesday.

O’Dell, who pioneered smooth jazz in Chicago and was its signature voice for more than 25 years at WNUA FM 95.5 and WLFM LP 87.7, launched the site as a free 24/7 streaming digital station in November 2012. In addition to O’Dell, SmoothJazzChicago.net features Bill Cochran, Scott Adams and Patti Genko. Continue reading →

Ed Swiderski and Natalie Bomke

Here is a letter I received Friday from Edward R. Swiderski III, a Chicago marketing technology executive and former contestant on ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” on behalf of his girlfriend, Natalie Bomke, co-anchor of “Good Day Chicago” on Fox-owned WFLD-Channel 32.

I’m posting it in its entirety without comment: Continue reading →

Daniel Schmidt

Once again a costly and time-consuming “nationwide search” by Chicago’s public broadcasting bureaucrats has ended up right back where it began.

On Monday, Daniel Schmidt, president and CEO of WTTW-Channel 11 and classical WFMT FM 98.7, promoted Jill Britton to senior vice president and chief development officer of parent company Window to the World Communications Inc. Britton has held various fundraising jobs with the company since 2006, rising from director of development for individual giving to senior vice president. Continue reading →

Scott Miller (left) and Pete McMurray

You gotta love Pete McMurray. And starting Monday, there’ll be an hour more to love him each night on WGN AM 720.

The veteran Chicago radio personality, who’s been hosting from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. weeknights since September, will now hit the air at 10 p.m. — trimming one hour from David Kaplan’s sports show on the Tribune Broadcasting news/talk station. Continue reading →

Dave Savini

CBS-owned WBBM-Channel 2 was keeping mum Saturday on the arrest of veteran investigative reporter Dave Savini, who faces charges of hit-and-run, driving under the influence, battery and endangering the life of a child.

The Daily Herald reported that police in west suburban Naperville arrested Savini shortly after midnight Saturday after he was reported to have been involved in a traffic accident in the parking lot of a Taco Bell. The driver of the other vehicle said Savini pushed him when he took a photograph of Savini’s license plate, according to police. Continue reading →

Randy Michaels (standing, right)

“The end may be nearer than you think for Merlin Media. GTCR, the private equity firm that partnered with CEO Randy Michaels to form the company in July 2011, is actively seeking buyers for all of Merlin Media’s properties, including adult hits WIQI FM 101.1 and classic rock WLUP FM 97.9 here.” — Robert Feder, Time Out Chicago, Sept. 25, 2012

“Merlin is not for sale.” — Randy Michaels, Radio Business Report, Sept. 26, 2012  Continue reading →