Hubbard Initiates Company-Wide Layoffs in Seven Markets

RADIO ONLINE | Sunday, May 3, 2020

Hubbard Radio

Hubbard Radio made company-wide layoffs across its clusters in Chicago, Cincinnati, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Seattle, St. Louis and Washington, DC, on Friday over the financial impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Chicago media columnist Robert Feder reports the exit of Classic Rock WDRV (97.1 The Drive) night talent Phil Manicki and overnight host Greg Easterling. Also out are AC WSHE-FM (SHE 100.3) morning producer and air talent Robb Rose and night personality Brian Middleton, as well as WDRV-FM Promotion Manager Heather Torrey. Additionally, Hot AC WTMX-FM (101.9 The Mix) morning host Eric Ferguson, producer Cynthia Denicolo and social media talent Melissa "Mel D" Dever depart.

In Cincinnati Production Director Ray Anderson exits after 11 years. He also held middays at AC WREW-FM (Mix 94.9) and formerly aired in mornings and afternoons.

In Minneapolis, Sports KSTP-AM (SKOR North) "Purple Daily" host and Vikings reporter Matthew Coller, Assistant Director of Content & Distribution and Twins reporter/host Derek Wetmore, midday "Skor North Live" host Ramie Makhlouf, along with producers Ross Brendel and Jonathan Harrison and social media coordinator Seth Auger are out. KTMY-FM (MyTalk 107.1) and Hot AC KSTP-FM (KS95) also announced layoffs.

In Phoenix Classic Rock KSLX-FM night personality Russ Egan is out after 5 years.

In St. Louis, more than 20 staffers reportedly exit including Country WIL-FM (New Country 92.3) morning hosts Bud Ford and Jerry Broadway leaving after more than four years. Former St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist and 7-10am host Bernie Miklasz departs Sports WXOS-FM (101 ESPN).

In Seattle, at least 17 are out including KQMV-FM (MOViN 92.5) midday personality Justin Barnes, who had been with the CHR outlet since 2010. He also served as Social Media Strategist and Social Media Director. Also out are 13-year KQMV afternoon host Mason Mousette, 20-plus year production talent John Nixon, 20-plus year KIXI-AM radio vet Dan Murphy and Country KNUC Marketing Director Tori Dunn.

In Washington, DC, several staffers exit News WTOP and News WFED-AM (Federal News Network), including senior lead web developer Zoe Salwen, Senior Account Executive Deborah Martins, Account Manager Morgan Vekeman, WFED Editor-in-Chief Lisa Wolfe and production manager George Moshos.