Posted by chicagomedia.org-surprised on December 04, 2007 at 07:49:52:
Declaring itself more than just "a radio company," Clear Channel Radio trimmed at least four staffers from its programming payroll Monday to shift its resources to Internet and sales ventures.
The end-of-the-year cuts came days after Clear Channel made similar moves in Los Angeles.
Topping the list was Armando Rivera, once considered a rising star, whose position was dropped as assistant program director and music director at urban adult-contemporary WVAZ-FM (102.7), known as V103.
Victor "The Diz" Blackful, a veteran of urban contemporary WGCI-FM (107.5), was laid off as evening personality. Replacing him alongside Frankie Robinson will be Leon Rogers, who had been morning traffic reporter.
At WKSC-FM (103.5), the rhythmic Top 40 station known as Kiss FM, Alexx Dupri is out as overnight personality. To cover some of Dupri's former hours, Billy Hammond's late-night show will be extended.
Also at Kiss FM, Pete Gallindo is out as producer of Kevin "Drex" Buchar's morning show.
An additional position of event manager in Clear Channel's promotion department also was eliminated.
Explaining the layoffs, Earl Jones, president and market manager of Clear Channel Radio in Chicago, said in a statement: "We are re-expressing our assets to achieve greater results.
"We will have more employees in 2008 than in 2007 as a result of an increased sales force and the establishment of a local Internet sales and programming division. We are not only a radio company -- we are a platform for content," Jones said.