Audacy Begins Another Round of Layoffs Impacting Nearly 100
Audacy recently announced another round of layoffs, impacting nearly 100 employees across various stations including WBBM in Chicago, WTIC-AM in Hartford, and others. Notable departures include WBBM afternoon news anchor Keith Johnson, where five of the eight digital news staff positions were also eliminated. In Hartford, news anchors Kevin Gorden and Greg Little from 1080 WTIC have left the station. Additionally, KDKA saw a lineup change with afternoon host Rick Dayton departing.
These layoffs were part of a company-wide reduction that affected less than 2% of Audacy’s workforce, a move described by the company as necessary for its long-term growth. Audacy, which is recovering from a pre-packaged bankruptcy filing earlier this year, stated that these layoffs were tough but essential steps in aligning with their 2024 business plan, aimed at emerging as a stronger entity with a robust financial standing.
Employees affected have shared their experiences, with Mike Kadlick, a former Patriots reporter for WEEI in Boston, expressing his disappointment on X after being let go just before the NFL Draft. Another New York-based employee reflected on LinkedIn about the difficulty of losing talented colleagues. The company asserts that these strategic decisions are integral to reinforcing their market position and ensuring sustainable growth.