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Cumulus cuts: Layoffs hit WLS behind the scenes

Posted in Robert Feder | Chicago Media blog by Robert Feder on Oct 25, 2011 at 9:00pm

Michael LaCrosse

As program director of oldies WLS-FM (94.7), Michael LaCrosse survived five years, three general managers, three morning shows, and a change of ownership from ABC to Citadel Broadcasting.

But he couldn’t survive Cumulus Media.

On Tuesday, LaCrosse was among nine Chicago staffers whose positions were eliminated at WLS-FM and news/talk WLS-AM (890) in a wave of budget cuts ordered by Cumulus in the wake of the company’s $2.5 billion merger with Citadel last month.

Michael Damsky, president and general manager of WLS, declined to comment. But sources said the layoffs did not affect any on-air personnel at either station — unlike those in other major markets including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta and Dallas.

In addition to LaCrosse, the only programming personnel to be laid off were Jock Hedblade, executive producer of Roe Conn and Richard Roeper’s afternoon show on WLS-AM, Zack Christenson, executive producer of Don Wade and Roma’s morning show on WLS-AM, and Chris Papendick, producer of Greg Brown’s afternoon show on WLS-FM.

As part of the Cumulus realignment, Drew Hayes, operations director of WLS-AM, no longer will oversee programming for the company’s news/talk WMAL-AM/FM in Washington, D.C., as he has since May 2010. He and Tracy Slutzkin, program director of WLS-AM, will focus solely on programming here.

At WLS-FM, LaCrosse’s duties are expected to be assumed by Jan Jeffries, senior vice president of programming for Cumulus, who relocated from Atlanta to Chicago last month. Jeffries previously programmed WLS-FM and the former WAGO here in the 1980s.

A former assistant program director and music director at smooth jazz WNUA, LaCrosse joined WLS-FM as program director in December 2006. He was promoted to operations director last year.

“Through a lot of hard work, tough choices, and dedication to the product that the listeners wanted to hear and that clients wanted to be a part of, we’ve taken the station to new levels from both a ratings and revenue standpoint,” LaCrosse wrote in a message to staffers. “I have no doubt that the work you’ve all done in laying the strong foundation that 94.7 WLS now has will be used to see continued success in the future.”

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What a shame! The selection of music now being played on WLS-FM makes for fun listening.
By Dan Fields (not verified) on 10/25/2011 at 9:35 pm
What an awful day for everyone on both sides of the dial at WLS ...why do new owners have to burst onto the scene and start meddling with success ?
By Lori Blackwell (not verified) on 10/25/2011 at 9:51 pm
Hoping those cashiered were provided with some generous parting gifts as they begin playing the tragic home version of the game. Cheers to the new honchos for retaining Michael Damsky. He is, unconditionally, Chicago's best radio GM and one of the very best in the entire industry.
By media hack (not verified) on 10/25/2011 at 10:02 pm
What a joke. Once again, the wrong people were fired.
By Anonymous (not verified) on 10/25/2011 at 10:27 pm
Producers make shows happen. Sorry to see Jocko leave Roe and Roeper.
By Ken (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 12:41 am
I wouldn't let WLS management even run GlenBrook South radio!
By Dr. Drew Damski (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 1:02 am
I worked directly under one of the Dickey brothers, in another market, for about two months ... and then he laid off more than 20 of us. This, after looking me directly in the shoulder and telling me that my job was secure. What a shame, that these scum-sucking toads are taking control of once-great radio stations. They've done more than the iPod has done, to ruin the business.
By Grskonikov Borzhnyet Debredamsky (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 1:39 am
I read on another board that they also laid off the receptionist. Really? The receptionist? How low can a company go? Almost makes Clear Channel seem like a group of nice guys.
By Citadel (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 5:36 am
Cumulus...known by their employees as "Cum on us!"
By Fasteddie (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 6:33 am
Did you ever notice when Jeff Davis says at the top of the hour, "A Cumulus Station," it sounds like he's puking? That's how Cumulus sounds, just like Lew the Dick. It's a shame the the once proud and innovative ABC chain has gone to hell.
By mediamaven (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 6:52 am
So sad. We all knew that Cumulus would ruin another good broadcast company. Sad to see it hit Chicago. Now let's see how the big talking AM & PM shows do without a producer! I think we'll all forget about this tomorrow when (rumored) Clear Channel hatchets all markets 50 and up.
By Fa Fa Fooey (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 8:05 am
I know that the very creative Zack Christenson worked his job as producer for Don Wade and Roma every waking hour -- and dreamed about it, too. What a shame to lose him.
By Dan Miller (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 8:25 am
On the FM side, the music played by this Oldies station was getting "newer," and "newer," every day. Not to mention, they were being trounced by their competitor led off by Eddie & JoBo. Now let's also talk about WLS FM commercial breaks. Seven, eight and even NINE minutes?!!!!! Nine minutes, 18 spots. In one break?! Nuts. As goofy as this new ownership is, I hope at least they reduce the break times. Put older music back on. Tell us the time in between songs, and announce the date and show number throughout those Casey Kasum reruns.
By Peter Destounis (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 8:58 am
Anyone who knows anything about Chicago ratings knows WJMK falls behind WLS-FM in almost every demo. And I highly doubt they run 9 minutes worth of spots at once. WLS-FM is a top 10 station. They are doing something right.
By Radio Geek (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 9:24 am
Let's not be silly...Citadel screwed that station up when they laid off all the people who actually *worked* there 3 years ago. The wrong people were fired...like someone already said...I'm talking middle management here.
By Anonymous (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 9:49 am
If I was Michael LaCrosse I would have called U-Haul as soon as I saw that Jan Jeffries was returning to Chicago. Jan is a very "hands-on" radio guy and I only hope that he helps make WLS-FM even better with high-profile personalities, nostalgic jingles and oldies that actually pre-date the Beatles. Just look at the line-up on K-Hits 104.3...they're all former top 40 super-stars from B-96 from 15-20 years ago. So their "oldies" are naturally the newer stuff. WLS-FM needs to be more mainstream with iconic names that have made Chicago radio among the best in the nation! Do it right Jan...we're listening (at least for now.)
By Art Vuolo (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 9:59 am
What a shame! One of the best sounding stations in America (besides WZPH). Big corporations spend millions to purchase properties and then have no money left to pay the ones that make it run. I have nothing but the utmost respect for Mr. LaCrosse and what he has accomplished in such a short time. I hope and pray corporate Mr. Jeffries does not mess with a great product and keeps what already sounds great the way it is. LaCrosse is one of the bright spots in a dim broadcasting business. Al Gordon, Edison, NJ
By Al Gordon (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 11:22 am
I don't think Zoraida cares one way or another about this. And if Zoraida doesn't care, I don't care.
By lise dominatrix (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 12:13 pm
Jan Jeffries. Seriously hes the guy. The same jerkoff that ruin(s) radio stations every day with his "paranoia i gotta know what your doing every second" mentality. Sorry Art but the icons of Chicago dont want that or jan jeffries who DIDNT become a legend, although you cant listen to him for 4 seconds without hearing how he MADE WLS back in the day. The guys another train wreck waiting to happen. Hes only there because of Lew Dickey. Without Lew Dickey Jans serving burgers at White Castle on North Avenue.
By Anonymous (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 12:13 pm
Let's hear it for yet another way to bring us to 8% unemployment. And people wonder why this country is in such disillusionment! Oh, well, with a name like LaCrosse, maybe Michael will have the last laugh a la exonerated Duke lacrosse defendants.
By Savage Fan (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 12:21 pm
This is indeed a tough break for what was once literally the voice of Chicago. And with all the buying, the bottom line had to hit red. It's really a shame. As a retired Detroit radio persoality, this saddens me.
By Jay Richards (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 2:00 pm
Cumulus just shot themselves in the foot by removing Jocko as Roe and Roper's Producer.
By Anonymous (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 4:45 pm
There have been purges before - Disney, Citadel and now Cumulus. They must be bringing people in between these mass firings or Roe and Roma split reception duties before/after their shifts. Michael LaCrosse is an excellent program director and has worked hard to develop a local flavor for what was a 24/7 Scott Shannon Show. He even got Scott to localize his shows more. An honest, straight shooter - try to find a dozen of those in the radio business. Best wishes to all who woke up out of a job today.
By Crustywalt (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 4:59 pm
Save money = fire Executive Producers = Brilliant! Promotions all-around for the managers!
By Oh Boy Was That Bad (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 5:05 pm
Once again, the idiots controlling Chicago media have made the mistake of letting Jocko go...He's one of the most talented and connected producers in broadcasting...I worked with him for a number of years at Fox, and I never met a brighter ( or nicer) guy in the business..Hopefully, someone will pick him up quickly..It would be to their benefit, believe me...
By John L (not verified) on 10/26/2011 at 7:32 pm
Wow, what I shame. I've followed Mike since I met him a few years ago at Columbia College while he was Asst. PD at WNUA. HANG IN THERE MIKE...There's always a place for the good guys. jory
By Jory Spears (not verified) on 10/27/2011 at 7:45 am
With all due respect to "Radio's bestfriend" Art Vuolo, the last thing WLS-FM needs to do is to put on old jingles or pre- beatles anything. What they should do is be a heavy 80's oldies station. People who were 17 years old in 1980 are 48 years old now. That should be the station's target. Add some 70's music as well to get the 50-54 demo. If you go much older with too much 60's music, your listeners will be in their 60's and that isn't advertiser friendly. As far as personalities, sorry but with the exception of the morning show, most listeners don't care who's on the rest of the day. The only one's that care are us radiophiles.
By Bob (not verified) on 10/27/2011 at 8:56 pm
Jan Jeffries - The last time he was in Chicago he had like a 1 rating. He's really bad.
By Anonymous (not verified) on 11/13/2011 at 12:27 am
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About Robert Feder
Robert Feder has been keeping tabs on the media for more than three decades, including 28 years as a reporter and television/radio columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times. He's a lifelong Chicagoan and graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. At age 14, he founded the first and only Walter Cronkite Fan Club.
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