Re: is wxrt doomed?

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Posted by C. King on February 12, 2008 at 10:36:48:

In Reply to: is wxrt doomed? posted by chicagomedia.org on February 08, 2008 at 12:20:46:

The short-term revenue growth CBS stockholders will get from these cutbacks will turn into long-term revenue declines in a year or two. Of course, by then, it could be some other executive's problem.

: In 1995, Dan Mason, then president of Group W Radio, knew he'd won the crown jewel of Chicago radio when he acquired fabled adult rocker WXRT-FM (93.1) in a $60 million deal with the fledgling sports talker known as the Score.

: "We are paying a premium to buy waterfront property, and we see no reason to alter how these stations are operating," Mason said at the time. "All of the key personnel should stay intact."

: Well, that was then -- and this is now.

: On Thursday, the very same Dan Mason, who's now chief of CBS Radio, presided over a wave of cutbacks and consolidations that many fear will destroy the unique culture of WXRT, and consign the station to mediocrity.

: In eliminating the positions of Michael Damsky, who was vice president and general manager of WXRT, and Sue Werley, who was the station's sales manager, CBS Radio merged its operations under the Score.

: Paul Agase, vice president and general manager of WSCR-AM (670), also will oversee WXRT.

: Moving from its longtime home at 4949 W. Belmont and squeezing in with the company's other properties downtown, WXRT stands to lose the last vestiges of its rebellious roots.

: Damsky, 58, a 24-year veteran who rose up the sales ranks to become only the third general manager in WXRT's history, showed his consummate class.

: "It has been an extraordinary experience spending 24 years working on one of Chicago's iconic brands," he said. "Everything that we have achieved has been the result of the team effort of an amazing group of people who have operated together like a family. I look forward to the next challenge, and thank all those who have made the 'XRT journey such a special one."

: Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio Chicago, declined to comment on Damsky's ouster or his group's other moves.

: When the dust finally settled, Peter Bowen had been shifted from vice president and general manager of Top 40 WBBM-FM (96.3) and adult hits WJMK-FM (104.3) to director of sales for the Chicago cluster.

: Zimmerman will add B96 and Jack FM to his direct oversight of all-news WBBM-AM (780).

: Dave Robbins, vice president and general manager of country WUSN-FM (99.5) and "Fresh" adult-contemporary WCFS-FM (105.9), adds new duties as group vice president of programming.

: In response to what was being called "Black Thursday" in the national trade press, CBS Radio released a statement about its "strategy of deploying our assets to best grow our ratings and monetize the results."

: Waterfront property, anyone?

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: The short-term revenue growth CBS stockholders will get from these cutbacks will turn into long-term revenue declines in a year or two. Of course, by then, it could be some other executive's problem. : : : In 1995, Dan Mason, then president of Group W Radio, knew he'd won the crown jewel of Chicago radio when he acquired fabled adult rocker WXRT-FM (93.1) in a $60 million deal with the fledgling sports talker known as the Score. : : "We are paying a premium to buy waterfront property, and we see no reason to alter how these stations are operating," Mason said at the time. "All of the key personnel should stay intact." : : Well, that was then -- and this is now. : : On Thursday, the very same Dan Mason, who's now chief of CBS Radio, presided over a wave of cutbacks and consolidations that many fear will destroy the unique culture of WXRT, and consign the station to mediocrity. : : In eliminating the positions of Michael Damsky, who was vice president and general manager of WXRT, and Sue Werley, who was the station's sales manager, CBS Radio merged its operations under the Score. : : Paul Agase, vice president and general manager of WSCR-AM (670), also will oversee WXRT. : : Moving from its longtime home at 4949 W. Belmont and squeezing in with the company's other properties downtown, WXRT stands to lose the last vestiges of its rebellious roots. : : Damsky, 58, a 24-year veteran who rose up the sales ranks to become only the third general manager in WXRT's history, showed his consummate class. : : "It has been an extraordinary experience spending 24 years working on one of Chicago's iconic brands," he said. "Everything that we have achieved has been the result of the team effort of an amazing group of people who have operated together like a family. I look forward to the next challenge, and thank all those who have made the 'XRT journey such a special one." : : Rod Zimmerman, senior vice president and market manager of CBS Radio Chicago, declined to comment on Damsky's ouster or his group's other moves. : : When the dust finally settled, Peter Bowen had been shifted from vice president and general manager of Top 40 WBBM-FM (96.3) and adult hits WJMK-FM (104.3) to director of sales for the Chicago cluster. : : Zimmerman will add B96 and Jack FM to his direct oversight of all-news WBBM-AM (780). : : Dave Robbins, vice president and general manager of country WUSN-FM (99.5) and "Fresh" adult-contemporary WCFS-FM (105.9), adds new duties as group vice president of programming. : : In response to what was being called "Black Thursday" in the national trade press, CBS Radio released a statement about its "strategy of deploying our assets to best grow our ratings and monetize the results." : : Waterfront property, anyone?

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