Diana Steele

Robservations on the media beat:

Connor McKnight

At least eight on-air personalities and one program director were among dozens of staffers cut at Entercom Chicago radio stations Thursday. They included Elk Grove Village native Diana Steele, midday host at classic hip-hop WBMX 104.3-FM; Mike Kasper, afternoon host at country WUSN 99.5-FM; and Eric Tyler, afternoon host at Top 40 WBBM 96.3-FM. Sports/talk WSCR 670-AM took the biggest hit, losing midday co-host Connor McKnight, evening and weekend host Julie DiCaro, reporter David Schuster, producer and podcast host Rick Camp and freelance weekend host Maggie Hendricks. Also laid off was Kenny Jay, program director of US99. Many more positions in sales, promotions, digital and other areas also were eliminated or furloughed, sources said. Employees making more than $50,000 were given pay cuts of 10 to 20 percent. Entercom CEO David Field, who had his own salary reduced 30 percent, cited the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on advertising revenues. “We must take hard but necessary actions to ensure that we endure the crisis and emerge as a strong, healthy and competitive company,” Field said. “I am deeply saddened that we need to make these painful moves at this time, but they are necessary under the circumstances.” Continue reading →

iHeartMedia Chicago

Robservations on the media beat:

More than 30 full-time and part-time employees were placed on temporary unpaid leave this week at iHeartMedia Chicago in response to the economic downturn triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. Sources said staffers in every department were affected by 90-day furloughs ordered throughout the country’s biggest radio company. Officials of iHeartMedia Chicago did not respond to requests for comment. Earlier, the company’s top executives said in a statement: “To be clear, while this will involve a small total number of employees, they are valued colleagues and we did not take this step lightly. We look forward to welcoming them back as soon as we can.” The iHeartMedia cluster here includes urban contemporary WGCI 107.5-FM, urban adult-contemporary WVAZ 102.7-FM, Top 40 WKSC 103.5-FM, adult contemporary WLIT 93.9-FM, country WEBG 95.5-FM, and gospel WGRB 1390-AM. Continue reading →

Justin Kaufmann

The ill-timed removal of Justin Kaufmann as evening host at news/talk WGN 720-AM and the passing of Chicago radio legend Clark Weber led the top 10 most-read stories here in March.

To read the full posts, click on the headlines: Continue reading →

22nd Century Media

The coronavirus pandemic and its calamitous effect on advertising revenue has put a suburban Chicago news organization out of business after 15 years.

22nd Century Media, publisher of 14 community newspapers and websites covering the North Shore and southwest suburbs, abruptly shut down operations Tuesday, resulting in the loss of more than 40 jobs — including 20 newsroom positions. Continue reading →

Doug Stylz and Justin Roman

Robservations on the media beat:

Stylz & Roman Uncensored

Stylz & Roman are back. Nearly a year after they left Chicago radio, the popular duo of Doug Stylz and Justin Roman have reunited on a twice-weekly podcast. "Stylz & Roman Uncensored," featuring Cat Kennebeck as a regular contributor, debuted this week with Ryan Chiaverini of "Windy City Live" among their first guests. (Here is the link.) With new episodes every Monday and Thursday, it's produced by Steve Mandell, the Chicago attorney and talent agent. Until last May Stylz & Roman co-hosted mornings on Entercom country WUSN 99.5-FM. Before that they co-hosted afternoons on Entercom Top 40 WBBM 96.3-FM. Roman also served as stadium host for Chicago Bulls home games. Continue reading →

Daily Herald Media Group

Robservations on the media beat:

We may be among the first in the media, but we’re not likely to be the last. Citing the shutdown of consumer spending caused by the coronavirus pandemic and its expected impact on revenue, the Daily Herald has reduced the salaries of staff members by 15 percent, effective April 10. Officers of parent company Paddock Publications have had their salaries lowered 20 percent. “We are confident that we can weather this, provided we pull together and make some short-term sacrifices for the long-term health of our employee-owned company,” executives of Daily Herald Media Group told employees Friday. “While other industries have shut down and their workers released, with your support we will stay the course. We will continue to deliver on our mission — to provide valuable, trusted news and information to readers in print and online and to serve with excellence our many customers who depend upon us to meet their needs.” (Disclosure: I am a full-time employee of the Daily Herald and am affected by the cut.) Continue reading →

Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin (Photo: Charles Cherney)

Robservations on the media beat:

Todd Manley

Two of Chicago’s most prominent and well-connected communications consultants are teaming up on a podcast that couldn’t come at a better time. Lissa Druss and Thom Serafin bring their outstanding expertise to “The Crisis Cast,” focusing on crisis management in uncertain times. (Here is the link.) Each episode is hosted by Mariam Sobh, former news anchor at WBBM Newsradio, and features expert guests with unique perspectives on the challenges facing today’s businesses, politicians, and nonprofits. Three to five new episodes will be uploaded weekly. It’s the first project from Chicago-based EarSight Studios, just founded by media innovator Todd Manley, former station manager and vice president of content at news/talk WGN 720-AM. “There is such a need for conversations like these,” Manley said of the new podcast. “Personal and professional lives are experiencing upheavals, rapid changes, and in many instances an accompanying crisis. In Lissa and Thom, we have two crisis communicators who are leaders in their craft.” Continue reading →

Chicago (Photo: The Drive)

Robservations on the media beat:

Now here's a good one from WDRV 97.1-FM, the Hubbard Radio classic rock station. At 8 p.m. Friday, The Drive will air “The Star Spangled Banner” followed by Queen’s “We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions.” Listeners are invited to open their windows or step out onto their porches or balconies and sing along. In a display of support, Chicago’s Willis Tower and Prudential Building will modify their lights to illuminate the skyline in red, white and blue during the event. “As COVID-19-related hardships, anxiety and uncertainty continue to consume our daily lives, The Drive is endeavoring to provide a few moments of relief, unity and pride across the Chicagoland region," said Rob Cressman, director of branding and content. "We hope to instill a strong sense of community while preserving ever-critical social distancing regulations — as fans participate solo or within their own households.” Continue reading →

Illinois Broadcasters Uniting Against Hunger

Television and radio stations throughout Illinois are teaming up to relieve shortages at food banks in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Starting with a daylong public-service marathon Thursday, Illinois Broadcasters Association in partnership with Feeding Illinois will seek online donations from viewers and listeners at www.FeedingIllinois.org/unite (or text FEEDIL to 91999). Continue reading →

Brad Edwards (March 24, 2020)

While all news media are practicing social distancing and adapting to working outside the office, WBBM-Channel 2 went a step further Tuesday. The CBS-owned station originated its entire 5 p.m. newscast away from its Loop newsroom, studio and control room.

“We are doing this as a test in [the] event we would not have access to our building due to COVID-19 or some other problem,” tweeted John Dodge, digital director and executive producer at CBS 2. Continue reading →