Posted by madcityradio.com on October 16, 2008 at 15:32:21:
In Reply to: Entercom cuts posted by madcityradio.com on October 15, 2008 at 19:12:55:
As feared, budget cuts hit Entercom/Boston on Thursday (Oct. 16) potentially signaling cutbacks across the company. At talk WRRO, midday host Reese Hopkins exits and is replaced by Talk Radio Network Enterprises host Laura Ingraham, who will air from 10 a.m.-noon.
Marci Tyldesley from P.R. firm Regan Communications confirmed to R&R, "There have been some other layoffs," but she declined to go into specifics.
The Boston Herald reports the other cuts at the talker include Rich Teter and Andrew Strecker, who produced morning host Tom Finneran's show; marketing director Laura Rieder, who also oversaw sports WEEI; and national sales manager Donald St. Sauveur. At rock WAAF, a producer from Greg Hill's morning show also exits.
Talking about Hopkins, Jason Wolfe, VP of AM programming, says, "Reese did an excellent job for us, and I certainly wish him well going forward." He added, "These are challenging times for our industry, and we need to adjust accordingly."
Wolfe then continued, "Having said that, Laura Ingraham is one of the truly outstanding radio broadcasters in the country today, and the success of her program speaks volumes about her. She's got strong ties to Boston and New England, has tremendous brand equity in this market and will be a fabulous asset to the WRKO programming lineup."
Hopkins is quoted in the Herald as saying, "The company's going through some rough times, and they had to make a decision. It's business. It's nothing personal."
The cuts come after CEO David Field announced the indefinite suspension of the company's matching 401(k) contributions and a possible wage freeze for 2009.
(Radio & Records)