Radio host Brandmeier staying on at WLUP-FM

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Posted by chicagomedia.org on March 16, 2009 at 15:09:09:

In Reply to: Johnny B Stays at WLUP posted by chicagomedia.org on March 16, 2009 at 12:21:53:

March 16, 2009

BY LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times Marketing and Media Columnist

In the end, Jonathon Brandmeier has decided to stay put at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9). Despite aggressive overtures from Tribune Co.-owned news talk WGN-AM (720), WLUP did what it had to do to keep Brandmeier -- at least for now -- in a new contract believed to be for only one year.

WLUP's negotiations with Brandmeier dragged on longer than expected as the morning drive host kept talking to WGN, presumably to gain leverage with the Loop. In the end Nyren was able to offer Brandmeier a deal that allowed him to keep his staff intact and offered enough add-ons to satisfy his salary demands.

Sources familiar with developments maintain Brandmeier is re-signing with the WLUP for much less than the $1.2 million in hard cash per year he received in his previous contract.

But Nyren has vehemently disputed the $500,000 figure that other sources in the local radio industry believe is closer to what Brandmeier now will command in base salary.

The salary differential is apparently being made up via clauses in the new contract that provide bonuses if ratings benchmarks are met and that allow Brandmeier to rake in more cash by signing on-air product endorsement deals.

Many in the local radio industry wondered up until the moment the deal with the Loop was signed, whether the Brandmeier brand would be best-served by staying with the cash-strapped Emmis Communications station where he first rose to prominence as a radio jock in the mid-1980's.

Brandmeier returned to the Loop in 2005, after a stint in Los Angeles. But with his large production staff and program content that doesn't quite align with the WGN news/talk format, Brandmeier would have been a much tougher fit at WGN.

Now having lost out on the bid to get Brandmeier, WGN must move quickly to fill its vacant mid-afternoon slot.

Though questions remain about whether Garry Meier could handle the assignment in a solo capacity, he remains one of the frontrunners for the WGN gig.

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: Radio host Brandmeier staying on at WLUP-FM : March 16, 2009 : BY LEWIS LAZARE | Chicago Sun-Times Marketing and Media Columnist : In the end, Jonathon Brandmeier has decided to stay put at classic rock WLUP-FM (97.9). Despite aggressive overtures from Tribune Co.-owned news talk WGN-AM (720), WLUP did what it had to do to keep Brandmeier -- at least for now -- in a new contract believed to be for only one year. : WLUP's negotiations with Brandmeier dragged on longer than expected as the morning drive host kept talking to WGN, presumably to gain leverage with the Loop. In the end Nyren was able to offer Brandmeier a deal that allowed him to keep his staff intact and offered enough add-ons to satisfy his salary demands. : Sources familiar with developments maintain Brandmeier is re-signing with the WLUP for much less than the $1.2 million in hard cash per year he received in his previous contract. : But Nyren has vehemently disputed the $500,000 figure that other sources in the local radio industry believe is closer to what Brandmeier now will command in base salary. : The salary differential is apparently being made up via clauses in the new contract that provide bonuses if ratings benchmarks are met and that allow Brandmeier to rake in more cash by signing on-air product endorsement deals. : Many in the local radio industry wondered up until the moment the deal with the Loop was signed, whether the Brandmeier brand would be best-served by staying with the cash-strapped Emmis Communications station where he first rose to prominence as a radio jock in the mid-1980's. : Brandmeier returned to the Loop in 2005, after a stint in Los Angeles. But with his large production staff and program content that doesn't quite align with the WGN news/talk format, Brandmeier would have been a much tougher fit at WGN. : Now having lost out on the bid to get Brandmeier, WGN must move quickly to fill its vacant mid-afternoon slot. : Though questions remain about whether Garry Meier could handle the assignment in a solo capacity, he remains one of the frontrunners for the WGN gig.

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