Posted on 01/14/2009 9:22:07 AM PST by raccoonradio
Yep - January 20 sounds like the date Clear Channel's planning to "do it."
Yes, that is also Inauguration Day, and I'm again saying that it appears to be the day Clear Channel managers are instructed to take whatever personnel actions they're going to. That's what they were told at last week's managers meetings in Dallas. Now - could that change, with an audible from San Antonio? Sure. But I'm increasingly confident that those personalized jump drives the market managers were handed contain the road map for what they're supposed to do on January 20. That presumably would mean the RIFs would be taking place while most of the nation is watching the new president get sworn into office. How big are the rumored cuts? Are they really going to affect sales as much as or more than programming? Is there going to be more centralized "national programming" with the new 2009 budgets, and less local talent? I've heard and told you all those things, and we'll just have to wait until next Tuesday, January 20 to start finding out. One former Clear Channel exec tells me "it's a little sad that it's dragging on so long there." It must feel like purgatory.
I would not be surprised that hundreds of companies have arrived at that idea. I had a hunch in November before Thanksgiving that companies were looking to lay off but not be heartless. I think they purposely put off the bulk of the INITIAL round of layoffs until after the holidays meaning after January 2nd. By looking at the calendar they could see the opportunity the Innauguration presented. It allowed them to get it done in January and not appear on the front page by announcing that day.
It’ll be interesting...
>>According to Taylor on RI's newsletter, the decisions have already been made with no room for recourse or bargaining; it's just a matter of what date the chain releases the information. He reports that his sources are leaning toward Inauguration Day 01/20/09, with thehopes that the massive cuts will be overshadowed in the national news by Presidental events.(end)
Of course "bad news" is often released at certain times, like late on a Friday (the Clinton administration released the news of Jocelyn Elders' resignation at that time so it would only show up in Sat papers, which aren't as well read--and just late enough so Rush wouldn't have a field day with the news!
Yup, do it when Obama’s coronation grabs the attention.
>>Is there going to be more centralized “national programming” with the new 2009 budgets, and less local talent?
Look for this to affect talk radio on Clear Channel stations. It already has happened in places like CBS Radio, where some
local overnight hosts were replaced in some cities for
a new “national” show (Boston, St L, Minn, Pitt.)
Before Bambi bans layoffs
This may be a stupid question, but here goes: Does a conservative or conservative group own Clear Channel stations?
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