Posted by Petty Cash Bull on January 26, 2010 at 15:49:02:
New WLS-AM boss moves quickly to shake things up
890 | Fires Shomper, says Roe Conn still big part of the plan
Michael Damsky likes to move fast. The new general manager at news/talk WLS-AM (890) had barely been in his new job a week when he dumped Bob Shomper as the station's program director last Friday and started a search for his replacement.
Clearly, there's a sense of urgency as Damsky tries to make WLS-AM a serious contender again in the local ratings. The news/talk station wound up way down in the pack, tied for 22nd place overall among adults 25 to 54 in the December Arbitron book -- just ahead of rival news/talk station WGN-AM (720), which was 24th overall in the 25 to 54 adult demo. The biggest problem facing WLS-AM is in afternoon drive, where Roe Conn and new co-host Cisco Cotto are mired in 26th place among adults 25 to 54.
But from the perspective of Damsky, who came to the WLS-AM general manager's job from the sales side of the business, his on-air talent isn't a concern. Rather, it's making WLS-AM as relevant as it can -- and must -- be in news/talk.
"We want to re-establish the station as the dominant events-driven talk station in the market," explained Damsky, who clearly didn't agree with all that Shomper and his boss Mike Fowler (who was abruptly fired and replaced by Damsky) had done.
Damsky pointed to Chicago's shocking Olympic Games bid meltdown last October as one example of the station's poor handling of a breaking news story. "We didn't have a plan of action in place," said Damsky, adding, "I don't think we've been as nimble as we need to be."
WLS-AM's new general manager doesn't intend to drag his feet finding Shomper's replacement either. He'll consider internal and external candidates, but to get things moving in the right direction, Damsky obviously needs a program director with some knowledge of Chicago and what interests local residents.
But whomever Damsky selects, the new PD must be prepared to work with Conn and Cotto. As of Monday, Conn had yet to sign on the dotted line on a new contract that one source familiar with developments indicated would pay him around $250,000 a year, but Damsky insisted Conn is an important part of the plan to boost WLS-AM's fortunes.
"We have the talent we need; we just need to make sure the shows are executed the right way," said Damsky.
Replacement for Miller soon
Meanwhile, Damsky said oldies-formatted WLS-FM (94.7) could very soon name a replacement for Brant Miller in morning drive. He said WLS-FM probably will hire a talent known in the Chicago market, but said the new host would preside over a morning drive program that is "more streamlined and music-focused" than it was with Miller at the helm.
New gig for Steve Harvey
Steve Harvey is going to be one busy man next fall. In addition to hosting his "Steve Harvey Morning Show" syndicated radio show, which airs in morning drive on urban adult contemporary WVAZ-FM (102.7) in Chicago, Harvey has inked a deal to host the nationally syndicated "Family Feud" game show when it begins its 12th season next fall.
Rick O'Dell's new show
Veteran smooth jazz radio host Rick O'Dell quietly launched his new midday radio show last week on his new radio home, smooth jazz WLFM-FM (87.7). The show airs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. "Our idea was to execute a soft launch to get Rick back in rhythm," said WLFM general manager Pat Kelley, adding "having Rick on the air at 87.7 FM is an important part of our plan to give Chicago w hat they are asking for."